Air fryers - do you use one? Useful? Just a gimmick? Opinions please.

[RetiredAt63]

As a single person I find that I almost never use my oven*, because it seems hardly worth it to run it for the small amount of food that I would be cooking (and yes, I do eat left-overs/planned-overs). This does lead to some sameness in my cooking since it is all stovetop or Instant Pot**. I've been looking at air fryer videos and they look like they could replace the oven and increase my menu variety, because they cook foods in quantities that are realistic for me.  I do have space on the counter for one.  I'm looking at the basket types, not the toaster oven types.

So I would appreciate feedback from those of you who have one.  Do you use it a lot?  What variety of foods do you cook in it?  Do you find it works for small baking items as well as meat and vegetables?  Is it easy/hard to clean up after?  Do you like your brand or would you buy something else if you were replacing it?  Did you use it a lot at first but not much after the novelty wore off?  Do you find the food quality is as good as or better than the oven, or worse?  More or less work than oven cooking?  Basically any feedback you can think of.

I trust you all to give me the nitty-gritty, more than the online reviews and shows.   ;-)


* Oven - I do use it for baking, but since I am gluten intolerant I don't do a lot of baking.

** I'm not looking at the Instant Pot air fryer lid, too big to store easily and it doesn't look as efficient as the dedicated machines.

[314159]

I'm looking at the basket types, not the toaster oven types.

Why? Everything I've read indicates convection (or "air fryer") toaster ovens can do everything an air fryer can do but better quality for the price.

I don't have an air fryer nor a toaster oven right now but I have had a toaster oven in the past. They are definitely great when you want to cook something small enough that heating up the whole oven seems like a waste.

[RetiredAt63]

I'm looking at the basket types, not the toaster oven types.

Why? Everything I've read indicates convection (or "air fryer") toaster ovens can do everything an air fryer can do but better quality for the price.

I don't have an air fryer nor a toaster oven right now but I have had a toaster oven in the past. They are definitely great when you want to cook something small enough that heating up the whole oven seems like a waste.

Easier to handle, better for actual air fryer type cooking, easier to clean.  If someone has used both and finds them equal, I am open to changing my mind  But the other thing is that they are generally wider and that means more counter space needed.  When it comes to wide and shallow versus narrow and deep my counter space is better with narrower and deeper. 

I don't have a toaster oven and have never felt the need for a toaster oven.

I could just buy a new super duper Instant Pot and get the sous vide and the air fryer lid.  But it is just too big/needs too much storage space.

[charis]

I'm looking at the basket types, not the toaster oven types.

Why? Everything I've read indicates convection (or "air fryer") toaster ovens can do everything an air fryer can do but better quality for the price.

I don't have an air fryer nor a toaster oven right now but I have had a toaster oven in the past. They are definitely great when you want to cook something small enough that heating up the whole oven seems like a waste.

I became interested in getting an air fryer and did good amount of research before purchasing an air fryer/toaster oven, under the impression that it could do both, air fry and toast, well.  I used and enjoyed a toaster oven for years, so I assume I would like the air fryer model as well.  I bought a highly reviewed model and it did neither well.  And it was huge and got very hot on the outside when in air fryer mode.  I kept it for three weeks before returning it for a smaller basket model, which I adore and use several times a day, most days.  We (family of 4) also have a small 2-slice toaster for actual toast, which we also use multiple times a day. 

[Goldielocks]

I think the trick is to try to keep appliances to a minimum.   
You only want things that you will use EVERY day.

e.g., have two appliance in addition to the stove / range combo.

Instapot --you like wet foods, love beans and soup in particular, or are "anti" microwave
Grill (George foreman style ) -- you like to cook chicken from frozen, like quesidillas / paninis.
Convection Toaster oven - use a small oven for pizza, toast a lot of foods, occasionally bake brownies.
Air Fryer - like to roast things, meats and veg, cook typical air fryer things.
Fancy coffee machine -- you know if you are a coffee die-hard lover
Microwave -- speed and fast, low power, rice, leftovers


In addition to the essential to me microwave, I have tried the crock pot, electric frypan, instapot, Grill, Convection toaster, Air fryer at various times as my only extra appliance.

Each takes up a lot of space.    I replaced the toaster oven and instapot (borrowed for 1 month) with the Ninja (top lid) air fryer.   I use it to toast bread lightly (not as good as toaster oven), and lots and lots of cooking, especially roasting foods - bacon, roasted veg, dehydrating, meats, quesadillas.   I have tried it to bake with here and there but the pan is small portions and I can't eat as much baked goodies anymore.   I use this "air fryer" every day.   

