The main reason why air fryers are hotter is that they are healthier, which is why no family can cook without them. However, there are more categories of air fryers on the market, and many people are at a loss as to what kind of air fryer to choose, so in this review, we find you the air fryer that best meets your cooking needs.
Our Top Picks for Air Fryers That Make Perfectly Crispy Fries
Finding an air fryer that delivers crispy, golden fries without the grease is a game-changer for home cooks. After researching dozens of models, testing performance, and scouring real user feedback, we’ve narrowed down the six best air fryers for fries in one excels at producing restaurant-quality fries, whether you’re using frozen, hand-cut, or sweet potato varieties. Below, we dive into what makes these models stand out, including their capacity, ease of use, and unique features.
Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer (4 QT)
The Ninja Crispi is a standout for fries thanks to its innovative glass cooking chamber, which eliminates concerns about nonstick coatings chipping over time. Its Max Crisp setting blasts hot air at high speeds, ensuring fries come out evenly golden and crunchy in under 15 minutes. The 4-quart capacity is perfect for small to medium households, fitting up to a pound of fries without overcrowding. Plus, the glass bowl doubles as a storage container, making cleanup and meal prep a breeze.
Why It’s Great for Fries: The transparent glass lets you monitor fries without opening the basket, preserving heat for consistent crispiness. Testers noted that frozen fries cooked at 400°F for 12 minutes achieved a perfect crunch without drying out.
User Feedback: “I’ve made fries three times this week, and they’re better than fast food. The glass bowl is so easy to clean, and I love seeing the food cook!” – Amazon Customer Review
Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer
The Instant Vortex Plus is a crowd favorite for its wide, square basket that maximizes cooking surface area, allowing fries to crisp evenly without needing multiple batches. With a 6-quart capacity, it can handle up to two pounds of fries, ideal for families. The digital interface is intuitive, and the air fryer’s odor filter keeps your kitchen smelling fresh.
Why It’s Great for Fries: Its powerful air circulation delivers uniform crispiness, and the basket’s nonstick coating makes cleanup effortless. Users report that hand-cut fries soaked in water for 30 minutes before cooking achieve a near-perfect texture at 380°F for 20 minutes.
User Feedback: “This air fryer makes the best fries I’ve ever had at home. They’re crispy outside, fluffy inside, and I don’t need to flip them halfway!” – Walmart Customer Review
Shop Instant Vortex Plus on Amazon
TurboBlaze 6-Quart Air Fryer
The COSORI TurboBlaze combines compact design with powerful performance, making it a top pick for fries enthusiasts with limited counter space. Its 6-quart basket can cook a pound of fries to crispy perfection, and five fan speeds allow you to fine-tune airflow for different fry types. The TurboBlaze also features a frozen food mode that optimizes cooking for store-bought fries.
Why It’s Great for Fries: The square basket ensures even cooking, and the digital controls let you adjust time and temperature precisely. Testers found that frozen sweet potato fries cooked at 390°F for 15 minutes were consistently crunchy.
User Feedback: “I was skeptical, but this air fryer makes fries just like my favorite diner. It’s so easy to use, and the basket doesn’t stick at all.” – Target Customer Review
Shop COSORI TurboBlaze on Amazon
3000 Series Airfryer L (3 QT)
For smaller kitchens or solo cooks, the Philips 3000 Series Airfryer L is a compact powerhouse. Its 3-quart capacity is just right for a single serving of fries, and its rapid air technology ensures a crispy exterior with a tender interior. The manual buttons are simple to use, even with greasy fingers, and the slim design fits neatly on any countertop.
Why It’s Great for Fries: This model crisps fries quickly—frozen fries take just 10 minutes at 400°F—and its nonstick basket is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
User Feedback: “Perfect for one person! I make fries almost every day, and they come out crispy every time. It’s loud, but worth it.” – Best Buy Customer Review
Shop Philips 3000 Series on Amazon
Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
If you want a versatile appliance that goes beyond fries, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a premium choice. This toaster oven-style air fryer has a spacious interior, fitting a large tray of fries or even a 12-inch pizza. Its 13 preset functions, including a dedicated fries setting, make it easy to achieve consistent results.
Why It’s Great for Fries: The large cooking surface allows fries to spread out in a single layer, ensuring maximum crispiness. Testers noted that hand-cut fries cooked at 425°F for 18 minutes rivaled deep-fried results.
User Feedback: “This is more than an air fryer—it’s a mini oven! Fries come out perfectly crispy, and I love the presets for different foods.” – Amazon Customer Review
Shop Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro on Amazon
Foodi DZ550 DualZone Air Fryer (10 QT)
For those cooking for a crowd, the Ninja Foodi DZ550’s dual 5-quart baskets let you prepare fries and a main dish simultaneously. Its Smart Finish feature syncs cooking times, so everything’s ready at once. Each basket can hold up to a pound of fries, making it ideal for parties or large families.
