Are you new to the world of air fryers? Well you have come to the right place. With hundreds of brands and products on the web it can be hard to find what are the best air fryers for beginners. In this list you’ll learn what are the factors that are important for new comers. In this list I have included air fryers for you that are easy to use, easy to clean, have a wide range of functionality, and a lot of recipes and information across the web. Also since there are several categories of air fryers I have included the best air fryer for beginners in the different categories.
After the product list you’ll find a list of what beginners should consider before buying their air fryers like size, price, funcionality.
Also you can find an FAQ about the most important questions that beginners usually ask about air frying, like: Is it worth it? What should I prepare first? What shouldn’t I do with the air fryer?
If you are short on time and just looking for our top pick then this is the one: Cosori Smart Wi-Fi Air Fryer. For a detailed analysis, keep reading.
Disclaimer: We hope you love the products we recommend. Just to let you know as an affiliate partner we may collect a commission if you purchase something through the the links provided in this article with no extra cost to you.[wptb id=2677]
Best All Around Air Fryer for Beginners: COSORI Smart Air Fryer 5.8QT
The Cosori Smart Wi-fi Air Fryer is perfect for those who are new to air frying. It is one of the number one selling air fryers in the US with its staggering 96,000+ reviews on Amazon! Why I think it is the perfect air fryer for beginners is for the following reasons:
- Very easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Functionality
- Enormous amount of information and recipes available on YouTube and on blogs
It is a Wi-Fi Smart Air Fryer which means it can be integrated with your smartphone and smart-home systems (Alexa and Google). This can help you in several ways. First of if you are frying with a preset then it the air fryer will send you a notification when to shake the basket (it is important for the food to evenly fry) and when the food is ready.
It also has 12 presets including defrost which is quite a lot in the air fryer world.
The basket is dishwasher safe so you don’t have to wash the inside by hands. Although for durability I urge you to use parchment paper or a silicon tray.
You can also download a recipe app called VeSync that has hundreds of recipes that is integrated with the Cosori Smart Air Fryer. These recipes will give you a very clear direction on how to be prepared in the Cosori Smart Air Fryer so it is basically 99.99% fool proof (there is always that one guy who can still mess up right?).
To quote a customer: “The night I received my air fryer, I made the most amazing steaks that were so tender and moist inside! Since then, I have made Cornish hens, BBQ ribs, blueberry muffins, tater tots, and many other dishes.”
It also comes with a hard copy recipe book with 100+ recipes.
The air fryer itself has standard dimensions. It is a 5.8QT air fryer so it will be enough for about 4-5 people on average. It has a power of 1700W and heats up to 400°F. Around 80% of air fryers have heat up to this temperature so you can be sure it will do the job. The product has a 1 year warranty.
Also another thing I like is that a lot of YouTubers and Bloggers use this product so you can discover new recipes all the time.
Comes with a recipe app and book
Easy to clean
A lot of presets (including defrosting)
Huge amount of info on the web
No dehydrator option
Best Multi-Purpose for Beginners: Kalorik MAXX All-in-one Air Fryer and Toaster Oven
The Kalorik MAXX is an all-in-one air fryer oven that gives endless cooking possibilities. This is not a regular air fryer but an air fryer oven that gives you even more options than the Cosori. If you are a looking for your first air fryer I think this is the best multi purpose air fryer for beginners.
It combines many different functions into one machine which makes life easier when you’re trying to get dinner on the table after a long day at work or school – and saves space too since there aren’t separate pieces taking up valuable countertop real estate!
The Kalorik Air Fryer is a kitchen appliance that makes cooking food quickly and deliciously. It has 10 cooking methods, including air frying, baking, and roasting, so you can cook your favorite foods with the right amount of heat and pressure to get the best results for each dish.
The machine’s convection design circulates hot air around the food to create an even temperature throughout so there are no cold spots or undercooked areas where bacteria might grow faster than normal temperatures would allow them too – this means no more stirring needed every few minutes just because it feels like something wasn’t cooked all the way through yet (or worse yet accidentally burning things!).
