The best and biggest air fryer for families in 2024

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It is the new year and my favourite kitchen gadget, our Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone is still going strong in this household, not only does it cook to perfection but it is the biggest air fryer we have ever had.

I was a little sceptical when we first purchased it, after all, I was a huge fan of our original Breville Halo we had a few years back. After this stopped working we replaced it with a Tefal Actifry and I was not too fond of it. It just did not cook food properly and was so big.

Fast forward to last summer; we invested in our Ninja Foodie and have not looked back. I won’t share too much on it now as it does feature in our upcoming post.

For me, a good air fryer has to come with ease of use. I don’t want to spend the first 20 minutes trying to work out how to turn it on! At the same time, I don’t really want to have too many options to pick from when it comes to the cooking settings but at the same time, I do want a good choice of options to ensure I get the best use out of it.

It is a great kitchen appliance to cook food in different ways and there are lots of sites out there that offer different options for meal ideas.

If you are looking for the best air fryers, we have rounded up the best ones for a larger family.

What is the biggest air fryer for a big family?

Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer 9.5L

This is the air fryer we have and I love it! It has cooked food to perfection every time and I even used it to cook some of the sides for our Christmas dinner this year to free up some space.

It is a bit pricey but worth every penny in my books.

Pros –

• 2 Independent cooking zones – With 2 air fryer baskets you are able to cook your foods at different functions, temperatures or time
• Cooks quickly – It can cook up to 75% faster than fan ovens, which when you have a hungry brood to feed is perfect.
• Easy controls – Although it comes with 6 cooking functions, all of them are easy to use and set.
• Easy to cleanup – I simply pop out the draws, add some hot water and washing-up liquid and leave for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
• Crisper plate – This may not be the name for them but each air fryer basket comes with a tray that lifts the food off the bottom of the basket, allowing it to crisp and cook from underneath.

Cons –

• Not wide enough for some food – For example, some larger 1-basket air fryers can fit a pizza or garlic bread and these draws won’t take them.
• It is large – It is a large air fryer, so needs some side space.

At the minute, this air fryer is used more than our oven and I will continue to do so whilst it is cooking food so well. Just remember it is pretty powerful so you will need to take some time off the cooking time suggested when using it. Also, make sure you are watching how you cook things, the heating element is at the top of the machine, so if you are doing things such as nachos, be careful with the parchment paper.

Philips Airfryer 3000 Series XL

This air fryer has a large capacity of up to 6.2L (1.2 kg) and can accommodate a whole chicken or two bags of frozen french fries. It is suitable for larger families or those who like to cook in larger batches.

Pros –

• Large basket capacity – This single basket style air fryer has a large basket for you to cook larger portions.
• Top performer – It is consistently ranked high in ratings, up against some of its biggest competition.

Cons –

• Unusual shape – It is a little of an odd shape when it comes to the basket and contents being added.
• Lots of cooking options – I am a little lazy, I don’t want too many options when it comes to cooking my food.

This is without a doubt one of Phillips most popular air fryers and it is clear to see why, without a doubt, it is one of their best models and up there with the top performers.

COSORI Smart WiFi Air Fryer

This air fryer offers a 6.4l capacity, making it suitable for families or individuals who like to cook larger portions. That however is not the best part of this air fryer, this one connects to a smartphone app via WiFi for added convenience and control.

Pros –

• Duel heating elements – With a heating element at the top and the bottom of this air fryer, it cooks food twice as quickly as a traditional oven but also ensures your food is cooked to perfection and has the perfect crispy texture on those chips!
• Recipe book – It comes with an app that has recipes preset and if you follow these, you can use the app to start the air fryer and cook your meals.
• Compact size – Although it has a large basket, it does come compact and suitable for worktops.

Cons –

• Lots of options – If you are not a fan of tech, this air fryer may be a step too far.

Things to consider if you are thinking of buying an air fryer

If you are currently in two minds as to whether you want to invest in an air fryer, there is a lot to consider as they are not a cheap investment.

Space

Firstly, do you have space for one? Some of them are quite large and take up your workspace. There is the option of popping it in a cupboard if you don’t mind lifting it out. There are some smaller ones that are more compact in size however they are not necessarily suitable for a larger family.

Cooking functions

Lots of the air fryers on the market offer a wide range of options, with them having a range of cooking functions on their control panel, preset functions and being able to cook at different temperatures. Take some time to work out what you would be using yours for mostly to ensure the one you purchase does everything needed.

Layout

There tend to be a couple of choices to the layout of air fryers you can purchase, there is the popular duel basket air fryer which allows you to zone cook food, usually at different times and temperatures.

Then there is the air fryer that comes with a large basket which is similar to a deep fryer (minus the fat).

The last option is one with shelves like an oven rack to allow you to spread the food, these usually have the option to pop in a rotating basket or even a rotisserie. If you are looking for an air fryer with a rotisserie basket, check out this great post for inspiration.

