Air Fryer Showdown: A Comprehensive Review of Smart Ovens

Air Fryer Chicken Wings: Crispy vs. Juicy

The quest for the perfect chicken wing—crispy on the outside and juicy within—is a challenge many air fryer ovens undertake. This test pit several models against each other, with each oven cooking three frozen wings at 450°F for 30 minutes. The Ninja Foodi emerged victorious, delivering wings that were both crispy and juicy, with no visible burning. The Cuisinart followed closely, achieving doneness in 25 minutes, though with some burnt edges. The Breville and Crux showed strong performance with good browning, while the KitchenAid and Calphalon lagged, lacking the desired crispiness.

Air Fryer French Fries: Speed and Evenness

Speed and evenness were the focus in the french fries test, where each oven was tasked with cooking frozen fries to a golden brown. The Breville excelled, achieving perfect results in just six minutes. The Ninja, set to a lower temperature, closely followed at eight minutes, hinting at potential for even better results at higher settings. The Cuisinart, while the fastest, sacrificed evenness by burning the edges. The KitchenAid, Crux, and Calphalon trailed behind, with the latter taking a leisurely 12 minutes to reach doneness.

Broiled Salmon: The Crust Test

For the broiled salmon test, the goal was a caramelized crust—a true test of an oven’s broiling prowess. The Breville and Ninja shone, each imparting a satisfying crust on the salmon fillet. The Calphalon and Cuisinart, however, failed to impress, with minimal browning. The KitchenAid and Crux fell in the middle, showing some browning but not enough to compete with the top performers. This test highlighted the Breville and Ninja’s ability to deliver that perfect crust, essential for any seafood enthusiast.

Toasting Bread: Preset Performance

Toasting bread may seem simple, but it’s a test of an oven’s preset accuracy and efficiency. The Ninja led the pack, toasting bread to a perfect medium in just three and a half minutes—half the time of the Calphalon. While the Calphalon also produced even toast, it took over six minutes. The Breville, KitchenAid, and Crux underperformed, barely toasting the bread at medium settings, and the Cuisinart over-toasted, indicating a need for preset adjustments. Efficiency and ease of use make the Ninja a standout for toasting enthusiasts.

Baked Cookies: A Temperature Tale

Baked cookies tested each oven’s temperature accuracy, crucial for consistent baking results. The Ninja and Breville tied, producing near-perfect cookies at 350°F for 10 minutes. The Cuisinart and Crux overbaked, while the KitchenAid underbaked slightly. This test underscored the importance of accurate temperature control, a vital feature for bakers seeking reliability in their oven.

Preheat, Temperature, and Cleaning: The Practicalities

Practicality was the focus of the preheat, temperature accuracy, and cleaning tests. The Ninja preheated to 350°F in a mere 50 seconds, outpacing all others. The KitchenAid excelled in temperature consistency, holding steady at 350°F, while others like the Crux and Calphalon fluctuated more. Cleaning-wise, the Ninja’s fold-out floor eased maintenance, though its compact design meant more frequent cleaning. Other models, with standard interiors, required regular scrubbing but were less prone to splatter. These factors are crucial for users considering maintenance and speed in their oven choice.

Each test revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the ovens, providing valuable insights for those seeking the perfect blend of performance, ease of use, and practicality.