Top 9 Best Air Fryers In India – Buying Guide 2023

Last Updated on 25 January, 2023 by Sourav Roy

Air fryers are a blessing to the kitchen, as they bring the joy of fried foods without the added health hazards. They’ve only been around for a little more than a decade, but they’ve already become one of everyone’s favourite appliances. If you’re looking to get yourself the best air fryers in India, we’ve got you covered with our reviews of the highest quality models.

Best Air Fryers In India

We’ve also added a buying guide that you can use to make a perfect choice; it has everything you need to know, including some info you can’t find easily. Let’s get started.

 

Best Air Fryers In India 2023

We’ve made this list by keeping cooking speed, capacity, design, build quality and cost-efficiency in mind. Whether you need an air fryer for a family of 4 or if you want one for your bachelor pad, we’ve got the perfect selection of air fryers for you to check out.

 

1. Inalsa Digital Variable Temp Nutri Fry-1400W 4L Air Fryer

Inalsa has been manufacturing appliances since 1967, though it’s not very well-known in India yet. We’ve reviewed some of its food processors before and found them to be excellent options. Hence, we had high expectations for this product. Read on to find out how it’s like.

Inalsa Digital Variable Temp Nutri Fry-1400W 4L Air Fryer

Specifications

  • Capacity: 4L
  • Dimensions: 27.8 x 36 x 33 cm
  • Weight: 4.8 Kg
  • Control Panel: Touch
  • Wattage: 1400W
  • Temperature Range: 40°C-200°C

Key Features

  • Digital user interface boosts convenience and allows for more precise cooking.
  • Cool Touch Handle ensures that no one accidentally burns their hands after frying something.
  • High 1400W power lets you cook any kind of food quickly.

Why The Inalsa Digital Variable Temp Nutri Fry-1400W 4L Air Fryer?

Cook Efficiently With 8 Preset Programs: The Nutri Fry Digital’s preset programs will automatically set temperature and timer settings to the specified food, reducing how much effort you need to put in. You can use them to make frozen potatoes, regular potatoes, vegetables, chickens, sausages, fish and a whole lot more.

Comes With An Easy To Use And Clean Touch Display: This Air Fryer also has a digital display that contains all the info you need to cook your food perfectly. It can offer you some versatile options, too. You can set the timer from 1 minute to 60 minutes. This timer also alerts you with a buzz once it reaches the set time. You no longer have to monitor the cooking process actively.

Equipped With A Few Safety Features: One of the things this product is excellent at is keeping the user safe and healthy. Its cooking performance was one of the reasons we chose it, but these features are what set it as the first option for our list. The cold touch handle keeps your hand safe, and there are also anti-slip feet that keep the machine stable and prevent any sort of accidents.

Ideal Capacity For A Medium Sized Family: The 4L capacity should be enough to serve a family of 4-5 members easily. It means that you can cook 900 grams of potatoes, which is easily enough for 5 servings.

Positives
  • Comes with timer and temperature control.
  • Compact.
  • Easy to clean.
  • Preset programs.
  • Fast cooking speed.
  • Good at minimising oil consumption.
Negatives
  • Container quality could be better.
  • External body heats significantly after 15 minutes of cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this air fryer.

Is it dishwasher safe?

Yes, it is. You can clean and wash it easily.

Is it good for reheating?

No. Microwave ovens are better for reheating, though we have a few air fryers on our list that can do that well enough.

How much electricity does it use in units?

It uses 1.4-1.5 units per hour.

Verdict

The Inalsa Digital Variable Temp Nutri Fry-1400W 4L Air Fryer is one of the most feature-rich air fryers out there. The presets are perfect for cooking various food items, and the timer/temperature control is just what you need to cook to perfection. These features and the fast cooking speed will ensure you’re more than happy with your purchase. Overall, we can confidently say that the Nutri Fry is definitely one of the best air fryers in India.

 

2. SOLARA Xtra Large 5.5L Digital Air Fryer

Despite being a fairly recent brand, SOLARA has already started making an impact on the Indian market, especially in the Air Fryer sector. We picked out this model after getting good opinions from many of their impressed customers. Let’s talk about what makes it one of the best air fryers in India.

