While deep frying is the classic way to make french fries, the hassle of hot oil and messy cleanup might not be your cup of tea. The best air fryers for french fries offer a cleaner and more convenient alternative, coming in various sizes and prices to suit your space and budget. Some models boast features like dual-zone cooking for preparing multiple dishes at once, while others offer preset functions for effortless operation. In general, your considerations for choosing an air fryer for french fries will align with those for any air fryer, but there are specific aspects to keep in mind to ensure crispy, golden fries every time.
What To Consider When Shopping For The Best Air Fryers For French Fries
The quest for the best air fryer for french fries involves understanding the key features that differentiate these appliances.
Cooking Basket Style: The style of the cooking basket is a crucial factor. Deep basket air fryers require layering ingredients and occasional shaking for even cooking, while air fryer toaster ovens offer pull-out trays for single-layer cooking, minimizing the need for shaking. The latter might be less practical for large batches of fries due to the single-layer arrangement, but their versatility as toaster ovens is a significant advantage.
Capacity: Air fryers come in various sizes, ranging from 2 to 19 quarts. A pound of potatoes roughly occupies 1 quart of space. While larger models are ideal for hosting and ample storage, remember that convection heat speeds up cooking, so even smaller units can handle multiple batches efficiently.
Presets & Number Of Baskets: Some air fryers offer preset programs for french fries, but this isn’t essential as frozen fries are easy to prepare in any air fryer. Consider other presets like roast, bake, or dehydrate based on your cooking needs. Dual-zone models with independent thermostats and timers allow for simultaneous cooking of different dishes, a convenient feature for preparing entire meals in one appliance.
Now that you’re armed with this knowledge, it’s time to grab the ketchup and explore the best air fryers for french fries available on Amazon.
1. The Overall Best
link amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Vortex-ClearCook-Reheat-Dehydrate/dp/B096N3FTZP?th=1
Key features: This air fryer comes in various sizes, offers a wide array of presets, and includes a viewing window for easy monitoring of cooking progress.
Boasting a 4.7-star rating with over 23,000 reviews, this Instant Pot basket-style air fryer is a customer favorite, especially for making crispy french fries. Its unique features include an internal light and a viewing window on the basket, allowing you to keep an eye on your food as it cooks. Additionally, a messaging function reminds you when to turn or shake ingredients for even cooking.
The air fryer’s versatility is a major selling point, as it offers preset functions like roast, broil, reheat, bake, and dehydrate, effectively replacing multiple kitchen appliances. It also features one-touch smart programs for items like cinnamon rolls and wings, along with digital controls for manual time and temperature adjustments.
Available in sizes ranging from 4 to 19 quarts, this is also the top choice for those seeking a large-capacity air fryer. You can even opt for a dual-basket version for cooking two dishes simultaneously or a toaster oven-style model. Both the nonstick air fry basket and the removable perforated cooking tray are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Here’s what one reviewer had to say: “I love the clear view window and light, making it easy to see what’s cooking inside. The best part is the reminder to flip the food for even cooking. The basket is spacious enough for 5 lbs of chicken, and the sleek design is easy to clean. […] I also appreciate the single basket design, which offers more space and is easier to clean than double-layer baskets. It’s a smart design.”
Capacity: 4 quarts, 5.75 quarts, 6 quarts, 8 quarts, 19 quarts | Number of presets: 6 | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes
2. The Best Budget Air Fryer For French Fries
link amazon https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Customizable-Programs-Nonstick-Dishwasher-Safe/dp/B08YS3WCVY/?th=1
Key features: This compact and affordable air fryer comes in various fun colors, though it offers slightly less versatility than other models.
Perfect for cooking for one or two people, or for those with limited kitchen space, this mini air fryer from Instant Pot delivers delicious french fries and more at a budget-friendly price. The 2-quart fryer comes with several one-touch programs and four cooking functions – air fry, bake, roast, and reheat – making it ideal for cooking meals and crisping up leftovers. It also features digital controls for manual time and temperature adjustments and alerts you when it’s time to shake or turn ingredients.
While it lacks a viewing window for checking food progress and doesn’t offer broiling or dehydrating settings like some other models, it’s still a great option for those who prioritize convenience and affordability. Keep in mind that you’ll need to cook in batches when cooking for larger groups. However, the fun color options like red and aqua can add a touch of style to your kitchen. Plus, both the air fry basket and perforated tray are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
A reviewer’s perspective: “This is a small machine, so it’s not suitable for preparing large meals (larger options are available). However, my main goal was to eliminate the need for cooking in oil, and it’s perfect for just the two of us. It easily crisps up 6 egg rolls or enough fries for a meal.”
