12 Things You Can Do With an Air Fryer
Air fryers are not only used for making fried food. We made you a list of desserts, roasted meals, and even pizzas that you can prepare using an air fryer.
An affordable air fryer is a dream come true. A kitchen appliance out there can imitate a deep fryer with very little oil and very quickly? All of this without breaking the bank too?
There are great air fryers out there, but there are a lot of things to consider before getting one. To start, here are our picks for best air fryers under $100.
Our Favorite Picks Summary :
Our Favorite Picks Comparison:
The 8 Best Air Fryers Under $100
1. COSORI Air Fryer – Best Overall
At a capacity of 5.8 quarts, this air fryer’s square basket can fit food most air fryers can’t, such as a whole chicken, steaks, and cuts of fish. Its capacity can feed a family of five or more.
It is 1700 watts, which makes it really powerful. Its high wattage helps it cook faster than most and save energy. Thus, this bad boy will save you a lot of electricity bills. It can also be used between 140 to 400 °F.
One of the best things about it is how easy it is to clean. The basket is stainless steel, nonstick and removable; it is also free from FOA and BPA. This makes it dishwasher-safe.
Its whooping 11 presets for steak, poultry, seafood, shrimp, frozen foods, and much more saves you time and effort your ancestors would kill to save—no more undercooking or overcooking. Its preheating feature takes from 2 to 5 minutes and gives the food the best texture.
The shake reminder helps you cook food evenly. The Keep Warm feature keeps your food warm while you do something else.
Pros:
- Fast cooking
- 11 presets
- Easy to use interface
- Easy to clean
- 100 recipe cookbook
- Free 2-year warranty
- Sleek design
- Feeds a family
Cons:
- Takes a lot of counter space
Final Verdict
The COSORI air fryer is one of the best ones on the market right now thanks to its huge capacity, robust power and speed.
2. GoWISE USA GW22731 – Runner Up
Like its COSORI sister, it has a capacity of 5.8 quarts. If you have a family of four to six people, this inexpensive air fryer will work for you.
Similar to the COSORI one, it is 1700 watts. It is powerful enough to cook anything in 30 minutes or much less.
It is not dishwasher-safe. However, it is still very easy to clean; no pre-soaking is needed. It has a removable and nonstick coated basket and pan. They are free of PFOA as well.
Coming with 8 presets for steak, shrimp, cake, fish, pizza, and more, this air fryer does all the hard work for you. The Start/Stop button allows you to adjust the cooking process mid-cycle. The alarm function reminds you to flip your food.
An amazing safety feature is its cool-touch handle to avoid accidental burns. Another safety feature is the button guard on the removable basket to avoid accidental detachment.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Quiet
- 30-day money-back guarantee and 1-year warranty
- Comes in 4 colors
- 8 presets
- 50 recipes cookbook
- Cool-touch handle
- Alarm function
- Start/Stop button
Cons:
- Only 30-days warranty on the baskets, handles, and pans
- Material is not sturdy or durable
Final Verdict
It is versatile with amazing features. However, you can prolong the basket’s life by cleaning with non-abrasive sponges, and soft detergents. Using parchment paper can be helpful.
3. Ninja Air Fryer – Durable Ceramic Coating
This one has a smaller capacity than its COSORI and GoWISE counterparts. It has a capacity of 4 quarts, which is perfect for a family from three to five. It can fit 2 lbs of fries easily.
It is 1550 watts, which means it is pretty powerful.
In addition, Ninja Air Fryer is durable; the basket and the crisper plate are ceramic-coated. Ceramic coatings can withstand extremely high temperatures ranging from 105 to 400°F. This means that you can kiss goodbye toxic coatings that have you worried about the health and safety of your family in the long run.
Ceramic coatings also don’t scratch (yay!), but they can break, so be careful.
The cleanup is easy as it is dishwasher-safe. This is thanks to its nonstick ceramic-coated basket, pan, crisper plate, and multi-layer rack.
