Ultimate Air Fryer Guide: Benefits, Top Models, Tips & Recipes

Some of the best food you’ll enjoy in your lifetime is fried. Chicken, fries, churros, and deep-fried oreos to name a few. No matter your preference, that crispy, crunchy exterior can be irresistible. When fully immersed in bubbling, hot oil, your favorite fried foods form a crispy outer layer that keeps moisture inside. That helps them maintain peak flavor and texture for a true party in your mouth—something few other cooking methods can provide.  

The problem is the amount of oil you need to use just to achieve that perfect golden brown. Frying can also transform the healthy fats in your foods into trans fats that are not good for your health. If you’re looking to eat better, though, don’t worry—your solution to this dilemma doesn’t have to involve giving up on your favorite fried treats.  

Instead, grab an air fryer right here on QVC! Coming from brands like Ninja, Chefman, and Elite, these versatile and powerful kitchen appliances quite literally fry food with hot air, making for an equally tasty way to whip up your favorite dishes without using so much oil.  

Not convinced you can get the same results with an air fryer? Keep reading to learn more about their benefits, the best models on the market, and the best ways to use and maintain them—and how all these things make this kitchen tool worth the buy.

Table of Contents

• Benefits of using an air fryer
• Some top air fryer models on the market
• High-end models
• Budget-friendly options
• Cooking tips
• Cleaning and maintenance
• Delicious air fryer recipes 
  • Appetizers
  • Main courses
  • Desserts
• FAQ

Benefits of using an air fryer

Air fryers can do more than just whip up tasty fried dishes without all the oil. Here are a few reasons why this handy tool can be considered a jack of all trades in the world of kitchen appliances.

Some top air fryer models on the market

Have these benefits convinced you to get an air fryer yet? The next step is to choose the best model for your needs. However, this process can be challenging. Multiple brands now offer different types of air fryers, including those with classic basket designs, oven-like features, and even additional rotisserie mechanisms and paddle accessories. That’s not to mention the other considerations you have to make when choosing an air fryer, such as your budget and unique cooking needs. To make things easier, feel free to look through this air fryer guide on the best models currently available on the market.

High-end models 

If you want to get more out of your air fryer, consider investing in high-end models. Though they can cost as much as $200 to $600, they offer additional features that make them worth the cost if you want or need them for your cooking adventures.  Here are a couple kinds of high-end models you may be interested in.  

Budget-friendly options 

Tight on funds? Don’t worry—you can still find budget-friendly air fryers that, though lacking in the additional features premium ones offer, offer good value for your money. You can grab more affordable models for as little as $25, though more effective air fryers may cost anywhere between $50 and $100. Here are a few notable designs you can consider within this price range. 

Tips for using an air fryer 

Though using an air fryer seems pretty straightforward—pop your food inside, set the timer, and wait for it to run out—there are plenty of things you can do to get even better results when you use it. From preheating and food placement to cleaning and maintenance, here are some top air fryer cooking tips you can try.

Cooking tips

•  Preheat your air fryer

The first and arguably most important tip is to always preheat your air fryer, especially if you’re cooking meat or using an air fryer oven. Doing so ensures your air fryer will already be at the correct temperature once you put your food in, so it cooks faster. Though you should always refer to the cooking guides that come packaged with your air fryer, it’s generally best to set it to 400F three minutes before you put your ingredients in. However, you can skip this step if you’re working with chips and crumbed foods.

• Use less oil

Accidentally using too much oil can cancel out the health benefits air fryers have to offer, so be sure to brush your food minimally with it when prepping it for frying. The golden ratio here is one tablespoon of oil for every kilogram (around 2.2 pounds) of fresh food. Though you can always toss these two ingredients together by hand, it may be better to use an oil mister to coat your food more evenly. However, avoid misting food while it’s in the air fryer itself, as the oil can negatively affect the longevity of the basket’s nonstick coating.

• Consider food placement

Though they may look roomy, air fryer baskets and racks aren’t particularly large. Of course, the capacity of your air fryer depends on the model you get, but it can still be easy to accidentally overfill it just because you can. A crowded air fryer cannot cook all the food inside it all the way through. More crucially, you won’t be leaving enough room for your food to crisp up. That said, it’s vital to consider placement. Ensure every item you place inside your air fryer has as much exposed surface area as possible for better cooking outcomes.  

• Shake the basket

For an even, crispy exterior that extends all the way around every piece of fried chicken, french fry, and potato chip, open your air fryer once the timer is halfway through the cooking process and give the basket a good shake. If you’re using an air fryer oven, flip the food on the rack. Opting for a premium air fryer model? Get one with rotating or self-stirring baskets.

