Australia’s, nay the world’s, fascination with this kitchen appliance just isn’t fading. Far from being a fad, the air fryer has fast become the must-have item and one of the most popular appliance hashtags on social media. So should you buy one – and if so, which one is right for you?
WATCH: Jules Sebastian makes ‘Bolognese Cupcakes’ in the air fryer
How do air fryers work?
Air fryers cook food by circulating hot air through the vessel and tray that the food is on. Air fryers come with a basket ‘tray’ or oven style trays that acts as a cooking chamber, a small amount of oil is then added and the fan inside uses rapid air technology to quickly heat up to temperatures of 200 degrees Celsius to evenly distribute the minimal oil and heat to give a deep fried, crispy texture.
Should every kitchen have one?
There are pros and cons to every appliance – and it’s true that so many “gadgets” end up stored in a cupboard, forgotten and greasy.The air fryer doesn’t seem to be cupboard-bound yet – and that’s because they are so easy to use all the family can get their heads around it, they’re quick and they are the healthier alternative to their deep-fryer cousins.
On the other hand, they aren’t the “miracle” appliance that can do everything – for example they can’t cook pasta (unless you want to try the latest TikTok trend Pasta Chips which we can say are delicious) or rice. Plus they are quite bulky, taking up a fair bit of bench space.
10 best air fryers to shop in Australia
Westinghouse 7.2L Opti-Fry Air Fryer, $199 from Catch
A household name, you know you can trust a Westinghouse appliance. With the cool-touch exterior and rapid air circulation system for evenly cooked meals this air fryer is sure to please.
Philips Premium Airfryer XXL, $569 from Bing Lee
This air fryer is the most powerful and largest air fryer in the Philips range and can even hold a whole chicken. Using 90% less fat than a conventional deep fryer it also has five pre-set functions meaning you can set and forget. The Philips Airfryer is the market leader and a great choice for anyone.
De’Longhi FH2133W IdealFry Manual Air Fryer, $189 at Amazon
This air fryer uses Rapid SHS Double technology to cook food to perfection. It features a 1400 watt heating element, 1.2 litre capacity, pre-set digital controls, viewing window and removable lid and pan for easy washing. The De’Longhi air fryer also comes with access to the Recipe Book app with over 200 recipes.
Breville the Smart Oven Air Fryer, $549 from The Good Guys
With 10 cooking functions, it operates as an oven as well as an air fryer, meaning it can bake, roast, grill and even slow cook. Unlike other air fryers, the Breville Smart Oven has more of a mini-oven look to it with its wire trays and glass front.
12L 1800W digital air fryer oven, $119 at Kogan
This all-in-one air fryer, rotisserie, oven, and dehydrator features 10 pre-set cooking functions and a digital display for easy and convenient cooking. Plus, with its 12L capacity, it’s a great option for families of four to five.
Sunbeam 4 in 1 Air Fryer + Oven, $259 from Bing Lee
We love the ease of this four-in-one air fryer. With four easy pre-sets (fries, poultry, veggies, meat) and manual cooking modes, including a rotisserie for chicken, it makes the cooking process simple. Plus, dishwasher safe accessories make it just as easy to clean.
Devanti 7L air fryer, from $113 at Amazon
With a chic all-black LCD display this air fryer will take pride of place on your kitchen countertop. Other great features include a two hour keep warm function, an auto shut-off function, non-stick pan, heat shield vent for good air circulation, bonus food divider, grill rack and tongs, and not least, easy to clean with dishwasher-safe components.
Panasonic 27L 1000W 4-in-1 convection oven, $849 at The Good Guys
This Panasonic convection oven is not your typical air fryer. It has all the capabilities of a microwave oven – by using steam, oven (top/bottom heater), grill or microwave power, you can preserve nutrients and enjoy crispy results quickly and easily. It is also equipped with air fry style cooking menus so you can enjoy crispy chicken wings (and more), guilt-free. Talk about versatile!
Tefal Fry Delight Air Fryer, $247 at Amazon
The Tefal Fry Delight uses 3D Air Pulse Technology to fry the food with minimal oil. It can also grill, roast and bake, is dishwasher safe and has an adjustable temperature control. Super quick, it cooks two servings of chips/fries in just 15 minutes.
