All that counter space? It's where your microwave and toaster oven used to be. (Photo: Amazon)
Over the last few years you've probably heard tons of hype about air fryers. They even have YouTube channels devoted exclusively to them. Their main selling point is that they allow you to create all your fave crunchy snacks and meals without actually frying them. That's a godsend for fans of wings, fries and the like. And now with football season here and holiday get-togethers almost here, there's no time like now to finally pick up one for yourself. Specifically, the Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer, because right now Amazon's No. 1 bestseller is a hefty 50 bucks off, down to $80.
If you’re seeking a rustic fire pit for grilling up some grub, this top-rated model from Bali Outdoors is a solid pick. It has a food-friendly design that comes with a removable and FDA-compliant alloy steel grill grate for firing up meats, veggies and more in your backyard. The grill also adjusts up and down, swings left or right and has handles at both ends. (Just make sure you wear oven mitts or protective gloves to adjust it when the flame is roaring.)
"This was fairly easy to assemble and gives off great heat, enough to keep six to seven of us warm with one bundle of wood from the grocery store," said one shopper. "I love the additional burner for grilling. We’ve cooked corn, burgers and steak on this thing, and so far so good."
Check out more of the best fire pits, according to experts.
An air fryer is just the ticket when you want a hot meal without turning on the oven. This top-rated model heats up quickly and holds up to 2.5 pounds of fries or 14 wings at a time. Plus, it can be used to dehydrate food, proof bread and even bake desserts. This price is one of the best we've seen it marked down to.
Check out our roundup of the best air fryers for more.
One Yahoo editor awarded this blade the title of best budget chef's knife after testing a slew of them. She says, "When I started culinary school, I was issued a curated set of knives and tools we would need to work with through our 600 hours of training in order to graduate. This Mercer Culinary chef's knife was the one we received that day and what we would use for 90% of our daily tasks. That should give you an idea of what this knife is capable of — and of its durability.
The Genesis may not be a flashy knife, but it is a real workhorse in the kitchen. This Western-style knife is forged from a single piece of high-carbon German steel and features a handle made from Santoprene (a rubbery material) that ensures a firm grip even in damp hands."
It only dropped lower in price once this year ... so chop chop!
Add 14-in-1 functionality and 8-person capacity, and you've got a does-it-all machine that can keep the entire family fed.
Um ... have we mentioned it's Amazon's No. 1 bestseller of air fryers and $50 off? An almost 40% markdown? That's a deal that is not to be missed, especially because it won't last all season, and it costs about as much as a couple bags of groceries.
We like this air fryer because, well, it's a Ninja, the leading air fryer brand, and also because it combines that essential feature with a couple of others, resulting in efficiency, versatility and convenience you just don't find in lesser models.
While there are models out there that sport a gazillion bells and whistles, most of which none of us will ever use, this one keeps it simple. Its no-brainer front panel allows you to select Air Fry, Roast, Reheat or Dehydrate, and off you go.
That's right: It's not just for those times you're after crispiness; this air fryer will dang near replace your oven and microwave, allowing you a fast, clean cook on chops, fish, burgers, vegetables or a whole chicken. Brought home some pizza or a burrito that you weren't able to finish last night? Pop it in and bring it back to life — at a temp ranging from 105 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Love yourself some dried fruit or jerky? It's yours, in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional (read: old, tiresome) methods. When you're done, just pop the basket into the dishwasher.
With that kind of simplicity, and without all that yucky, greasy oil to contend with, no wonder nearly 70,000 shoppers have bestowed five-star reviews on the Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer.
"I love this air fryer so much!" gushed one repeat customer. "I’ve given it as a gift twice and obviously have my own. I wish I'd got on the air fryer wagon the day they came out. Seriously if you’re thinking about getting one, do."
"I’d been reading review after review before I finally decided to get this one, and I’m so glad I did," related this five-star fan. "I hardly use my oven anymore because I cook everything in the air fryer. It’s super easy to clean and very easy to use! Ninja keeps producing quality items!"
"My new favorite kitchen appliance," proclaimed this convert. "I told myself I would only be using this for snacks. I lied. I now use the Ninja almost daily. Homemade mini pizzas, veggies, the best wings I’ve ever had. And cleanup is a breeze."
"Pros: It has a lot of fun settings and it’s super easy to use," remarked this evenhanded reviewer. "I love the dehydration option as well as the book that gives you ideas and guidelines of how to cook different items. I’ve been using it for a month now and have very few complaints. It’s the perfect size for one person. Con: the heating options aren’t customizable. You can only scroll through the different preset options. (Which isn’t the biggest deal, but worth noting.)"
As noted by some, this is best used for a smaller household and or get-togethers.
"This would be a good air fryer for a one-person household that makes smaller meals," noted this reviewer.
Echoed another: "The basket for the air fryer is so small. As a family of five, it is making the process of cooking dinner much more difficult because I now need to cook in batches. For reference, I made chicken drumsticks and I could only fit three, so I needed to also use my oven which wasn’t ideal during a heat wave. I’d say this model is good for a couple or a single adult."
Perhaps you need a unit that is similarly multi-talented, but a little heftier, from the Ninja family? Lookee here...
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
