Tina, thanks for starting this discussion-I'm in exactly the same situation.

My biggest yearning is making air fryer vegetables. I have been oven roasting veggies for about a year, and usually I try to make a blend of at least 6 and sometimes up to a dozen different items.

My stand-bys are: potatoes, carrots, green and red peppers, asparagus, onion, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, gold and green zucchini and green beans. I usually make a batch weekly or every 10-ish days and then dinners are so easy: a protein, a serving of vegetables and bingo dinner is ready. Prep is simple: dice, drizzle with EVOO and a shake of salt then roast. Although it's definitely upped my nutrition game, I'm finding myself a bit bored and also since I'm the only one eating them I have to refrigerate the batch, meaning they are kind of limp though tasty when warmed up.

So I'm definitely intrigued by the possibility of preparing them in a way that would not only make it easier to do small batches but give me some crispy vegetables to boot.

I'm also interested in the air fryer's ability to warm up food. I really dislike the taste of chicken reheated in the microwave and since we eat it so often...will the air fryer taste more like oven reheating??

Inquiring neophyte air fryer cooks want to know!

My .02 is to get the biggest one that will fit in the space you are planning for it, because even the big ones (which we have) aren't all that big. We use ours for sweet potato fries, cooking fish (things like salmon filets with a sauce and the Aldi wild caught breaded cod come out nicely), veggies, chicken parm and tofu also crisps up nicely when air fried. It's GREAT for reheating, no rubbery meat like in the microwave, and it will even recrisp things like leftover sweet potato fries. It's easy to overcook when reheating, so I use the lowest setting, 200F, and check it a lot, it truly will continue to cook and not just reheat like a microwave. Ours has a rotisserie feature that we've never used, so I can't comment on that, but we have toyed with the idea of doing a duck that way. We also use it for making flatbread pizzas, English muffin pizzas and melting cheese on any kind of sandwich. I've never made anything like cookies in it, so I can't comment on that.

Ours is an Ambiano brand, from Aldi, and for the $80+- we spent on it, we've gotten a lot of utility from the product, and it has replaced our toast-r-oven on the counter, and we don't miss that at all and find the air fryer is a better and more multi-purpose appliance.

@lakeaffect_gw how many quarts is yours? Don't laugh, but we have never had/used a toaster oven since our very early married days (it was a gift). The air fryer will not stay out on the counter. (I may or may not have a thing about appliances on the counters 😡) I do have a space to store that is easily accessed, so no worries. Good to know about the reheating! TY!

@runninginplace we love roasted veggies and eat them usually bi-weekly or so but I don't make those large batches. Usually leftovers once. Hopefully we will get some good advice here!

I'd be interested in hearing about how difficult or easy they are to keep clean. That is what is making me hesitant to get one. Also, the counter clutter issue is another concern.

I would not be without mine! Its perfect for vegetables, fish, chicken and anything breaded. Tastes just like frying but much healthier and cleaner tasting. Perfect for rewarming. Easy peasy to clean. But I second the recommendation above to get the biggest one you can fit on your counter. Or in my case take down from the pantry and carry to the counter, as we don’t have enough counter space to leave it out. And i would NEVER do that if i didn’t Iove it with all my heart! I agree that the large ones are not THAT big.

I was all set to buy one and decided against it. One, I read that it doesnt really taste in any way like fried food … not even light fried food. So what does it do? Cooks more quickly. Takes up space. YMMV

@mtnrdredux_gw I'm not really trying to get a fried food taste. I have heard so many people say they like theirs and hoping more will weigh in here on just what they cook. It is not a fryer, they are actually a mini convection oven. My MIL says chicken breasts are delish and moist. My sister just got hers and she's only done veggies, but she did sweet potato fries a few days ago and loved them. Said they turned out crispy. So that's why I'm asking for specifics; to help me decide.

Thank you Nicole! I will check that out.

@nicole___! I can't post on that board, not sure why. I guess I'm not a member ??? Would you mind terribly to tag Jasdip and ask what brand and how many quarts his is? THANK YOU!!!

@Tina Marie....:0) I already asked. She looks like she knows what she's doing. She's single, cooking for 1...it's a Vortex basket style. Even tho I asked what size she didn't say. Maybe a 5qt. Discussion and more photos of food she cooks in it

Thank you so much Nicole!! Yes, looks like she does alot of cooking with hers. I think I want a basket style. I need to look at some more brands. Thanks again for your help!

For the two of us, we got a 5qt Insignia brand air fryer, from Best Buy. It’s their house brand. It doesn’t replace an oven, but does certain things very well, like roasted vegetables. There was a bargain on a digital Insignia one, on Cnet yesterday, for $39.99 I believe.

I've never looked at one in person. Are they basically an oddly shaped convection toaster oven? I understand there is a basket to put food in so air circulates all around as opposed to sitting on a tray but otherwise is the concept the same?

People on TJ's FB fan page love the air fryer. I'm not crazy about fried food except sweet potato fries and can't justify purchasing an appliance just for those. I love roasted veggies, roasted chicken thighs, etc. My Breville toaster oven handles those just fine -- and it's a multi-use appliance.

As i said above, I wont be frying. The AF has multiple uses also.

Tina, you've got me interested in one now. I haven't watched these videos yet but it's a good start.

Air fryer for beginners

I watched two videos and it's just too much to remember. Do you all check your food halfway through cooking? Does it take long to memorize everything?

When I briefly contemplated a purchase I watched this video from America's Test Kitchen. It's from 2020. There are updated articles, but you need a subscription to read.

https://www.americastestkitchen.com/equipment_reviews/2331-air-fryers

Air fryer plus with window Pretty sure this is what I want. Multi-functional and a window, plus it's pretty. :)

This is the one we got my DD and her SO for Christmas. They love it and use it often. They’re vegan, so I can’t relate about cooking meat, but they said it works great with veggie dishes, tofu, eggrolls, etc.

She likes the controls being on the front like this. I researched these dang things for weeks before deciding on this one.

They live in a 1940’s apt with original features, this color looks cute in their kitchen. ;)

Of course it’s cheaper now than when I ordered it:

Jinx, you had me at turquoise!! It's got tons of great ratings on Amazon, this one looks like my choice if I decide to go for it, will even match my new countertops in my new kitchen.

Running, I admit the color is what got my attention first, but then I obsessively read reviews (on many sites) and compared it with others.

They both love to cook, and experiment with recipes, so I’m very happy it’s working well. :)

I’m seriously considering ordering one myself, the price is so good. Can’t decide on green, red, or black!

Ours is a 5 quart, and not nearly as cute at the one Jinx posted, it's just black and stainless-look metal. Regarding why we use it, well, our stove is a giant 36" Garland (made before Garland's residential line was rebadged as Blue Star) and while it's a great unit, it takes a good 30 minutes to heat up properly and it's just the two of us, so cooking a couple of pieces of salmon or a flatbread pizza in the air fryer is quicker, easier and (hopefully) uses less energy. It's also an absolute beast of the broiler and you have to watch anything broiled closely unless you enjoy a nice 1/4" char on the outside of everything.

And I looked at the options, it can bake, broil, toast, air fry and rotisserie, and we've used all but the rotisserie. We also use it to heat up tortillas and garlic bread, our 9" clay tortilla casserole (not sure what to call it) with lid fits in there perfectly, so we use it to heat that stuff up. Toasting is good, but we don't toast for an army, so just use the toaster for that. It also has a timer, so when reheating, I just use that, it's no more of a pain than reheating anything on the stovetop or microwave, it all has to be watched at least nominally to avoid overheating, burning or whatever.

Ok, I think I am ordering a white Ultrean and an accessory package. It's in my cart as I still look! Thanks everyone for your input.

Tina Marie I can't imagine why you can't post on the Kitchen Table board. You certainly don't have to be a member of each separate board to post anywhere on gardenweb/Houzz.

We have a separate air fryer, but we seem to use my new air fryer/ toaster oven combo the most, probably due to the multiple functions. I baked brownies in it and they came out wonderful; perfectly level, moist and delicious.

I baked brownies in it and they came out wonderful; perfectly level, moist and delicious.

cooking a couple of pieces of salmon or a flatbread pizza in the air fryer is quicker

This is what I found so confusing/disappointing about the "air fryer." I think it is totally misnamed. I was interested in something that would allow me to cook something different. Based on the name, I thought I would be able to make things crispy and fried without a greasy taste and without all the mess and nutritional downside of oil. I don't own a deep fat fryer and whenever a recipe calls for "x inches" of oil, I turn the page.

But from my research, there is no real way to fry something that has the crunch and some of the taste, but is not oily. So if an air fryer doesn't do that, what does it do? It seemed to me it mimics other appliances we already have. Our range has an electric oven, a gas oven and a warming oven. The electric oven is small,runs hot, heats up very quickly and broils; it is the one I use the most. This is why I personally didn't see the point of an "air fryer" for us.

