It’s October–that autumn crisp is in the air, and there are major air fryer deals coming during Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, which are less than a week away. If you want to enjoy cozy-weather fare like crispy brussels sprouts or game day chicken wings, we seriously recommend upgrading your kitchen with an air fryer. Chances are you already have a network of friends and family that own (and won’t stop raving about) their air fryer; maybe you’ve been on the edge of converting to Air Fryer Life for a while now and you just don’t know where to start. Well, you’re in luck: We’ve scouted the best early deals on basket-style air fryers, air fryer ovens, air fryer–toaster ovens, smart ovens, digital air fryers, and other air fryer appliances that have won our sister brand Epicurious’s rigorous tests. Some of these, like the Instant Vortex Slim 6-qt. Air Fryer, have already gone down even further in price. Knowing that these machines have been put to the test by our staff of experts (and BA test kitchen editors) means you can shop with confidence. Pretty soon, you’ll be the leading authority on air-frying in your social circle.
We’re anticipating even more great deals on bestsellers from trusted brands like Ninja, Calphalon, Cosori, and Chefman in the coming weeks, but we also understand that FOMO is real. So, if you absolutely can’t wait until Prime Day to grab your new kitchen bestie, keep scrolling.
Why buy an air fryer?
There’s a reason air fryers are such a hot topic (excuse our pun): These multitaskers are some of the most versatile kitchen appliances out there, doing for countertop ovens what Instant Pots did for pressure cookers. You’ve probably already been daydreaming about glowing up your frozen french fries, but the best air fryers can do so much more. With models sporting a wide array of cooking functions, you can reheat, broil, roast, toast, and even dehydrate with ease. Plus, because air fryers circulate hot air like a convection oven, they also use less oil–giving you crispy, delicious fried food with less greasy mess.
Which air fryer should I buy?
This is a personal decision, but we’re ready to help you make it. If an easy-to-clean appliance is at the top of your list, consider a fryer with nonstick surfaces or one with dishwasher-safe drawers. Want to set it and forget it? Choose a model with built-in or programmable presets for one-touch cooking. The size of your household (and counter space) will determine whether you want a compact air fryer or a 2-basket air fryer.
Jump straight to a few of our favorite air fryer deals:
Chefman calls this model an “XL,” and it isn’t kidding. Whether you use the three airflow racks to speed-run an entire family-size dinner or to rotisserie-roast a chicken at home, you’ll be saving money and time (which is also money).
The Instant Vortex Slim is our sister publication Epicurious’s top pick for “best air fryer”. If that doesn’t convince you, consider this: It is also quiet, has a low profile, and can fit two pounds of french fries. We’re sold.
If you’re cooking for a smaller crowd, we recommend the Cosori Lite. This model is Epicurious’s pick for best small air fryer, and it’s currently less than $40, which is probably cheaper than what you were about to spend on takeout just now.
Do you remember that scene in Home Alone when the McAllisters had to order about 100 pizzas to feed the entire family? Imagine if they were able to stick two 5-lb. chickens in an air fryer instead. Maybe things would have turned out differently. Who’s to say!
This 5.5-qt. XL model from Ninja has machine-washable baskets and crisper plates, and it lets you cook pounds of chicken wings and fries with ease, perfect for a sweat-free spread on game day.
Ninja’s 4-in-1 Air Fryer Pro allows you to air-fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate, all without sacrificing valuable counter space. It also comes with a 20-recipe cook book and cooking charts, making it an excellent entry for your first kitchen.
We love this air fryer–pressure cooker combo from Ninja because of its large capacity and “tendercrisp technology,” allowing for cooks that are juicy, not greasy. This model allows you to perfectly roast squash, sous vide strip steak, and make your own yogurt with equal ease.
Say goodbye to guesswork–the Calphalon 11-in-1 toaster oven–air fryer combo comes with 11 precise cooking functions so you can perfectly crisp up pizza and bagels, roast a tray of veggies, and even dehydrate fruit for a healthy snack, all with the touch of a button.
Sometimes self-care means smoothies and a spa day, and sometimes it means a countertop appliance that allows you to crisp up sweet potatoes and broil salmon for dinner. When it’s the latter, this countertop oven and air fryer from Oster has your back.
