We also tested the unique features on certain models, such as dehydrate modes or the steam feature on Balmuda’s The Toaster. Additionally, we took note of any excessively loud beeps and evaluated the usefulness of each model’s accessories. All pod air fryers have removable cooking baskets and most of them are nonstick.
It comes with two indents on the side to help you flip it over easily, and since both sides are perfectly flat, you can use both to double its lifespan. This Cuisinart Countdown 4-Slice Toaster has a countdown display with bars that disappear as toasting time elapses and sounds an audible alert when the toast is ready. The Cuisinart TOB-135 toasted bread unevenly, and its temperature control was less consistent, so we dismissed it. The Cuisinart has a three-year limited warranty, whereas most similarly priced competitors include just one- or two-year warranties.
Nevertheless, if you’re in the market for a quality air fryer at an affordable price, Costco is a great place to look, especially during the holidays when they go on sale. Last but not least, check out this cuisinart toa60 delicious-sounding recipe from The Creative Bite. This one will show you exactly how to prepare Tortilla Crusted Tilapia (available at Costco and online at Costco Business Center) using your air fryer.
Making Italian sausage in the air fryer has definitely become one of our new favorite sausages to make! Add oil to wings, then season with salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Pop a handful of frozen pierogies in the air fryer, then pair them with your favorite dipping sauce or serve them as a side dish with your meal. I liked the top placement of the control panel on the Cosori Lite air fryer.
Since the sausages are such a quick-cooking recipe you could skip flipping them over, we noticed both sides turned brown even in the batches that didn’t get flipped. Check at the half-way cooking point and if the bottom isn’t getting brown at all be sure to flip them over. Spread frozen pierogies in a single layer with a little bit of space between each one. While it’s a given that everyone loves fresh vegetables, sometimes it can be hard to make frozen vegetables taste good.
You won’t get quite the same smoky flavor as a wood-fired grill, but for ease and convenience, the Breville cannot be beaten. During testing, the Koda 12 took 15 minutes to reach the recommended temperature. With super-high heat, this oven can cook a pizza in a minute, which we found true when cooking our whole-wheat pie. Most air fryers can also perform other tasks, including broiling, roasting, and even dehydrating. However, similar to pressure cookers, they may not perform each function especially well. Other features to look for include a timer—crucial, according to Levy—and the interface (is the display easy to read, and is it a touchscreen?).
There are also air-frying toaster ovens, which are typically heavier, more stationary and more expensive. There are even air-frying Instant Pots and microwave-air fryer combos to consider. We’ve tested dozens more air fryers, including more Cosori models, the Philips Premium XXL, the tiny Dash Compact, and the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone. We were surprised to see a few of these struggle with the most straightforward food, like fries and chicken wings. Others had decent performance but lacked some of the features that our winners included as a default, like presets, large baskets, and easy cleanup processes.