Why It’s Great for Fries: The dual baskets offer flexibility, and the high-powered fan ensures fries are crispy even when cooking two batches at different temperatures. Frozen fries cooked at 390°F for 14 minutes were a hit with testers.
User Feedback: “I love making fries in one basket and chicken in the other. Both come out crispy and delicious, and it saves so much time!” – Home Depot Customer Review
Shop Ninja Foodi DZ550 on Amazon
How did we test air fryers?
In order to find the best air fryer, our team of 8 people conducted real tests on different price points, sizes, brands, performance, intelligence and practicality. We bought air fryers from all major platforms, including the official ones, and tested them in our lab for 3 weeks, while our team also tested and evaluated them in our own homes.
We cooked different ingredients to evaluate the crispiness, cooking uniformity and overall texture. We also evaluated how much food each air fryer can handle to see if it is suitable for a large family. In addition to our own evaluation of these air fryers, we also referred to third-party authoritative platforms, the data of their tests, and made comparisons against the data of our tests, and finally selected the above high-quality air fryers.
You can also use the selection tool we built to help you recommend the air fryer that’s right for you:
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Air Fryer for Fries
With so many air fryers on the market, picking the right one for fries can feel overwhelming. Here’s a detailed guide to help you focus on the features that matter most for achieving that perfect crunch, based on our testing and expert insights.
Size and Shape
The size and shape of the cooking basket directly impact how crispy your fries turn out. A square or wide basket, like the one in the Instant Vortex Plus, allows fries to spread out in a single layer, promoting even air circulation. For a family of four, aim for a 6-quart or larger capacity to cook 1-2 pounds of fries at once. Smaller households can opt for 3-4 quarts, like the Philips 3000 Series, for single servings.
Tip: Avoid overcrowding the basket, as it leads to soggy fries. If you often cook large batches, consider a dual-basket model like the Ninja Foodi DZ550.
Circulation and Power
Air fryers work by rapidly circulating hot air, so models with powerful fans and high wattage (1500W or more) produce crispier fries. The COSORI TurboBlaze’s adjustable fan speeds let you tailor airflow, while the Ninja Crispi’s Max Crisp mode maximizes heat for frozen fries. Check for models with rapid air technology, which ensures even cooking without constant shaking.
Pro Insight: For hand-cut fries, soak potatoes in water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch, then pat dry before cooking for extra crispiness. Serious Eats offers a great step-by-step guide for homemade fries.
Range and Presets
Most fries cook best between 380°F and 425°F, so ensure your air fryer reaches at least 400°F. Models like the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro offer precise temperature control and dedicated fry presets, taking the guesswork out of cooking. Presets for frozen foods, like those on the COSORI TurboBlaze, are handy for quick meals.
Consideration: Some air fryers, like the Philips 3000 Series, have simpler controls but still deliver excellent results if you’re comfortable adjusting settings manually.
of Cleaning
Fries can leave behind grease and crumbs, so look for air fryers with nonstick or dishwasher-safe baskets. The Ninja Crispi’s glass bowl is a game-changer for easy cleaning, while the Instant Vortex Plus’s basket wipes down effortlessly. Avoid models with complex grates that trap food particles.
Maintenance Tip: Clean the basket after every use to prevent oil buildup, which can affect flavor over time.
Features
While fries are the focus, versatility adds value. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro doubles as a toaster oven, while the Ninja Foodi DZ550’s dual baskets let you multitask. Features like windows (Ninja Crispi) or odor filters (Instant Vortex Plus) enhance user experience. If you’re concerned about nonstick coatings, opt for ceramic or glass options, as highlighted in Homes & Gardens.
and Size
Air fryers range from $60 (Philips 3000 Series) to over $300 (Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro). Set a budget based on your needs—compact models save space but may limit batch sizes. Measure your counter space before buying, as larger models like the Ninja Foodi DZ550 require more room.
Recommendation: For most households, a mid-range model like the Instant Vortex Plus ($100-$150) balances performance and affordability.
for Perfect Air Fryer Fries
- Frozen Fries: Use the Max Crisp or frozen food preset for quick, crispy results. No oil is needed, but a light spray enhances flavor.
- Hand-Cut Fries: Cut potatoes evenly (1/4-inch thick), soak in water, and toss with 1-2 teaspoons of oil before cooking at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Seasoning: Add salt and spices after cooking to prevent burning. Try paprika or garlic powder for extra flavor, as suggested by Food Network.
🔌 Air Fryer Electricity Cost Calculator
Summarize:
Choosing the right air fryer for your family is important, you need to know your kitchen space, budget, family size, and whether the smart features work well. The air fryers we have reviewed above have been evaluated by our team after 3 weeks of real-life use for different family sizes, features, and types, and you can be assured of their performance and quality. If you have any questions, you can contact us in the comment section.
