A countertop air fryer that turns out crispy food with little or no oil, no more waiting on the oven.
An air fryer suits someone who cooks at home and wants dinner faster with less oil. Choose the capacity by how many people they feed: about 2 to 4 litres for one or two, and 5 to 6 litres for a family. Then check bench space and how easily the basket cleans.
Gift ideas
A retailer can change a price at any time, so check it before you buy.
Air fryer with a 10.4L drawer that fits food for 8+ people, or splits with a removable divider into 2 zones for 2 foods at once. Seven functions: Max Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate, Proof and Bake. Black.
Air fryer with two independent 3.8L baskets (7.6L total) that cook two foods two ways and can finish them together. Six functions: Max Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate and Bake. Ceramic non-stick, in grey.
Air fryer with a 5.8L non-stick basket, a viewing window and an LED touchscreen with 8 preset modes. 1200W with 360° airflow, heat up to 200°C, a 60-minute timer and automatic shut-off; the tray is dishwasher safe.
Air fryer that cooks with superheated air up to 200 °C instead of hot oil, with 8 pre-set programs and a digital touch panel. Dishwasher safe attachments include a detachable non-stick stainless steel drawer and basket.
An air fryer suits someone who cooks at home and wants dinner on the table faster, with less oil. It is a favourite for a student moving out, a busy family, a parent who cooks for one or two, or a new home that has few appliances. It fits Christmas, a housewarming or a birthday.
It cooks by blowing hot air around the food, so it crisps chips, roasts vegetables, cooks chicken and reheats leftovers without the long wait of a full oven.
What to look for in an air fryer
Capacity. A smaller basket of about 2 to 4 litres suits one or two people. A 5 to 6 litre basket suits a family, and larger models fit a whole chicken.
Dual baskets. Two baskets cook two foods at once, which suits a family that wants a main and a side ready together.
Bench space. An air fryer is bulky. Check the width and height against the space on their bench or in a cupboard.
Cleaning. Non-stick baskets that are dishwasher safe save a chore. Check the listing.
Controls. Simple dials suit people who dislike fiddling. Presets for chips, chicken and fish suit people who want less guessing.
Extras. Some also grill or bake. Check what is included, such as a rack.
When an air fryer is the wrong gift
Many households already own one, so ask first if you can. In a small kitchen with no bench space it will sit in a cupboard. And someone who rarely cooks, or who loves slow roasting and a conventional oven, may not find a use for it.
Frequently asked questions
What size air fryer should I buy?
A basket of around 2 to 4 litres suits one or two people. A 5 to 6 litre basket suits a family of four, and larger models fit a whole chicken. Dual-basket models cook two foods at once.
Is an air fryer a good gift if they already have an oven?
Often, yes. It heats quickly, cooks small amounts fast and crisps food without much oil, so some people use it more than the oven. Ask first if you can, because some households already own one.
Are air fryers easy to clean?
Many have a non-stick basket that washes by hand or goes in the dishwasher, but check the listing. Baskets with many nooks are harder to keep clean, and a removable basket makes the job easiest.
