8 Best Large Air Fryers Reviewed & Buyer’s Guide

If you’re reading this, you’re probably someone who loves the concept of deep-frying but wishes it were a bit healthier. With a large-capacity air fryer, you can achieve the same crispy texture and delicious flavors with minimal oil.

For anyone responsible for feeding a crowd—whether it’s your family or a party of friends—a high-capacity air fryer could be your kitchen’s MVP. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over the eight best large-scale air fryers you can find on the market today.

Large-scale Air Fryers: What Makes Them Special?

Large-scale air fryers mimic the action of deep fryers but with a healthy twist—they use hot air instead of oil to crisp your food. With a built-in fan and heating element, hot air circulates in the cooking chamber, leading to the Maillard reaction which makes the food crispy. Plus, these air fryers are versatile; you can defrost frozen foods or even bake cookies. Trust me, from frying chicken to roasting steaks, an air fryer can do it all.

Best Large-scale air fryers

Keep reading because we will be listing down 8 of the best large-capacity air fryers in the market and discussing their features, pros, and cons. 

1. COSORI Air Fryer, Max XL 5.8 Quart

The Cosori large air fryer is ideal for serving many people. The design is top quality, along with user-friendly features. The Cosori is manufactured in California and can give cooks the convenient air frying experience. It has presets displayed angularly so that anyone, even beginners, can use it easily.

You can set the fryer to process bread, root vegetables, shrimp, seafood, poultry, steak, vegetables, bacon, frozen foods, dessert, or french fries – eleven presets that can be set with just one touch, and then you can get started with the cooking. The size of the air fryer is compact and can fit in limited counter spaces.

Unlike most regular air fryers, the Cosori uses 85% less oil but produces the same results, so you do not have to worry about changes in the taste. It also has a Shake Reminder feature to notify users to shake the fryer, so the food is evenly cooked. 

The basket can accommodate an entire whole chicken that can feed up to five people. When you’re done using it, you can just detach the basket and clean it in the dishwasher. The material used in the basket is BPA-free as well. The package has a recipe book containing instructions for preparing 100 dishes. 

2. Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection Toaster Oven Air Fryer

The Cuisinart air fryer does not look like an air fryer, so it stands out among its competitors. This air fryer also functions as an oven toaster that consumes 1800 watts of power to emit more intense heat and handle multiple cooking functions. You can prepare anything from toasted bread to pizza with this device. 

The internal chamber measures 0.6 cubic feet and has an oven light. You can put six slices of bread at once or a 12-inch pizza. You can put 4 lbs of whole chicken for the air fryer function.

The multifunctional features of the air fryer slash convection oven toaster can also perform other cooking methods like convection broiling and baking and regular toasting. You can set a timer for up to 60 minutes and adjust the thermostat. It also has an automatic shut-off feature that switches off the machine automatically when the food is ready.

This helps a lot in energy saving, safety, and prevention of device overheating. While it may not have any other features, the normal processes expected from an air fryer and a convection oven toaster are delivered well by Cuisinart’s masterpiece. 

3. Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer

One distinguishing feature about this particular air fryer brand is the fact that it can make your food even crispier than most air fryers can achieve. Integrated into the device is the TenderCrisp Technology, which preserves the flavorful juices of the food and makes the outside of the food crispy simultaneously. 

Durability is guaranteed with stainless steel construction and the ten functionalities that allow the user to use the air fryer for multiple purposes like pressure cooking, defrosting, dehydrating, broiling, slow cooking, steaming, searing, roasting, and the main purpose is air frying. 

The Ninja OS301 Foodi can keep the food at an optimal temperature with the built-in heating mechanism integrated into the basket, which has 6.5 quarts of capacity. You can fit a 6-lb whole turkey inside it, using 75% less fat than other models. 

The cooking basket and the plate are safe for the dishwasher and made with non-stick material. You can also just wipe the basket with a paper towel. Lastly, the package includes a recipe book with 15 chef-curated dishes and cooking charts to guide the user. 

4. GoWISE USA 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer

The GoWise 8-in-1 can do more than just fry. It can also roast, bake, and grill. It is a multipurpose air fryer that produces guilt-free, greaseless, and flavorful dishes. The front panel of the air fryer has an LED display that shows essential data. 

The menu is also controlled via touchscreen, and it comes with built-in presets to prepare common dishes like shrimp, fried, steak, chicken, pork, pizza, fish, and even cake.

