If you have a good convection oven, you don't need an air fryer. Just use a perforated cooking sheet so the air can fully circulate and make sure you line the area underneath with a large tray or foil to catch any drippings. The plus is that you can put a ton of stuff on without stacking (which kills the air fryer effect) and it's WAY easier on cleanup.

I've got a Bosch convection oven and the results are exactly the same as the Ninja. Cooking times aren't that much longer, in my experience, but that likely is a factor of how good the convection feature of your oven actually is and, most importantly, put the foods cooked in the exact center of the oven.

I do find the air fryer is better/faster if I just want a quick snack. But for meals for more than 2 people, the oven works better as I don't have to work in batches.

Try parboiling your potatoes (boiling for 2-5 minutes) and then drying off before cutting into fries. It makes a world of difference. You get the crispy outside without having to overcook the potato to have it fully done -crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Want to take it a step further? Look up a recipe on homemade tater tots. They are easy to make and you will NEVER buy pre-made again.

Is there a consensus on which rand model is the most user friendly? We have an instapot but I’ve been looking for a good air fryer.

I also saw something similar, to microwave the slices to parboil, which brings out the starch and you don't have to soak them.

....whaaaaaa. I will have to try this next time.

Bought a Ninja air fryer at Costco a few months ago and absolutely love it.

I use it 4-5 times a week.

Costco has a chicken cordon bleu that's amazing air fried. Be sure to spritz the coating with cooking spray for extra crispiness.

is it a ninja air fryer, or the foodi all in one?

I'm pretty sure it's just the Ninja.

Yes I think Air Fryers are a scam. They popped up years ago as another gimmick to sell to the mass consumers(suckers). What can I get my wife for Christmas this year? How about a Ninja Foodie Air Fryer? Then it gets used a few times before thrown under the cabinet to collect dust. I thought the Forman grill was a scam-now the Air Fryers have taken the place of the old 'Sears Specials'.

If you have a decent oven it is really simple-crank the temp up and if it has convection-boom you just saved yourself a couple hundred bucks and more cabinet storage. Just the thought of having to wash those things makes me shake my head in confusion. I could maybe see people wanting them for really crispy french fries or something but people cooking Salmon, etc? Save yourself the money and do not waste a dime on the 'Fryer scam'. Years from now you will see them at garage sales for $5-$10 so if you really want one-may wait.

The same can be said for any kitchen device. How many people have a rice cooker, pasta maker, bread maker, sandwich maker, waffle maker, blender, all neatly stored in a cupboard after only a couple of uses?

FWIW I use my air fryer almost every day for everything from 'frying' to a conventional fan oven - it uses a fraction of the energy compared to switching on a full oven and if you're only cooking for 1 or 2 is more than adequate. I also use my George Foreman grill regularly.

Just like any other appliance, if they're cleaned shortly after use, rather than allowing grease and dirt to build up they're a doddle. A damn sight easier than cleaning the majority of appliances, including an oven.

I'm with WJ - way easier to clean the air fryer than an oven.

I use mine at least 4 times/week

This is key. Huge waste of time & energy to fire up a 5 cubic foot oven for a couple salmon filets. I still use the actual convection oven for stuff like a sheet pan full of bacon.

Unexpected post on pinside lol but hell yeah my air frier has more mileage than a NY taxi.
We have not used oil to fry anything for +5 yearsS

I reheat almost anything there and cook sausages and pretty much any type of ‘street food’ that is otherwise casually cooked on a bbq.

I dont find them a scam, they are amazing!, But I agree the barrel ones that usually go in and out of storage get used less.
Getting one thats shaped and replaces a toaster oven, stays on the counter.

We dont gourmet cook, but I had the "debate" with a good friend, who is a talented chef.
So, I sent him a Ninja XL for $119, and I received back pics of stuffed Mushrooms, baked Muffins,
Grilled Kabobs, even a huge steak.

He swears it outperforms almost everything he has used, but was grateful I didnt send one that only Air Fries, and it grills/frys.

With 3 to 4 racks, we easily do a full meal for 3,

Stuffed peppers, reheating left-over pizza (especially if you like a crunchy crust), and these Chick-fil-A copy chicken nuggets are fantastic after a few minutes in my air fryer...

sschickbites (resized).JPG

Just got one of these Air Fryers….any of you guys have any favorite recipes you could post? Pinside peeps are fanatical for finding the best things so I’m sure recipes will be no different. Thanks in Advance!

I’m still waiting for pinmeister to post a video of himself scoring an air fryer for $10 at a yard sale

“See!!!! See!!! I told you!!”