One of the new hot products out there now is the Electric Air Fryer. We have received so many questions and comments about this new appliance that knew it was something we needed to review! After owning an air fryer for a while we're ready to tell you everything you need to know about an air fryer.
WHAT IS AN AIR FRYER?
An air fryer is basically a mini convection oven. Because it is such a small space the air is able to get HOT VERY FAST, it circulates around the food and cooks it quickly, creating a crispy outside without drying everything out on the inside.
Which air fryer  do you recommend and is it worth the investment?
I highly recommend the Power Airfryer Oven if you are going to purchase an air fryer. This one is larger, comes with several shelves rotisserie and skewer options, is easy to clean and can perform several more functions than the regular air fryer with only a drawer type compartment for cooking. I like using the shelves with my fries and foods because the air can circulate 100% Â around my food and cook it more evenly and faster.
Is it worth the investment? For about $135 it is not too expensive and can be used daily, if desired. It can almost replace a microwave. Not completely, but for the majority of foods we heat up our foods in the power air fryer. But some items we choose not to heat up in the microwave- like boil water and some other items. But I have to tell you reheating leftovers- like pizza is amazing! We also love to heat up our frozen foods like corn dogs, taquitos and of course french fries.
It's also an awesome little oven for the summer time- so you don't have to heat up your large oven and also heat up your kitchen/house! Using your regular oven in the summer can be brutal.
IS IT EASY TO CLEAN
Speaking for the power fryer oven it is really easy to clean! and most of the accessories are dishwasher safe. But they rinse off so easily I have yet to actually stick them in the dishwasher.
WHAT TO COOK IN THE AIR FRYER?
My favorite food right now to cook are sweet potatoes. Because, while I can cook them in the oven they cook in half the time and come out with the perfect crisp tender texture. We also love to heat up
- Alexia sweet potato fries! This is our favorite brand but we have also used regular potato fries and tater tots for easy quick dinner nights to go aside a protein and a veggie.
- ALL the processed foods (haha) Sometimes you just need a quick taquito, taco or chicken nugget for the kids for lunch- and this works perfectly! rispy outside, warm ready to eat inside. Â Depending on how many you cook they're done in about 5-10 minutes.
- Leftovers! As mentioned above- we love reheating our ModPizza leftovers. The crust comes out nice and crispy and the cheese cheesy!
- DESSERTS! Yes, they're tricker because of the smaller size. So try making individual desserts in ramekins! Or later this week Kadee is posting a delicious dessert recipe.
Different air fryers allow you to do different raw meats in different forms so check your owners manual and the company's cookbook to see what your fryer is really capable of. Â For instance, the power fryer oven is capable of dehydrating, rotisserie and skewer raw meat, veggies and more.
Richard Smith says
Just found you on Pinterest and just signed up on your site. I have a Power Air Fryer Pro and it is hard to find recipes for this type of air fryer. Can't wait to start using your recipes and doing some air frying!!!!
Robin Denise Estes says
Same here.. we are new to an air fryer. So far we love it. Mostly been winging it. I made burgers and fries at the same time. Started burgers first for about 10 min then added the fries for another 15 min. Just did a pork loin roast. OMG it was amazing
Denise Hoffstead says
I am so glad you put this out there, it was very helpful. I have the dome shaped Power Air fryer, XL I am going to purchase the Power Air fryer oven, so it is nice to get first hand info on this.
Karla grove says
Does the same food item cook the same on all racks? Does it matter which rack is used? Thank you.
Desarae says
I do feel like with this particular air fryer shown the top rack cooks faster than the other racks so if I'm cooking multiple racks of food, even different foods, I will rotate the shelves.
You can cook the same time on all the racks or you can cook different items also! I just remove one of the foods if it is finished before the others.
Suzanne says
How long do you warm up left over pizza and what temp please?! :)
Kadee says
It takes me about 5-7 minutes to reheat pizza. Its sooooo good in the air fryer!
BJ says
Just bought power air fryer. It is on its way. How do I reheat bacon in it.
