This Allstar Has Four Air Fryers (And Loves Them All): 'I Couldn’t Go a Day Without One'

Air fryers have taken the cooking world by storm. The appliances are as trendy as they are convenient. While we’ve certainly put dozens of the best air fryers head-to-head in tests, we wanted to ask Allstar Nicole Russell—who owns and uses four—how her air fryers function in her daily life. 

She was very skeptical about her first air fryer, doubting it could replace her other favored appliances. “Once I discovered how easy making bacon in one was and how crispy it got my frozen fries, there was no turning back,” she says. 

What Is an Air Fryer?

First thing’s first. While many people rave about air fryers, not everyone is familiar with the appliance. Despite the name, an air fryer doesn’t actually “fry” food. Instead, it circulates hot air all around the food to cook it (and make it extra crisp). It works similarly to convection ovens, though air fryers are typically smaller and work much faster, making them incredibly convenient tools in the kitchen. 

Our Favorite Air Fryers

• Nicole's Favorite Dual Basket: Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer
• Nicole's Favorite Single Basket: Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
• Nicole's Favorite Air Fryer-Toaster Oven: Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill
• Nicole's Most Versatile Air Fryer: GoWISE USA 12.7-Quart Air Fryer Oven Deluxe
• Best Budget: GoWISE 5.8-Quart 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer
• Best Mini: Cosori Lite 2.1-Quart Mini Air Fryer
• Best Design: Beautiful 9-Quart TriZone Air Fryer
• Best 6-Quart Single Basket: Cuisinart 6-Quart Basket Air Fryer

Q&A with Nicole

Allrecipes: Can you tell us about how you use your air fryer(s) in your daily life?

NR: [At least] one of my four air fryers gets used daily and for various reasons. If I have a main dish that calls for baking in the oven at 350 degrees, I'll use an air fryer to roast my veggie side dish at 400 degrees to get them nice and crispy and done at the same time my main dish in the oven is ready. 

If I'm cooking both my main dish AND side dish in air fryers, I use the Ninja with the dual basket. That one allows me to control the time and temp in each basket separately and time them so that they are ready at the same time. 

On an average weekend day, I fire up the air fryer for one of my make-ahead air fryer breakfast burritos. After it cools I give the basket a quick wash. It then usually gets fired back up again around lunchtime to reheat leftovers from the night before or cook some hamburgers and fries. Quick wash again and then fired back up for dinner. 

My daily life utilization of air fryers is so successful that my mind is continually pondering on non-necessity things it will do for me. I love my Instant Pot, too—but my air fryers steal the show.     

AR: How has using an air fryer changed your cooking and meal prep?

NR: I have not always loved utilizing an air fryer, but the more I experimented with it, the more it grew on me. I couldn't go a day without one now. It has changed everything for me. I plan my meals around using one, and the meal prep just came naturally after that. If you are cooking for a larger family, it might not be as convenient since you have to cook in batches; if cooking for three or less, it is perfect. You only have to do the bare minimum and the air fryer does the rest of the work for you. Cleanup is easy and it is all done with minimal fat. 

The best part is that the air is circulating so everything cooks at a fraction of the time it would take in your oven. An air fryer also doesn't heat up your entire kitchen in the summer like the oven does. While I do not follow a keto diet, one of my favorite meal prep/snacks is pepperoni chips. They make the perfect crispy afternoon snack but also work great in place of "croutons" on a salad. 

I mostly make homemade meals but the air fryer is a great tool for any of your favorite frozen food items, too. From french fries, to taquitos, to mozzarella sticks—you name it. They are also great for reheating pizza, leftover steak/ribs, or anything that needs to be reheated at a low temperature to prevent things from getting overcooked or chewy. 

AR: What is the benefit of keeping multiple air fryers? Any drawbacks?

NR: The benefit of keeping multiple air fryers is having one at your fingertips to do the job at hand. If you are simply needing to reheat something or get a quick cook on something, having a basket-style one gets the job done quickly. If you are needing to cook something at two different temperatures, the dual basket is perfect for that. Then there is the oven-style one that may not be needed for everyday use but is a must for big jobs like roasting a whole bird or making jerky. 

Drawbacks? I'd have to say counter space. They do take up a great deal. I've got a solution to that too, though. Lose the toaster oven and the toaster. Your air fryer oven replaces both of those. 

AR: Have you had any air fryer mishaps? Please share your cautionary tale(s). 

NR: I've had a couple of mishaps over the years. I read somewhere that you could pop popcorn in one. I spent an entire weekend trying and it was a huge fail. I ended up getting a few kernels to pop but the rest just burned and never popped. Don't waste your time. 

My other mishap was air fryer kale chips. While they work great in the air fryer oven models where you can position the racks out of the direct airflow, they do not work in the basket-style air fryers. Once they start getting dry and light, they'll fly right up into the heating element and get stuck there. Not a pleasant smell OR taste. 

AR: Between beaver, alligator, squirrel, duck hearts, and venison rocky mountain oysters, you’re a very adventurous eater! What’s the craziest thing you’ve cooked in an air fryer?

NR: The first thing to come to mind is raw oysters on the half shell.

Nicole’s Favorite Air Fryers

When asked which of the four air fryers was Nicole’s favorite, she said, “I'm going to have to say the Ninja DZ201. I don't prefer the long rectangular basket over the round basket of the other Ninja, but the dual baskets allowing different cook times and temps is a big selling point.” 

Actually, of all the air fryers we’ve tested, it’s our favorite, too. The dual baskets (with individual temperature controls) make it easy to cook both entrees and sides all at once. There’s even a “smart finish” function that ensures both trays end cooking at the same time, so one doesn’t grow cold while waiting for the other. It’s a slick and attractive air fryer that more than earns its spot on the kitchen counter. 

The Details: 18.58 x 16.3 x 15.83 inches; 8-quart capacity (4 quarts in each basket); 1690 watts

Ninja is a popular brand with a number of different air fryer sizes and models. The AF101 is one of the most popular versions, with over 70,000 glowing reviews on Amazon. We love it, too, thanks to the range of cooking features, including air frying, dehydrating, roasting, and warming.  The compact size is an added bonus; you can store it in the cabinets or leave it on the counter without taking up too much space. Capacity ranges from four to six-and-a-half quarts, so it’s definitely better suited for smaller servings. That said, we particularly love that the nonstick basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. 

The Details: 13.6 x 11 x 13.3 inches; 4-quart capacity; 1550 watts

This multifunctional air fryer can replace several appliances in your kitchen. Not only does it air fry, it can also serve as a grill, oven, broiler, toaster, and warmer. While it doesn’t come with any pre-programmed settings, each knob is clearly labeled for max user-friendliness. Temperatures get up to 450° Fahrenheit  (232°C), so you can cook your favorite foods to crispy perfection. It’s even big enough to cook a 12-inch pizza. 

The Details: 15.50 x 16 x 14 inches; 0.6 cubic foot interior; 1800 watts

This air fryer may not look like other models, but it does boast an impressive array of functions and accessories. There are mesh trays ideal for dehydrating, three different types of rotisseries, oven racks, and even a handy drip tray. On top of all that, the air fryer has 15 different presets. The glass door makes it easy to see how things are cooking inside, helped along by a light switch. 

The Details: 12 x 11.5 x 14 inches; 12.7-quart capacity; 1600 watts 

Our Other Favorite Air Fryers

We named the GoWISE 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer the best budget pick in a recent round of air fryer testing. This round and compact little fryer packs a punch despite the affordable price tag. There are eight preset programs, an alarm notification, and an easy-to-read digital display. With a few shakes of the basket, this air fryer cooks quite evenly. Neither the basket nor the interior tray is dishwasher safe, but a quick hand wash isn’t too much of a hassle. 

The Details: 13.5 x 12.5 x 11.5 inches; 5.8-quart capacity; 1700 watts

Low on space? Time to get mini! This teeny-tiny air fryer is not even a foot tall and has a capacity just over two quarts. It’s an ideal appliance for cramped kitchens. The functions are pretty minimalistic, but that does make it refreshingly straightforward to use. We found that the mini air fryer heats up quickly and runs very quietly–though it does have a handy three-beep alarm when the cooking is done. 

The Details: 10.1 x 8.3 x 10.5 inches; 2.1-quart capacity; 900 watts

This air fryer truly lives up to its name: Beautiful. The gorgeous and sleek air fryer comes in a variety of colors pretty enough to sit out on the countertop. Which is good, because this is a large appliance that will need its space. In total, the Beautiful air fryer has a 9-quart capacity, however, that can be split into two separate 4.5-quart cooking zones (with dual temperatures) using a simple divider. We admired the intuitive, straightforward controls and how evenly the food cooked–no matter if it was the big basket or the two smaller ones. 