Ninja Air Fryer air fryer has 4 preset cooking modes (Air Fryer, Roast, Dehydrate, and Reheat). Yes, this confirms that it doubles as a dehydrator. Imagine the versatility that offers you chicken nuggets, roasted veggies, and dried fruits.
With this air fryer, you can also reheat your leftovers, so no food goes to waste. You can have all of this while staying on budget.
Pros:
- Durable ceramic coating
- 4 preset cooking modes
- Easy to clean
- User-friendly
- Limited 1-year warranty
Cons:
- No cookbook, only 12 recipes guide
- No automatic pause for when you pull the basket out without pausing the machine yourself
Final Verdict
This budget air fryer is impressively versatile. If you need one appliance to use on a daily basis and to help with every meal, this one is it.
The downside is that you will have to look for recipes yourself to benefit from its versatility. Some users complain about a plastic smell, but there is a solution for that.
4. Secura Air Fryer
Its capacity is 4.2 quarts; this means it can feed a whole family in one take, whether we’re talking about snacks or main dishes.
With its 1500 watts, Secura Air Fryer is among the powerful and energy-efficient air fryers. High wattage also makes sure the food is cooked evenly. So, this one does a good job making good quality meals in a short time.
As it is usually with analog air fryers (and old phones), they are made with very durable material that can handle heavy-duty use.
Its exterior design makes it easy to wipe it clean. Its nonstick and removable basket and parts deem it dishwasher-safe as well.
As an analog air fryer, it only has two dials to set the temperature and time for cooking. It also has heating and power indicator lights. These features make its use simple and straightforward, although fans of presets might not enjoy it as much.
The fact that it comes with an 8-recipe guidebook, a pan, a toaster rack, and skewers diversifies the cooking experience in ways many air fryers can’t.
Pros:
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Easy to use and straightforward
- Accessories
- Long cord that reaches outlets easily
- Quiet
- 2-year warranty
- Doesn’t take much counter space
Cons:
- Analog dials are not precise
Final Verdict
Anyone who doesn’t like analog air fryers can skip this one. Otherwise, it is amazing.
5. Avalon Bay Air Fryer – Best Air Fryer For Small Amount of Food
It has a capacity of 3.7 quarts, which means it can fit 2.2 pounds of food in one batch. This air fryer is for cooking a main dish for two people or a snack for more. To clarify, if you’re cooking a main dish for more than two people, you will have to do it in batches.
Its relatively small capacity helps in it being compact. It also has a top handle that facilitates carrying it around and storing it. The design is, overall, very elegant.
Avalon Bay Air Fryer is 1400 watts, which is more than enough for an air fryer of its size.
Its removable, BPA-free, and nonstick parts facilitate its cleanup. Even though it is dishwasher-safe, it is so easy to hand wash that you won’t need the dishwasher.
It is an analog air fryer that comes with two straightforward dials for time and temperature. The 30-minute timer comes with automatic shutoff to prevent overcooking and ensure safety.
It also has cool-touch pan handles to prevent accidental burns. Its non-slip feet make sure it stays in place. In addition, it comes with accessories such as a nonstick baking dish, multi-use rack, and a 52-page cookbook for all kinds of recipes.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Compact
- BPA free
- Accessories
- 90 days returns and a 1-year limited warranty
- Stainless steel 304 heating element
- 30-minute timer with automatic shutoff
- Cool-touch pan handles
- non-slip feet
Cons:
- Not suitable for large batches
Final Verdict
If you’re only cooking a main dish for two or snacks for more, this one is perfect. If not, maybe skip this one.
6. Black+Decker TO3265XSSD – Large Capacity
This air fry toaster oven comes at an extra-large capacity. It can fit 8 slices of bread, 12″ Pizza, 9” x 13” pan with handles without overcrowding or needing lots of batches. It has enough room for three separate racks at different positions.
What’s interesting is that for its large capacity, it doesn’t take up much counter space.
This combo appliance is 1500 watts. It is powerful, which is necessary for its many applications.
Although its parts are dishwasher-safe and it comes with an external crumb tray, the cleanup is probably the hardest on the list. A nonstick pan is definitely needed.