Is it really worth buying an air fryer?

It depends on your cooking preferences and lifestyle. Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to buy an air fryer:

1. Health considerations: Air fryers use hot air circulation to cook food, requiring very little oil compared to traditional deep frying methods. This can result in healthier outcomes, with lower fat content and fewer calories. If you are trying to reduce your oil intake or make healthier food choices, an air fryer can be a valuable addition to your kitchen.
2. Convenience and time-saving: Air fryers are known for their convenience and efficiency. They typically cook food faster than conventional ovens, and the preset programs and timers make it easy to set and forget. If you have a busy schedule, an air fryer can help you prepare meals quickly without compromising on taste or quality.
3. Versatility: While primarily used for frying or baking foods, air fryers can also be used for grilling, roasting, and even reheating leftover food. If you appreciate versatility in your cooking appliances, an air fryer can offer a wide range of options.
4. Taste and texture preferences: Air-fried foods may not have the exact same taste or texture as deep-fried foods. While they can still be delicious and crispy, some people may find the texture slightly different. If you have a strong preference for the taste and texture of traditionally fried foods, you might prefer to stick with traditional cooking methods.
5. Available kitchen space: Consider the size and storage requirements of an air fryer. They come in various sizes, so make sure you have enough counter space or storage room for the appliance.

Ultimately, whether an air fryer is worth buying depends on your personal preferences, dietary goals, and cooking habits. If you frequently enjoy fried foods and want a healthier alternative, value convenience, and have the available space, an air fryer can be a beneficial investment.

What makes a good air fryer?

Several factors contribute to what makes a good air fryer. Here are some important considerations:

1. Capacity: A good air fryer should have a capacity that suits your cooking needs. Consider the size of your household and the portion sizes you typically cook. Look for options that can accommodate the amount of food you want to air fry without overcrowding the basket.
2. Power and heat distribution: Look for air fryers with high wattage to ensure rapid and even cooking. Good air fryers distribute heat efficiently to cook food evenly, resulting in crispy and delicious results.
3. Temperature and time controls: An air fryer with adjustable temperature and timer controls allows you to easily set and monitor cooking times for different recipes. Look for models with clear and user-friendly digital interfaces.
4. Versatility and additional features: Some air fryers come with additional features such as preset cooking modes, rotisserie functions, or baking capabilities. Consider the cooking techniques you enjoy and choose an air fryer that supports those methods.
5. Easy to clean: Look for air fryers with non-stick baskets or removable parts that are dishwasher safe, making cleanup hassle-free.
6. Safety features: A reliable air fryer should have safety features like overheat protection, automatic shut-off, or cool-touch handles to prevent accidents and ensure safe operation.
7. Customer reviews and brand reputation: Read customer reviews to get an idea of the overall performance and reliability of the air fryer. Consider choosing air fryers from reputable brands known for their quality and customer satisfaction.

Ultimately, the best air fryer for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Assess these factors, compare different models, and choose the one that best meets your requirements and fits your budget.

What can you cook in an air fryer?

Having an air fryer is not all about cooking french fries and wedges, for me it is all about making life easier when it comes to dinner and it uses less oil, making it a healthier option. Cooking time in the air fryers is less too which means dinner is on the table a lot sooner.

If you are not sure what you can cook in your air fryer, here are some of our favourite suggestions:

• Chips/wedges – Yes I know I said that you can cook these in here but it is a great place to start. Make your own healthy options when it comes to your favourite potato side.
• Nachos – That is right, you can make the best nachos in there with minimal effort but maximum flavour.
• Toad in the hole – Make the perfect dinner in one tray and the whole family will love you for it. The cooking process is so simple, it takes minimal time to get it set up.
• Chicken – If you want to cut down on the oil intake, cooking your chicken in the air fryer is a great way to keep it moist but not use the oil. It can also be used to cook a whole chicken, chicken wings or chicken drumsticks.
• Cakes – I know, it sounds mad but many air fryers have a function that is suitable for baking.

I hope by seeing that list, you will realise there is so much more to an air fryer than chips!

Other options for cooking appliances

Now I love our air fryer, I am not going to lie, the Ninja air fryer is probably the best large air fryer we have ever had. The basket-style air fryers are so much better suited for families too, especially when everyone wants something different.

This however does not mean it is the only way we cook, we have a number of kitchen appliances that we use. I am a big fan of our slow cooker, there is just something about a meal on a weekend that has had a slow cook to tenderise and release flavour. Many slow cookers are easy to use and most have varying temperature range, ours allows low, medium or high cooking temperatures.

Another good option if you are in a hurry when it comes to cooking is a pressure cooker or instant pot. It is great for cooking meals that usually take a while very quickly and great if you just want to throw it all in and leave it to cook. Many come with digital controls that make it easy to cook to perfection, it is a good option for things such as gammon or ribs.