SOLARA Xtra Large 5.5L Digital Air Fryer

Specifications

  • Capacity: 5.5L
  • Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 30 cm
  • Weight: 2 Kg
  • Control Panel: Touch
  • Wattage: 1400W
  • Temperature Range: 82°C-204°C

Key Features

  • Comes with enough capacity to support a medium-sized family easily.
  • Incredibly lightweight and easy to move around.
  • Ideal for all sorts of cooking, including grilling and roasting.

Why The SOLARA Xtra Large 5.5L Digital Air Fryer?

Comes With A High-Quality Basket: The large basket is already a good enough reason to try out this air fryer. There’s more to it, though. Your food leftovers won’t stick to the basket, and even if some do, you can easily pull it out completely and clean it. The cleaning part is particularly easy, as this model is completely dishwasher safe.

Precise Adjustment Settings: You can make the best dishes with this fryer as it allows you to be more specific during the cooking process. You can set any temperature within 80°C-200°C range within 10°C increments. There’s a timer, too, though you can only set it up to 30 minutes.

Versatile Operation: This air fryer comes with 8 different presets customised for Indian cooking. You can use them for cooking fish, paneer, chicken, fries and much more.

Includes Complimentary Recipe Books: The product comes with a 12 recipe handbook and an eBook containing 100 recipes. All these recipes are optimised for the air fryer; they’ll contain the absolute minimum amount of oil and fat while still being incredibly healthy and delicious.

Positives
  • Excellent capacity.
  • Great for making desserts.
  • Cooked items are crispier than oven cooked items.
  • Touch controls are responsive.
  • Cooks quickly.
Negatives
  • Power cord is a little short.
  • Fan sounds a little noisy, though not enough to be an issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this air fryer.

Can it make gravy curries?

No, it can’t.

Will this air fryer be enough for a family of 3 members?

Yes, it’ll be more than enough.

Can I use a grill tray with it?

Yes, you can use a grill tray or other accessories as long as they’re oven safe and fit properly.

Verdict

Whether you like grilled, roasted, fried or baked food, this versatile air fryer can cook it all. The digital interface is easy to use, responsive and incredibly convenient. It’s compact yet offers enough capacity to serve your family an excellent meal without needing extra clean-up. Overall, this air fryer is a very good option for the price.

 

3. PHILIPS HD9200/90 1400W Essential Air Fryer With 4.1L Capacity

Now, we bring you an air fryer from Philips that can cook healthy and tasty food with just a little oil. This fryer will impress you with its high number of cooking programs and features. It has more than 3000 ratings on its sale page and is an Amazon’s Choice; you’ll find out why soon.

PHILIPS HD9200/90 1400W Essential Air Fryer With 4.1L Capacity

Specifications

  • Capacity: 4.1L
  • Dimensions: 33.8 x 33.8 x 35.5 cm
  • Weight: 4.54 Kg
  • Control Panel: Knob-based Analog
  • Wattage: 1400W
  • Temperature Range: Upto 200°C

Key Features

  • Can keep food warm for a while after the cooking process is complete.
  • Doesn’t need monitoring, thanks to the auto-off feature.
  • Easy to maintain thanks to dishwasher safe design.

Why The PHILIPS HD9200/90 1400W Air Fryer With 4.1L Capacity?

Can Reheat Food: Unlike most other air fryers, you don’t need to use an oven when you have the Philips HD9200/90. It can reheat food with just a few button presses.

Versatile For Other Kinds Of Cooking: Like all the other best juicers in India, this one can also Grill, Bake, Fry and Roast. So, regardless of whatever you choose to cook, you can be sure this air fryer will cook it perfectly.

User-Friendly: There are only 2 control knobs on this appliance, and you can simply turn one to set the timer and the other to choose the temperature.

Top-tier Build Quality: Being a Philips product, this fryer will offer nothing but the best in terms of build quality. You can be sure it will last a long time and won’t have any problems during that time. In fact, this model is so well-made we didn’t find any heat on the exterior walls during our tests; that’s an issue many standard air fryers are prone to.

