Looking for the best large air fryer? There are three questions you need to answer first. Foremost among them is how big of an air fryer do you need. Households of 2 or 3 people can settle for a model with 3-4 quart capacity. Those with more persons should go for an air fryer with a capacity of up to 12-quart.
Then you need to decide the type you need. You can either go for air fryers with a pull-out tray – they won’t let you check on the food without pulling it out. Or you can go for air fryers with a bowl inside a viewing window. Such models let you monitor the progress but at the cost of the quality of chips.
The final question involves selecting the controls. There are two of them: manual and digital. Manual controls tend to be more basic and less accurate. That isn’t the case with digital controls that give incredibly precise time and temperature readings and have pre-programmed settings.
Contents
- 1 What Is a Large Air Fryer?
- 2 Why You Need a Large Air Fryer?
- 3 To prepare big servings
- 4 To save time
- 5 To make healthy foods
- 6 To cut fat content
- 7 To lose weight
- 8 How to choose the best large air fryer?
- 9 What to consider when buying a large air fryer?
- 10 1. What type of air fryer do you want?
- 11 Analog air fryer
- 12 Digital air fryer
- 13 2. How big is your household?
- 14 2 to 3 persons
- 15 4 to 6 persons
- 16 3. Do you want smart controls?
- 17 4. What is the air fryer’s loading/unloading mechanism?
- 18 5. How many cooking compartments does the air fryer have?
- 19 Features and Specs
- 20 Top 5 Best Large Capacity Air Fryers For 2021 Reviews
- 21 1. Cosori Air Fryer, Max Xl 5.8-Quart
- 22 Pros
- 23 Cons
- 24 2. GoWISE USA GW44800-O Deluxe
- 25 Pros
- 26 Cons
- 27 3. Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Pressure, Slow Cooker, Air Fryer and More
- 28 Pros
- 29 Cons
- 30 4. Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection Toaster Oven Airfryer
- 31 Pros
- 32 Cons
- 33 5. OMORC Air Fryer
- 34 Pros
- 35 Cons
- 36 Our Picks for Large Air Fryers
- 37 Conclusion
What Is a Large Air Fryer?
Large air fryer allows you to get the same results as deep fryer provides – but with nothing more than a tiny amount of oil and hot air. Its roof holds a heating element and a fan. Hot air comes down from the top and raises the temperature of food present in a perforated basket at the bottom.
The circulation of hot air induces a convection effect and increases the crispiness of food by browning its exterior. The material of construction of the basket – as well as the absence of space between the basket and walls – also play a vital role in making a crisp crust.
Air fryers do an excellent job of cooking up frozen foods. You can also count on them to make cookies in no time. Those of you who have prior experience of using air fryers can use them to prepare deliciously tasting steaks as well as juicy chicken breasts.
Why You Need a Large Air Fryer?
Here’s why you need a large air fryer:
To prepare big servings
Large air fryers – those with a capacity of 1 to 1.5kg – let you prepare snacks and fries for about 3 to 5 people in one go. You can also count on these units to help you prepare big meals, like a piece of fish.
To save time
What would happen once you’re able to prepare big servings in one go? You’d be able to save time that you’d have otherwise spent waiting for the food to fry. Or you can just use it to perform other household chores.
To make healthy foods
Experts tell us that air-fried foods tend to be more beneficial for your health than their deep-fried counterparts. That’s mainly because they rely on tiny amounts of oil to create a similar taste and texture.
To cut fat content
Do you know that roasted chicken contains 30% less fat than an equal amount of fried chicken breast? Air fryers cut the fat content by requiring 1 tablespoon of oil for the same recipe for which a deep fryer would need up to 3 cups of oil.
To lose weight
Research tells us that there is a direct correlation between a higher intake of fried foods and a bigger risk of obesity. So you might want to prefer air-fried foods over deep-fried ones if you’re trying to trim your waistline.
How to choose the best large air fryer?
What is it that separates the best large air fryers from the riffraff? Are there any features that you cannot afford to miss? How much would you have to pay to land a high-end model? We’re going to answer all these questions in this section.
What to consider when buying a large air fryer?
Following are the questions you need to ask yourself before purchasing an air fryer:
1. What type of air fryer do you want?
Large air fryers are available in the following two types:
Analog air fryer
Such models come with manual timers to let you set the time you want your food to cook for. They come with a basic dial that slowly rotates towards the ‘0’ mark as the cooking time comes to an end.
We do not recommend these air fryers. They make cooking difficult by forcing you to guess – rather than showing exactly – how much time is left on the clock.
Digital air fryer
Almost all air fryers that you see in this review come with a digital timer. They have a digital touchscreen with an LED display and let you set time by pressing buttons on their control panel.
Such models also offer many features, including pre-programming cooking functions, keep warm, preheat, and shake reminders. They also show in visible numbers how much time is left.
2. How big is your household?
Here’s how this question may influence your selection:
2 to 3 persons
Do you have to cook meals for up to three people regularly? Then you may need an air fryer with a capacity between 0.5 and 1kg. Here’s why we’re recommending it.