Many customers claimed they have cooked their food half the time than recipe books recommended. The Kalorik MAXX can reach up to 500°F (which is higher than the standard 500°F) and it allows you to sear and caramelize steaks with it in just a couple of minutes.
One thing I like to stress is the design. If the design is important for you too you are going to love this piece. It has a French door that looks very cool and it is easy to open and close. It is lightweight compared to the size of the air fryer oven. They also include a recipe book that includes easy and straightforward recipes.
It comes with 9 accessories:
- Steak Tray
- Bacon Tray
- Air Frying Basket
- Air Rack
- Rotisserie Spit and Fork
- Baking Tray
- Rack Handle
- Crumb Tray
- Rotisserie handle
The downside of the Kalorik MAXX air fryer oven is the price and the size. Compared to other air fryers the Kalorik MAXX is almost the double of the price than a simple air fryer. Also it will take up a large space on your countertop. But the benefits in our opinion outweigh the extra costs. It has endless cooking possibilities, and a very efficient cooking system that produces delicious foods in a very comfortable way.
If you have a big family and you are looking for a multifunctional machine with a cool design then this should be your choice. So for the price you pay it is very good value, since it performs very well and it saves you time compared to other air fryers on the market.
Sleek design, especially the french door
Cooks food in much less time. Very efficient.
Comes with a lot of accessories
Doesn’t fit in small kitchens
Cheapest picl: Bella 2.9QT Manual Air Fryer
The Bella 2.9 Quart (QT) Air Fryer is a great choice for a small family. It is affordable in the 2 QT (quart) category, and it has all of the features that you will need for healthy cooking. This is one of the most popular knob control Bella air fryers on the market. For a beginner it can be a good choice if you are planning to spend less than $50 on an air fryer, that’s why I included on the best air fryers for beginners list.
It has a 1500 watt convection circulating system. The basket capacity is large enough to cook up some good tasting food for 2-4 people, so it’s perfect for a small household or couples.
It can handle meats like pork or beef steaks with ease, as well as artisan breads and cakes. You can cook over 2 pounds of food in there at once, and the thermostat goes up to 400 degrees F. The basket is dishwasher-friendly so there is no soaking or scrubbing by hand required.
One thing I definitely like with the Crux 2.9QT is that you can get it in different colors and all of them looks quite cool. As mentioned before I’m quite into kitchen appliance design.
It comes with 2 year warranty from the manufacturer, and has received some positive reviews on Amazon despite its small size. And if you’re looking at getting yourself into air frying then this one might be just what you’re looking for!
Pros:
Great price point and value for money
Comes with 2 year warranty
No digital display.
CRUX AirPro XL Indoor Grill & Air Fryer
The AirPro XL is the best choice for people who do not want to compromise. This is a multi-purpose air fryer like the Maxx but instead of being an oven it is an Air Fryer + Indoor Grill appliance.
its impressive 1760-watt heating system, it can grill, fry, roast, sauté, sear and bake almost any food in minutes. It can heat up to 510°F, which is the same level as a conventional oven. This means that the Airpro XL cooks much faster than standard air fryers, which typically heat up to 400°F.
You’re going to find that it is still very affordable for the range of foods you can prepare with this handy little unit. You can even bake or reheat a 12-inch pizza in it, and who doesn’t like pizza?
Yes, you heard me. Remember the time you ordered a pizza and preheated your oven for 10 minutes, only to put it in for 1-2 minutes? Well, that does not have to be the case anymore, because the AirPro XL has everything you need. It preheats in a few minutes, you pop the pizza in for another 1-2 minutes and it’s ready to go. With the AirPro XL, you can also grill the perfect steak and not even have to turn it. At the touch of a button, you get the perfect flavour and texture. Since the device has a large tray, it is suitable for large families, because the tray can serve up to 7-8 people.
