Our winning air fryer was the first model we’ve tested that delivers on its promise to offer an extra-large capacity. Though it’s only a foot tall, this drawer-style model was large enough to fit moosoo air fryer four chicken cutlets or two 15-ounce bags of frozen french fries, cooking everything to crispy, golden perfection. A quick 2-minute preheat ensured that the interior was hot when we added food.
All air fryers contain a heating mechanism and fan that keeps the heated air circulating around the food. The VeSync app is a neat feature that lets you customize the onboard settings and run specialized cooking programs right from your phone. The problem is, the app can’t actually start the cooking process—you can use it to set all the options, but you still have to hit the physical start button on the machine. Overall, that’s a minor annoyance, and the app has an always-growing library of recipes for inspiration even without its smart features. The perforated basket liner and outer basket have a nonstick coating that makes cleanup easy (and they’re dishwasher-safe).
You’ll want to make sure the foil doesn’t block air circulation, though. Air fryers contain a perforated or mesh basket that allows air to move around the food for even cooking. The only downside to this design is you can only air fry breaded foods since battered foods would drip through the perforated air fryer basket. Timers are always handy, and most air fryers include one—but not all.
Having had experience with other air fryers, I know that sometimes the fan inside the machine can be very loud. It’s not super quiet or anything, instant pot duo nova but I can still watch TV without having to increase the volume. The good news is that the air fryer is very easy to clean by hand.
The wide drawer-style basket was easy to remove and insert—and our hands were safeguarded from the heating element—and its sturdy handle allowed us to shake its contents for easy redistribution. Intuitive digital controls (including a simple knob to set the time and temperature) were brightly lit and easy to operate. This fryer is a great option for a family of four or anyone who is looking for more cooking space without adding much bulk. Our one gripe is that the basket liner occasionally fell out when we inverted the basket.
This feature is lacking on some popular air fryers we’ve tried. We found that the reminder worked particularly well when our batch of chips needed a shake. With its easy-to-read controls and the handy viewing window, we were keen to see how well the Plus could cook our frozen chips, chicken tenders and vegetables. A must-try for anyone new to the world of air frying, it seemed an obvious choice to use the Instant Vortex Plus to cook a batch of frozen chips. However, the make reheat and roast settings are welcome additions that can serve as handy features, especially on busy occasions when your regular oven may be in use.
With this air fryer’s customizable programs and precise temperature control, this versatile appliance can handle just about anything you throw at it, from appetizers to wings to veggies. And, if you’re running out of ideas or recipes, Instant Pot offers a free recipe book full of quick and easy-to-make meals. This appliance nearly took the top spot in our air fryers test, but the Cosori Smart Wifi Air Fryer 5.8qt performed slightly better in terms of chicken wings and breaded chicken. The Instant Vortex 6-quart Air Fryer impressed us with its great air frying results on brussel sprouts and, in particular, frozen French fries. While it doesn’t have preset programs for air frying, it is exceptionally easy to use as the buttons are clear and the display isn’t cluttered with icons.
If you frequently experiment, you might be more comfortable with a model that features one. There’s no reinvention of the wheel here and, personally, I don’t adore the shape and angle of the handle. In addition, this model suffers from a similar flaw to other Instant Vortex models, in that the touchscreen can quickly become grubby. As stylish as the display here feels, greasy, food-stained fingers on reflective surfaces are the downside. The chicken wings I made in the Instant Vortex Plus were so much crisper than the ones I made in the oven, and they were juicy too.