Positives
  • Easy to use.
  • No flavour is lost even when using little to no oil.
  • Can reheat food effectively.
  • Decent capacity.
  • Retractable cord.
  • Exterior walls stay cool.
Negatives
  • Analog timer makes it harder to set precise timing.
  • 60 minutes timer instead of 30 minutes would’ve been better.
  • No LED indicators.
  • Doesn’t come with presets or any recipe books.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this air fryer.

Can it make dessert?

Yes, it can make desserts like chocolate cakes.

Will I be able to use it to boil eggs?

No, you can’t do that.

Is the basket removable?

Yes, it is.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a dishwasher-safe and easy to use air fryer, this product from Philips is an excellent option. It can cook food quickly while not sacrificing the taste. The 4.1L capacity makes it ideal for families with three or more members. The high-build quality also means that you can enjoy its cooking ability for several years.

 

4. Varada Pro 4.5 litre 1500 watts Air Fryer

VARADA is a recent brand. Though it hasn’t been around for very long yet, it’s made one of the best air fryers we’ve seen. The Varada Pro Air Fryer is an amazing product with big capacity, premium build quality and most importantly, great cooking ability.

Varada Pro 4.5 litre 1500 watts Air Fryer

Specifications

  • Capacity: 4.5L
  • Dimensions: 36.4 x 36.8 x 39.4 cm
  • Weight: 4 Kg
  • Control Panel: Touch
  • Wattage: 1500W
  • Temperature Range: 80°C-200°C

Key Features

  • Comes with extra safety features like auto shut off and overheat protection.
  • Perfect for medium-big families, can easily serve 5-6 people.
  • Detachable basket and dishwasher safe accessories ensure maximum cleaning convenience.

Why The Varada Pro 4.5 litre 1500 watts Air Fryer?

Rapid Air Circulation For Fast Cooking: This fryer is passively designed to circulate as fast as possible- it can cook faster, and even preheating is just as fast, taking only 5 minutes. Plus, the 1500W power also adds to the overall cooking speed.

High Capacity Provides More Versatility: The VARADA Max is one of the highest capacity fryers on our list. As we mentioned before, it can easily cook for a medium-big family. Not to mention, this capacity also means you can easily cook whole chickens in it.

Uses An Intuitive Touch Panel: With the digital display, you can easily set precise settings and monitor the fryer while it cooks. The panel itself is also a little more comfortable during the cooking process; it and the rest of the exterior don’t get hot at all.

Comes WIth A Lot Of Preset Options: As expected of a high-end air fryer, the VARADA Max comes with several preset options. It has 8 preset cooking modes, so you can cook everything from fries and veggies to fish and steaks.

Includes Extra Accessories: Though small, this is another thing you’ll appreciate; the fryer comes with a large heavy-duty food tong. It also comes with a recipe handbook containing 35 recipes as the topping on the cake.

Positives
  • Elegant design.
  • Makes minimal noise.
  • Ensures that you consume up to 85% less oil.
  • Overheat protection.
  • Continues at where it left off during power failures.
  • Huge capacity.
Negatives
  • Doesn’t have a pause button.
  • No non-stick coating.
  • Build quality could be better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this air fryer.

Does the fryer have a vent for hot air?

Yes, it does.

Can I fit a baking tin inside the basket?

Yes, you can.

Where's the preheat button?

There’s no separate button. You can set the fryer to 200°C to preheat it.

Verdict

The Varada Pro Air Fryer is the best choice if you need an air fryer for a big family. It’s also great if you’re looking for one that can handle larger pieces of food. Furthermore, the preheat and temperature settings are precise, and it comes in a beautiful design. A pause button would have been nice, but we can easily pass it as one of the best air fryers in India because of all the other attributes.

 

5. Inalsa 4L Analog Nutri Fry Air Fryer

Inalsa doesn’t only have one high-end air fryer up their sleeves; they have other excellent models too. Here’s another one of their products that caught our eyes with its looks and capabilities.