This is made impossible by the wide temperature range that the air fryer can handle, which is a minimum of 180 Fahrenheit to a maximum of 400 Fahrenheit, and the gradual increase is by 10 degrees. You can set the temperature limit and the time up to 30 minutes. 

There is a switch for turning the air fryer on and off, and you can also temporarily pause the frying to adjust the temperature or the timer. It also has a Shake reminder that goes off every five minutes. The FDA approves the pan, and the cooking basket is detachable. A Button Guard secures the basket and pan attachment so it does not come off easily.

Beginners can enjoy the air fryer with the aid of a recipe book containing 50 recipes that you can prepare in the fryer. 

5. OMORC Habor Air Fryer

With a 6-quart capacity and a topnotch heating mechanism, this air fryer can handle cooking food that can serve a large family. An entire 6-lb whole chicken can be cooked in a fryer that can feed eight people. 

This fryer cooks your food with 85% less oil, and the non-stick coated cooking pot is safe to put in the dishwasher. There is a touchscreen panel and adjustment knob at the front in case the touchscreen does not work if you touch it with oily hands. 

The temperature can range from 180 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and you can prepare your food as quickly as 15 minutes. One example is 1.1-pound french fries. 

It also has a recipe book containing dishes you prepare with the fryer. You will surely enjoy this air fryer if you’re a beginner with novice cooking skills. 

6. Philips Kitchen Appliances TurboStar Air Fryer

Features

• Capacity: 3 pounds
• Cooking functions: 6
• Dimensions: 13 x 15.4 x 16.9 inches

The Philips brand is well-known all over the world as a leading manufacturer of home appliances. Philips was also one of the first companies to introduce air frying.

Their TurboStar model stands out in their air fryer line because it comes with a unique oil removal technology. This means you only use little to no oil, draining the food with excess grease, leaving you with a healthy, fat-free dish. 

The cooking pot is spacious. You can prepare a dish that can serve 6 people at a time with a speed four times faster than an oven. From french fries to roast chicken, you can whip up a banquet for your family in a short time with this air fryer. 

It also comes with other multiple cooking functions such as:

• Toast
• Grill
• Bake
• Dehydrate
• Roast
• Reheat

It also has a recipe book containing instructions for preparing 200 dishes so you can enjoy your air fryer and make the most out of it. The cleanable parts are removable and can be washed in the dishwasher. There is also no need to preheat the device.

This model may be a bit on the pricey side, but you will be able to reap the benefits of a quick and healthy meal. 

7. Dash Electric Air Fryer

Features

• Capacity: 6 quarts
• Cooking functions: 1
• Dimensions: 12.5 x 14.8 x 14.8 inches

Most of the air fryers in the market are usually black or gray colored. The Dash electric air fryer comes in pastel colors that will liven up an otherwise monochromatic kitchen countertop. 

It runs on 1700 watts of power to cook your food faster than deep fryers or regular convection ovens. The basket also has a weight capacity of 6 quarts which can handle large batches of food. You can use it to serve multiple people at a time when hosting large gatherings. 

With just a simple push of a button and set the timer, you can leave it and attend to your guests until it’s ready. 

Note that this does not have multiple functions, unlike the previous models we have listed. This is only primarily intended for air frying and nothing else. But you’ll find that the price you pay for this unit is worth it for the function that it serves. 

8. Instant Vortex Plus 10-Quart Capacity Air Fryer Oven

Features

• Capacity: 10 quarts
• Cooking functions: 7
• Dimensions: 13.2 x 13.2 x 14.4 inches

This model has the largest capacity out of all the listed ones. With a 10-quart capacity, you can prepare large batches of food to serve many guests at once. The process does not take a lot of time and is completed quickly. Like most air fryers, it uses little to no oil to cook your food.

The following are the functions that the Instant Vortex Plus can do apart from air frying:

• Toast
• Roast
• Bake
• Rotisserie
• Dehydrate
• Broil

It is integrated with EvenCrisp technology, which from the name itself, makes sure that every part of the food is evenly cooked. It also keeps the insides soft and tender while the outside is crispy. The air fryer uses hot air circulation inside the machine to cook the food twice faster than a convection oven. 

However, there were some complaints from several consumers that it has a distinct burning plastic smell, but that would be a judgment call for you. Overall, this is a fairly good air fryer for preparing large servings of food.

Which one should you buy? Our #1 pick

Out of all the air fryers we have listed, we pick the Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer to be the strongest contender of the lot. 

