Buying guide for best large-capacity air fryer
Generally speaking, air fryers aren't meant to be large items. Their claim to fame is a small cooking chamber that heats food quickly and renders a satisfying crisp. But if you’re cooking for a crowd, it makes sense to look for a large-capacity air fryer. The trick is to find one that does a great job preparing air-fried snacks and meals despite its larger size.
The BestReviews Testing Lab wanted to find the best large-capacity air fryer — one that could cook a lot of food fast while delivering that crispiness the appliance is known for. To do that, the lab tested over a dozen models, documented its findings and evaluated the data to pinpoint an answer.
In addition to factors like appliance quality, we noted the flavor and texture of the recipes we cooked. The BestReviews lab found that different models excelled in different areas.
Which large-capacity air fryer is best?
Largest capacity
Product specifications
Type: Oven | Capacity: 26 qt | Dimensions: 16.3" D x 16.9" W x 15.5" H | Weight: 22 lb | Material: Stainless steel | Control Type: Touch, knob and app control | Number of Functions: 12 | Temperature Range: 80 to 450 degrees
While the Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven is a large-capacity countertop appliance, it isn't what you’d call huge with just a 16-by-17-inch footprint. However, it is 15 inches tall, which makes it a tight fit for homes with low cabinets. The baking rack is large enough to cook a full 12-inch pizza. The air-fry basket can hold 2 pounds of french fries, and the oven can fit a 5-pound whole chicken. This makes it a suitable choice for family cooking.
When testing, we found it was possible to cook multiple types of food at the same time. However, the caveat was that the cooking temperatures had to be the same. This limited the appliance somewhat. The best workaround was to watch the food cook and remove it before it burned. Luckily, with the large see-through front door and interior light, this was fairly easy.
One thing we loved was the wide range of cooking functions. We could air fry or ferment, dehydrate or broil. The appliance came with an oven rack, food tray, fry basket and crumb tray. So, despite some minor drawbacks, the capacity and crisping factor earned this model a rating of 4.35 out of 5. We definitely recommend it for family use.
Best product for small family meals
Product specifications
Type: Oven | Capacity: 19 qt | Dimensions: 16.53" D x 15.55" W x 13.89" H | Weight: 25.9 lb | Material: Stainless steel | Control Type: Knob | Number of Functions: 7 | Temperature Range: 95 to 400 degrees
This air fryer/toaster combo tested very high. We liked how easy it was to use. The intuitive operation ensured that certain options were only available when the appropriate modes were selected. For example, we could not select the desired level of toasting if we weren't in Toast mode. And we could only shut off the fan in functions where the fan was optional — we couldn't accidentally disable the fan if the appliance was in Air-Fry mode.
The size was plenty large enough for a small family. While a 12-inch pizza was a tight fit, we were able to cook a half-dozen hot dogs and a pound of french fries at the same time. Also, by utilizing the air fry basket and baking rack, we could perform two cooking tasks at once, such as toasting bread while making chicken wings.
We liked the fact that the many cooking modes let us make a broad range of foods, from cake to vegetables. And despite the shallow cooking tray, which necessitated extra caution during removal, we rated this model 4.5 out of 5, making it our overall favorite in terms of size and performance.
Best product for snacking
Product specifications
Type: Basket air fryer | Capacity: 8 qt | Dimensions: 17.8" D x 17.8" W x 15.4" H | Weight: 20 lb | Material: Plastic | Control Type: Touch and knob | Number of Functions: 7 | Temperature Range: 95 to 400 degrees
This is one of two models on our short list that can air-fry two types of food at the same time, even if they require different temperatures and cooking times. It has two 4-quart baskets that allowed us to cook bacon and french fries simultaneously. Even though the bacon took 15 minutes at 350 degrees and the french fries required 20 minutes at 400 degrees, with the Sync Finish function, both foods completed cooking at the same time. We didn't need to do anything but press the proper button.
We loved the clear front and lighted cooking chamber. These two features made it easy to check on our food without opening a drawer, interrupting the cooking process and releasing precious heat. We did find that this model took up to five minutes longer with some recipes, but the convenience of cooking two different foods helped smooth over that rough spot for us.