Desarae says
If you’re reheating I would just put it in for a few minutes on 400.
Murielle St Jean says
Enjoyed reading about air fryer. Very well explained. Good information. Will go shopping for one now that I have the
information I was asking
Thank you
Murielle St Jean
Lorraine says
I have bought a Smith+ Nobel air fryer so that in summer my kitchen does not bet so hot.
There is no real usage directions,eg how to estimate timing for roasts with vegetables.
The menus are limited and does not cater for family meals.
Rikki barker says
I also use the shelf type air fryer. Had the other but could not cook a full meal. With the shelf style, I put my meat on the top rack, potatoes below and put my veggies on the bottom. I cook it all at the meat time and temp. Perfect every time.
Reta yoke says
You have all these icons on the air pro air fryer, some are self explanatory, but some recipes give temp and time but not which icon to use to cook and for a newbie it can be confusing. Help
Desarae says
I agree!! with so many versions and different models now of air fryers it can be hard to know what buttons to push! (I have this issues with instant pots too!) I've starting to try to go by temp and time like 400 for 15 minutes instead of like the "fish icon."
Dian says
The air fryer displayed here is the one my kids got for me. Im guessing I dont know how to use it properly because when i use more than one rack the tood doesnt cook evenly. Ive watched the commercial for this air fryer and they seem to use it flawlessly. Could you suggest what I could do better please. Thank you
Dian
Kadee says
Make sure your food is spread evenly. Using all of the racks is never very successful for me, but if it is evenly distributed it cooks great!
Angela w says
If you use more than one rack, rotate the racks every few minutes.
Lisa C says
Just rotate the racks while cooking
Kathi says
Love this air fryer, still experimenting with it , I have had great success with Salmon, and haddock as well. Bacon comes out great and I have used all three shelves for the bacon, of course all three shelves cook at a little different rate. I've also had good luck with chicken tenders. Easy clean up and faster cooking.
Brenda says
I have the Power Air Fryer with shelves and want to know if it’s ok to cook frozen microwaveable meals in it? If so do I need to remove the cover or just vent it as when cooking in the microwave?
Kadee says
We would not recommend putting anything in the air fryer that you can't put in the regular oven.
Cristina Black says
Hi! I have this air fryer and would like to have more recipes that are more specific to this fryer....Can you share some of your favorites? Some of the other recipes mention drawers or things that my fryer does not have and I have not figured out how to change or convert the recipe...I am a chicken!!
Desarae says
HEY! I know what you mean! We love it for heating up frozen foods- like taquitos and chicken nuggets. We also love it for reheating pizza. As from food from scratch we love cooking fish! Salmon is amazing in there. I've made battered chicken nuggets, sweet potatoes and regular potatoes.
Arlene Nelson says
I made my homemade chicken Parmesan in this oven! I egg-wash and breaded my boneless/skinless breasts and cooked them directly on the rack. When they were cooked (check temperature for doneness!) I put tomato sauce on them and sprinkled with mozzarella cheese. Returned them and watched them til the cheese melted! Awesome! Easy clean up!!!
Rotisserie is great!
mELISSA TORRES says
I haVE TO ADMIT I'M NOT A FAN OF SWEET POTATOES AND SO THIS RECIPE WOULD BE A GOOD ONE TO MAKE SO WE CAN ENJOY POTATOES BUT HEALTHIER!
Kenani Ya'aqob Genre says
By the way these newer cooking items are easier than cleaning your oven, and much faster and more efficient, just wanted to throw that in. Thank you.
Kenani Ya'aqob Genre says
Hello alongside the power air fryer oven, I have a halogen oven, which is great for oven jobs, that you don't want to heat up the house for, and I also have an instant pot, great for beans, spaghetti, taco meat, and other various things, I've been an electronic technician, which first prompted my interest in electronic items, but for over 44 years I've been a certified chef so combining the two was a natural, I love the new cooking devices. Thank you.
Sherie says
THank you for this!! I've been wanting to know more!