The Details: 19.7 x 14.4 x 16.3 inches; 9-quart capacity; 1700 watts

The trouble with most air fryers is that you can’t see the food cooking inside; you’d have to open the basket and lose precious heat to check how things are going. Enter: the Cuisinart AIR-200 Basket Air Fryer. This six-quart appliance from kitchen darling Cuisinart has a clear glass window on the front so you can easily monitor your meal. During testing, we loved the clear digital display, the cooking presets, and the alerting features that tell you when you to shake or flip your food. 

The Details: 12 x 16.5 x 12.25 inches; 6-quart capacity; 1800 watts

Common Questions

What are the different types of air fryers?

Nowadays, there are several kinds of air fryers: There are air fryer-toaster ovens, air fryer-Instant Pots, and even dual-drawer air fryers. So the question becomes: Which air fryer is right for you?

Ultimately, the type of air fryer you need is all about what you are going to do with it. Some people with limited kitchen space may be using their air fryer as a replacement oven. It may be their only appliance, so they want it to do a lot.

Both basket-style air fryers and air fryer-toaster ovens do the job of air frying well, so deciding between the two comes down to counter space. If you're the type of person who likes having a toaster oven, an air fryer-toaster oven is for you. On the other hand, if you think you'll only use your air fryer now and then and have room to store it away somewhere, you could try a basket-style air fryer.

What size air fryer should I get?

Capacity is another thing to consider. If you’re only cooking for one person, you can certainly get by with a smaller size; maybe 3 to 5 quarts. However, if you have a whole family meal to prepare, a larger basket may serve you better. Bigger air fryers can range anywhere from 7 to 12 quarts and can come in handy not just for larger meals, but also for prepping snacks and toppings.

"My air fryers are game changers," says Nicole. "I've even gone as far as making my own homemade Corn Nuts from scratch and "sun-dried" tomatoes in an air fryer—I'm a DIY kind of gal. The possibilities are endless with an air fryer."

Short on space? That’s okay, there are super small air fryers available. Mini air fryers can be as small as 1-quart in capacity, though many hover around 2 quarts. 

What features make for a “good” air fryer? 

Since Nicole is essentially an Air Fryer Queen, we asked her this very question. “A good air fryer is one that preheats fast, has multiple heating options, and a decent-size basket with minimal footprint,” she says. We agree! 

Versatility is incredibly important when looking at air fryers. How many presets does it have? Can it also warm, broil, reheat, grill, toast? What’s the temperature range? If you have minimal kitchen space, a versatile air fryer can potentially replace other bulky appliances. 

What are some air fryer hacks?

“Not all recipes call for pre-heating, but my tip is to always preheat for 5 minutes minimum to get the ultimate crisp,” says Nicole. 

If you want to cut down on messes, you can use liners in the basket. There are three common materials used for liners: aluminum foil, parchment paper, and silicone. For the foil and parchment paper, be sure to weigh them down evenly so the thin material doesn’t blow around while cooking. Additionally, check the maximum temperature on the parchment paper before using it in your fryer. There are a bunch of silicone liners available in all shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits your appliance.

Nicole’s Favorite Air Fryer Recipes

• Dry-rubbed pork tenderloin with broccoli
• Pork chops
• Potato wedges
• Zucchini chips
• Buffalo chicken wings
• Chicken katsu with homemade katsu sauce
• Shrimp boil
• Hot dogs

Why Take Our Word for It?

Nicole Russell, aka “Soup Loving Nicole,” is an Allrecipes Allstar with nearly 600 personal recipes to her name. She wasn’t always a savant in the kitchen, however. Her journey into cooking started with trying to make homemade soup instead of relying on store-bought cans. Outside the kitchen, you can find her gardening, fishing, or tending to her chickens.

Interested in becoming an Allrecipes Allstar? Learn more, and sign up here.

Allison Wignall fell in love with her air fryer from the moment she plugged it in. Nowadays, she uses it to cook or reheat entire meals instead of using her finicky oven. She is a writer who focuses on kitchen content, food, and gifts.