I did NOT like the instapot.  Once I worked from home, the advantages of the timer / time off and fast cooking were moot as I could tend to a pot of stock or beans on the stove, and preferred oven roasted or braised to stewed / steamed types of foods.    I don't eat a lot of dried beans, anyway, which is what it was the best for.   It is a lot better / variety of foods than the crock pot.

When I worked and had kids a fancy foreman style grill was the go-to to get dinner cooked from freezer to table in under 20 minutes.  (frozen chicken or chops or burgers or fish plus veggies).

A microwave is essential for all my "wet" food cooking, from rice to boiling water to reheating leftovers.  It is always my 2nd appliance.

[sisto]

We have a toaster oven type air fryer and love it. We also rarely use the oven because it's so big and a waste of energy. You do lose counter space, but we tend to use ours often and don't mind losing that space. It typically cooks things in half the time of the regular oven too.

[charis]

One of the biggest benefits I've seen from the air fryer is that in addition to quick meals, it reheats leftovers better than anything else I've tried. I had a kid who went from hating leftovers to eating them up after getting the air fryer. The toaster oven version didn't do this as well.

[clarkfan1979]

One of the biggest benefits I've seen from the air fryer is that in addition to quick meals, it reheats leftovers better than anything else I've tried. I had a kid who went from hating leftovers to eating them up after getting the air fryer. The toaster oven version didn't do this as well.

The air fryer will save you money and the food is great. For me personally, the food is not that healthy, although its healthier than deep frying.

[fuzzy math]

I have this one - https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Multi-Purpose-Counter-top-Convection-SP101 It folds up to take up less space and we got rid of the toaster after getting it.

It's a toaster oven style, big enough to cook a gluten free pizza in it. I had a smaller basket style one, it didn't toast or bake or roast or anything. It had a timer like an egg timer. It would blow air throughout the basket, tipping things over, blowing cheese slices off burger patties etc. Lots of hassle, it was hard to clean and had cheap metal that eventually started flaking off the basket. This one has a nice baking tray and a plain metal fryer insert.The air fryer heats up in about 3 minutes as opposed to 14 for my big oven. In my family of 5 it gets used at least 4x a day on average.

[RetiredAt63]

I have this one - https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Multi-Purpose-Counter-top-Convection-SP101 It folds up to take up less space and we got rid of the toaster after getting it.

It's a toaster oven style, big enough to cook a gluten free pizza in it. I had a smaller basket style one, it didn't toast or bake or roast or anything. It had a timer like an egg timer. It would blow air throughout the basket, tipping things over, blowing cheese slices off burger patties etc. Lots of hassle, it was hard to clean and had cheap metal that eventually started flaking off the basket. This one has a nice baking tray and a plain metal fryer insert.The air fryer heats up in about 3 minutes as opposed to 14 for my big oven. In my family of 5 it gets used at least 4x a day on average.

In my family of 1 that would be overkill!  But there are smaller ones.  (Amazon link didn't work, I looked up the similar ones on amazon.ca)

Being gluten-free means my toaster lives in the pantry and I haul it out as needed.  So the toaster part of that model would rarely get used, part of why I am looking more at baskets (although I am not ruling out toaster oven style).

What make was your basket one, so if I go for the basket style I know what to avoid?

[RetiredAt63]

I think the trick is to try to keep appliances to a minimum.   
You only want things that you will use EVERY day.

e.g., have two appliance in addition to the stove / range combo.

Instapot --you like wet foods, love beans and soup in particular, or are "anti" microwave
Grill (George foreman style ) -- you like to cook chicken from frozen, like quesidillas / paninis.
Convection Toaster oven - use a small oven for pizza, toast a lot of foods, occasionally bake brownies.
Air Fryer - like to roast things, meats and veg, cook typical air fryer things.
Fancy coffee machine -- you know if you are a coffee die-hard lover
Microwave -- speed and fast, low power, rice, leftovers


In addition to the essential to me microwave, I have tried the crock pot, electric frypan, instapot, Grill, Convection toaster, Air fryer at various times as my only extra appliance.

Each takes up a lot of space.    I replaced the toaster oven and instapot (borrowed for 1 month) with the Ninja (top lid) air fryer.   I use it to toast bread lightly (not as good as toaster oven), and lots and lots of cooking, especially roasting foods - bacon, roasted veg, dehydrating, meats, quesadillas.   I have tried it to bake with here and there but the pan is small portions and I can't eat as much baked goodies anymore.   I use this "air fryer" every day.   

I did NOT like the instapot.  Once I worked from home, the advantages of the timer / time off and fast cooking were moot as I could tend to a pot of stock or beans on the stove, and preferred oven roasted or braised to stewed / steamed types of foods.    I don't eat a lot of dried beans, anyway, which is what it was the best for.   It is a lot better / variety of foods than the crock pot.