Inalsa 4L Analog Nutri Fry Air Fryer

Specifications

  • Capacity: 4L
  • Dimensions: 27.8 x 36 x 33 cm
  • Weight: 4.8 Kg
  • Control Panel: Knob-based Analog
  • Wattage: 1400W
  • Temperature Range: Upto 200°C

Key Features

  • Knobs are designed to ensure precise temperature and timer adjustments.
  • Heats up in minimal time so you can get to cooking right away.
  • Non-stick pan and removable crisping basket ensure easy maintenance.

Why The Inalsa 4L Analog Nutri Fry Air Fryer?

Fast Heating Mechanism: With its 1400W power, this air fryer will be ready to serve you in no time as it only takes 2-3 minutes to heat up.

Cooks Just About Everything: This fryer can easily replace some of your kitchen appliances with its cooking abilities. You can use it to make fries, chickens, steaks and even desserts like puddings and doughnuts.

Comes With A Cool Touch Handle: You never need to worry about burning your hands when bringing the food out, as the handle remains cool.

Offers Decent Capacity: Thanks to its 4L capacity, you can cook for a lot of people with this fryer.

Has LED Indicators: This air fryer doesn’t have a digital display, but the indicators still make usage convenient. Standard air fryers don’t even have this feature, so this model is another step above them.

Positives
  • Enough capacity to cook a whole chicken.
  • Easy to use.
  • Fast cooking speeds.
  • High durability.
  • Cost-effective.
Negatives
  • Mediocre after-sales service.
  • Provided recipe book doesn’t have many recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can it fit medium size pizzas?

Yes, it can.

Does it come with a buzzer?

It does.

Does it have a dual tray?

No, it doesn’t.

Verdict

This air fryer is a rather basic option compared to the other Inalsa models on our list, but it’s still very good. If you purely want ease of use and reliability, you can go for it with your eyes closed. It’s a compact model too, so it’s great for those that have a medium-sized family but don’t have a lot of kitchen space.

 

6. Inalsa Fry-Light Adjustable Temperature Control 1400W Air Fryer

There’s no need to say anything else about Inalsa at this point. The Fry-Light has an entirely different design compared to other Inalsa air fryers we reviewed earlier, but it’s just as high quality. Let’s take a closer look at it.

Inalsa Fry-Light Adjustable Temperature Control 1400W Air Fryer

Specifications

  • Capacity: 4.2L
  • Dimensions: 29 x 36.5 x 32 cm
  • Weight: 5.27 Kg
  • Control Panel: Knob-based Analog
  • Wattage: 1400W
  • Temperature Range: 140°C-200°C

Key Features

  • Turns off on its own when the basket is removed, for user safety.
  • Uses less oil for cooking without compromising on taste.
  • Physical knobs are easy to use, and you can even use them when your hand is wet, unlike touch.

Why The Inalsa Fry-Light Adjustable Temperature Control 1400W Air Fryer?

Great For Cooking Pizzas: The Inalsa Fry-Light is not only great for cooking fried foods, but it’s versatile enough to cook other things perfectly. Pizzas work especially well, as the basket is big enough to fit in a 6″ one.

Convenient Knobs: The knobs have a good grip, so you can set the fryer precisely. The temperature and timer knobs are also different in shape, so you can easily distinguish which one is what. That’s not much but says a lot about the amount of thought put into the design.

Safe For Every Situation: As we mentioned in the highlights, the fryer automatically switches off when removing the basket. Additionally, it also has overheat protection.

Comes With Indicators: One thing that makes this one of the best air fryers in India in the analogue category is the LED Indicators. They make monitoring the machine much easier, but you don’t see them often in standard analogue fryers.

Positives
  • More compact than standard fryers.
  • Can cook pizzas and large foods well.
  • Comes with LED Indicators.
  • Good safety features.
Negatives
  • Some models have a burnt plastic smell while cooking, though that goes away after a few uses.
  • Only has a 30 min timer.
  • Mediocre after-sales services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this air fryer.

Can it bake?

Yes, you can bake things like cakes.

Can it reheat food?

Yes, it can.

Will I be able to cook without oil?

Yes, you can do that.

