Hot air fryers in the test

With hot air fryers, you can conjure up delicious nuggets, fries, etc. in no time at all – and without any unhealthy amounts of fat. We took a look at the oil-free fryer market and present you with the best air fryers.

Proving where deep fryers were once responsible for high calorie counts and tedious cleaning chores modern air fryers as essential healthier alternative. Instead of sizzling oil, the food is cooked through circulating hot air fried, which keeps the calorie level at a low level. So that you can prepare your favorite fryer dishes more easily and, above all, healthier, GIGA has looked around for the best hot air fryers and gives you useful tips for buying and using the deep fryers.

The 3 best hot air fryers: models at a glance

Price-performance tip: ProfiCook PC-FR 1147 H

advantages

• Solid frying results for all foods
• Variable time program and integrated thermostat
• Extremely quiet working volume

disadvantage

• Uneven temperature distribution
• Operating symbols difficult to see

With the ProfiCook PC-FR 1147 H you get a sufficiently good frying result at an unbeatable price, which puts the model close behind the test winner of the Stiftung Warentest. In the 2.5 liter hot air fryer you can cook any of your dishes as you like. The 7 frying programs offer you presets for fries, meat, shrimp, cake, poultry, steak and fish. However, the digital operating symbols on the display are a bit difficult to see. In addition, the model has a variable time program and a continuously adjustable thermostat.

The frying result has neither extraordinary flaws nor culinary highlights, but is in the solid midfield due to the somewhat uneven temperature distribution. However, our price-performance tip scores points with its light weight and compact size, which means that the device can be easily stowed away in the kitchen. The removable container has a non-stick coating and is therefore easy to clean. In addition, the volume is extremely low compared to other hot air fryers.

The test winner of Stiftung Warentest: Philips Airfryer HD9220

Note: The Philips Airfryer HD9220 is sold out at many retailers due to high demand (as of April 6, 2022)

Philips HD9220/20 Air Fryer

The price may be higher now. Price from 04/06/2022 10:19 am

advantages

• Super frying result with fries
• Even cooking
• Easy to use and clean
• No odor nuisance

disadvantage

• Chicken thighs remain pale
• Inaccurate temperature control

the Phillips Air Fryer HD9220/20 was able to win the Stiftung Warentest and, thanks to the Rapid-Air hot-air technology, has proven to be a true multifunctional device. Because with the Airfryer you can not only fry, but also bake, roast and grill. The capacity is 2.2 liters and is therefore suitable for preparing quick meals for 1-2 people. If you also want to prepare portions for 2-3 or 3-4 people, you can use the Philips HD9252/90 Airfryer or Philips HD9260/90 Airfryer XL. The slightly larger sister models have a capacity of 800 or 1,200 grams and “Fat Removal Technology” for easy cleaning.

With the center controller you can select temperatures between 800 and 200 degrees and achieve crispy and juicy results. The temperature is evenly distributed so that the dishes are cooked evenly. French fries are fried perfectly, muffins are properly baked and, with a little practice, dishes with vegetables are also a success. Only the chicken thighs remain a bit pale and therefore fall short of expectations. The removable basket and the non-stick coated mesh are easy to clean under running water and can alternatively be cleaned in the dishwasher. The intuitive control makes operation child’s play and there are no unpleasant odors during the preparation process. The somewhat imprecise temperature control can then also be tolerated.

The XXL Airfryer: Philips HD9860/90 XXL

Philips HD9860/90 XXL hot air fryer

The price may be higher now. Price as of 04/06/2022 08:03

advantages

• Large capacity
• Automatic time and temperature setting
• Diverse preparation options thanks to expandable sets
• No preheating

disadvantage

• high price
• Additional costs for purchasing sets

If you want to prepare large portions for the family or guests, this is the one for you Philips HD9860/90 Air Fryer XXL well served. Because the XXL Airfryer offers a capacity of full 7.3 liters. With a temperature of 40-200 degrees, the model covers a larger range than most competing products and thanks to the LED display and the Quick Control dial, the temperature and time can be set precisely. The so-called “Smart Sensing Technology” also offers 5 presets that automatically set the time and temperature for the respective dishes. If you can do without this advantage, you can buy the model at a slightly lower price without this function. There is also a keep-warm function.

Thanks to the “Rapid Air Technology”, the hot air fryer does not have to be preheated, but can start frying, cooking, grilling or baking directly. Unnecessary accumulations of fat are removed by a special suction system, so that the dishes always remain crispy and fat-free. The removable non-stick parts ensure quick and easy cleaning. The case always stays cool, so there is no risk of injury even at temperatures of 200 degrees. If you also want to prepare baking, grilling or pizza dishes, you can do this by purchasing the respective set.

Hot air fryers test 2022: That’s how we chose

Hot air fryers are available from numerous manufacturers in numerous variations, which are sometimes not so easy to tell apart. So that you don’t burn your fingers when buying an air fryer, we have compiled the best models for you. The selection was based on our own experience, customer opinions in online shops and ratings from external test institutions.

Sources used: Stiftung Warentest (Issue 01/2019), Home & Garden Trial (Issue 06/2020)

What are the advantages of an air fryer?

Unlike traditional fryers, hot air fryers come without oil and thus prepare the food fat-free. And even if oil is used, then in extremely small quantities. This protects the food by preserving vitamins and minerals and keeping calorie values ​​low. In short: Hot air fryers prepare food in a much healthier way than fat fryers. In addition, hot air fryers can not only fry food, but also roast, bake or grill, so you can use the devices to prepare other foods than fries or chicken nuggets. In addition, the preparation time is much shorter and uses less energy compared to the oven. The cleaning of hot air fryers also proves to be much easier due to the lack of fat.

Buying an air fryer: what do I have to consider?

design type

Hot air fryers are available in two different designs: hot air fryers with a stirring arm or alternatively with a rotating element. The stirring arm variant is the most common, in which the fried food is turned by means of a mechanical arm. As a result, small-sized foods such as chips are constantly mixed and thus browned evenly. Slightly more expensive models, on the other hand, come with a rotating element. Here the food is placed on a turntable, which ensures an even temperature supply, similar to a microwave. This type of fryer is particularly suitable for delicate foods such as fish.

capacity

You should make the capacity of your hot air fryer primarily dependent on the number of people sitting at your dining table. If you eat your fries, nuggets & co. alone, a device with a capacity of around one liter is sufficient. Shared apartments, couples or families who want to prepare slightly larger portions, on the other hand, should use a model with a capacity of at least 2-3 liters. Some devices have a capacity of up to 9 liters. In general, it’s better to get a hot air fryer with a little more capacity so that you don’t have to spread your fries portions over two preparation rounds. Some models also have several levels, so that different foods can be prepared at the same time.

Furnishing

Many models are supplied with different inserts or have special designs. Depending on which food the hot air fryer is primarily designed for, the equipment may differ. Some devices have special bowls, skewers, grills or similar shelves that make it easier to prepare pizzas, fish or pastries, among other things. So if you want variety when it comes to fried food, you should get a model that offers the same level of flexibility with different inserts. From pizza pans to steak cages, everything is available.

cleaning

The great advantage of the fat-free preparation also proves to be a pleasant advantage when it comes to cleaning. Because the hot air devices are particularly easy to clean compared to conventional deep fryers. Non-stick coatings and dishwasher-safe individual parts are standard on most models and reduce the amount of work to a minimum. When cleaning by hand, however, no aggressive cleaning agents should be used, as this can damage the non-stick coating. In general, hot air fryers must be cleaned after each use. However, the removable parts should have cooled down completely.