Ninja Foodi Dual Zone
A practical air fryer (7.6L, dual zone, 6 functions) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven.
What Can You Cook in an Air Fryer? (Beyond Chips)
Air fryers do far more than chips. Because they circulate hot air, they crisp, roast and bake a wide range of everyday food quickly and with little oil. Here's what they do well.
Everyday favourites
Chips and frozen foods are the obvious wins, crisping beautifully with little or no oil. Beyond that, air fryers excel at chicken (wings, breasts, thighs), fish, sausages and bacon, and roast vegetables like potatoes, peppers and broccoli. They're also superb for reheating leftovers - pizza, pastries and roast potatoes come out crisp rather than soggy, unlike a microwave.
Beyond the basics
Many models bake too: small cakes, cookies, jacket potatoes and even reheating or finishing bread. Oven-style air fryers with rotisserie and dehydrate functions add roast chickens and dried fruit or veg crisps. The main limits are very wet batters (which drip) and very large items that don't fit the drawer, so check the size before planning a big roast.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone
A practical air fryer (9.5L, dual zone, 6 functions) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven.
#3 
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone
A practical air fryer (9.5L, dual zone, 6 functions) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven.
#4 
Cosori FlexDrawer Smart Air Fryer
A practical air fryer (10L, dual zone) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook a whole chicken in an air fryer?
Yes, in a large enough drawer or an oven-style model with a rotisserie - typically a 5-6L drawer or bigger. Smaller air fryers suit chicken pieces rather than a whole bird.
Can you bake in an air fryer?
Yes - small cakes, cookies and jacket potatoes work well. Use the bake function or a lower temperature, and an oven-safe dish that fits the drawer.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone (our score 9.6/10) - A practical air fryer (7.6L, dual zone, 6 functions) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven..