This story is part of Holiday Gift Guide 2021, our list of ideas, by topic, by recipient and by price, to help you discover the perfect gift.
If you want a deal on an air fryer, this is a good time of year to be looking. Retailers are jockeying for eyes and clicks and that means price drops on all sorts of kitchen gear, including the trendy air fryer. Black Friday-style deals are on and we’ve already seen all-time-low prices on air fryers of all sizes, including large, versatile countertop convection ovens with air fryer functions and small air fry-only machines. If you’re looking to add one of these handy and healthy small appliances to your kitchen, or give one to a loved one, check out these air fryer deals from around the web.
Read more:Â Best air fryer to buy in 2021: Ninja, Dash, Gourmia and more
But first a little air fryer 101.
What does an air fryer do?
Air fryer ovens make crispy snacks that taste like they’ve been fried, but the not-so-dirty secret is that there’s no frying involved. Instead, air fryers lean on super-hot, fast-circulating air to replicate the effects of oil-frying but with none of the unwanted calories and fat. I love mine and use it nearly every day. For me, the only thing better than an air fryer is a cheap air fryer, and that’s exactly what you’ll find during this sprawling early Black Friday flash sale.
What are the different types of air fryers?
When choosing an air fryer you have one big decision to make: Certain models air fry only, and they’re generally cheaper but you will be limited in what you can do. Then there are larger hybrid countertop convection ovens with an air fry function. With this type, you can generally bake, broil, toast, reheat, defrost and warm in addition to air frying — although sometimes the air fryer function is not quite as strong as the solo air fryer. Both versions are great and it really comes down to what you plan to cook, the counter space you can give up, and how much you want to spend.
How much should an air fryer cost?
Like anything else, this all depends on how fancy you want to get. But the good news is you won’t have to spend much if you don’t want to, especially if you snap up one of these air fryer deals. Basic single-function air fryers from generic brands start at around $30 and I’ve found they work well, even if they lack some of the features that the more expensive ovens have.Â
There are also hybrid ovens that are more like countertop toaster ovens but with air fryer functions. Those range from $150 to $300, but with these early Black Friday deals, you can nab one for less.
Bella
A 2-quart oven is about as small as they make them but that’s what I use most regularly and I find it’s plenty of capacity to cook for two. If you’ve got a family to think, you might want something larger but $25 for this Bella air fryer with electric controls and preset cooking programs is one heck of a deal. It’s available in either black or red.
Bella
The top-rated Bella 2-quart digital air fryer is down to $30. That’s half off the normal price and a solid deal on a digital air fryer with computerized cooking presets and programs.Â
NInja
In a comprehensive test we ran of countertop ovens with air-fry function, this Ninja took the top spot, making insanely crispy wings and fries, and broiling salmon to perfection. Plus, it flips up to be no more than 8 inches deep, so it’s perfect for saving space. This highly versatile oven is down $30 right now and about as low as we’ve seen it to date.
This is easily one of the most versatile countertop ovens on the market. It can do more than many full-sized ovens and it does all of it well. I tested this bad boy earlier in the year and loved it for its powerful air-fry function, precise bake and roast settings and easy interface. It’s big too and can help out come holiday hosting time. You could get a whole chicken in this thing, easy.
It’s definitely a splurge and perhaps not totally worth the normal $400 tag, but down to $280, as it is now at Sur La Table, this is a ton of oven for the price.
One of the best prices you’ll find on an air fryer of this size. It’s large enough to cook crispy fries, wings and calamari for a group and costs less than ordering in.Â
KitchenAid
This versatile oven is a nice compact size and did well in a series of tests we ran. You can bag it for $40 off right now at Best Buy.
Best Buy
This is about as cheap as you’ll find any air fryer and if you’re not entirely sold on the idea but are a little air-fry curious, this is a low-risk way to dip your toe into the waters. Prefer a digital interface? See the top deal.
Cosori
The big draw of this 5.8-quart Cosori air fryer is that it’s fitted with Wi-Fi capability so it can be controlled via your phone or smart device, including both Alexa and Google. It also has 11 presets to cook all your favorite foods perfectly without any guesswork.Â
This is a higher-end brand with a sturdy build and powerful performance to prove it.
Ninja
This Ninja Foodi almost makes the Instant Pot look lazy. It does about as much as you can expect a kitchen appliance to do including air fry, pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sear, roast, broil and more. It also scores extremely high marks in over 20,000 Amazon reviews and is marked down to one of its all-time lowest prices ever.Â
Instant Pot
This lid turns your 6-quart Instant Pot into a powerful air fryer. I’ve tested dozens of air fryers and this unit blasts food into crispy goodness as well as any of them. Plus, it’s a big space saver if you already have an Instant Pot.
It’s currently down to the lowest price we’ve ever seen on Williams Sonoma.