Air-frying chicken wings is a popular and beloved way to cook this tasty dish. The key to success is achieving a crispy outside with juicy meat inside. Testing multiple air fryer ovens, it was found that high heat and good fan circulation are essential for faster and more effective cooking. The Ninja Foodi oven was the clear winner in creating the crispiest and juiciest wings in just 30 minutes. Other ovens, such as the Cuisinart, Breville, and Crux, also performed well with good browning and crispy skin, while the KitchenAid and Calphalon fell short in terms of browning and crispiness.
Air-frying French fries is another popular test for these ovens, focusing on the speed and evenness of cooking. The Ninja and Breville ovens cooked the fries to a golden brown the fastest without burning, showcasing their power and efficiency. The Breville oven won the fry test by cooking perfect fries in just six minutes, closely followed by the Ninja at eight minutes. The KitchenAid, Crux, and Calphalon also performed well, while the Cuisinart showed intense air frying function leading to burnt edges and uneven cooking.
Testing broiled salmon revealed the ability of each oven to create a caramelized crust on the fish. The Breville and Ninja ovens were the only ones to impart a good crust after four minutes under the broiler. Other ovens like the Calphalon and Cuisinart lacked browning, while the KitchenAid and Crux showed some browning but not as pronounced as the top performers. Additionally, a test for toasting bread showcased the accuracy and speed of each oven’s toaster presets, with the Ninja producing the most even and attractive toast in half the time of other ovens.
In the cookie contest, the Ninja and Breville ovens tied for producing near-perfect cookies, while the Cuisinart overbaked its cookies. Speed tests for preheating the ovens showed that the Ninja Foodi preheated to 350 degrees F in just 50 seconds, much faster than the other ovens. A test for temperature accuracy and consistency during baking revealed that the KitchenAid had the most consistent temperature reading, while the Crux and Calphalon showed fluctuations and inconsistent temperatures throughout the bake.
Lastly, maintenance and cleaning for these ovens are relatively standard, except for the Ninja oven, which requires more frequent cleaning due to its compact interior design. However, the Ninja oven features a smart design that allows for easy access to clean the interior. Regular cleaning, especially for foods with fat and grease, is necessary to maintain the performance and longevity of the oven. Considerations for cleaning and maintenance should be taken into account when deciding on which air fryer oven to purchase.
