Oil-free fryers are all the rage. And it is that the premise of eating croquettes or chips and reducing the caloric intake of frying sounds most seductive. If you are considering buying an oil-free fryer, in this complete buying guide, we explain how they work and what to consider when choosing one, and we offer you a careful selection of models for all budgets.
How do oil-free fryers work?
Why would they call it an oilless fryer when they are mini convection ovens? It is a psychological question of selling something new as something we already know, a simplification that, for example, also happens with vegetable milk that is not milk or vegetable meat burgers. This way, we know they are new and what they work for without going into detail.
Clarified this, let’s go with its operation: fryers without oil cook food by combining the grill function with hot air that circulates at high speed. What an oil-free fryer does, you could do with your oven.
Thus, you can prepare frying classics such as croquettes, nuggets, or French fries while saving a lot of oil, both in use and ingestion, since with traditional fryers, the food absorbs 10 % of its weight in oil.
And well, the “without oil” admits a reply: when we cook foods without fat, we can do without it (salmon, for example), but if we are going to make some potatoes, it is advisable (especially at the tasting level) to spray some oil. But the difference is notable: from a few drops to bathe the food, which is also noticeable at a caloric level.
In short, with an oil-free fryer, you use less oil and cook more healthily than with a traditional fryer. Compared to an oven, the difference is with time and energy expenditure, less with fryers without oil.
Which oil-free fryer to buy: how to choose the best model for you
- Format: bowl or basket. Although the vast majority have a basket that can be removed from the side, the most advanced and complete models have a bowl in the center with a “window” on top to view cooking without having to open anything. In addition, these models usually incorporate extra functions; for example, there are those with a yogurt maker or several compartments to prepare two preparations simultaneously.
- Size, measured in liters. It is common for manufacturers to offer this data accompanied by a guide to the number of servings. If this is not the case, consider that with a 1.5-liter model, you can cook 400 grams of French fries, enough for two people.
- What temperature do they reach? This is a particularly important parameter that directly affects its versatility. If you want it to cook meat and fish, it is essential that it can leave them golden on the outside and juicy on the inside. Remember that this appliance is a small oven, so if it reaches 230 degrees, you can cook the same as with a traditional oven (as long as it fits). If not, your preparations will be limited to nuggets, chips, croquettes, and the like.
- Control: manual, digital, or remote. While the most basic ones have two dials to regulate temperature and time, the digital ones allow you to precisely configure both parameters. If they have Wi-Fi, you can also adjust it from the application wherever you are… yes, you will have to leave the food inside first.
- Do they remove the interior? As in an oven, from time to time, you have to open and turn the food so that it cooks and toasts evenly… unless they have a turning function to achieve this.
- Easy to disassemble and washable in the dishwasher. If you have a dishwasher, it is essential that you can wash the basket inside for more comfort. In any case, it is appreciated that you can easily disassemble it for cleaning.
Which air fryer to buy
Cecotec Cecofry Compact
For a small kitchen, sporadic use, or if you are one or two people, then the Cecotec Cecofry Compact ( 35 euros ) is the most interesting oil-free fryer for you and one of the most affordable on the market.
Its use is simple, suitable for people with little technology, and limited to two dials where you can adjust times and temperatures up to half an hour or 200 degrees. Despite being a basic model, it has the extra of being programmable, which is very useful for you to get home and have the food ready.
Ram 4615
Following the proposal of the previous model, the Ariete 4615 ( 53 euros ) maintains the compact design and ease of use, although it is slightly more powerful and larger, reaching 1000W and 2 liters in size… which is still for two people. (of good eating). To highlight its cheerful and striking design.
Xiaomi Mijia Smart Air Fryer
Xiaomi has immersed itself in the sector with the Mijia Smart Air Fryer ( 74 euros ), a minimalist and connected oil-free fryer for most techies that you can control both from the application and with the voice assistants of Google and Alexa.
Its cooking features are extremely reliable, with 1500W of power capable of reaching up to 200 degrees and a 3.5-liter basket for 2-3 people as a main course or up to 4 for garnishes.
Princess 182020 XL
If you are 4-5 people and you are looking for a powerful and easy-to-use model, don’t lose sight of the Princess 182020 XL ( 69 euros ), a fryer with a 3.2-liter basket and 1500W of power.
With a fairly conservative design, it is operated using a touch panel and has 8 programs so you don’t get complicated. Even so, it has a recipe book so you can experiment by introducing it into your cooking habits.
Philips HD9252/90
Although air fryers are the most fashionable appliance in the kitchen and there are already a lot of manufacturers with this type of fryer, Philips was the first to launch these practical mini convection ovens, so they have the most refined technology.
The Philips HD9252/90 Airfryer ( 110.40 euros ) is a very intuitive model with a touch panel, and 1400W of power so you can use it for frying, meat, fish, and vegetables, and a basket for about three people. Success if you are looking for reliability
Proscenic T21
If you are looking for a powerful model, with great capacity and you are a technological person, the Proscenic T21 ( 104 euros ) is a good candidate and also has a high relation between performance and cost.
Among its assets is a high power of 1700W for this type of device, ideal for achieving a golden exterior and a juicy interior, a generous 5.5-liter basket for 4-5 people, and an intuitive touch panel. As it is a connected fryer, you can also manage it with your mobile or with voice commands through Alexa, although in the latter case, it is still not very practical.
Cosori
It is not a manufacturer as well known as others on the list, but this Cosori air fryer ( 103.99 euros ) is a true bestseller. Among its assets is its 4.7-liter basket for 5 servings, a practical touch panel that is capable of reaching up to 230 degrees, ideal for preparations such as meat and fish. With the recipe included.
Moulinex Easy Fry Deluxe EZ401D
With a sober and elegant design, the Moulinex EZ401D10 EasyFry Deluxe ( 99 euros ) is deceiving as it is compact on the outside, but inside it has a volume of 4.2L, enough for 6 servings.
With a screen that is very easy to use, it is also easy to clean, since you can remove some of its parts and put them in the dishwasher.
Tefal Actifry Genius Snake FZ761015
Versatility and high power are the letters of introduction of the Tefal Actifry Genius Snakeking FZ761015 ( 169 euros ), an air fryer for those who are clear that this appliance is going to become an essential in their kitchen this 2022.
With a 1.2 kg basket for up to 6 people and up to 220 degrees of temperature, you can cook much more than fried food. In fact, in its 9 programs, it includes the wok function. With a touch panel, an application with more than 300 recipes, and a snake accessory.
Sharlene Meriel is an avid gamer with a knack for technology. He has been writing about the latest technologies for the past 5 years. His contribution in technology journalism has been noteworthy. He is also a day trader with interest in the Forex market.