Such capacity will allow you to prepare a modest serving of fries – or any other dish for that matter – in one go. It will also make sure that the fryer consumes less space on your kitchen counter.
4 to 6 persons
Are you looking for an air fryer that would let you make snacks for half-a-dozen people in one go? Then you might want to go for a model with a capacity between 1.5 and 2kg.
Aside from letting you prepare entire meals in one go, these models can also air fry vegetables, pieces of chicken breast, and fish. You can even use them for baking a cake.
3. Do you want smart controls?
Smart air fryers let you control them from your tablet or smartphone via their app. You can use the app to select a particular recipe, set cooking time, control the air fryer’s inner temperature, and more. The app also keeps you aware of how much time before your dish will be ready.
This feature may look handy, but it doesn’t have a massive impact on the air fryer’s performance. That’s why we have seen products offering ‘smart’ controls disappear from the market in recent years. As their users realized that the extra price they charged for their ‘smart’ controls wasn’t worth it.
4. What is the air fryer’s loading/unloading mechanism?
Large air fryers offer one of the following two mechanisms for loading and unloading the food:
Flip-top lid: This mechanism is handy if you don’t have drawers right on top of where you’re going to air fryer – as it will require you to open the lid of the model towards the roof to load/unload your food.
Front drawer: This mechanism is pretty convenient as it allows you to insert and take out the food by pulling out the fryer’s tray. Models offering this feature also consume small counter space.
5. How many cooking compartments does the air fryer have?
The vast majority of air fryers offer a single cooking compartment. You’re therefore left with no option but to cook one dish at a time. Some, however, provide multiple meal compartments. They are suitable for those of you who have to prepare complete meals at once.
Features and Specs
Here are some of the features that almost all highest rated air fryer possess:
Easy to use: Easy to use air fryers have controls that are simple to operate and understand. They also come with straightforward instructions using which you can get the unit up and running in no time. Detaching and cleaning their built-in basket is a cinch as well.
Considerable capacity: Regardless of the size of your household, you should go for an air fryer with more than 5-quart capacity. Such models would come handy whether you batch cook all the time or prepare smaller sized meals every now and then.
Multipurpose utility: Air fryers with multipurpose utility make the life of their users easy. Take the example of Ninja OP301. This model comes to your rescue by being an air fryer, slow cooker and pressure cooker. And it performs excellently in all three modes.
Auto-shutoff function: Models that come with this function automatically get turned off when their inner pressure exceeds a safe limit. This helps them preserve the safety of the cook as well as other people in your household.
Programmable cooking modes: If you aren’t going to use your air fryer for cooking the same dish forever, you might want a model that offers multiple programmable cooking modes. Such a unit would allow you to add versatility to your meals.
Dishwasher safe parts: Would you prefer an air fryer that forces you to clean all its parts after every cooking session manually? Of course not. That’s precisely why we recommend that you go for an air fryer that has dishwasher safe parts.
Relatively small footprint: Most people believe that large air fryers cannot be compact in their dimensions. Models like the Gowise air fryer – that offers 12.7-quart capacity but is still incredibly compact – prove that such thinking is misguided.
Top 5 Best Large Capacity Air Fryers For 2021 Reviews
Which air fryers are selling like hot cakes on the market? Are there any models that are universally loved by their users? We’ll answer both these questions in this section by recommending you the five best large capacity air fryers on the market.
1. Cosori Air Fryer, Max Xl 5.8-Quart
The Cosori Max air fryer offers many outstanding features. Foremost among them is its 5.8-quart capacity basket. It provides enough surface area for you to prepare full meals for 3-5 people. The basket also has a nonstick coated surface and is dishwasher safe as well.
Equally user-intuitive is this model’s control panel. It contains 11 presets and has an LED screen that lets you select your favorite functions. Its control panel has a non-slip dial and clear tick marks to make operating this model a cinch. The matte material of the control also keeps stains at bay.
You also have the option to link this model to your phone. The air fryer’s app is compatible with both Android and Apple devices and offers regular cooking alerts. It also contains step-by-step recipes to help you prepare appetizers, entrees, sides, and desserts.
On top of everything else, this is equipped with an auto-shutoff feature that does what its name implies and saves you from the unthinkable. All the parts that combine to make this air fryer are BPA free and FDA compliant. You can, therefore, use this model without worrying about your safety.
Pros
- User-friendly design
- Dishwasher safe parts
- Simple-to-use control panel
Cons
- Outside may get warm
2. GoWISE USA GW44800-O Deluxe
The oblong shape of this air fryer’s basket provides its users with three benefits. It allows you to cook more material in a single layer than square or round baskets. You can thus prepare meals for the entire family in one go. The basket’s shape also helps when it comes to dehydrating.
Another feature that sets this air fryer apart from the competition is its three additional racks. All of them stack and give you the option to thin, air fry and dehydrate. The added surface area that the racks provide also lets you cook up to four layers of your favorite dish at a time.