This model took up a little more countertop space than most of the other air fryers due to its side-by-side drawers. The individual drawers didn't seem to heat to precisely the same temperature — the left side always took a little longer. Despite these minor problems, we gave the Vortex Plus XL a rating of 4.4 out of 5.
Best product for versatility
Product specifications
Type: Basket air fryer | Capacity: 7 qt | Dimensions: 18.19" D x 11.81" W x 11.26" H | Weight: 17 lb | Material: Plastic | Control Type: Touch and knob | Number of Functions: 7 | Temperature Range: 170 to 450 degrees
The Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Air Fryer is the second model on our short list that let us cook two different foods at the same time in one air fryer. However, this model’s approach was a little different. It had one extra-large 7-quart drawer that we could fill with up to 2 pounds of french fries or six chicken wings. The drawer had a divider so we could split it into two individual baskets and cook foods independently or sync the finishing time.
We liked that this model didn't have a designated preheat time. While that may sound unimportant, it meant we could add the food at the start of the process and weren't forced to stand around for two to five minutes while the appliance warmed up. We also enjoyed the effortless cleaning. The divider did such a good job that we only needed to clean half the device when cooking on only one side.
Sometimes this model took a little longer to cook recipes than expected, and the fan could be loud, especially when we were trying to have a conversation in the same room. However, despite those minor flaws, we enjoyed this model and believe the pros outweigh the cons. For this reason, we rated it 4.5 out of 5.
Best basket-style air fryer
Product specifications
Type: Basket air fryer | Capacity: 7 qt | Dimensions: 11.75" D x 11.75" W x 14" H | Weight: 17.2 lb | Material: Ceramic | Control Type: Touch control | Number of Functions: 8 | Temperature Range: 90 to 400 degrees
The GoWise 7-quart air fryer is an exceptional model for people who have been curious about air-frying but haven’t purchased an air fryer yet. It is large enough to cook 2 pounds of french fries in one batch, ensuring that everyone has enough to munch on. We enjoyed the attractive, sleek design and thought it blended well aesthetically and physically — it only took up 1 square foot of space on our counter.
This model has eight cooking functions that let us air-fry, roast, broil, bake, grill, dehydrate, reheat and keep warm. Each function was easy to choose and use because there was a little icon showing what the button did. If we wanted to grill, for instance, we pressed the picture of the steak. While the buttons made it much simpler to immediately access cooking functions, they could be a little finicky when selecting time and temperature.
Like the other large-capacity air fryers, we were thankful this model had a nonstick basket and crisper tray, which made them easy to clean. All in all, we thought this model had a lot to offer a family, from ease of use to versatility, so we rated it 4.25 out of 5.
Best product for crisping
Type: Basket air fryer | Capacity: 5.5 qt | Dimensions: 14” L x 11” W x 14.75” H | Weight: 11.7 lb | Material: Plastic | Control Type: Push button | Number of Functions: 7 | Temperature Range: 105 to 450 degrees
The Ninja Air Fryer Max XL had a special function for creating super-crispy food called Max Crisp; this locked the fryer temperature in at 450 degrees and only allowed us to choose how long we cooked the food for. While this greatly simplified our cooking process, if we weren't careful, our food would go from crispy to dried out very quickly. For this reason, we preferred using Max Crisp as a finishing move in the same way one might use the Broil function.
Regarding capacity, the Ninja Max XL can accommodate a large amount of food — but only certain foods. We could easily fit 2 pounds of fries in the basket because it was deep. However, it didn't have a lot of surface space, so we could only cook one hamburger at a time. On the positive side, because of its deep basket, the compact air fryer didn't take up as much counter space as we were expecting — a little over a foot.
This model had seven functions, ranging from the aforementioned Max Crisp to Dehydrate. It was easy to clean, requiring just a nonabrasive sponge, warm water and mild dish detergent. However, due to the space limitations and its tendency to overcook food, we rated it 4 out of 5. While this is still admirable, it was the lowest rating of our top models.