Black+Decker TO3265XSSD is analog. It comes with 5 cooking functions: bake, broil, toast, Keep Warm, and air fry. It also has a 60-minute timer to match all its cooking functions.
It comes with a bake/broil rack and a pan.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use dials
- Accessories
- Quiet
- External crumb tray
- 60-minute timer
- Extra-large capacity
- Doesn’t take much counter space
- 5 cooking functions
Cons:
- No instructions or recipes like with air fryers
- Not so easy to clean
Final Verdict
If you have a small kitchen and a combo appliance would save you space and money, get this one; it is definitely an investment. If you don’t have a problem with space, get any other air fryer on the list.
7. NuWave 36011 – Digital LED Controls
It has a capacity of 3 quarts, making it fall in the small to medium category. It can fit 2 chicken breasts or 1.5 pounds French fries. This capacity is perfect for couples and singles. Families of three or more should skip this one.
Showing off its impressive customization, NuWave 36011has three wattage control settings: 600/900/1300. NuWave prides itself on being green and energy-efficient with its products.
Its basket and base tray is PFOA-free and nonstick-coated. This ensures easy cleanup whether you wash it in the sink or the dishwasher.
This baby has 6 presets that include fries, frozen fries, nuggets, steak, poultry, and fish. The most popular foods to fry are one click away.
Not impressed? NuWave 30611 also has reheat and preheat functions. Anyone can tell you that reheating food with this air fryer is way better than in a microwave. Its basket is a patented one with meshed design to hot air to circulate around the food from all sides and directions.
Pros:
- Digital LED controls for maximum accuracy
- 3 wattage control settings: 600/900/1300
- Recipes available on an application
- Preheat and reheat functions
- Quiet
- 1-year warranty
- 6 presets include: Fries, Frozen Fries, Nuggets, Steak, Poultry, Fish
Cons:
- Accessories bought separately
Final Verdict
Kinda like its Avalon counterpart, it will do great for small batches. It is perfect for one or two people, but not more.
8. Elite Platinum EAF-1506D – Easy To Clean
At a capacity of 3.5 quarts, it can cater to singles and families from two to three people. At its price point and other features, this is a great investment for small households.
Like its Avalon sister, Elite Platinum EAF-1506D is 1400 watts.
Its cleanup couldn’t be easier, thanks to its removable PFOA/PTFE free nonstick coated fryer basket and pan. You can wash them with soap and sponges or a dishwasher.
This air fryer definitely has some “elite” features. It comes with 6 different menu functions: bake, meat, fish, cheese, veggies, and fries. It also has a 60-minute timer.
Furthermore, it has a cool-touch handle and overheating protection to ensure the safety of its users and the quality of the cooking. Also, the 60-minute timer has an automatic shutoff once it finishes its cycle.
The air fryer comes with a fryer Base, removable Pan, removable Basket, instruction manual, and colored recipe booklet. This air fryer really wants to be as convenient as possible.
Pros:
- 60-minute timer with automatic shutoff
- cool-touch handle and overheating protection
- 1-year warranty
- 6 menu functions
- 26 recipe cookbook (colored)
- Easy-to-use interface
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Not suitable for large batches
- Noisy
Final Verdict
This is one of those “if you can afford it, go get it,” kind of air fryers.
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How Far Will a $100 Air Fryer Go?
There is no doubt that air fryers above $100 are superior. Yet, there is plenty that an inexpensive air fryer can do for you.Healthier Alternative
Any air fryer, budget, or luxury, is a healthier alternative to a deep fryer. They can use from 70 to 100% less oil than a deep fryer. Say goodbye to the disastrous caloric intake that comes from eating deep-fried food. This is a pro no other kitchen appliance can give you.Slow Cookers, but Make It Fast
The idea of replacing your deep fryer, oven, and slow cooker with something that cooks snacks and meals within minutes sounds unreal. It is real. Add in some accessories, and you can replace your grill too.Save Space
No matter how big it gets, it is still a relatively small kitchen appliance. Most sub100 air fryers are actually small in size and capacity. So, if you have a small kitchen, what are you waiting for?Save Energy
Any air fryer that has high wattage can actually save you money in the long run. This is because powerful air fryers cook fast; thus, they don’t drain the electricity. However, you should be aware of how much the power outlets at your house can handleHow to Choose an Air Fryer?