Capacity: 2 quarts | Number of presets: 4 | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes
3. The Best Air Fryer With A Special French Fry Setting
Link amazon : https://www.amazon.com/Chefman-TurboTouch-Air-Fryer-Low-Calorie/dp/B09BZVP4VW/?th=1
Key features: This air fryer offers specific modes for easy preparation of fries and main courses, but it has fewer presets than some other models.
CHEFMAN’s air fryer is a great choice for those who prefer a dedicated setting for french fries, simplifying the cooking process. In addition to manual time and temperature controls, it features three preset programs for chicken, meat, and fish, making it ideal for anyone who wants a hassle-free way to cook entrees. However, it lacks some more specialized cooking functions, like those for wings, cinnamon rolls, or dehydration, and it doesn’t have a viewing window. On the plus side, it includes a reminder feature to ensure even cooking by prompting you to turn your food.
The air fryer boasts a sleek stainless steel exterior, and both the dishwasher-safe air fry basket and perforated insert are square-shaped to maximize cooking capacity. It’s available in two mid-sized options – 5 quarts and 8 quarts – as well as a version with a divider for cooking two dishes simultaneously (though note that there aren’t separate temperature controls for each side).
A reviewer’s perspective: “I’m not a cook, but I find myself using this thing almost every night. I make everything in it – just throw your stuff in, set the time and temperature, shake, and you’re done! I love it. I’ve made chicken nuggets, tenders, bacon, fries, bagels, eggs, French toast, baked potatoes.”
Capacity: 5 quarts, 8 quarts | Number of presets: 4 | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes
4. The Best Air Fryer & Toaster Oven Combo
link amazon https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-TOA-70-AirFryer-Oven-Grill/dp/B09HSWBTN4?th=1
Key features: This versatile appliance doubles as a convection oven and eliminates the need to turn food during cooking, but it comes with a higher price tag and occupies more counter space.
If you’re looking for the convenience of a toaster oven combined with the convection cooking capabilities of an air fryer, this Cuisinart model delivers a wide range of cooking functions, including air frying, toasting, roasting, grilling, and broiling. Its low, wide mesh stainless steel air fry basket allows for single-layer cooking, while upper and lower heating elements ensure even cooking with minimal flipping required. However, be aware that it takes up more counter space than some other models, and the single-layer design might result in fewer fries per batch relative to its size.
The front dials control time, temperature, and toasting level, and you’ll also find functions for baking, grilling, and warming. An interior light and wide viewing door make it easy to monitor cooking progress. The air fry basket comes with an oven rack, baking pan, and grill insert, all of which should be hand-washed.
A reviewer’s perspective: “I didn’t want a single-purpose appliance taking up counter space, but I did need a new toaster oven. After researching, I found reviews praising this model for both replacing a toaster oven and adding air frying capabilities. I’m happy with both functions. It’s great as a small oven and doesn’t heat up the kitchen like my wall oven. The air fryer feature is excellent, producing crispy french fries without the extra fat. It’s also great for wings.”
Capacity: 0.6 cubic feet | Number of presets: 8 | Dishwasher-safe parts: No
5. The Best Dual-Basket Air Fryer For 2 Recipes At Once
link amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089TQWJKK?th=1
Key features: This dual-basket air fryer with independent temperature settings allows you to cook two dishes simultaneously, and a smart feature ensures they finish at the same time.
With dual 4-quart drawers, this Ninja air fryer enables you to cook two separate recipes at once. Each drawer has its own cooking zone with independent thermostat and timer, controlled via a user-friendly digital display. The unit offers six cooking functions – air fry, air broil, roast, bake, dehydrate, and reheat – and a “Smart Finish” setting that ensures both dishes finish cooking simultaneously. However, unlike most basket-style air fryers, it lacks a reminder to shake the ingredients.
While this model is quite similar to the Instant Pot dual-basket fryer, which does offer viewing windows, it has a couple of advantages. Firstly, it comes in two sizes – 8 quarts and 10 quarts – while Ninja’s version only comes in 8 quarts. Secondly, Ninja’s 8-quart model has a smaller footprint than the Instant Pot, measuring 14 by 15.5 inches compared to 18 by 18 inches. That said, both options are excellent for cooking two dishes at the same time.
The rectangular air fry baskets and perforated crisper plates are removable and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
A reviewer’s perspective: “The dual zone lets you throw your fries in one basket and your chicken in the other, each with different temperatures and cook times. Using Smart finish mode, they’ll be done at the same time.”
Capacity: 8 quarts, 10 quarts | Number of presets: 6 | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes
