Options considered: 40
Country:
Last updated: December 2024
Ranking criteria: capacity, ease of use, durability, additional features
Buyer's remorse summary: the most common issues that customers have with their Air Fryers are typically related to , Learning curve , Capacity limitations and Uneven cooking . Limited cooking options
We compiled the list of the most popular Air Fryers of 2024 that have received the fewest complaints in these categories.
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As usual, this month we aggregated dozens of popular Air Fryers in the Philippines and ranked them based on capacity, ease of use, durability, additional features. According to this December's formal ranking, air fryers by OOKAS are the most prominent ones, followed by Simplus and OEM .
We made a price chart of the top selling Air Fryers (see below). Budget options start at ₱656, going up ₱7430. The most popular option is priced at ₱2099, which is on the pricier side.
₱656 | ₱1299 | ₱7430 |
Meta-rankings combine expert endorsements.
ReviewFinder's formal aggregated ranking is a combination of our meta-rankings and consumer score.
Meta-rankings are a combination of all expert reviews we can find on the Internet. When present, meta-rankings are the strongest ranking signal (we trust experts more than consumers).
Consumer score is calculated from customer reviews.
Not all categories have enough expert endorsements online - in such cases we use consumer score weighted by historical brand prominence in the niche (brands that historically specialize in a certain category get a slight bump in that category rankings). Consumer score is a normalized 0-10 score based on customer reviews.
Recently we removed price form our rankings - it no longer affects recommendations. Whether to go budget or premium is consumer's choice, not ours.
As can be seen below, top ranked air fryers in the Philippines start at roughly ₱656 and go up to ₱7430. Median price is ₱1299.
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₱656 | ₱7430 |
More detailed price comparison chart is above.
An air fryer is a small kitchen appliance that fits on a countertop and cooks food via convection. It is marketed as an alternative way to cook foods that are traditionally fried, keeping them crispy on the outside and moist in the middle. However, its use is not limited to those foods. An air fryer also preheats and cooks more quickly than a traditional oven.
The food is placed in a basket that is set into a drawer in the unit. When the drawer is closed and the unit is turned on, a fan circulates hot air around the food, cooking it evenly. It is called an air fryer because it can be used to cook many foods that are traditionally fried, like french fries. It does not actually fry the food, although the food can be coated in oil prior to cooking. Even with this step, foods cooked in the air fryer will taste different from those that are deep-fried. To get the best use of an air fryer, you need to work with its features and not treat it like a miniature oven.
An air fryer and a convention oven have identical heating methods. Both cook food by using a fan to circulate hot air in a chamber, both are typically smaller than a traditional oven, and both typically sit on a counter. The main difference is that an air fryer is usually smaller, has a basket that food is put into, and can cook food slightly faster. Although some larger air fryers do look like a convection oven. The fan in the air fryer also makes it a little louder. Some models are quieter than others, but it is comparable to the volume of a microwave or fan.
A traditional oven has a heating unit on the bottom, which heats up space, but does not circulate the air. This is better for some foods, as it makes them less likely to dry out. A good oven takes longer to heat up but can handle larger quantities of food than a standard-sized air fryer.
Air fryers typically claim to be healthier than standard frying. This is true, but exactly how much healthier is debatable. The difference largely depends on exactly how food is prepared. Foods properly fried don’t absorb a significant amount of oil, and if the oil is used to coat food before it is put in the air fryer, the caloric difference might be less than you would think. The bigger issue is what you are cooking. Cauliflower is always going to be a healthier option than potatoes.
The other issue is that food dries out more quickly in an air fryer than in an oven. So a boneless, skinless chicken breast is not going to come out particularly well. Keeping the skin on, which is less healthy, protects the meat, and prevents it from drying out.
The undeniable benefit is that an air fryer does require less oil than deep frying, and it is possible to get a similar texture without dealing with the smell and the amount of oil required to deep fry something. And because it does not involve a vat of hot oil, an air fryer is cleaner and safer.
This can be a tricky question to answer, in part because there are a wide variety of air fryers with different features, and in part because of personal preference. Some people are happy with how french fries taste and to others they don’t compare to the traditional deep frying method. Some people have difficulty adjusting to the small basket size. It is best to keep your specific needs in mind and be aware of the limitations of your particular machine.
Foods that were previously frozen, such as french fries or chicken nuggets work well. Hand-held foods such as spring rolls, chicken wings, bacon, and adobo are also tasty when air fried. An air fryer can also be used to cook small cuts of meat like pork belly, steak, fish, or chicken breast. It can be used for hamburgers, but they are likely to come out well done rather than medium-rare.
Some vegetables, particularly those that are often roasted, can be cooked in an air fryer. Brussel sprouts and zucchini noodles work well. Other vegetables can get dry, so it is a good idea to look for information on the specific type being cooked.
An air fryer can be used to reheat leftovers like pizza or chicken tenders, and they turn out more crispy than they do in the microwave.
Baked goods can be cooked in an air fryer, but because an air fryer has a small cooking space, nonstandard pans may be required. Also, the limited size in the unit means that only a handful of cookies or a few cupcakes can be cooked at one time. Some people like this. By freezing cookie dough, you can put a few servings in the air fryer and have a quick dessert. But if you are doing a lot of baking, a traditional oven is better suited for the task.
Some air fryers have heat settings that are low enough to dehydrate foods. This allows for the making of jerky, homemade potato chips, or kale chips. If your air fryer is equipped to do this, make sure that your food is evenly sliced for the best results. A mandolin helps keep vegetables or potatoes the same size so that they dry evenly.
Because the food in an air fryer is subject to the effects of the hot air blowing around it, items that have dry spices or are coated in a liquid batter don’t work very well. Anything with small pieces can be blown around during cooking, making the unit difficult to clean. Cheese can also get messy. Breaded foods can work if they are frozen or if the batter is thick enough to limit the effect that the air has on it.
The blowing air can cause some foods to dry out. Certain vegetables, such as broccoli, become almost inedible. The outside dries before the inside is fully cooked. Frozen vegetables have more moisture, so they may turn out better than their raw counterparts. If you want to use the air fryer for vegetables, look for recipes to help determine what works well and what does not.
Air fryers come in a variety of sizes, and one of the biggest complaints about air fryers is the relatively small amount of food that they cook. Most are 2.5 to 3 Liters, which cooks two to four servings. Because the fryer cooks by air circulation, it is important not to overcrowding the basket in an attempt to cook more food at once. If you are want to air fry larger meals, you either need to make several batches or upgrade to a larger device.
The most important thing to remember is that because an air fryer cooks food using the circulation of hot air, do not overfill the basket. If the air cannot circulate around the food freely, the food will not cook evenly and could become soggy. Most fryers also recommend shaking the basket during cooking. Preheating the fryer also encourages even cooking.
It also helps to keep at least five inches around all sides of the air fryer while it is operating. This promotes good airflow and prevents objects near the unit from overheating. If your countertop is not very heat resistant, a silicon mat can help protect it.
Part of the allure of the air fryer is that food can be cooked with a minimal amount of oil. Having a spray bottle designed for oil can help coat foods evenly while keeping the oil content low. Some oil keeps food from drying out, but too much can result in food that is soggy or burned.
Be careful when using dry spices to season the food, since they can get blown around during cooking. Add them after you have sprayed some oil on the food, or create a sauce that is heavy enough to handle the air movement.
Keep tongs handy, since many foods cooked in the air fryer need to be flipped halfway through cooking. Make sure that they are easy to handle and grip the food well.
As with other types of cooking, you do want to make sure that meat is cooked to the correct temperature. This is especially important with an air fryer because different makes and models have slightly different cooking times. So make sure that you have a thermometer handy. Having an air fryer cooking chart can also help with determining how long items need to be cooked.
Although cooking in an air fryer is convenient, cleaning up food debris that can wind up anywhere in the machine is a more challenging task. The most difficult part of an air fryer to clean is the basket. In some models, this is dishwasher safe. Otherwise, wash it with soap and water after each use. After each use, you should also wipe down the inside of the fryer after removing the basket, tray, and pan. Some fryers have a removable drawer, which makes cleaning easier.
Periodically you should also wipe down the outside and the machine’s coil. It is a good idea to deep clean the fryer occasionally, especially if it smells like cooking oil. Make a paste with baking soda and water, and clean it with a scrub brush. Don’t use metal, as it will damage the nonstick coating.
It is essential to keep the unit clean to avoid oil and debris from building up, which leads to burning, unpleasant odors, and in the worst-case scenarios can be a fire hazard.
Because air fryers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, you should ensure that any accessory is designed for your particular unit. Grill pans are available, which allow you to cook food on a flat surface rather than in a basket. This works well for meat, such as steak or burgers. Racks are also available, which create even layers of food, leading to more consistent cooking. A specific skewer rack can be used to make kabobs.
Baking can be done in an air fryer, but make sure that you have the pans that fit your device. Silicone cups can also be useful for items like cupcakes.
Parchment liners are available to make cleanup easier. Most air fryers already have a nonstick surface, but liners are another layer of protection to prevent food from baking on. Some air fryers have an attachment for pressure cooking.
Fundamentally, all air fryers work in the same manner. A basic model has a nonstick basket and a dial to adjust the temperature. Some models have a digital display or a touch screen and some are programmable. The design of the basket, as well as the materials that it is made of, can vary widely. Although this usually doesn’t affect cooking, higher quality baskets tend to be more durable and easier to clean.
Many companies are also making devices that function as pressure cookers as well as air fryers. Some of these also tout special features such as rotisserie cooking and food dehydration.
Air fryers can be found starting at ₱1600, but there is a wider variety between ₱2000 and ₱3000 Pesos.