• Leverage air fryer accessories

Air fryer accessories can enhance your air-frying outcomes and expand your air fryer’s overall versatility, so be sure to make good use of them. If your model doesn’t come with a probe, for example, it’s ideal to get yourself an air fryer thermometer so you can help avoid over- or undercooking your food. Meanwhile, a nonstick baking set can help you make pizza and pastries like cake and muffins using just your air fryer. 

Cleaning and maintenance

• Place baking trays in your air fryer oven

If you’re cooking marinated meats or crumbly foods, drips and particles can make their way to the bottom of your air fryer oven—and cause a mess that, over time, starts to smell. To avoid this, consider getting compatible baking trays and placing them below your air fryer oven racks. Doing so will make messes easier to pull out and clean.

• Use water or liners when cooking messy foods 

Preventing messes can be a bit more challenging if you’re using a traditional basket-style air fryer. Fatty foods, in particular, will produce grease that can dirty your air fryer and even make a cloud of smoke that fills up your kitchen. To help avoid smoking, you can add some water to your air fryer drawer if it has one. Otherwise, it’s a simple matter to line your basket with parchment paper that can absorb and catch grease, crumbs, and other kinds of food residue. As always, check the unit’s manual for the best plan. 

• Wipe your air fryer after every use 

Ultimately, the key to air fryer maintenance is cleaning it so often that major issues won’t have time to build up. This strategy also means cleaning your air fryer will be a quick and easy chore rather than a long and complicated one. If you’d like your air fryer’s nonstick coating to last for longer, consider hand-washing its removable parts with non-abrasive sponges or brushes rather than chucking them in the dishwasher. Afterwards, wipe down the inner cavity of the machine with a damp cloth. Clearing out any remaining residue will help you avoid unwanted odors from forming and prevent your air fryer from smoking while it cooks your food.

Delicious air fryer recipes

Once the air fryer you ordered from QVC lands on your doorstep, it might be overwhelming to choose the perfect first recipes to try with it! After all, the wide variety of dishes you can cook with an air fryer means you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. To streamline the decision-making process, try one of these delicious air fryer recipes. And if none of these are what you're craving, browse our other delicious air fryer recipes. Whether you’re craving a snack, need to cook dinner, or are itching to satisfy your sweet tooth, we’ve got you covered!

Appetizers

Mozzarella sticks

Want to achieve mozzarella sticks that are extremely crunchy on the outside and have that long, satisfying cheese pull on the inside? You can do just that with an air fryer! Here’s one recipe you can try: 

Ingredients

• Breadcrumbs, 1 cup  
• Mozzarella string cheese, 12 oz 
• Large eggs, 2 pcs 
• Ground black pepper, ½ tbsp 
• Nonstick cooking spray 
• Marinara sauce  
• Parsley, chopped  

Steps

1. In a skillet, toast your breadcrumbs to a golden brown.
2. Transfer your breadcrumbs to a bowl. Season with black pepper.
3. In another bowl, crack your eggs and mix them well. 
4. Cut your mozzarella sticks in half, crosswise.
5. Dip each stick in your bowl of eggs, ensuring they’re evenly coated. Transfer them to your other bowl to cover them with breadcrumbs. Repeat this process one more time so each double-coated mozzarella stick can achieve a crispy exterior. 
6. Freeze your mozzarella sticks until they’re solid to help them retain their shape as they fry. 
7. Preheat your air fryer to 390F. In the meantime, lightly mist each mozzarella stick with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy cleanup later on.
8. Place the mozzarella sticks in your air fryer, ensuring they don’t touch. If you need more space, do them in batches to avoid overcrowding.  
9. Let the sticks fry for two minutes, flip them, and resume frying for another two minutes or until the cheese starts to ooze out of the ends. That way, you’ll evenly cook each stick. 
10. Serve topped with parsley and alongside some marinara sauce.  