What to consider when buying a large air fryer
Capacity
An air fryer is a countertop appliance, and most aren't overly large because they’re designed to crisp snack foods in minutes. If you want an air fryer that’s suitable for a family — one that doesn't require you to cook several batches to feed everyone — look at models with a capacity of at least 6 quarts for a family of four.
Note that if you prefer a basket air fryer, it’s hard to find one that holds more than 8 quarts. A toaster oven air fryer, however, offers considerably more space. For those who want to cook full chickens along with sides and more, a toaster oven air fryer is the best bet because the cooking chamber is typically twice the capacity of a basket model.
Counter space
The problem with a large air fryer isn't necessarily the appliance's overall size. We found that even the largest model wasn't any bigger than a typical microwave. But if you already have a coffee maker, microwave, SodaStream and cooking utensil vase taking up permanent residence on your countertop like we do, space for an air fryer can become an issue.
We also needed 5 inches of clearance on all sides of the air fryer to be safe. So, to get a large model to fit on our counter, it required a little compromise. But it was worth it to keep the appliance at the ready.
Cooking functions and temperature range
In an air fryer, multiple cooking functions aren’t a necessity for everyone, though they do offer a little convenience. For example, on every model we tested, we could move from air-fry mode to bake mode by simply turning down the cooking temperature and increasing the cooking time. If your air fryer has multiple cooking functions, you can accomplish this by pressing one button rather than adjusting the temperature. In short, for our purposes, multiple functions were nice to have but not a dealbreaker if they weren’t there.
Far more important than the number of cooking functions is an air fryer’s temperature range. We liked having a model that went higher than 400 degrees in air-fry mode, as this really helped with crisping. And, while we didn't use it often, the ability to warm foods at just 100 degrees gave us increased flexibility.
Ease of use
We did find that some models had steeper learning curves than others. The more “intimidating” appliances had advanced features such as dual cooking mode or sync finish. If we just wanted to put something in and cook it, we found most air fryers were no more complicated than a toaster oven. Generally speaking, if an air fryer has just one cooking basket, it will be easy to use.
Ease of cleaning
The cleaning instructions for every air fryer we tested were similar: Let the appliance cool, and wipe it down with a nonabrasive sponge, warm water and mild dish detergent.
Some models had parts that were declared safe for the dishwasher, but even for those models, the manufacturer tended to recommend washing by hand. As long as the air fryer featured a nonstick crisper, we found cleaning to be relatively easy.
Safety features
With air fryers, the primary concern is how hot the appliance gets and where the vents are. Some models vent out the back; others vent out the sides or top. The depth of the basket can also be a safety concern.
We tested a couple of models with deep baskets, such as the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL. Our takeaway: A deep basket can make it hard to remove food without the threat of burning your wrist. Conversely, the Instant Omni Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo had a very shallow cooking pan, which made it difficult to remove after cooking greasy foods. The Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven was a little wobbly, so we needed to take care not to spill anything when removing finished foods.
Large air fryer pros and cons
Pros
- More food per batch: The obvious benefit is that a larger air fryer cooks more food. Instead of four half-pound batches of french fries, we could make a full 2-pound bag in one cooking session.
- Greater versatility: The larger capacity gave us greater cooking flexibility. With a bigger air fryer, we could not only cook more food at a time, but we could also fit large foods (like a full chicken) that are impossible to fit in a smaller fryer.
- Better for a family: A small air fryer is great for making snacks for one or two people. A larger model allowed us to cook enough pizza bites to make the entire family happy.
- Energy efficiency: Cooking in even the largest air fryer we could buy was much more cost-effective than turning on the oven.
Cons
- Preheat and cooking may take longer: Since the cooking chamber is larger, it may take longer for the air fryer to heat up and cook food. This is only about two to four minutes longer, though.
- Food might not crisp as well: We lost the cooking intensity in larger models. Not all of them crisped as well as a smaller air fryer.
- More space required: Since it is bigger, a larger air fryer might not be the best option for a small kitchen or one with a cluttered countertop.