When I worked and had kids a fancy foreman style grill was the go-to to get dinner cooked from freezer to table in under 20 minutes.  (frozen chicken or chops or burgers or fish plus veggies).

A microwave is essential for all my "wet" food cooking, from rice to boiling water to reheating leftovers.  It is always my 2nd appliance.

Hmm, what is in my kitchen . . . . .

Right now I have an Instant Pot that gets used all the time for making yogurt, and basically otherwise lives in the cupboard all summer.  In winter it gets used regularly.

Toaster lives in the pantry, gets hauled out the rare times I buy gluten-free bread.

Microwave gets used a lot for reheating and thawing and some cooking (for instance fish poaches really well in the microwave).

Kettle gets used a lot, since I drink a lot of tea, but does it count as an appliance?

Stove top - steaming or sauteing vegetables, cooking potatoes and rice, small chunks of meat like fish fillets or burgers, eggs in various forms, stir fries.  This is probably at least 75% of all my cooking.

So no grill or toaster oven or toaster.

I do have counter space for a not too big air fryer.  Part of the appeal of the drawer style is that they look like they would take up less counter space.  I figure if I put it near the stove I can use the exhaust fan for it just like I do for stove-top cooking.  I do that for the Instant Pot as well (except for yogurt because there is no cooking smell).

I'm not worrying about increasing my fat intake, because I don't think it would be any more than I use now.  I have one of those manual oil pumps for spraying food, and it is easy to put something in a bowl with a bit of olive/avocado oil and swish it around to coat it.  That doesn't really take much oil.  My big dietary restriction is carbs (no wheat especially), I've been pre-diabetic for over 20 years now without tipping over into actual diabetes.

[Dicey]

Funny you should ask. Here's a lot more input on the subject over on another of my favorite blogs...

https://www.thefrugalgirl.com/ask-the-readers-help-kate-buy-an-air-fryer/

[ixtap]

Mr roommate's air fryer was crazy loud.

[charis]

One of the biggest benefits I've seen from the air fryer is that in addition to quick meals, it reheats leftovers better than anything else I've tried. I had a kid who went from hating leftovers to eating them up after getting the air fryer. The toaster oven version didn't do this as well.

The air fryer will save you money and the food is great. For me personally, the food is not that healthy, although its healthier than deep frying.

I don't understand this point.  Are people just using it for deep fried foods?  I don't, I use it for foods I'd already be making on the stove, oven, or microwave.  It's not less healthy than what I normally eat.

[Dee18]

At the rental I regularly stay at there is a Breville convection toaster oven that is fabulous.  My understanding is that what are now called air fryer toaster ovens are essentially the same as convection toaster ovens, although sometimes with a higher maximum temp.  The Breville I've used is super quick to heat up and great for both cooking some Trader Joes frozen appetizer treat or a from scratch batch of brownies.  It's also excellent just toasting bread.  Unfortunately it is old enough that the model I've used is no longer for sale.

[HipGnosis]

I have a 'toaster oven' type air fryer.  My GF has a basket (pot) type.
Mine is MUCH more versatile than hers.
I use multiple racks a lot - meat goes in and starts cooking, then veg's (etc.) go in at the time for them to be done when the meat is done.
I can slide a rack part way out to flip food (though I don't do that often - the blowing air cooks quite evenly)
I use multiple bakeware bowls & casserole bowls with lids to cook things like a toaster oven (w/o drying them out).   Sometimes I put a casserole bowl lid on a rack above the food to reduce drying (by blocking the blowing air).
I got (via Xmas present suggestion) a small cast iron fry pan that just fits in it.  I pre-heat it (stove or A.F.) & cook things I like seared.  Works great for corn bread (etc.) too.
It has a rotisserie, but I've never used it.  It cooks evenly, so I don't see the point.
The racks and bottom tray can go in the dishwasher (if needed).
Mine totally sux as a toaster - there isn't any adjustment for light-to-dark.  I'd have to use a timer, and remember how much time it takes... 

[eyesonthehorizon]

I'm on the side of the convection toaster oven. Far, far more versatile, doesn't have to use convection, can make whole roasted meals for 1-2. Sizes vary depending on your needs. Having a convection oven (full-size or toaster/ countertop) is actually pretty great - much faster & more efficient for almost anything. Fantastic for crisping. If you occasionally indulge in deep-fried foods, you can eat reasonable amounts (i.e. not the whole "serving"), secure in the knowledge that they can be made about as good as, or even better than, fresh by freezing them & reheating them under convection.

An air-fryer sold as such is nothing more or less than a miniature convection oven, with a basket & trendy marketing. That often means an inflated price tag compared to what it can do.

[JupiterGreen]

We have one, the Instant Vortex Plus, and love it. I never had luck with toaster ovens (but maybe I just didn't have the right brand/kind), they always seemed to heat slow/uneven. We bought our airfryer with a gift certificate so it was a splurge I'm not certain I would have made if I was paying. With that said, knowing how much we use it I would buy another one. We use ours almost every day. I make roasted peppers almost every week, it roasts brussels sprouts really well, veggie burgers (we don't eat meat), and as others have mentioned it re-heats beautifully (even makes day old fries good again, or even better than they were when first cooked). Another great thing is you can use little no no oil so your food prep can be healthier if you want. It can't do everything, but i's a nice little tool that I recommend depending on how/what you eat and availability of counter space etc.

edit: I forgot to mention the dehydrate feature on the one we have. That's a great way to harvest/buy in bulk and preserve, if that's something you are interested in. With all this said, we are very healthy eaters and we don't skimp in this area in our life. Examples of un-mustachian behavior, we own an Ankarsrum bread mixer (if you make bagels this [or a hobart] are the one you want) because I make bread every week, and a Vitamix because we are vegetarians who eat vegan (hummus, vegan cheese, pesto, etc.) a lot and so both the Vitamix and mixer get a lot of use. Hopefully we will have savings in our healthcare costs. Most people our age do have some issue or are on some kind of meds (I'm not referring to unpreventables) but we are fairly healthy partially due to our healthy diets. At least that the story I tell myself :)

[eyesonthehorizon]

... I never had luck with toaster ovens (but maybe I just didn't have the right brand/kind), they always seemed to heat slow/uneven. ...

This is the difference between a regular (toaster) oven vs. a convection (toaster) oven. Without the fan in it, it doesn't circulate air, so you get hot & cool spots, crisping is harder without burning. Convection cooks faster & far more evenly due to the fan circulating air across the heating coils & food, which is also the active principle of an air fryer.

Non-convection ovens vs. convection ovens are night & day. I will never buy another oven of any size without a convection fan setting.

[Goldielocks]

One of the biggest benefits I've seen from the air fryer is that in addition to quick meals, it reheats leftovers better than anything else I've tried. I had a kid who went from hating leftovers to eating them up after getting the air fryer. The toaster oven version didn't do this as well.

The air fryer will save you money and the food is great. For me personally, the food is not that healthy, although its healthier than deep frying.

I don't understand this point.  Are people just using it for deep fried foods?  I don't, I use it for foods I'd already be making on the stove, oven, or microwave.  It's not less healthy than what I normally eat.

Yep, I just roasted carrots, brussels and salmon for dinner in mine.  Think "sheet pan dinner" meals.

I am making dehydrated cranberries (for christmas baking ) right now.

[Ysera]

We also have a tabletop convection oven with an air fryer feature. We use it almost every day. We use it for reheating leftovers, baking, roasting vegetables, and making homestyle fries. I cooked a frozen salmon fillet today and it turned out wonderfully. It has saved us a lot of money over using our gas oven, plus it doesn't heat the house up as much in the summer.

[sonofsven]

You should all feel real guilty because you've kind of convinced me to buy one of these for my girlfriend! (Just kidding about the guilt)
I think she would get a lot of use out of it, she's already a "toaster oven person" and an avowed anti-microwaver.
She loaves roasting veggies and broiling salmon; she already has a toaster oven, do you think a convection version with air frying is different enough and useful enough to justify an upgrade?

[FLBiker]

I have no air fryer experience (and don't really understand what they are) but we have a convection toaster oven that I use all the time instead of the oven if I'm cooking something small.  That seems like a great oven alternative for a single person.

[NotJen]

You should all feel real guilty because you've kind of convinced me to buy one of these for my girlfriend! (Just kidding about the guilt)
I think she would get a lot of use out of it, she's already a "toaster oven person" and an avowed anti-microwaver.
She loaves roasting veggies and broiling salmon; she already has a toaster oven, do you think a convection version with air frying is different enough and useful enough to justify an upgrade?

I'm a "toaster oven person", and I would be kinda mad (or, disappointed?) if my BF bought me a new kitchen appliance to replace my still-working and much-adored toaster oven.  I see it as wasteful.  YMMMV.  Maybe ask her first?

[chemistk]

Another convection toaster oven user here, ours has an 'Airfry' function and came with a corresponding basket. I think it does about 90% as well as a dedicated air fryer would, and for us that's enough. We prefer this kind because the thing serves as our toaster (can fit 7 bread slices in!), a small oven for small meals, an air fryer, a dehydrator, and a warming drawer.

One thing that folks overlook - the type of heating element that is used. I greatly prefer models that have Quartz heating elements vs. more typical resistive elements. The Quartz element gets hot almost right away and cooks/toasts everything incredibly evenly.