The Ninja air fryer has 10 presets that handle steaks and yogurt preparation. The capabilities of this air fryer are almost limitless. It also consumes 75% less oil than most regular air fryers on the market, so you are served a healthy, fat-free meal. It also has the TenderCrisp technology integrated into the unit that other brands lack. 

Cleaning the unit won’t be much of a hassle for you because the parts are safe to put in the dishwasher. There is also a recipe book containing instructions for 15 recipes you can prepare in the air fryer. We believe this model will make the most of your money. 

What constitutes a large capacity air fryer?

Size is the main distinction of a large capacity air fryer. The ideal basket size is 6 quarts, but there are still models with less capacity to handle preparing food for the average family. For groups with 6 people or more, an air fryer with around 20 quarts capacity is more than enough.

The size correlates to the capacity, so this is what you should look for when in the market for an air fryer. But overall, we recommend opting for larger models to accommodate both large and small serving sizes of food. 

How do air fryers work?

An air fryer has two main components: the heat source and the fan. The latter’s purpose is to circulate the hot air inside the fryer to distribute heat evenly and cook the food faster.

The integration of perforated trays can increase the amount of airflow, and the chamber’s size determines the temperature maximization. For light home use and formulation of recipes, we determined that a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal for cooking food in a short amount of time.

There is not much need for flipping smaller food items, but occasional flips and tosses may be required for large ones. 

Deep fryer, air fryer, and convection oven – major distinctions

The food you cook in a deep fryer swims deep in several inches of cooking oil. That renders the food crispy but also incorporates several grams of fat into your meal. Air fryers and convection ovens work slightly similarly where hot air is circulated inside the device.

However, the latter is smaller, an advantage to people with limited countertop spaces. 

Air circulation is slower in a convection oven. For air fryers, air circulation is much faster and more efficient. The faster hot air circulation cooks the food evenly and maintains the crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and tender. All of that is done with little to no oil. 

There is a distinct difference between the taste of food cooked in an air fryer and a deep fryer because of the presence of oil. But it is a healthy option for those who want the texture without the fat content. 

You can also use air fryers in place of an oven. You can bake pastries and other baked goods in it much faster than in a regular oven, and it does not emit much heat. You may need to preheat the air fryer, but it does not take as much time as an oven. 

Factors to consider in the purchase of an air fryer

You can follow the following guide to determine the right air fryer that works for you.

1. Type of air fryer

There are two types of large-capacity air fryers:

• Analog air fryers

The timers of analog air fryers are set manually with a dial that can be rotated to the desired cooking time and turns back the ‘0’ mark once the cooking is done. We do not advise people to go for these types of air fryers because of the inconsistency and the unpredictability of the cooking time. 

• Digital air fryers

Most of the air fryers that people use are digital. It has a digital panel on the front with an LED display that allows you to set the time and even the temperature with just a push of a few buttons.

There are also pre-programmed cooking functions like keeping warm and preheating and a reminder for the user to shake the device. Most of the time, there is also a countdown timer on the display panel indicating the amount of time left. 

2. Household size

• 2 to 3 persons

If you have two other people in your household that you share food with, an air fryer with a 0.5 to 1-kilogram capacity could do the trick for you. This is already enough to prepare a sufficient serving of a dish good for 2 to 3 people in just one cycle. Fryers of this capacity are also smaller and would fit on small countertops. 

• 4 to 6 persons

For a larger group of people of more than 4 people but only limited to up to 6 people, a fryer with a capacity of 1.5 to 2 kilograms can prepare a single batch at a time. You can air fry chicken breast, fish, and vegetables and bake a cake. 

3. Smart controls

Advanced air fryers can be controlled using a tablet or smartphone via an app developed by the manufacturers to control the device remotely. You can set the recipe you want to prepare using the app, the cooking time, temperature, and many other settings. You can also monitor the time left until the food is ready. 

While having this additional feature makes everything modernized and convenient, its absence is not necessarily a letdown. For starters, smart air fryers are more expensive. They are also not a very common preference for most air fryer users. 

4. Loading and unloading mechanism

There are two ways by which you can load and unload the food in the fryer:

• Flip-top lid

From the name itself, this kind of mechanism opens from the topmost part of the air fryer. The lid is flipped open to put the food in and take it out. 

• Front drawer

This works by pulling out the fryer tray to load and unload the food. Most models with this mechanism are smaller and fit in small counter spaces. 