You can also count on this model to take the guesswork out of your cooking. That’s because its simple-to-use control panel has 15 built-in presets. They will guide you about everything from the duration you should cook your meal, to the temperature at which you should prepare it, and more.
Also on offer is a built-in rotisserie which gives you the freedom to prepare whole-roasts, racks of Kebabs, and tenderloins. GoWISE supplies 10 accessories alongside this model to ensure that you won’t have to purchase anything from the market. It further sweetens the deal by backing it with a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Provides 50-recipe cookbook
- Has a built-in rotisserie
- Comes with 10 useful accessories
Cons
- Big and bulky
3. Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Pressure, Slow Cooker, Air Fryer and More
Most foodies find it difficult to pass up a plate of scrumptious chicken wings. That’s especially so if they are made in the Ninja 9-in-1 air fryer. This model has the ability to magically transform any dish you place in it into something magical. Here’s how it does that.
This air fryer counts on a combo of ‘Tender Crisp Technology’ and ‘Crisping Lid’ to prepare the food of your dreams. The former plays its part by placing a downward pressure on the cooking time. The crisping lid, meanwhile, gives your recipes an eye-catching golden finish.
Equally notable is this model’s spacious interior. It boasts a 6.5-quart capacity and provides ample space to prepare a big meal for the entire household. All the parts inside this air fryer are ceramic coated and nonstick. They are free from any harmful ingredients as well.
You won’t encounter any trouble while operating this unit. Its control panel contains sharp and detailed icons that let you select your favorite options from those on offer. The control panel also boasts an LED display that reminds you of the temperature inside this unit as well as the remaining cooking time.
Pros
- 6.5-quart basket
- Stainless steel reversible rack
- Gives meals a golden finish
Cons
- Pricey
4. Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection Toaster Oven Airfryer
This large air fryer offers two features that the previous three didn’t. It provides a built-in toaster oven using which you can prepare bread, roast a whole chicken, or bake lasagna. You also get an adjustable thermostat with a 60-minute timer as well as an auto-shutoff function.
The auto-shutoff function deserves your attention because it will help keep you safe. It does that by turning off this device the moment its inner pressure exceeds a safe limit – one that is pre-determined by experts based on this unit’s material of construction.
Then comes its ‘toast shade selector’ feature. Some people like their sandwiches to have the traditional white color on the exterior. Others like those that are browned. As its name implies, the toast shade selector will allow you to meet the color preferences of both types of people in your family.
Equally noteworthy is this model’s roomy interior. It provides 0.6-cubic foot space and lets you slice 6 pieces of bread, bake a 12-inch pizza, air fry 3lbs of chicken wings or roast a 4-pounder chicken. That is precisely the reason why this model is the preferred choice of large households.
Pros
- 6.5 cubic foot interior space
- 7-in-1 functionality
- Auto-shutoff and adjustable thermostat
Cons
- Analog controls
5. OMORC Air Fryer
Multiple features of this digital air fryer make it a must-have. Start with its eye-catching control panel. It boasts a beautiful LED display that tells both the temperature as well as time. Both sides of the display are occupied by an array of functions that we will explain in the upcoming paragraphs.
Turn to the LED display’s right-hand side if you want to prepare drumsticks, steaks, and fish. The left-hand side, meanwhile, gives you options to prepare French fries, pork chops, shrimp and cake. Also there is a temperature-control icon that ensures temperature accuracy inside the unit.
OMORC didn’t use its competitive asking price to cut any corners. You can verify this claim by looking at this model’s roomy interior. The 6-quart capacity that its inner basket provides – and one that can prepare meals for up to 8 people at once – rivals with models that cost three times as much.
On top of everything else, this unit won’t keep you waiting for your favorite meals. Its high-heat operation will prepare your favorite means in no time. That’s precisely the reason why it takes only 15 minutes for this air fryer to cook more almost 1lb of French fries.
Pros
- Comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Both the fry basket and fry pot are dishwasher safe
- Boasts a non-stick design
Cons
- Might experience durability issues with the basket handle
Our Picks for Large Air Fryers
Following are our picks for large air fryers:
- Cosori MAX XI 5.8-Quart – Best Air Fryer Brand
- OMORC Habor– Best Inexpensive Air Fryer
- Cuisinart TOA-60 – Best Analog Air Fryer
Conclusion
The best large air fryers protect the health of the whole family. These models use 85% less oil than deep fryers to reduce your daily oil intake. They also have a non-stick design and are made of PFOA-free parts to prevent the build-up of harmful bacteria on their surfaces.
Aside from that, these models add versatility to your daily dishes. Almost all of them come with an arsenal of recipes that you can turn to and prepare in your everyday life. This way they make sure that you make the most out of them by not preparing the same dish every single time.
You can also count on these models to not occupy much space on your shelves. That is because they are designed in such a way that it’s the capacity of their interior – and not their footprint – that is huge. You can even let a dishwasher clean their inner components. What more can you ask for!