[Raenia]

I've never used an air fryer myself, but both my sister and Dad have one.  My sister's I think is the basket type, while Dad has the more toaster-oven type.  Dad has completely replaced his oven with this thing, like literally removed the oven from the kitchen.  He has the air fryer and a hotplate, and that's been working for him for many months now.  He loves it so much he wanted to get a newer one for my sister, and I'm sure he'd jump at the chance to get one for me, but I don't have the countertop space for another appliance.

Definitely seems a reasonable thing to do if you're regularly cooking for one.

[sonofsven]

You should all feel real guilty because you've kind of convinced me to buy one of these for my girlfriend! (Just kidding about the guilt)
I think she would get a lot of use out of it, she's already a "toaster oven person" and an avowed anti-microwaver.
She loaves roasting veggies and broiling salmon; she already has a toaster oven, do you think a convection version with air frying is different enough and useful enough to justify an upgrade?

I'm a "toaster oven person", and I would be kinda mad (or, disappointed?) if my BF bought me a new kitchen appliance to replace my still-working and much-adored toaster oven.  I see it as wasteful.  YMMMV.  Maybe ask her first?

Well I don't know if she "adores" it. I know she has one, and uses it occasionally. I guess the question is if a convection version is useful enough to be considered an upgrade?
I have a toaster, and an oven, so I've never felt the need for a toaster oven.
Also, she rents an old, cheap, apartment with a sketchy range, so this could be an upgrade there, and she could take it with her if she moves.
We're not big on buying each other fancy gifts, this just struck me as something nice I could surprise her with.
She might have the same response as you, though, always save receipts!

[trc4897]

We got the Ninja air fryer with 2 baskets - Prime day lightning deal. This way we can air fry 2 things at once (ex. salmon and sweet potato fries, wings and fries, etc) all in the air fryer.

We love it and use it all the time now instead of our oven! Perfect size for 2 people. Just wish it took up a little less counter space.

[ChickenStash]

My old, cheap-o Sunbeam toaster oven finally died last year after many years of faithful service so I cashed in a bunch of coupons and rebates for an Instant Vortex fryer/oven and it works really well. It's just a convection oven on steroids so there's no real magic but it is reasonably sized and does a good job of properly cooking food. It makes great roasted veggies and frozen convenience food (fries, breaded seafood). The rotisserie function is slick and makes a superb pork loin. Reheating leftovers is also a big improvement - no soggy microwave stuff or extra pots and pans getting dirty. Easy to make toasted sandwiches, too.

For the downsides, it's too small for a normal frozen pizza and the rotisserie tops out at 3lbs or so which makes doing a chicken problematic. Making a single-serve homemade pizza would probably work though - it's on my to-do list. Using it to actually toast sliced bread is a little iffy. Slices need to be flipped to get a good browning on both sides and the fast, dry air makes them a bit more crouton-y than a normal toaster would but I rarely have toast so I live with it.

I toyed with the idea of getting one of the basket configurations but the oven-like configuration matches the kind of things I cook a bit more. The baskets could be made to work with some effort, though.

[Morning Glory]

I didn't realize it was just a small convection oven. For some reason I thought it fried things by constantly spraying awrosolized oil on them and this was somehow healthier than deep frying.  The word fryer conjures an image of those stinky greasy things that some of our parents had, so i had absolutely no interest as i thought it would make the house smell like kfc. Seems like bad marketing.  I'll still stick to my oven as my family can eat a large tray of roasted vegetables or whatever.

I've had toaster oven before and they don't really do a good job of toasting bread. The outside of the last one i had got hot when using the oven function so I'm skeptical of it really being an energy savings. Gave it to a single friend as i rarely wanted to bake something small. Went toasterless for a while and just fried bread in a pan with butter which is really tasty but more time consuming and also family won't do it. Finally bought a regular toaster at the thrift store for $2.

I'm currently without a microwave after moving (the last apartmenthad a built in one so we got ridnof ours before moving there, and our new house didn't come with one).  My main use of it was reheating leftovers and cups of coffee. I have started pouring the coffee 8nto a thermos while it's still hot in the morning, which I should have done anyway for the energy savings. Heating leftovers on the stove/oven works ok but I'm noticed that I'm the only one who does it, plus then it makes another pan to clean, so I might get a microwave again if it helps avoid food waste.

[kite]

We got the Ninja toaster-over type because we'd be without the full-size oven during a remodel. Previously, we'd done toast under the broiler as we've got no toaster, so this seemed perfect for us. It is wide, but can be flipped up out of the way.
It does everything.  The only other appliance getting as much use is our electric kettle, used for tea and coffee (pour over) a few times each day.

[JupiterGreen]

... I never had luck with toaster ovens (but maybe I just didn't have the right brand/kind), they always seemed to heat slow/uneven. ...

This is the difference between a regular (toaster) oven vs. a convection (toaster) oven. Without the fan in it, it doesn't circulate air, so you get hot & cool spots, crisping is harder without burning. Convection cooks faster & far more evenly due to the fan circulating air across the heating coils & food, which is also the active principle of an air fryer.

Non-convection ovens vs. convection ovens are night & day. I will never buy another oven of any size without a convection fan setting.

Odd thing is the last one I had was a convection oven toaster. I can't remember the brand but it seemed to never cook anything that well and ended up being a waste of counter space. Maybe I just don't vibe with them, I find the air fryer is much nicer for what we cook. I'm guessing a big part of this is what you cook. We don't eat meat so maybe meat stuff is better in a toaster oven.

didn't realize it was just a small convection oven. For some reason I thought it fried things by constantly spraying awrosolized oil on them and this was somehow healthier than deep frying.  The word fryer conjures an image of those stinky greasy things that some of our parents had, so i had absolutely no interest as i thought it would make the house smell like kfc. Seems like bad marketing.  I'll still stick to my oven as my family can eat a large tray of roasted vegetables or whatever.

ha, I love this. Nope it works like a convection. But you can use little to no oil, that part is lovely

[fuzzy math]

I have this one - https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Multi-Purpose-Counter-top-Convection-SP101 It folds up to take up less space and we got rid of the toaster after getting it.

It's a toaster oven style, big enough to cook a gluten free pizza in it. I had a smaller basket style one, it didn't toast or bake or roast or anything. It had a timer like an egg timer. It would blow air throughout the basket, tipping things over, blowing cheese slices off burger patties etc. Lots of hassle, it was hard to clean and had cheap metal that eventually started flaking off the basket. This one has a nice baking tray and a plain metal fryer insert.The air fryer heats up in about 3 minutes as opposed to 14 for my big oven. In my family of 5 it gets used at least 4x a day on average.

In my family of 1 that would be overkill!  But there are smaller ones.  (Amazon link didn't work, I looked up the similar ones on amazon.ca)

Being gluten-free means my toaster lives in the pantry and I haul it out as needed.  So the toaster part of that model would rarely get used, part of why I am looking more at baskets (although I am not ruling out toaster oven style).

What make was your basket one, so if I go for the basket style I know what to avoid?

I don't remember the brand, but it was obviously cheap and was powder blue. It looked something like this (but a different brand ) so maybe this whole style is difficult with the airflow? - https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Emerald-4-2-Qt-Black-Air-Fryer-with-Rapid-Air-Technology-1400-Watts-SM-AIR-1811/307828772

I'm GF too, I rarely toast anything because I avoid eating lots of gluten free bread, but its handy for anything you want to rewarm, crisp or cook the first time. Tortillas, cuts of meat, veggies etc.

[eyesonthehorizon]

Odd thing is the last one I had was a convection oven toaster. I can't remember the brand but it seemed to never cook anything that well and ended up being a waste of counter space. Maybe I just don't vibe with them, I find the air fryer is much nicer for what we cook. I'm guessing a big part of this is what you cook. We don't eat meat so maybe meat stuff is better in a toaster oven.

That suggests to me either that there was an issue with the heating (element too small, not located at the fan?) or that the fan was underpowered/sized or ill-placed so it wasn't circulating well. Fifteen or twenty years ago convection was the new & trendy thing, so it got added haphazardly to lots of existing appliances for a bit, usually without an additional heating element. If the rest of its function was that poor I can't imagine adding fans would fix it.

Of course now that "air frying" is new & trendy (when it's just a small convection system set around a porous basket), for devices that are marketed as boasting air-fryers (e.g. attachment lids) without being purpose-built, I'd expect to see some occasionally spotty quality vs. the standalone equivalent.

The specific nature of the food shouldn't change anything much, though, it's all about whether the food/dish benefits from circulating very hot air, increasing heat transfer at the surface, vs. radiant heat & conduction. Almost everything I use the convection feature of my (full-size) oven for is vegetarian anyway, either baked goods, or roasting veg/ reheating-fried veg.

[sonofsven]

... I never had luck with toaster ovens (but maybe I just didn't have the right brand/kind), they always seemed to heat slow/uneven. ...

This is the difference between a regular (toaster) oven vs. a convection (toaster) oven. Without the fan in it, it doesn't circulate air, so you get hot & cool spots, crisping is harder without burning. Convection cooks faster & far more evenly due to the fan circulating air across the heating coils & food, which is also the active principle of an air fryer.

Non-convection ovens vs. convection ovens are night & day. I will never buy another oven of any size without a convection fan setting.

Honestly, I thought the same thing. "Frying with AIR? Yeah, right."