Like an earlier poster, I am also totally anti visible appliances. Our mw/ and coffeemaker are behind pocket doors, and everything else is in the pantry but the toaster, which i chose as an accessory.

I thought I would be able to make things crispy and fried without a greasy taste and without all the mess and nutritional downside of oil. @mtnrdredux_gw I think you CAN do that although the food won't actually be fried??? Maybe someone who has one will weigh in on that. Again, I am not interested in "fried". Now the thoughts of a bit of crispy sounds good. Just like the parmesan garlic brussels sprouts, they are sooo good with little crisp! Or @runninginplace wanted reheated roasted veggies that are not soggy. I am not one to purchase or want a bunch of appliances. I don't like a toaster oven (or even a toaster) so I'm hoping this will be a nice addition for us. I have no appliances out on the counters either.

@woodrose I don't know and I can't remember what it was doing last night. I think it wanted me to log in, but I am already logged in! No worries, right here is the only board I go to. Nicole kindly copied the threads here. I know alot of people like their toaster ovens, but I just don't. Hoping I will like the air fryer!! We will see!

PS I hope I don't sound like I'm arguing. It doesn't seem like I am getting my thoughts across. An AF is just like me and a TO, they are not for everyone.

No, no not at all ... you don't sound like you are arguing, I hope I don't!

I am just adding my 2 cents for people who think they are buying an "air fryer" to fry things that are not greasy, almost like an "air popper" gave you popcorn without oil?

IME, people who like their AF, cite all sorts of reasons, but rarely do they mention anything that sounds to me like what the words "air fryer" conjure up for me. Like the posters who mention brownies, flatbread, and salmon. Are they what people expect when they hear the term "air fryer?"

Maybe if they called it a countertop convection oven or somesuch?

ETA --- it occurred to me i can't be the first person confused by this , so I just typed in "air fryer" and "misnomer." This article sums it up :

AIR FRYERS ARE THE NEXT HOT KITCHEN GADGET—HERE'S WHY YOU DON'T NEED ONE

Rule of thumb: if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

It promises to produce crispy, crunchy foods like french fries and breaded chicken with just a drizzle of oil and in a fraction of the time of baking. For its health benefits, it’s been endorsed by the hard-to-please Gordon Ramsay, and the kinder (but no less discerning) Oprah Winfrey. Many consumers are obsessed, but no less puzzled—how can science produce straight-out-of-the-fryer taste from thin air?

The short answer? It can’t, and it doesn’t.

The name “air fryer” is a misnomer—the gadget is actually just a small convection oven that holds something resembling a fry basket. Using convection technology (AKA small fans), the “fryer” circulates hot air around the foods in the basket, cooking them quicker then traditional baking and crisping up the outermost layer.

But here’s the catch: unlike proper frying, which produces this crispness while preserving the tender interior of the meat or veggies you’re cooking, air frying risks drying out the entire product completely.

Still think the air fryer sounds pretty neat? Read on to learn why it’s a waste of your money—and what you should invest in instead.

We have a separate air fryer, but we seem to use my new air fryer/ toaster oven combo the most, probably due to the multiple functions.

Sounds like a better option.

https://www.americastestkitchen.com/equipment_reviews/2075-air-fryer-toaster-ovens

No, you don't either and we can agree to disagree! Thanks for that article. I stated above about it being a convection oven (small). I had been researching so I know how it works,and what I would be buying (not a fryer so to speak) but that is exactly why I posted here rather than reading more articles, etc. I wanted opinions from those here (friends!) as to exactly what they cook in their AF, what size, etc. The only IRL peeps I know that have one are my sister and my MIL. My sister just got hers a few weeks ago but so far likes it. My MIL doesn't cook that often so I don't think hers is used alot but I know she loves chicken breasts in it (she lives alone and has a small AF). I don't even know if/who among my friends have one. Another reason I came here. I knew I would get honest opinions. Nicole kindly shared the thread from the Kitchen Table, and people there did go into more detail about the things they cook in one. From that thread and the answers here, I determined I'd give it a try. Hoping I like it!!

I think the name Air Fryer is a misnomer because it should be called an air crisper, which is what they do. Watching the videos the foods that are supposed to be "fried" are sprayed with OO or or another type of oil, which makes food crispy. Which is basically what frying does.

DS has a Ninja Foodie but they do a lot of cooking and it has about 10 functions.

I think the name Air Fryer is a misnomer because it should be called an air crisper, which is what they do.

Maybe, but the thing is all ovens can make things crisp, so...