- Cleaning may take a little more time: A larger air fryer has more surface area to clean. It shouldn't be any harder, but it may take a few minutes more.
- Cost more: The bigger an air fryer is, the more it costs.
Price
Air fryers have a curious pricing system. The number of cooking functions doesn't seem to dramatically affect the price. This may be because the difference between “extra crisp” and “dehydrate” is just temperature and cooking time.
The primary factors influencing price are often the size and material of the appliance. For example, a small plastic air fryer with a 2-quart capacity typically costs around $70. A large-capacity stainless steel air fryer may cost $100 more. Air fryers that offer a capacity of 7-quarts or more typically cost between $160 and $200.
How we tested
To establish a baseline so we could objectively compare performance, we put every model of air fryer through the same series of tests. We used the same brand of food and the same recipes to cook french fries, chicken wings, hot dogs, Brussels sprouts and bacon. We evaluated the results, placing an emphasis on flavor, juiciness and crispiness.
French fries
We filled each basket or crisper tray to capacity and cooked the fries. We were careful not to overfill and did not add oil or seasonings. The fries cooked for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.
Chicken wings
To prepare the chicken wings, we made a flavorful mix of olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Once they were ready, we cooked them at 400 degrees for 18 minutes. After the first nine minutes, we flipped or rotated the wings as needed to ensure even cooking.
Hot dogs in a roll
We made several diagonal slits in each hot dog to help the heat penetrate faster. We set the air fryer to 400 degrees and cooked the entire pack for six minutes. Halfway through, we rolled the hot dogs to make sure they would be crispy all around. After six minutes, we put the hot dogs in buttered buns and toasted them for an additional two minutes.
Brussels sprouts
For the Brussels sprouts, we trimmed and soaked enough of them to fill each crisper tray. After 15 minutes, we dried them and added olive oil, salt, pepper and minced garlic. We cooked the Brussels sprouts at 375 degrees for 12 minutes.
Bacon
The bacon was straightforward. We laid out six strips of bacon across the bottom of each Instant air fryer crisper tray and cooked each batch at 350 degrees for 9 minutes.
FAQ
Q. What is the largest air fryer you can buy?
A. The largest model we found (and tested) was the Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven. This 26-quart air fryer/toaster oven is spacious enough to cook a 5-pound whole chicken along with french fries. It offers a larger cooking chamber with multiple accessories that allow the chef to make the most of the space.
Note that the “largest” air fryer isn't always the one that fits the most food. It's also not always the best choice. For instance, a model with a deep basket might fit the most french fries, but the air might not circulate as well, and the fries may cook unevenly. Furthermore, that same basket might only have enough surface space to cook one hamburger patty at a time.
In that same vein, we found that an air fryer with two cooking surfaces, such as a basket and an oven rack, could cook more food in the same amount of space.
Q. How big does an air fryer need to be to cook a whole chicken?
A. The answer to this question can be slightly misleading because whole chickens come in different sizes, and air fryers come in different shapes. As a general rule, however, you want 1 or (ideally) 2 quarts more than the weight of the chicken in pounds. For example, a 4-pound chicken should fit in most 6-quart air fryers.
Two important tidbits about cooking meat in an air fryer: First, the meat should never touch the side walls of the basket. Since an air fryer cooks with hot air, any part of the chicken that doesn't receive airflow will not cook as expected. Second, you must use a meat thermometer. It is impossible to eyeball a precise temperature. Only by using a meat thermometer can you be certain that the inside of the chicken has reached 165 degrees.
Q. Are air fryers energy-efficient?
A. To fully understand the answer to this question, it’s important to understand how an air fryer works. An air fryer heats the air with a heating element and circulates that air throughout a small chamber using a fan. Because of the tiny space and flowing air, cooking time is dramatically shortened compared to a traditional full-size oven. A faster cooking time makes an air fryer naturally more efficient than a full-size oven.
However, when comparing an air fryer to a microwave, the microwave is more energy-efficient. But a microwave doesn't offer the crispy finish an air fryer can give, so it might not be a viable option for all recipes.
