The full review
The air fryer works because it's a concentrated convection oven: a powerful fan drives hot air around a small basket, crisping food's surface with almost no added oil. Chips come out genuinely crispy, chicken gets a proper crust, and frozen samosas are the best argument for owning one.
Around 4 litres suits a family of 3-4 — big enough for a batch of chips or four chicken pieces per round. Digital controls are nice but dial models work identically inside; buy on basket quality (non-stick, dishwasher-safe) and wattage (1400W+ for proper crisping).
It won't replace your oven for big roasts or baking, and batches are the reality — but for the daily crispy-things workload, it uses less oil and less electricity than either a deep fryer or a full oven.
Key features
- 4L basket — feeds 3-4 people
- Crisp with up to 85% less oil
- 1400W+ rapid air circulation
- Timer + temperature control
- Dishwasher-safe basket
