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Best Air Fryers For Healthier Meals

Ditch the oil in favor of a kitchen tool that makes guilt-free dishes

Air fryers are soaring in popularity, but what are they and how do they work? Imagine a convection oven, hot air swirling around inside an enclosed area. Then add in just a little bit of oil in a mist that combines with the steam, mimicking frying.

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Depending on what you're cooking, how many you're cooking for, and how fancy you want your functions, there are basketfuls of options. These air fryers are our favorites.

COSORI Air Fryer Max XL (100 Recipes) Electric Hot Oven Oilless Cooker LED Touch Screen with 13 Cooking Functions, Preheat and Shake Reminder, Nonstick Basket, 5.8 QT, DIGITAL-Black
The square design creates more space than the round fryers. | COSORI

Rather than using a couple of cups of oil, this air fryer just uses a few tablespoons to make a meal for a whole family. At almost 6 quarts, you can prepare a family-sized chicken in a jiffy. And when you serve it, you'll find the inside tender and juicy and the skin perfectly crispy. Enjoy the ease of 11 preset cooking functions to take the guesswork out of how long to cook those brussels sprouts. Just make sure to preheat the air fryer before cooking.

Ninja Air Fryer that Cooks, Crisps and Dehydrates, with 4 Quart Capacity, and a High Gloss Finish
Did you know this small appliance can give you two whole pounds of french fries at once? | Ninja

We love that the temperatures range from 105 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The low temperature and convection-type circulation allow you to make fruit leather, jerky, dried apples and tomatoes with the dehydrating feature. Not only a money saver but a great way to make healthy snacks and reserve the bounty of the season. You can roast and fry, too. The small 4-quart size appliance fits on any dorm or kitchen counter.

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10-in-1 Air Fryer Oven, 20 Quart Airfryer Toaster Oven Combo, 1800W Large Air Fryers, Convection Toaster Oven with Rotisserie Dehydrator, ETL Certified
Powerful enough that you could host a Sunday dinner, a family reunion, or an entire sports team. | Airfryer

This multi-purpose appliance does so much more than air fry. Wave goodbye to your oven, when this air fryer can do so much more. They call it an all-in-one machine because it's a rotisserie, a roaster, a fryer, a pizza grill, and a toaster. It heats to 400 degrees F, giving extra crispiness to your dishes. The easy-to-read digital screen makes using the preset programs a cinch. We love that all 13 accessories are included like the rotisserie skewer, fry and roasting baskets, oven mitts, and dehydrating racks, too.

Ultrean Air Fryer, 4.2 Quart (4 Liter) Electric Hot Air Fryers Oven Oilless Cooker with LCD Digital Screen and Nonstick Frying Pot, ETL/UL Certified,1-Year Warranty,1500W (Black)
Faster than delivery, this model creates a healthy meal using an advanced rapid air technology. | Ultrean

The air fryer is a fantastic way to get kids to nosh more veggies. Serve air-fried zucchini, sweet potatoes, green beans, and even broccoli with some dipping sauce as an appetizer or side dish. We like how easy it is to cook and clean with the easy-to-remove dishwasher-safe cooking basket. The compact black scratch-resistant fryer also makes a great gift.

GoWISE USA 3.7-Quart Programmable Air Fryer with 8 Cook Presets, GW22638 - Black
From French toast in the morning to fritters and fries in the afternoon, this appliance is a food making manager. | GoWISE

Press a button for perfect shrimp, steak, and fish. It beeps when your food is ready, and automatically stops after 20 seconds, so you don't need to worry about burning anything. Even a whole chicken can be ready for dinner in just 30 minutes. Who knew that was possible? We didn't – and it makes us even happier that you don't need oil to prepare food. This fryer is so advanced, that's just what it does. Use the 50 specially designed air fryer recipes, or create your own.

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Cyndi Mathews is a contributing writer to Islands and recently published her first book and enjoys traveling to Florida in her sailboat. Islands is an award-winning brand founded in 1980 that speaks to international travelers who have an affinity for the Caribbean and beyond. The website showcases destinations, resorts, cruises, and recommendations by the Islands' staff.

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