Is an air fryer worth the money?

[sydneysmom]

Hi everyone !! I'm hoping someone can please jump in that has an air fryer.....I'm trying to decide what is the best to get (within a budget.....) and if it's worth getting. We have an Instant Pot, which I cannot live without, but I'm trying to determine if the air fryer is "just another gadget" or is it totally worth it like the Instant Pot. Your help is very much appreciated!!!

The one I was looking at is the GoWise GW22631 4th Generation XL Electric Air Fryer w/ Touch Screen Technology, Button Guard & Detachable Basket - Black 5.8 QT. it seems to have gotten good reviews.....

 

[wenrob]

I have an Actify which is air fryer with an arm that stirs the food. I use it at least twice a week but sometimes more. It's absolutely been worth the price for me.

 

[kymickeyfan717]

We have an air fryer and love it. Makes great fries and we have cooked burgers in it. Highly recommend it

 

[Alesia]

My friend has one and loves it, but it's really just a glorified toaster oven. I don't see the appeal. When she makes things that are normally fried (French fries, onion rings, etc.) They turn out okay, but not great. They taste exactly like they would if she would have baked them.

 

[DawnM]

Do those things make enough fries for a family of 5, with 3 of them being teen boys?

 

[Albort]

been wanting one after i saw a youtube video of Gordon Ramsey cook a steak with one with coffee+chili pepper rub...

 

[sydneysmom]

Do those things make enough fries for a family of 5, with 3 of them being teen boys?

I'm trying to figure that out too..... from everything I have read, the smaller one basically is good for 1-2 people or leftovers. (by smaller, I mean 3.7 qt and smaller) The one I was looking at is their next size up, (but not giant) which is the 5.8 qt. Someone posted a picture on Amazon w/ a large bag of frozen fries in the basket, and it only took up about 1/2 the basket. So this is probably a good size. Not sure about it with 3 teenage boys....

 

[wenrob]

My friend has one and loves it, but it's really just a glorified toaster oven. I don't see the appeal. When she makes things that are normally fried (French fries, onion rings, etc.) They turn out okay, but not great. They taste exactly like they would if she would have baked them.

Hmm, that has not been my experience. I don't use prepackaged I use real potatoes and a tablespoon of oil for fries. They're crispy on the outside and just right on the inside. They don't taste deep fried but they don't have a baked texture either.

Do those things make enough fries for a family of 5, with 3 of them being teen boys?

It's just right for my family of five but I couldn't speak to feeding teenage boys. My guess would be not, at least in mine. I make 2lbs of potatoes for fries and a 4lb bag of wings (which is overfilling it really) for three adults and two ten year olds. Never leftovers.