Odd thing is the last one I had was a convection oven toaster. I can't remember the brand but it seemed to never cook anything that well and ended up being a waste of counter space. Maybe I just don't vibe with them, I find the air fryer is much nicer for what we cook. I'm guessing a big part of this is what you cook. We don't eat meat so maybe meat stuff is better in a toaster oven.

didn't realize it was just a small convection oven. For some reason I thought it fried things by constantly spraying awrosolized oil on them and this was somehow healthier than deep frying.  The word fryer conjures an image of those stinky greasy things that some of our parents had, so i had absolutely no interest as i thought it would make the house smell like kfc. Seems like bad marketing.  I'll still stick to my oven as my family can eat a large tray of roasted vegetables or whatever.

ha, I love this. Nope it works like a convection. But you can use little to no oil, that part is lovely

[JupiterGreen]

Odd thing is the last one I had was a convection oven toaster. I can't remember the brand but it seemed to never cook anything that well and ended up being a waste of counter space. Maybe I just don't vibe with them, I find the air fryer is much nicer for what we cook. I'm guessing a big part of this is what you cook. We don't eat meat so maybe meat stuff is better in a toaster oven.

That suggests to me either that there was an issue with the heating (element too small, not located at the fan?) or that the fan was underpowered/sized or ill-placed so it wasn't circulating well. Fifteen or twenty years ago convection was the new & trendy thing, so it got added haphazardly to lots of existing appliances for a bit, usually without an additional heating element. If the rest of its function was that poor I can't imagine adding fans would fix it.

Of course now that "air frying" is new & trendy (when it's just a small convection system set around a porous basket), for devices that are marketed as boasting air-fryers (e.g. attachment lids) without being purpose-built, I'd expect to see some occasionally spotty quality vs. the standalone equivalent.

The specific nature of the food shouldn't change anything much, though, it's all about whether the food/dish benefits from circulating very hot air, increasing heat transfer at the surface, vs. radiant heat & conduction. Almost everything I use the convection feature of my (full-size) oven for is vegetarian anyway, either baked goods, or roasting veg/ reheating-fried veg.

Thanks for this. It has been some year since we had that (or any) toaster oven. After the last one, I just yeeted the thing and dispense with the idea of getting another one. Thanks for this information it was super helpful. I'm guessing ours was one of those earlier versions.

[Goldielocks]

You should all feel real guilty because you've kind of convinced me to buy one of these for my girlfriend! (Just kidding about the guilt)
I think she would get a lot of use out of it, she's already a "toaster oven person" and an avowed anti-microwaver.
She loaves roasting veggies and broiling salmon; she already has a toaster oven, do you think a convection version with air frying is different enough and useful enough to justify an upgrade?

Air fryers that look like toaster ovens just have faster fans.  That's pretty much it.  So if you like your convection toaster oven, don't switch.

The basket air fryers are better for air circulation but are not quite as multi-use.   I have the version with the top opening lid and it replaced my toaster oven that went with my ex.

[Tester]

I got a sur la table because it had rotisserie and skewers attachments plus a rotating basket.
I used the rotating basket for bacon apple brussel sprouts.
I cooked some chicken breast and I liked it.
The last 2 weeks I used it to go through a shishito peppers bag from Costco - they are done in 8 minutes

What I hate is the door, it opens like a normal oven and when I mix/shake what is cooking I get juices/oil on the door so I have to wipe it before continuing to cook.
Also, needs some storage room for the accessories.
I still like it, only one month since I have it, did not try anything fancy.

Good for 2 or 3 people, not for more, even less if you want to cook both protein and vegetables at the same time.

In the end it depends if it fits your style and needs and if you use it.

I would rather use it than the oven as that one takes half an hour just to get warm.

[darkskys]

I hate extra kitchen appliances. My wife likes them. She’s been talking about an air fryer for a long time and she got one gifted to her. I don’t think it’s a life changer but honesty it’s very easy to use and clean up. The vegetables are fantastic. We use it several times a week.

[yachi]

So, how well do these things do with traditional fried foods.  Can I use them with fresh churro dough?  What if I freeze the extruded churro dough first?  How well do they do with fresh potatoes sliced into fries?

[RetiredAt63]

I tried using the convection feature on my oven last night - chicken thighs and oven potato fries.  The roasting pan and trivet I used are only good to 400F so I set the oven for 375.  I overcooked everything.  But it was still yummy.  I'll try other things and if I like them enough that I want convection cooked then the air fryer looks like a sensible thing to get.

I don't deep-fry anything so an air fryer would not replace that.  In winter it is not so bad having the oven on, although it is still an expensive way to heat the kitchen.  ;-(    Even with a well-insulated oven there is enough heat given off that I would not want to use it in the summer for anything but baking.

