Are you looking for the best air fryer with racks? You’re in luck! I am rounding up some of the top models to consider, as well as the features that make them exceptional. I spent time researching different models and brands to give you a comprehensive list of some of the top alternatives worth considering.
While small air fryers are compact and affordable, some people might rather have the luxury of space. And that is where air fryers with racks enter the picture. They have large interiors that can double the cooking area.
Read on and learn more about your choices. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a summary of the products I’ll talk about in this post.
Ninja DT251 Foodi 10-in-1 Air Fryer: The winner of this roundup is an advanced air fryer with a built-in thermometer that can preheat within 90 seconds.
Cosori CS100-AO Air Fryer: It can be controlled by a mobile app, which makes it convenient for those who do not want to constantly monitor the air fryer.
Chefman Air Fryer Toaster Oven: While it’s the most affordable in this review, it has decent features and great energy efficiency.
Kalorik MAXX Air Fryer Oven: Reaching a temperature of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s a great option for smokeless and odorless air frying or grilling because it has activated charcoal.
- A Quick Comparison of the Best Air Fryer with Racks
- Best Air Fryer with Racks: Ninja DT251 Foodi 10-in-1 Air Fryer
- Runner-Up: Cosori CS100-AO Air Fryer
- Best for People on a Budget: Chefman Air Fryer Toaster Oven
- Kalorik MAXX Air Fryer Oven
- Benefits of Air Fryer With Racks
- The Problem in Air Fryer with Racks
- Final Verdict
A Quick Comparison of the Best Air Fryer with Racks
Before I discuss each model further, here’s a table that summarizes the key features of the four air fryers in this guide.
Ninja DT251 | Cosori CS100-AO | Chefman | Kalorik Maxx | |
Number of Cooking Functions | 12 | 10 | 7 | 10 |
Maximum Temperature | 450 degrees Fahrenheit | 450 degrees Fahrenheit | 450 degrees Fahrenheit | 500 degrees Fahrenheit |
Wattage | 1,800 watts | 1,800 watts | 1,500 watts | 1,700 watts |
What I Like | Built-in thermometer, solid buttons with tactile feedback | Smartphone control, two-speed fan | Budget-friendly, great energy efficiency | Smokeless Sear Technology, French door system |
Best Air Fryer with Racks: Ninja DT251 Foodi 10-in-1 Air Fryer
Why I Love It:
- High wattage for powerful performance
- Comes with a handy thermometer
- Buttons feel solid with tactile feedback
Limitations:
- Labels in the button may wear off easily
- Cleaning can be tricky
Kicking off our list is one product with more than 10,200 reviews on Amazon. Most of these reviews are five stars, so you can be confident that it can indeed be a game changer in the kitchen. Not to mention, Ninja is a reputable company.
One of the first things you will notice in this model is the high wattage. At 1,800 watts, it is at par with the Cosori CS100-AO, the next air fryer in this review. While it means that it draws a lot of electricity, it also indicates powerful performance. It heats up quickly, reaching a maximum temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
A feature that differentiates from the other air fryers with racks in this guide is the built-in smart thermometer. It eliminates guesswork since you can easily monitor the temperature of what you’re cooking.
As for versatility, it comes with ten cooking functions, including the following:
- Air Fry
- Air Roast
- Bake
- Whole Roast
- Broil
- Toast
- Bagel
- Dehydrate
- Reheat
- Pizza
With its two-level rack, you can cook two 12-inch pizzas at a time. If you’re cooking meat, on the other hand, remove the upper rack and you’ll have space for a 12-pound turkey.
Going through the reviews of some users, a few shortcomings are worth noting, although not necessarily dealbreakers. The labels can easily fade. More so, some people share that cleaning the unit can be quite tricky. I suggest that you clean it thoroughly after every use to make things easier.
Runner-Up: Cosori CS100-AO Air Fryer
Why I Love It:
- Convenient control through a mobile phone
- Allows changing the speed of the fan
- Easy temperature conversion
Limitations:
- Cannot start the air fryer through the app
- Too much hot air at the back
If there’s one thing that makes it stand out, it would be its smart control. Unlike the three other products on this list, this Cosori air fryer allows smartphone integration. Whether you’re watching TV in the living room or cleaning the patio, you can use your phone to control functions and monitor cooking. You can even connect it to Alexa. Isn’t that convenient?
Meanwhile, you can choose from 12 cooking functions. While there are presets, you can still customize the time and temperature if you wish.