Stuffed mushrooms

Want a fun, nutritious, and undoubtedly delicious appetizer option? These wonderfully savory stuffed mushrooms crisp up well in the air fryer, resulting in a crunchy dish that bursts with cheesy, garlicky flavors. The best part is you can mix up the kind of mushroom and fillings you use based on your personal tastes! In the meantime, though, you can try the following:  

Ingredients

• White button mushrooms, stemmed, 1 ½ lbs   
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded, 2 tbsp 
• Pecorino-Romano, grated, ¼ cup  
• Garlic, minced, 1 clove 
• Breadcrumbs, ¼ cup 
• Fresh mint, chopped, 1 tsp   
• Fresh parsley, chopped, 1 tsp 
• Olive oil, 4 tbsp
• Salt and pepper to taste 

Steps

1. Make your filling by tossing your breadcrumbs, cheeses, herbs, garlic, and half your olive oil together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. 
2. Evenly coat your mushrooms with the remaining olive oil.  
3. Place your mushrooms on a baking sheet with their insides facing up. Fill their cavities with your breadcrumb mixture and lightly press down on them to lock the filling in.
4. Set your air fryer to 360F.
5. Place the stuffed mushrooms in your air fryer, ensuring they don’t touch. If you need more space, do them in batches to avoid overcrowding.  
6. Fry for 10 minutes, or until the filling bubbles and turns a golden brown, before serving. 

Crispy Shrimp

There’s nothing like a seafood appetizer for whetting the appetite, and what else can do the job better than shrimp made crispy? Whether you’re cooking them for dinner or are hosting a fancier dinner party, this air fryer recipe can help set you up for success:   

Ingredients

• Tails-on shrimp, peeled and de-veined, 1 lb   
• Panko breadcrumbs, ½ cup 
• All-purpose flour, ½ cup   
• Large eggs, 2 pcs 
• Nonstick cooking spray 
• Sweet chili sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste 

Steps

1. Pat your shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure your seasonings will stick and improve their overall texture and appearance. Season with salt and pepper.  
2. Use a food processor to break down your panko breadcrumbs into uniform sizes. Conversely, you can place them in a resealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Transfer to a bowl.   
3. In another bowl, combine your flour with some salt and pepper.  
4. Crack your eggs into a third bowl and lightly season them with salt.
5. Dip each shrimp into your flour, your egg mixture, and your breadcrumbs, shaking off any excess between each bowl. This process will ensure even coatings of crispy breading in terms of both coverage and appearance. Transfer your coated shrimp to a baking sheet. 
6. Preheat your air fryer to 385F. While waiting, lightly mist each shrimp with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy cleanup later on. 
7. Place the shrimp in your air fryer, ensuring they don’t touch. If you need more space, do them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
8. Fry the shrimp for 10 minutes. Flip them over at the halfway mark.
9. Serve with chili sauce for the perfect sweet and spicy complement to the shrimp’s savory notes.

Main courses

Fried Chicken

This will arguably be among the first dishes you want to try once you get an air fryer—so why not learn how to make it right? Here’s how you can use your air fryer to make classic buttermilk fried chicken: 

Ingredients

• Boneless and skinless chicken things, 1 ½ lbs  
• All-purpose flour, 1 cup 
• Panko breadcrumbs, 1 cup 
• Buttermilk, 2 cups  
• Nonstick cooking spray 
• Salt and pepper to taste  

Steps

1. Place your chicken thighs in a baking or casserole dish. Cover them with buttermilk and refrigerate overnight to tenderize the meat and help it better retain moisture.
2. Prepare three bowls that contain all-purpose flour seasoned with salt and pepper, buttermilk, and panko breadcrumbs, respectively.  
3. Preheat your air fryer to 385F. 
4. While waiting, dip each thigh in the flour, buttermilk, and breadcrumbs, shaking off any excess between each bowl. This process will ensure even coatings of crispy breading in terms of both coverage and appearance. Transfer the thighs to a baking sheet and lightly mist the tops with nonstick cooking spray.
5. Place the thighs in your air fryer, ensuring they don’t touch. If you need more space, do them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
6. Fry for 15 minutes before flipping them over. Continue cooking for around 10 more minutes or until the chicken’s juices run clear. If you’re using an air fryer thermometer or own a model with a temperature probe, wait until the center of each thigh reaches 165F to ensure they’re cooked through.

Lemon tilapia

Of all the amazing flavor combinations seafood offers, citrus pairings are among the most delicious. Try this recipe to brighten up tilapia using only some lemon and an air fryer! 

Ingredients

• Tilapia fillets, 4 6-oz pcs  
• Lemon wedges, 4 pcs  
• Lemon zest, 2 tbsp  
• Garlic, minced, 2 cloves
• Olive oil, 2 tbsp
• Nonstick cooking spray 
• Salt, ground black peppercorns, paprika, and parsley to taste  

Steps

1. Rinse your tilapia fillets in running water before drying them with a paper towel. This will ensure your seasonings will stick and improve their overall texture and appearance.
2. Combine lemon zest, olive oil, and garlic in a bowl. Season with salt and ground black peppercorns. 
3. Preheat your air fryer to 400F. 
4. While waiting, generously rub your mixture into the tops of your tilapia fillets, then sprinkle paprika on top. Lightly mist the fillets with nonstick cooking spray.
5. Place the fillets in your air fryer, ensuring they don’t touch. If you need more space, do them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
6. Cook the fillets for 7 to 10 minutes or until they flake easily with a fork.
7. Serve with lemon wedges.  