5. Cooking compartments

Single compartments are what most air fryers have. You can only cook one batch of food at a time. Though models have more than one compartment that allows you to cook more dishes at once and at a faster rate, they are also pricier. 

Features and specs

The features that an ideal air fryer should have are:

Ease of use: Controlling and adjusting the settings of air fryers should be simple, and the instructions must be easy to follow and understand. Manufacturers usually include an instruction manual and the package indicating assembly and operations. Washable components must be removable and, as much as possible, safe to put in the dishwasher. 

Large capacity: An air fryer’s capacity to be considered heavy duty should be at least 5 quarts. This would also help, especially if you usually serve large groups. A single batch of food can be good for serving many people, thus reducing the frequency of use. 

Multiple functions: Wouldn’t it be easier if you could perform many cooking methods in just one device? Some models of air fryers can handle other processes besides air frying, like pressure cooking, slow cooking, roasting, and even baking.

Automatic shut-off function: Some air fryer models have an automatic shut-off feature that immediately switches off the device once the timer is done and the food is ready. It is an energy-preserving feature as well as a safety precaution.

Presets: A quality air fryer can handle more than just basic air frying tasks. You can also use it for other purposes and methods with just a push of a button because the process is already integrated within its internal mechanism. You can fully enjoy the device as you discover the many dishes it can prepare.

Dishwasher-safe components: Cooking is one thing; cleaning it is another. It would be much more convenient for you if the washable parts of the air fryer could be chucked into the dishwasher, so you do not have to wash it manually. 

Size: Normally, when we talk about large capacity air fryers, the initial impression would be that the device is quite large. However, there are still models like the GoWise air fryer, which has a 12.7-quart capacity, that can fit in small countertop spaces.

Advantages of having large capacity air fryers

Aside from the obvious benefit already stated in the name, allow us to mention more ways that are owning a large capacity air fryer can benefit your life.

Time saver

When you can prepare food fast, your guests will be served faster. You can also have more time interacting and having fun rather than being stuck in the kitchen for the entire event. Since large capacity air fryers can cook food faster, you and your guests will not spend much time waiting and starving. 

The OMORC Habor Air Fryer can cook 1 lb of french fries in 15 minutes. However, a smaller air fryer would take three times slower. 

Serves many

A large capacity air fryer is intended to cook a batch of food that can serve many people, which is why it is ideal for gatherings and parties. Your guests will be served simultaneously so everyone can enjoy the food. The basket size for most air fryers ranges from 4 to 6 quarts.

Energy-saving

You won’t need to repeat it many times when you can prepare a large serving of food in one cycle. Thus, reducing the frequency of use of the device and, as a result, conserving energy consumption. The Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection Toaster Oven Air Fryer can provide six slices in one go.

Healthier food

Too much fat is not good for the body. Air frying uses little to no oil in cooking your food; therefore, it is a much healthier method of food preparation. The results are almost the same. You won’t notice much difference. 

Lower fat content

Roasted chicken contains 30% less fat than the fried chicken breast of the same serving size. For most air fryers, you would only need a spoonful of oil instead of deep fryers, where the food would swim in the depths of around 3 cups. 

How to use an air fryer

In general, air fryers are very easy to operate. Just make sure that you take time to read the manual before doing anything with the device. Meanwhile, below are some general instructions. 

1. Preheat before cooking

Allow the air fryer to reach an optimal temperature first before putting in the food that you are going to prepare in it. Set the temperature to 375°F and wait for three to five minutes, depending on the size.

2. Don’t overload the fryer and arrange the food properly in the basket

We highly recommend putting some space between food items in the fryer to ensure that they will all be cooked evenly and fast. Putting more food than the device can handle may lead to uneven cooking and slow cooking time. 

3. Flip the food

The cooking practice for deep frying is the same as air frying. Coat your food with enough batter or breading and flip them to the other once the side is cooked. You shouldn’t leave your cooking unattended and monitor the time. 

4. Clean after using

After you have cooked the food you desire, give the device some time to cool down before washing the basket and removing the debris that may have been left inside. You should always make it a point to do regular cleaning to prevent the air fryer from developing irreparable damages in the future. 

Conclusion

Air frying is better in so many ways than deep frying. Large capacity models can cook many servings of food with the least amount of oil used in cooking, completing the process faster. If you frequently host parties or gatherings, this is the ideal device that you should go for. This article provides you with a list of detailed descriptions, reviews, pros, and cons of the best air fryers on the market. 

Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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