Picking just one air fryer among a pool of many options can be overwhelming. To help you, we’ve collected the main features to consider before making a purchase.Basket Capacity
The capacity needed depends on your needs. Will you use it for cooking for a small family or a big one? Will you use it for cooking snacks or entire meals? The average air fryer basket capacity ranges from 1 to 16 quarts, depending on its other features. Air fryers ranging from 1 to 2 quarts are small; they are good for cooking a meal for one or a snack for two. Those ranging from 2 to 3 quarts are good for cooking a meal for two or a snack for three. Those ranging from 3 to 4 quarts are small to medium; they can cook a whole chicken cut down to pieces. Air fryers at 5 quarts can cook up to five chicken breasts at once or snacks for up to seven people. Air fryers from 3 to 5 quarts are the most popular. Air fryers ranging from 5 to 6 can cook for a family or cook different things simultaneously. Large air fryers range from 7 to 16 quarts. They can cook for large families and parties. Their large capacity enables them to cook whole chickens and turkeys; yes, your grandma would love this.Ease of Cleanup
You have to clean the air fryer after each use, not only for your health but also to prolong the air fryer’s life. So, you need to find one that is easy to clean with dishwasher-safe and removable parts. Preferably, find one where the stirring paddle, lid, and basket are dishwasher-safe.Accessories
You can opt to get an air fryer without accessories, but why do that when you can up your cooking game and give your little air fryer more superpowers? Getting air fryer accessories not only helps you fry but also roast, grill, and bake. To turn your air fryer into a hot oven, get it a baking pan. A double layer rack with skewers would be a decent upgrade to your air-frying experience. Air fryer liners help you prevent food from getting stuck in the basket. To expand your air fryer recipes, get a grill pan to eat some juicy steak and burger. The possibilities with accessories are increasing every day. The wisest choice to make is to get an air fryer with different accessories and/or different cooking modes included to save more money. The more versatile an air fryer is by itself, the better.Controls and Presets
Controls in air fryers are mostly temperature control, timer, and automatic shutoff. They can be analog or digital. Analog refers to the good old knobs you turn yourself. Analog controls are easy and simple, but they can be inaccurate. So, digital air fryers are more in demand today. They are usually more versatile and fuss-free. Presets or preset settings are what’s driving people towards digital air fryers even more. Imagine not having to guess what temperature or how much time is needed to cook what food? Popular foods such as french fries, steaks, burgers, chicken, and shrimp have their own presets in most digital air fryers to save you time and effort. With air fryers, the more controls and presets they have, the more expensive they get. If budget is your priority, stick to analog air fryers.Wattage
The first step is to make sure the power outlets in your kitchen handle wattage somewhere between 800 to 1800 watts. The second is to understand that the more power an air fryer has, the faster it can reach the high temperatures needed to cook. If fast cooking time is essential for you and your kitchen can handle the electricity, get a high wattage air fryer.Safety
Air fryers are relatively safe. Yet, they cook with high temperatures, which means you have to make sure the one you get has the most basic safety features. Find air fryers that have cool-touch handles or exteriors; you don’t want to burn yourself for these chicken nuggets. Some have safety measures that prevent the air fryer from operating unless the basket is secured. A standby mode for air fryers once they finish cooking is also useful.Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many good budget options on the air fryer market. Your choice will depend on your specific needs, along with being educated about the best and worst of each product. Small families will highly benefit from the Avalon Bay Air Fryer, NuWave 36011, and Elite Platinum EAF-1506D. People who love the simplicity of analog air fryers will love the Secura Air Fryer, Avalon Bay Air Fryer, and Black+Decker TO3265XSSD. Fans of powerful air fryers will appreciate the COSORI Air Fryer and GoWISE USA GW22731. Our most favorite pick is the COSORI Air Fryer.Recommended Posts for You