It seems to me that it is for quicker cooking of small meals when one doesn't want to heat up their oven. A totally legitimate thing. But not what caught my attention. Which I why I ended up not buying anything.

And just yesterday I dropped my rice cooker at GoodWill. I'm not much for specialty appliances, though I am glad y'all made me get an immersion blender!

We got a Cuisinart Toaster oven for each of our daughters for Christmas. It all started when the one said she didn't have a toaster. Say what!?

They both liked theirs so much we got one after Christmas. It's a toaster oven, air fryer, etc. Our oven doesn't cook things like pizza the best but this little thing does. For just the two of us, it often feels like overkill to heat up the oven to cook 2 chicken breasts. It came in very convenient while watching DGS and fixing us lunch quickly.

It has been priced at 130 a few places. Target currently has it at 230 with a 100 gift card with purchase.

It's our new favorite toy!

Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven

I have never owned a Fry Daddy type of appliance, but my husband loves fried anything, especially fish, and, as noted above, Aldi has some wild caught cod (?) fillets that he eats a couple of times a month, and they really do crisp up nicely in the air fryer. We cook veggies with parm and occasionally breadcrumbs on them, as well as chicken parm, and they come out really crisp. I was trying to convey that in addition to those things, we use it for other stuff, like baked salmon that I would normally bake in our big hulk of a stove. Last weekend I made Paul Prudhomme's baked rice in the air fryer (on bake) and it came out perfectly, and I didn't have to fire up the big oven for a loaf pan.

@lakeaffect_gw what pans/rack, etc. have you found handy for yours?

I asked DD today for an update — they still love it and use it nearly daily, because: healthier, quicker, she likes how it cooks the small meals and snacks they make, it doesn’t take up much space, and is easy to clean. I’m going to get the same one, DH wants it mainly for wings and I do for fish and veggies.

And just yesterday I dropped my rice cooker at GoodWill. I'm not much for specialty appliances, though I am glad y'all made me get an immersion blender!

So easy to make rice stovetop.

I love my immersion blender! Plus it doesn't take up any storage space.

Does it fry? No. Does it cook small amounts of food, convection style? Yes. We like ours and since we are recent empty nesters, I love it for roasted veg, thin cuts of meat which are easy to overcook conventionally. Great for warming up leftovers that could get soggy in the microwave. It cooks faster than our toaster oven and makes the best baked potatoes/sweet potatoes ever. I keep it in the pantry just off our kitchen and of late have been using it several times a week. Today, I did roasted beets which I will reheat when I do baby potatoes and green beans for dinner. My 20 something daughters use theirs several times a week. For the investment it's a great little appliance provided you have the space for it.

Since we don't eat a lot of toast and we have a toaster for when we want to, I am thinking of getting rid of my toaster oven, now that we have the air fryer.

ETA - when we were a family of four, it wouldn't have been as sufficient as it is for us now.

Hanging my head in shame, I have an immersion blender but never used it. Maybe I need to get it out of the appliance drawer? :)

I looked up the easiest thing to cook in an air fryer. It was homemade fries. The thing is, the recipe says to shake the basket every five minutes. I don't want to shake a basket every five minutes because I'd have other things cooking.

So, bottom line, an air fryer is basically a convection oven. It does a better job crisping certain foods because of its small size. But wouldn't that mean a convection toaster oven is the same as an air fryer? They're both the same size and perform the same function.

I think that was mentioned a few times above, yes, basically a mini convection oven. There are different sizes. I guess it depends on what you want. I didn't want something to "toast" in and no, all AFs and toaster ovens are not the same size. I don't want a toaster oven and definitely do not want one left out on the counter.

Mine arrived today! I'll have it if one of us goes to the post office LOL.

I've got an automatic delay feature since we are still living downstairs while the upstairs including our kitchen is gutted. No buying anything that takes up space till I actually have cabinets in which to put things that take up space!

That said, thank you Tina for starting the discussion and thanks everyone who shared thoughts and experiences. I'll probably pull the air fryer trigger as soon as we get back upstairs.

Well . . . this thing is big!!!

Yeah, some of them can be pretty big. I've debated whether or not I should just get a convection toaster oven, but our range has an excellent convection function (actually three).

The vegetables do work well and you can make "fries" and roast veggies by only spraying the outside with EVOO (mainly for that mouthfeel and and flavor).

I'm not ashamed to admit that it truly excels at reheating takeout (anything fried) or fried foods of heft (think tator tots, falafel, croquettes, etc) but not the thin fries (they will dry out). The thicker items have enough latent oil to turn out better than in the oven (due to better basket circulation).