Spanakopita rolls

Want to start experimenting with more complex air fryer dishes? Need a vegetarian dinner option? Try the Greek spanakopita! Air-fry your way to this cheesy, flaky, and deliciously savory spinach pie with this recipe for jumbo spanakopita rolls:

Ingredients

• Phyllo pastry, 4-8 sheets  
• Frozen spinach, chopped, 18 oz
• Feta cheese, 7 oz
• Cream cheese, 2 tbsp
• Egg, whisked, 1 pc
• Small onion, minced, 1 pc
• Mint leaves, chopped, ¼ cup
• Lemon juice, ½ lemon’s worth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps

1. Defrost your spinach on the kitchen counter, with a microwave, or using an air fryer with defrost features, like the West Bend 15 QT Air Fryer.
2. Remove excess liquid from your spinach by placing it in a colander and pressing down on the leaves with a heavy bowl.
3. Sauté your onion in a frying pan.
4. Toss your onion and spinach into a bowl. Slowly add your cheeses, lemon juice, and mint. Add more cream cheese to achieve your preferred consistency for the spanakopita filling.
5. Whisk your egg in a small bowl.
6. Preheat your air fryer to 360F. While waiting, make your spanakopita rolls.
7. Take two sheets of phyllo pastry and lay them out on top of each other at different angles, forming an eight-pointed star.  Place 3 to 5 tablespoons of your filling along one side, brush the edges of your pastry with your egg wash, and roll everything up like you would an egg roll or burrito. Brush the outsides of your rolls with more egg wash.
8. Place the rolls in your air fryer, ensuring they don’t touch. If you need more space, do them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
9.  Cook them for 15 minutes and serve them once the pastry turns crispy and golden brown.

Desserts

Donuts

If you want to create a traditionally fried dessert in your air fryer, why not make your own donuts? With this recipe, you can make these fluffy delights for yourself and your loved ones right at home instead of having to drive all the way to a local shop. The best part? It’s vegetarian!

Ingredients

• Plain flour, 2 ¼ cups 
• Unsalted butter, melted and lukewarm, 3 ½ tbsp 
• Milk, lukewarm, ½ cup (for the dough)
• Milk, 3 tbsp (for the icing)
• Egg, beaten, 1 pc
• Caster sugar, ¼ cup
• Icing sugar, 1 cup
• Vanilla extract, 1 tsp (for the dough)
• Vanilla extract, ¼ tsp (for the icing)
• Dried fast-action yeast, 1 sachet or 2 ¼ tsp
• Salt, ½ tsp
• Cinnamon, ½ tbsp (optional) 
• Flavorless oil

Steps 

1. Using a stand mixer, combine ½ cup of lukewarm milk with melted butter, a teaspoon of caster sugar, and yeast. Wait for up to 10 minutes for the yeast to activate.
2. In a bowl, combine the remaining caster sugar with flour and salt. If you wish to use cinnamon, add it during this step.
3. Incorporate your beaten egg into your milk mixture from Step 1, then fold in your dry ingredients from Step 2.
4. Use a dough hook on your stand mixer to start kneading your dough at medium speed. Continue to knead for 5 to 8 minutes or until the dough becomes elastic.
5. Lightly coat a bowl in flavorless oil, transfer your dough here, and cover it with a clean towel. Wait until the dough doubles in size. 
6. Lightly flour your work surface, roll your dough out until it is half an inch thick, and form your donuts by hand or with a donut cutter.
7. Place your donuts on a baking sheet and refrigerate them for proofing. Let them rise overnight.
8. The next day, line your air fryer basket or rack with parchment paper to prevent the donuts from sticking. 
9. Place the donuts in your air fryer, ensuring they don’t touch. If you need more space, do them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
10. Cook them at 356F for 5 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack.
11. While waiting, make your icing. Combine your milk, icing sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl.
12. Once they’re cooled, dip the top of each donut in your glaze and place them back on the wire rack to harden before serving.