Verdict

The Inalsa Fry-Light 4.2 Liter Digital Air Fryer is an outstanding product – one that even beats out brands with a higher price tag in some cases. It stands out both in terms of looks and performance. If you’ve got a medium-sized family that’s into baked goods, whole chickens or pizzas, this fryer is a great option to try. It’ll keep everyone safe, too, thanks to the high-end safety features.

 

7. Prestige PAF 6.0 2L Air Fryer

Everyone definitely knows about Prestige. They make appliances for almost every possible need, and their products are popular in many Indian homes. This PAF 6.0 is physical proof of that. Read on to find out how.

Prestige PAF 6.0 2L Air Fryer

Specifications

  • Capacity: 2.0L
  • Dimensions: 27 x 27 x 32 cm
  • Weight: 6.2 Kg
  • Control Panel: Knob-based Analog
  • Wattage: 1200W
  • Temperature Range: 80°C-200°C

Key Features

  • Has a wider temperature range than standard air fryers, allowing for more versatility.
  • A smoke vent keeps your kitchen odour free.
  • Comes with LED Indicators for maximum convenience.

Why The Prestige PAF 6.0 2L Air Fryer?

Compact Size: The first thing that might catch your eye is probably the size, especially if you’re a single person or have a small family. The compact size will be perfect in these situations, and the 2L capacity won’t be an issue.

Frying Basket Designed For Maximum Convenience: For a start, the basket has a non-stick coating which is always a plus. It also comes with a safety switch and is easy to pull out and clean. You don’t need to worry about any issues when cleaning; it’s dishwasher safe.

Odour Removing Smoke Vent: The vent is one of the things that make this fryer stand out; your kitchen will always smell fresh, free of post-cooking odours and smokes. The device is also optimised to remain clean of oil, so maintenance is also super easy.

Multi-purpose Functionality: Though small and simple, this fryer is still advanced enough to circulate air well enough to cook any kind of food perfectly. You can bake, roast, grill, fry and do much more with minimal effort.

Positives
  • Versatile.
  • Doesn’t make odours no matter what you cook in it.
  • Uses a well-designed and convenient frying basket.
  • Super compact.
  • Power-efficient thanks to lower wattage.
Negatives
  • Low capacity.
  • Makes a small amount of noise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this air fryer.

Can it be used for making sandwiches?

It can, but we wouldn’t recommend doing that as the bread will feel unpleasantly hard.

Does it make good french fries?

Yes, but only if you add a sprinkle of oil.

Does it come with a recipe book?

No, it doesn’t.

Verdict

With a capacity of only 2 litres, the Prestige PAF 6.0 2L Air Fryer is a space saver and a time saver, too, thanks to its cooking power. Though small, it can easily compete with all the other best air fryers in India when it comes to cooking ability. The other features are nothing to scoff at, either. If you’re a bachelor or a couple, we definitely recommend giving this fryer a try.

 

8. Balzano Extra Large 5.5L Digital Air Fryer

This fryer is one of the most underrated models on the market. Balzano has been around as a good kitchen appliances brand for a long time, but it seems like their fryer didn’t get a lot of exposure even though it should have. We were pleasantly surprised by how well made it was. Let’s take a look at its remarkable features.

Balzano Extra Large 5.5L Digital Air Fryer

Specifications

  • Capacity: 5.5L
  • Dimensions: 35 x 35 x 37.8 cm
  • Weight: 5.8 Kg
  • Control Panel: Touch-Based With One Knob
  • Wattage: 1700W
  • Temperature Range: 80°C-200°C

Key Features

  • Works well enough to reduce oil intake by 95%, ensuring the highest level of health.
  • Allows checking of food items during the cooking process.
  • Easy to store and maintain thanks to compact dishwasher free design.

Why The Balzano Extra Large 5.5L Digital Air Fryer?

High Air Frying Power: It can quickly cook any kind of food with its 1700 watts power output. Food comes out perfectly crisp and crunchy. Even better, the high wattage also helps cook items while using much less oil.

10 Preset Functions Offer Maximum Convenience: This air fryer has the highest number of presets we’ve seen so far in the Indian market. That means there’s less need to look for instructions; you can get to start cooking a lot of delicious items right away with this fryer.