The digital user interface is very easy to use. You can select the cooking method you want: Air fry, grill, bake, roast. There are also 5 presets: Roast, Saute, Sauté, Pizza, Dehydrate, which will give you a perfect cooking experience depending on what you want to prepare. Of course, you can also set the temperature and timer manually. It is
Higher power than regular air fryers
Large 12”x12” tray
Perfect substitute for an oven
It opens on the top, therefore the cabinets can be in the way
Crux 6QT Air Fryer
The Crux 6QT is a very decent air fryer that has fewer presets but can be still a good air fryer if you are looking for a simple yet highly rated air fryer on the market. This is an air fryer only appliance but don’t let that fool you because it is a beast. It has a 1700 W heating element that puts in the high-end performance of air fryers.
Its 5 lbs food capacity generously puts food on the table for 5-7 people. It weighs 12.12 pounds and its dimensions are 12.79 x 15.31 x 14.48 and therefore this can also be regarded as a compact machine compared to its 6 quarts capacity. The 6QT comes with 8 presets, which is a lot and therefore it gives the consumer a lot of freedom when it comes to cook foods in an air fryer.
This air fryer comes with a 60 minute timer with an auto shut-off as most of the Crux Air Fryers. As most Crux air fryers this one is dishwasher safe and has a PFOA free non-sticky pan. This air fryer is for families who don’t want to spend a lot on air fryers, who regularly cook for more than 4 people and for those who want a versatile air fryer with many options and a cool design.
It is very easy to use: You just set your preferred cooking temperature, choose a preset and there it is. Since it is almost as powerful as the AirPro XL (only 60 Watts short) therefore it preheats at lightspeed that saves you time and you can prepare a dinner in no time.
Preheats very fast
Large basket that can feed 5-7 people
What to consider before buying an air fryer?
Size
Air fryers can differ in sizes a lot. Always check the dimensions since it will mostly go on your countertop. Also check the height so it won’t bump into your cabinet. A 2QT air fryer is much smaller than a 6QT or 10QT air fryer.
Price
Air fryers can range from $40 up to $200 or even $300 if we are talking about an air fryer microwave combo. Decide what is your budget and buy one accordingly. That is why I have provided you with air fryers in different price categories. Although
What kind of foods you’ll prepare.
If you are going to prepare the basics, like French fries, meats, vegetables then a simple air fryer will do the job. But if you are going for special stuff then it is worth considering the functionality of your air fryer. For example if you want to make a pizza then an air fryer oven like the Kalorik MAXX is a great choice. If you are making steaks then presets designed for this dish is a must so your pricey fillet won’t go to waste. You can also bake breads that is a distinct preset on many air fryers. Be sure to check the reviews where customers love to share the range of foods they have cooked with.
Frequently Asked Questions from beginners about air frying
Is an air fryer good for beginners?
Absolutely! You can learn very easily how to use any air fryer. The different presets will help you to cook your food perfectly without doing anything (maybe shake the basket once but that’s all).
What should I make first in my air fryer?
I would say you should start with the easiest recipes like:
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Air Fryer chicken Drum Sticks
Are air Fryers Worth it?
Definitely! They save space, they are easy to use, and easy to clean. Air fryers use a lot less oil and therefore have great health benefits. Also many foods just taste much better when prepared in an air fryer because of the circulating heat that moves moisture inside the food.
What can’t you cook or do with an air fryer?
The most important is not to put anything in it if you are preheating it (like parchment paper or aluminium foil). Also check the voltage of the air fryer before buying (120V or 220V). Also if you are using aluminium foil don’t cook acidic foods in it. What you can’t cook with a regular air fryers are usually liquid food like soups.
Conclusion
To conclude be sure to check your preferences when it comes to air fryers as there are a lot of products on this market. For us the best all around air fryer for beginners is the Cosori Smart Wi-Fi but depending on your needs (like functionality, price, size) the other one’s rank very high on our list too. I hope I had persuaded you to enter the wonderful world of air fryers.
