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.
Why Air Fryers Are Perfect for Cooking Chicken
Cooking chicken to crispy, juicy perfection can be a challenge, but air fryers have revolutionized the process. These compact appliances use rapid hot air circulation to mimic deep frying, delivering golden, crunchy skin and tender meat without excessive oil. Whether you’re preparing wings for game night or a whole roast chicken for family dinner, air fryers save time, reduce mess, and produce consistent results. Their versatility, from quick weeknight meals to elaborate recipes, makes them a must-have for chicken lovers. In this guide, we explore the top six air fryers for chicken in 2025, based on performance, ease of use, and real user feedback, along with a buying guide to help you choose the perfect model.
Key Features to Look for in an Air Fryer for Chicken
Not all air fryers are created equal, especially when it comes to cooking chicken. Here are the essential features to prioritize:
- Capacity: For wings or tenders, a 4-quart model works for small households, but a 6-quart or larger is ideal for families or whole chickens.
- Temperature Range: Look for models that reach at least 400°F for crispy skin, with precise controls for even cooking.
- Ease of Cleaning: Nonstick baskets and dishwasher-safe parts simplify cleanup, especially after saucy wings.
- Preset Programs: Chicken-specific presets streamline cooking, but manual controls offer flexibility for custom recipes.
- Additional Functions: Features like roasting, baking, or dehydrating add versatility for other dishes.
With these in mind, let’s dive into the best air fryers for chicken, each tested for performance and user-friendliness.
Best Air Fryers for Chicken in 2025
Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer
The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer stands out for its consistent crisping and user-friendly design, making it a top pick for chicken enthusiasts. Its square basket maximizes cooking space, allowing you to spread wings or tenders in a single layer for even browning. During testing, it produced golden, juicy chicken breasts in under 20 minutes and crispy wings with minimal oil. The digital interface offers six presets, including a dedicated air fry mode, and a clear window lets you monitor progress without opening the basket.
Why It’s Great for Chicken: The 6-quart capacity fits a small whole chicken or a generous batch of wings. Its powerful 1700-watt motor ensures quick preheating and maintains steady temperatures for uniform cooking. The nonstick basket is dishwasher-safe, simplifying cleanup after sticky sauces.
User Feedback: “This air fryer has been a game changer for my family. The chicken wings come out crispy every time, and it’s so easy to clean!” – Amazon Customer Review, June
Shop Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer on Amazon
Foodi DZ550 Dual-Basket Air Fryer
For those cooking multiple dishes at once, the Ninja Foodi DZ550’s dual-basket design is a game-changer. With a 10-quart total capacity split into two 5-quart zones, you can air fry wings in one basket and roast veggies in the other, syncing cook times for a complete meal. Its ceramic-coated baskets ensure even heat distribution, delivering succulent chicken thighs with perfectly crisp skin.
Why It’s Great for Chicken: The dual baskets allow you to experiment with different marinades or sauces simultaneously. The included temperature probe ensures precise doneness for larger cuts like whole chickens. Testers praised its ability to crisp frozen wings in under 15 minutes.
User Feedback: “I love the dual baskets! I can make spicy wings for me and mild ones for the kids at the same time. The probe is awesome for roasts.” – Amazon Customer Review, May
Shop Ninja Foodi DZ550 Dual-Basket Air Fryer on Amazon
3000 Series Airfryer L HD9252/91
The Philips 3000 Series Airfryer L is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on performance. Its 3-quart capacity is perfect for small households, delivering crispy chicken nuggets and tenders in record time. The touchscreen, though slightly finicky, offers presets for fries, chicken, and fish, making it beginner-friendly.
Why It’s Great for Chicken: Its rapid air technology ensures even crisping, ideal for smaller batches of wings or drumsticks. The compact design fits easily on countertops, and the nonstick basket is easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher.
User Feedback: “This little air fryer is perfect for my apartment. Chicken nuggets come out crispy and delicious every time!” – Amazon Customer Review, April
Shop Philips 3000 Series Airfryer L on Amazon
TurboBlaze 6-Quart Air Fryer
The Cosori TurboBlaze combines affordability with solid performance, earning high marks for its ability to churn out tender, crispy chicken. Its 6-quart basket accommodates a family-sized batch of wings or a medium whole chicken, and the digital controls allow precise temperature adjustments in 5-degree increments.