Equipped With All The Necessary Safety Features: To begin with, the fryer comes with overheating protection and a cool-touch handle. Hence, you never have to worry about accidents. There’s also an auto-start mechanism that lets users check up on their food mid-cooking. Once you pull the basket out, the fryer will turn off on its own, and when you put the basket back in, it’ll continue from where it was before you turned it off.

Mess-free Basket: Like most other high-end air fryers, this one has a non-stick basket as well, alongside a non-stick pan. Combined with the dishwasher safe design, maintenance practically takes no effort at all.

Positives
  • Can reheat and make toasts.
  • Easy maintenance.
  • Cost-effective.
  • Comes with auto start.
  • The exterior doesn’t get hot.
  • Comes with a clean digital display.
Negatives
  • The finish on the body is prone to fingerprints.
  • The wire is a bit too short.
  • No recipe book included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this air fryer.

Does it come with extra accessories?

No, it doesn’t.

Can I preheat it like an oven?

Yes, you can.

Is it able to grill food?

Yes, it can do that.

Verdict

The Balzano Extra Large 5.5L Digital Air Fryer is another fryer filled to the brim with features. The auto-start feature is especially a good one, as it’s somewhat of a rarity but offers a lot more convenience. In fact, it’s one of the reasons we think this fryer is one of the best air fryers in India. If you have a medium-sized family and prefer having a lot of features along with capacity, this one is a fine option to go for. The extra safety features make this model even more family-friendly.

 

9. Havells Prolife Grande 1700W Air Fryer With Aero Crisp

Like Prestige, Havells doesn’t need much of an introduction. This brand is also a huge household name and has long been associated with quality kitchen appliances. The Prolife Grande is a model that looks simple and charming but performs like a beast.

Havells Prolife Grande 1700W Air Fryer With Aero Crisp

Specifications

  • Capacity: 5L
  • Dimensions: 38.1 x 38.1 x 43.2 cm
  • Weight: 7 Kg
  • Control Panel: Touch
  • Wattage: 1700W
  • Temperature Range: Upto -200°C

Key Features

  • Comes with a high-quality and touch-sensitive digital display.
  • 60-minute timer makes cooking much easier with less need to monitor.
  • High-end air circulation and high power output ensure fast cooking speed.

Why The Havells Prolife Grande 1700W Air Fryer With Aero Crisp?

Excellent Design: The very first thing that caught our eye was the design- it’ll probably catch yours, too. Both the control panel and the rest of the body look incredibly slick. On top of that, the overall shape of the fryer is also very space-efficient, despite the high capacity.

High Cook Speed: This air fryer’s performance is just as good as its looks. The air circulation mechanism is optimised by Havells themselves to offer the highest quality of cooking and a lot of versatility. Alongside that, the power output also adds to the speed. It’s 1700W, which is the highest power output you can find in a good air fryer.

Great For A Medium-Big Family: With the cooking power and the 5L capacity, this model is ideal for cooking big meals. It can cook up delicious food quickly while ensuring it has little to no fat content.

Comes With A 60 Minute Timer: If you’ve got a fairly big family, you’ll probably be busy often. In that case, the 60 minute timer feature can become one of your favourite features as you can just start the fryer and leave it on while you go on about your day. It’ll turn off by itself, and you can come back to enjoy your food.

Positives
  • Complements the decor of any kitchen.
  • High power output.
  • Long-lasting design.
  • Comes with a 60 min timer.
Negatives
  • Provided recipe book has some recipes with inaccurate temperature and timer settings.
  • A slight plastic smell remains after preheating during the first few times of use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this air fryer.

Can it bake cakes?

Yes, you can bake cakes straight on the basket without any separate baking tray.

Can I reheat food?

Yes, you can.

How many people can this fryer cook for?

It can cook for 6 people easily.

Verdict

Considering all of that, we can see why the fryer has 1000+ reviews and a 4.5 Star rating. It has a great balance of features and convenience and comes with a sleek, modern design. The fact it’s made by Havells is also a big plus, as that means very convenient customer support. If you live with many people, this fryer is definitely a steal and a good one to end our list on.