Brownies

This beginner-friendly brownie recipe is a great way to start baking with your air fryer! Don’t worry—if you follow these steps, you’ll end up with rich, chocolatey squares of goodness that aren’t dry at all:

Ingredients

• Plain flour, ⅔ cup 
• Cocoa powder, ¼ cup 
• Dark chocolate, chopped, 1 cup
• Chocolate chips, ⅓ cup
• Eggs, 2 pcs 
• Butter, 1 stick
• Caster sugar, ¾ cup

Steps

1. In a small pan, melt your butter and dark chocolate until smooth.
2. Preheat your air fryer to 320F. 
3. While waiting, whisk together your eggs, salt, and sugar until you get a thick and creamy consistency. Sift your flour and cocoa powder over your egg mixture, fold in your buttery chocolate mixture, and stir in your chocolate chips to ensure even distribution.
4. Take a square cake pan that will fit into your air fryer, line it with parchment paper, and pour your batter in.
5. Air-fry the batter for half an hour or until your brownies are mostly set with a softer center.  
6. Let your brownies cool on a wire rack, cut them into squares, and serve!

Apple chips

Want a quick, easy, and healthy dessert? Try making some fruity chips! Apples are ideal for this recipe because they easily crisp when fried and provide a natural sweetness.

Ingredients

• Apples, preferably smaller ones of the Fuji, Honeycrisp, and Gala varieties
• The spices of your choice, such as cinnamon or apple pie spice 
• Coconut oil
• Brown sugar OR maple syrup (optional)

Steps

1. Preheat your air fryer to 300F.
2. While waiting, thinly slice your apples with a sharp knife or mandolin. The thinner they are, the crispier they’ll be!
3. Evenly coat your slices with coconut oil before sprinkling them with your chosen spices. Aside from ensuring the spices will stick, this will ensure your apple chips will easily come out of the air fryer.
4. Place a single layer of apple slices in your air fryer, ensuring the pieces don’t overlap too much. If you need more space, do them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
5. Air fry for 12 minutes, flip them over (or give your basket a good shake), then continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
6. Transfer your apple chips to a cooling rack so the icing can harden. Serve sprinkled with brown sugar or drizzled with maple syrup if you want sweeter chips.

Your Questions, Answered 

What is an air fryer, and how does it work?

An air fryer is a kitchen countertop appliance that uses convection to circulate hot air within an enclosed space. Using high temperatures and a built-in fan, it can effectively “fry” foods from all angles.

Is food cooked in an air fryer healthier?

Because it primarily uses hot air circulation to “fry” foods, air fryers only require a minimal amount of oil to create crispy textures. With roughly only a tablespoon of oil needed to fry a kilogram (or 2.2 pounds) of fresh food, it uses significantly less oil than the immersion deep fryers used to cook traditional fried foods like fish and chips.  

What can you cook with an air fryer? 

You can cook pretty much any fried food with an air fryer, such as fried chicken and tempura. However, innovative air fryer designs and additional accessories mean you can also use this appliance to try a number of different cooking methods, such as grilling, roasting, toasting, broiling, and baking. That said, you can cook a wide range of appetizers, main courses, and even desserts using just an air fryer.  

Do air fryers require preheating?

They technically don’t. However, it is highly recommended that you do so, as preheating helps get your air fryer to the right temperature before you even put any ingredients in. That means it will cook your food faster and help you achieve more consistent cooking results.  

How do you clean an air fryer? 

You can clean most of an air fryer’s removable parts by popping them in the dishwasher. However, you may prefer to wash some components by hand to preserve their nonstick coatings for longer. The rest of the machine can be wiped down with a damp cloth to prevent residue buildup.  

Can you use aluminum foil in an air fryer?

Yes, but only under certain conditions. For example, foil reacts with acid, so avoid lining your air fryer basket with it if you’re cooking ingredients like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and peppers. In these cases, you can swap your foil out for parchment paper.  

What size air fryer should I buy?

The answer ultimately depends on your needs and preferences. For example, if you have limited counter space or live in a small house or apartment, it’s better to buy a compact air fryer. If you have enough room for your air fryer or are buying it for the entire family to use, consider getting a model that can hold larger amounts of food.  

Are air fryers noisy?

Not particularly. Since they come with built-in fans, air fryers definitely make a noise when they’re being used. However, it will typically range between 40 and 60 decibels. That means even the noisiest air fryer is only about as loud as the background conversations you hear in restaurants.  

Can you bake in an air fryer? 

Yes. Since it uses convection to cook food, it basically serves the same purpose as a convection oven. With air fryers coming with multiple baking sets and accessories, you can more easily use them to create a wider variety of baked goods.  

What brands should I look for when purchasing an air fryer?

Some of the air fryer brands that are often considered to be great include Chefman, Ninja, and Elite, all of which are available right here on QVC.