Why It’s Great for Chicken: The TurboBlaze’s powerful fan ensures even air circulation, preventing soggy spots. It excelled in tests with bone-in chicken breasts, achieving a crunchy exterior and juicy interior. The sleek design and intuitive controls make it a favorite for daily use.
User Feedback: “I use this for chicken almost every night. It’s so easy to use, and the results are always amazing!” – Amazon Customer Review, March
Shop Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart Air Fryer on Amazon
Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
For those seeking a versatile appliance, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro doubles as a toaster oven and air fryer. Its 12-liter capacity can handle a whole chicken or multiple trays of wings, and the smart sensors adjust heat for consistent results. It’s pricier but ideal for larger households or avid cooks.
Why It’s Great for Chicken: The oven-style design allows for multi-level cooking, perfect for batch-cooking wings or roasting a chicken with sides. It produced restaurant-quality Buffalo wings in tests, with a crisp texture that rivals deep frying.
User Feedback: “This is my go-to for everything, but especially chicken. It’s like having a mini oven that makes perfect wings!” – Amazon Customer Review, June
Shop Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro on Amazon
Crispi Air Fryer
The Ninja Crispi introduces a unique glass cooking chamber, eliminating concerns about nonstick coatings. Its 6-quart capacity is ideal for families, and the transparent bowl lets you watch chicken wings turn golden without interrupting cooking. It’s a standout for health-conscious cooks.
Why It’s Great for Chicken: The glass chamber is easy to clean and safe for high-heat cooking. It delivered crispy, tender chicken fillets in tests, and the sealable lid doubles as a storage container for leftovers.
User Feedback: “The glass bowl is a game-changer. My chicken comes out perfect, and I love that I can see it cooking!” – Amazon Customer Review, May
Shop Ninja Crispi Air Fryer 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 Chicken
Selecting the right air fryer for chicken depends on your cooking habits, kitchen space, and budget. Here’s a detailed guide to help you make an informed decision:
Capacity and Size
Consider how much chicken you will cook at once. A 2-3-quart air fryer suits singles or couples for small batches of nuggets or tenders. For families or entertaining, opt for 6-quart or larger models to handle wings, thighs, or whole chickens. Dual-basket models like the Ninja Foodi DZ550 offer flexibility for multiple dishes. Measure your counter space, as larger units like the Breville Smart Oven require more room. Good Housekeeping’s air fryer guide emphasizes matching capacity to household size for optimal results.
Cooking Performance
Look for air fryers with at least 1500 watts for quick, even cooking. High temperatures (up to 450°F) are crucial for crispy skin, while precise controls prevent overcooking. Models with strong fans, like the Cosori TurboBlaze, ensure uniform air circulation. Check for chicken-specific presets or probes for larger cuts, as seen in the Ninja Foodi DZ550.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
Intuitive controls, whether digital or analog, save time. Touchscreens should be responsive, even with greasy fingers, as noted in Wirecutter’s air fryer reviews. Nonstick or ceramic baskets simplify cleanup, and dishwasher-safe parts are a bonus. Avoid models with complex grates that trap grease.
Additional Features
Versatility matters if you want more than just air frying. Models like the Breville Smart Oven offer baking, roasting, and toasting, while the Instant Vortex Plus includes dehydrating. Dual-zone cooking, as in the Ninja Foodi DZ550, is ideal for multitasking. Some air fryers, like the Ninja Crispi, prioritize health with non-toxic materials.
Budget Considerations
Quality air fryers range from $50 to $ models like the Philips 3000 Series deliver solid performance for small households, while premium options like the Breville justify their cost with advanced features. Look for sales on major retailers like Amazon, especially around holidays, as noted in Food Network’s air fryer roundup.
Tips for Cooking Chicken in an Air Fryer
- Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange chicken in a single layer to ensure even crisping.
- Use a Light Oil Spray: A quick spritz enhances crunch without adding calories.
- Flip Halfway: For wings or tenders, flip midway for uniform browning.
- Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F.
- Experiment with Seasonings: Air fryers intensify flavors, so try bold marinades or dry rubs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
To get the most out of your air fryer, steer clear of these pitfalls:
- Skipping Preheat: Preheating for 3-5 minutes ensures consistent results.
- Using Too Much Oil: Air fryers need minimal oil; excess can cause smoking.
- Ignoring Basket Maintenance: Clean after every use to prevent grease buildup.
- Overloading: Crowded baskets lead to soggy chicken, so cook in batches if needed.
🔌 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.