 

Recommended Reading: Top 9 Best Microwave Oven in India (2023) Buyer’s Guide

 

Best Air Fryers In India – Buying Guide 2023

Best Air Fryers In India 01

Air fryers have been around for a few years now. There are many choices available at this point; it can be really hard to find the right one. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of features that you should look for when buying an air fryer. After all, you know your needs better than anyone else does, and you owe it to yourself to make sure you get the best fryer for these needs.

 

How Do Air Fryers Work?

Air Fryers don’t work as you might think- they don’t actually do any frying. Instead, they’re more like powerful convection ovens. Once you load the machine’s fryer basket with food and turn it on, the heating element under the fryer’s fan heats up the air. Afterwards, the fan circulates the air around the food, taking the moisture from it and effectively ‘frying’ it without oil.

 

Types Of Air Fryers

Air Fryers of every type work similarly, but they come with a few other changes that set them out from each other. We’ll talk about the pros and cons of these types.

Pull-out Drawer Fryers

As the name implies, the most notable thing about these fryers is that they come with pull-out drawers. They’re the most common types of fryers, and they’re usually used for shallow frying or grilling. A few items you can make with them are grilled chickens, baked vegetables and fish.

Pros of Pull-out Drawer Fryers

  • Longer lifespan than most other fryer types.
  • They’re cheaper.
  • Good for small families or single people.

Cons of Pull-out Drawer Fryers

  • They need manual shaking every few minutes; foods can come out uneven without the shaking.
  • Most models don’t have the advanced features seen in other fryer types.

 

Paddle-Type Fryers

The hot air that fryers use isn’t generally enough to cook food thoroughly. It can’t enter the nooks and crannies of food like oil can when deep frying. As a result, the food comes out undercooked in some parts. Stirring food while the air fryer is processing helps take care of this problem, but that can take some work.

This is where paddle-type fryers come in. They have large stirring paddles attached inside them, which move through the basket and help air get into food properly. You can also remove the paddles if you think they might get into the way of what you’re cooking. Paddle-Type Fryers are great for doing french fries or mixed vegetables.

Pros of Paddle-Type Fryers

  • They don’t need manual stirring.
  • They’re versatile.

Cons of Paddle-Type Fryers

  • Low-quality fryers of this type don’t stir properly and can lead to unevenly cooked or even burnt food.

Most air fryers are one of these two types. However, some are unique and have a few special features not seen in standard air fryers. We’ll talk about these features later on. Keep on reading to learn more about them in the next section.

Recommended Reading: Which are the Best OTG Oven in India 2023: Expert Speaks

 

Are Air Fryers Better Than Deep Fryers?

You’ve probably wondered this a few times, as both fryers look similar. Air fryers produce food that tastes very different from food cooked with deep fryers. Most of the time, anything cooked in a deep fryer tastes better, but there are significant drawbacks. Items are filled to the brim with unhealthy amounts of oil.

Deep fryers are also harder to clean, and the oil used in the cooking can get really hot and potentially hurt the user. None of these issues are present in air fryers, as they’re oil-free.

Overall, air fryers are much better options; they’re healthier, safer and easier to maintain.

 

Things To Consider While Before Choosing An Air Fryer

1. Capacity

The first thing you need to start with is obviously the capacity. The capacity for most fryers usually ranges from 2 Litre to 7 Litres. For a small to medium-sized family, a 2 Litre fryer is usually enough. For a bigger family of 7 people or more, a fryer within a 3-6 Litre capacity would work well.

Aside from allowing you to make food for more people, fryers with more capacity also allow you to cook foods like pizza and whole chicken. There is a catch, though; high capacity fryers also take up more counter space and are harder to maintain.

 

2. Wattage

Air fryers usually use around 800W-1800W of electricity. The more the wattage, the faster the cooking and heat up. There’s not much need to worry about electrical bills- most don’t consume more than 1 unit each day as they only run from 30 to 60 minutes and aren’t the primary tools you’d use for cooking.

 

3. Temperature

The higher the fryer’s temperature can go, the faster your food will cook and the crispier it’ll get. To cook foods with less oil, it’s generally better to have an air fryer that can go up high in temperature. Most of the best fryers in India can go up to 400°F in temperature.