[Tester]

So, how well do these things do with traditional fried foods.  Can I use them with fresh churro dough?  What if I freeze the extruded churro dough first?  How well do they do with fresh potatoes sliced into fries?

I made fries once and the model I have is not the best for large quantities. I liked the taste but I did not get them to be "fried".

I will try more until I get the right process for this.

[curious_george]

We own one, and are a family of six.

We have used it exactly two times.

Once to test that the air fryer feature works, and once to dehydrate some salmon jerky.

In retrospect I wouldn't buy one unless you already use a deep fryer, or have some specific meals you wish to make with one.

On the flip side we use our oven, stove, microwave, blender and insta pot constantly.

[dcheesi]

We own one, and are a family of six.

We have used it exactly two times.

Once to test that the air fryer feature works, and once to dehydrate some salmon jerky.

In retrospect I wouldn't buy one unless you already use a deep fryer, or have some specific meals you wish to make with one.

On the flip side we use our oven, stove, microwave, blender and insta pot constantly.

On the flip side, we bought one and we use it constantly. Lots of things that we'd have roasted in the oven get done quicker and better in the air-fryer. It's great for reheating things, too. (Meanwhile, my old Instant Pot barely gets used; DW tends to reach for her slow-cooker instead)

The only concern I'd have for the OP is that they're gluten-free, and a lot of the things that we cook in the air-fryer are gluten-y --breaded foods, bread products, potstickers/dumplings, etc. OTOH, it should handle GF versions of these just as well; it's just a matter of what OP is into.

[charis]

We own one, and are a family of six.

We have used it exactly two times.

Once to test that the air fryer feature works, and once to dehydrate some salmon jerky.

In retrospect I wouldn't buy one unless you already use a deep fryer, or have some specific meals you wish to make with one.

On the flip side we use our oven, stove, microwave, blender and insta pot constantly.

I've never used a deep fryer and I use an air fryer for a variety of things, not specific meals.

[sonofsven]

You should all feel real guilty because you've kind of convinced me to buy one of these for my girlfriend! (Just kidding about the guilt)
I think she would get a lot of use out of it, she's already a "toaster oven person" and an avowed anti-microwaver.
She loaves roasting veggies and broiling salmon; she already has a toaster oven, do you think a convection version with air frying is different enough and useful enough to justify an upgrade?

I'm a "toaster oven person", and I would be kinda mad (or, disappointed?) if my BF bought me a new kitchen appliance to replace my still-working and much-adored toaster oven.  I see it as wasteful.  YMMMV.  Maybe ask her first?

Well I don't know if she "adores" it. I know she has one, and uses it occasionally. I guess the question is if a convection version is useful enough to be considered an upgrade?
I have a toaster, and an oven, so I've never felt the need for a toaster oven.
Also, she rents an old, cheap, apartment with a sketchy range, so this could be an upgrade there, and she could take it with her if she moves.
We're not big on buying each other fancy gifts, this just struck me as something nice I could surprise her with.
She might have the same response as you, though, always save receipts!

Well, the toaster oven air fryer was a big hit! Exact quote: How did you know I needed a new toaster oven?
So thanks for the idea, everyone.
Doing the research kind of made me want the basket style of air fryer for myself. I roast a lot of veggies and bake chicken and broil salmon. I have been satisfied with my gas stove so far, but those little basket/drawers look pretty slick.

[RetiredAt63]

OP here.  My daughter got me an air fryer for Christmas.  So I get to play with one.   ;-)

I just need to rearrange my kitchen counter a bit to make a space for it.   My Instant Pot has cupboard space but I think this is counter worthy.

I don't generally cook a lot of processed frozen foods, although I know they would be super easy in the air fryer.  So anyone with suggestions for actual cooking recipes, or web sites, please chime in.

[eyesonthehorizon]

It's easier to conceptualize in terms of technique than recipes for me. Anything that just benefits from a lot of external browning - processed stuff would include dumpling type things like fried ravioli or potstickers, or unprocessed stuff like breaded (or just oiled) starchy veg like zucchini chunks or okra, root veg like carrots or parsnips, potatoes (of course) or meats. Brussels sprouts. Falafel. Glaze a food in some oil & apply hot air, receive caramelized sugars & maillarded proteins.

[sonofsven]

I got to use the air fryer toaster oven this weekend (Cuisinart, from Costco).
I cut up potatoes, beets, and sweet potatoes into chunks, lightly tossed with evoo and seasoning, they were done in ten minutes. Perfectly crispy outside and soft inside.
Broccoli, carrots (sliced) and brussel sprouts (halved), same treatment, done in eight minutes.
I see the appeal.

[Morning Glory]

There were tons of regular toaster ovens at my re-store yesterday.  Assuming people replaced them with air fryer ones over Christmas.