- Air Fry
- Preheat
- Bake
- Broil
- Roast
- Toast
- Pizza
- Dehydrate
- Slow Cook
- Keep Warm
- Ferment
- Defrost
I also like how it comes with a two-speed fan. It gives users the chance to choose how high the speed will be to match it to the requirements of the recipe.
It might seem like a small thing, but some users might appreciate how you can easily convert temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius or vice versa.
While it’s convenient that there’s an app, you cannot start the air fryer using your phone. In my opinion, it would have been better if I can do that since it means I can preheat the air fryer even if I am not next to it.
Some reviews also point out how there’s too much heat at the back. I think that’s pretty common, especially when using air fryers in high temperatures. What I suggest is to keep it in an area with proper ventilation. Don’t put it near the wall.
Best for People on a Budget: Chefman Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Why we love it
- Budget-friendly without compromising performance
- Allows choosing the color for toast
- Low wattage means energy efficiency
Limitations:
- Does not come with a digital display
What makes this product different from the other three in this review? The price! It’s easy on the pocket, so it’s great for buyers on a budget. Despite being affordable, however, it does not mean that it has inferior performance.
The air fryer comes with four knobs. The first is for manually setting the timer. The second is for setting the temperature. Meanwhile the third is for setting the cooking function while the fourth is for the toast timer.
In terms of cooking functions, there are 7, which is the least of the four air fryers with racks in this article. You can choose from the following:
- Warm
- Broil
- Convection Broil
- Toast
- Bake
- Convection Bake
- Air Fry
In my previous review of the best 26-quart air fryers, I have already talked about this Chefman Air Fryer Toaster Oven. And I would like to reiterate that it has low wattage. At only 1,500 watts, it’s more energy efficient than the three others on this list.
In my opinion, one of the limitations of this air fryer is the lack of a digital display. You can see only knobs in front of the unit, although they are clearly labeled.
Kalorik MAXX Air Fryer Oven
Why we love it:
- Innovative Smokeless Sear Technology
- Cool french door
- Comes with an activated charcoal filter
Limitations:
- The knob has a loud click
As I was going over the features of this air fryer, one thing caught my attention – Smokeless Sear Technology. Sounds fancy, right? According to the manufacturer, it’s responsible for achieving authentic flavors. Plus, it gives the same char that you can achieve from an outdoor grill in a convenient indoor appliance.
Compared to the other products mentioned above, it’s different because it has a French door system. There are two doors. This way, it’s easy to take the rack on and off. What I like about this design is that you can prevent drips on the door when removing food, which can simplify clean-up.
More so, this 26-quart air fryer comes with an activated charcoal filter. This isn’t a feature I have seen in the other air fryers in this review. It’s responsible for the absorption of odor and fume as you cook.
The Kalorik Maxx has 22 cooking presets to take out the guesswork. Meanwhile, you can enjoy ten cooking functions, including the following:
- Air Fry
- Bake
- Toast
- Roast
- Grill
- Proof
- Sear
- Rotisserie
- Dehydrate
- Broil
While it might be a minor issue, I have seen reviews about how the knob has a loud click. This can be quite annoying for some. Although personally, I wouldn’t mind such, especially if it does not affect the performance.
Benefits of Air Fryer With Racks
The best thing about an air fryer with multiple racks is that you can enjoy a larger cooking area. It can effectively double the cooking surface since you can cook at the bottom and top. For instance, instead of having only one 12-inch pizza, you can cook two simultaneously.
More so, if your air fryer has racks, you can cook on multiple layers, which will depend on the number of racks your air fryer can accommodate. Even so, make sure to learn about how full an air fryer can be to maximize cooking efficiency.
The Problem in Air Fryer with Racks
Despite the good things, be warned. Air fryer with racks also has their shortcomings. Among others, one of the most significant is that it can affect the circulation of air. Unlike in basket-style air fryers, heat may not efficiently circulate. Nonetheless, the best way to avoid such is to choose a high-powered and reliable air fryer that can ensure even cooking.
There’s one more thing that some people may not like about air fryers with racks – the clean-up! Having multiple racks also means that you will clean multiple parts. In most cases, however, they are dishwasher-safe. Plus, you can consider adding parchment paper or spraying oil on the rack to prevent food from sticking
Final Verdict
In sum, the best air fryer with racks is great because it can maximize the cooking area. You can air fry more at a time without the need to stack your food. While it’s great, the quality and performance can vary, so take the time to compare your choices.
In this review, my top pick is the Ninja DT251. It’s from a reputable company. Plus, it has notable features like a built-in thermometer and ten cooking functions. Not to mention, it has high power at 1,800 watts, which can make it heat quickly.