 

4. Safety Features

Air fryers that aren’t equipped with protection features can lead to burning hazards and a lot of other problems. Whichever fryer you choose, make sure you get one that has decent insulation, lid lock, non-slip feet and a cold-touch hand grip.

 

5. Rotating Basket

Some advanced air fryers also come with a basket that rotates to cook food more evenly. If you don’t like paddle-type air fryers, these are a good alternative.

 

6. Control Panel

Some air fryers need to be used through knobs and buttons, while others can be used through touch screens. The latter ones are more expensive, but aside from the different control methods, they also offer a digital display that makes it easier to set precise settings.

 

7. Timer

The timer mechanism across certain models can vary. Normal air fryers come with a 30 min timer where they turn off once the timer runs out. For any item needing more than 30 min of cooking, you’ll have to monitor the fryer manually instead of using the timer. Newer higher-end models offer a 60-minute timer, though they’re far more expensive than the standard air fryer.

 

8. Smart Control

Some of the newer air fryers feature Wi-Fi control. Having these can give a huge boost in convenience, as they need minimal manual control. You’ll have access to basic controls through voice, and you can also monitor the cooking process through the app that comes with such fryers.

 

9. Ease Of Cleaning

Normal air fryers aren’t very hard to clean, but the task is even easier with higher-end air fryers. The best air fryers come with non-stick baskets and dishwasher safe components, allowing you to clean them in a matter of minutes with little to no effort.

 

10. Safety Features

It’s best if the air fryer you get has features like auto start, auto-off, overheat protection and cool-touch handles. These features will prevent accidents and ensure that you enjoy cooking with your new air fryer.

 

11. Brand Quality

As air fryers are still fairly new, it’s important that you get ones from good brands. Popular brands usually have a better service network and warranty, which can help you if anything goes wrong with your fryer. Although, you can try products from less known brands, too, as long as they have decent customer reviews. We’d especially recommend trying air fryers from Philips, Inalsa, Presitge or Havells; we’ve reviewed other kitchen appliances from these brands before and can vouch for their quality.

Recommended Reading: OTG Oven vs Microwaves: Price & Concept Comparison

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use oil with the air fryer?

Yes. While air fryers are meant for oil-free cooking, you can still add a little bit of oil if you’d like. The ones that work best with air fryers are olive oils, sunflower oils and groundnut oils. Other options work, too, though not as well as these.

Are air fryers healthy?

Air fryers themselves are healthy, yes. They don’t use oil and thus reduce your calory consumption by 70%-80%.

What temperatures should I cook my food at?

For items you need to deep-fry, roast or bake, it’s good to set the temperature to 200°F. For grilling things, a 160°F-170°F temperature will work- it’s the equivalent of a medium flame. For frying with the power of a regular frame, 130°F-140°F is good.

Can I cook food without any oil at all?

Yes, you can. Adding just a tiny bit of oil can help your food taste much better, though. Even though you’re only adding a little oil, the fryer can still make the food crispier; you can just put it on the surface of the food or spray it lightly. If you’re reluctant about adding oils to stay healthy, just using a tablespoon of any oil for every 1kg of food is enough.

Do air fryers work the same as ovens?

Yes, they do. Air fryers are practically convection ovens that only cook through hot air instead of any direct heat source. However, they do have their own sets of benefits. Air fryers can cook faster, make food crispier, and need less oil when cooking fried foods.

Are there things I shouldn't cook in an air fryer?

Yes, there are. Some common things you should avoid cooking with air fryers are cheese, whole roasts, raw grains and fresh greens.

Recommended Reading: Microwave prices in India – Know How Much is OK to spend in 2023

 

Conclusion

If you are looking for the best air fryers in India, our list will certainly come in handy. We’ve included various products that will suit different needs and budgets. Whether you want a simple and super easy to use air fryer or one with more advanced features, we have something to offer everyone on this list.

Our buying guide contains more than enough information to help you pick what you’re looking for if you decide to check out the air fryer market on your own. We hope we made your job easier and wish you the best of luck!

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