Air fryers are one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent times, as their efficiency, practicality, and versatility make them a great ally in the kitchen.

In an air fryer, as they are known in English, you can prepare all kinds of foods, from snacks like french fries and chicken wings to main dishes and even desserts. If you haven't decided to buy yours yet, kiwilimón gives you the best tips on how to choose the best air fryer so you can make the most of this incredible appliance.

You can also read: What can be cooked with an air fryer?

What is an air fryer and how does it work?

Air fryers are a kitchen appliance that is used to fry foods without the need for oil, as with conventional fryers, or with a minimal amount, but without sacrificing the crispy texture and the characteristic flavor that we all love about fried food.

Air fryers have a heater located at the top of the cavity where the food tray is placed, as noted by the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (PROFECO). The heater heats the air that passes through it and then circulates inside the fryer, heating and frying the food.

One of the biggest advantages of air fryers is that you can fry all kinds of foods using up to 80% less oil than with a conventional fryer, resulting in healthier dishes that are still full of flavor.

Additionally, air fryers are very easy to use, as you just need to place the food you want to fry, select the cooking time and temperature, and wait. To top it off, they are also very safe since there is no risk of burns from using oil.

You can also read: Conventional fryer vs air fryer. Which is better?

How to choose an air fryer?
With how popular they have become in recent years, it's no surprise that there are various models of air fryers on the market. And while this can be good because there are more options to choose from, it can also be a bit confusing when it comes to buying one. That's why, at kiwilimón, we tell you everything you need to consider before buying an air fryer to ensure you are choosing the best one for you.

One of the most important points to consider when choosing an air fryer is its capacity, as noted by Air Fryer Fanatics. The average capacity of an air fryer is 3.7 liters, although a quality study by PROFECO analyzed different air fryers with capacities ranging from 1 liter – ideal for 1 or 2 servings – to nearly 5 liters – perfect for large families. Therefore, regarding capacity, you should choose the model that fits your needs. If you opt for a model with a smaller capacity but want to fry larger amounts of food, you just need to consider the extra time it will take to prepare the portions separately.

Of course, the larger the capacity of your air fryer, the larger its dimensions will be, and it will take up more space in your kitchen, not to mention they tend to be heavy. So if you have limited space, this is also a point you should consider before choosing among the available options.

Another key point in choosing an air fryer is the price. According to a quality study by PROFECO, in Mexico, the price of an air fryer ranges from nearly $1000 to over $2800 pesos. Of course, prices vary depending on the brand, capacity, and features of the product, as there are models that include special features or combine several appliances into one. In this case, it is best to evaluate the quality-price ratio while always considering your budget.

Another point you should consider when choosing an air fryer is the special features of the model you are interested in. As noted by TechRadar, there are air fryer models with windows to see the cooking process, with preset settings or special alarms. Similarly, there are models that come with interchangeable accessories that allow you to prepare even more dishes and make the most of this type of appliance.

Finally, you should also consider the design. By this, we do not necessarily mean how pretty or modern an air fryer is – although it doesn't hurt to choose one that matches your other appliances – but rather a feature more related to practicality: whether it is digital or manual. As noted by Consumer Reports, digital models allow you to control the temperature with buttons or a touchscreen and usually have preset settings, although they tend to be more expensive. Manual models, which are less costly, work with knobs to select the desired time and temperature; as the cooking process progresses, the knob acts as a timer and sounds at the end to notify that the food is ready.

Once you consider the above points, you will be able to choose the best air fryer for you, always according to your needs, budget, and tastes. Remember that at kiwilimón we have the best tips so you can make the most of your appliances and enjoy cooking like never before.