Looking for a faster and healthier way to prepare meals? Check out the best air fryers in New Zealand and find one that suits your needs, budget and tastebuds.
Air fryers have become a beloved kitchen staple in New Zealand, offering a healthier and more convenient way to prepare delicious meals. They’ve evolved far beyond simply crisping up frozen fries. Now, these countertop heroes can tackle everything from juicy roast chicken to perfectly golden calamari rings.
However, with so many air fryers available in New Zealand, from budget air fryers to feature-rich premium options, it can be hard to know which is the best air fryer for your needs. But fear not, busy home cooks. This guide is here to help you find the best air fryer for your culinary adventures. Whether you’re seeking a wallet-friendly way to enjoy crispy fries or a seasoned home cook looking to expand your repertoire with a premium model, we’ve got you covered.
When looking for the best air fryer for you, consider what size you need (are you cooking for one or a family of five?), how many features and functions you want and how much space the appliance will take up on your kitchen counter or in the cupboard. Many air fryers are also multi-cookers and there are also twin and single basket designs.
To help you choose the right air fryer for your kitchen we have rounded up a range of different air fryer styles at different price points for you to consider and included some air fryer accessory suggestions to level up your game.
Get ready to discover the air fryer that will become the hardest working appliance in your kitchen. Here are some picks we think you should consider making room on your kitchen bench.
If you are looking for an air fryer that can cook multiple meals at once, the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer is a great option. There are two separate air fryer baskets that allow you to prepare the same dish differently or place separate food inside the 3.8-litre baskets. It can even make sure they finish cooking at the same time so everyone gets to eat together. It has six custom programs - max crisp, air fry, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate, which makes it a very versatile kitchen appliance.
We tested this product out for ourselves and here’s what we thought:
“This past Christmas, my parents surprised me with the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer, knowing I was trying to eat healthier. Let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer for my weeknight meals! I can now whip up clean dishes with minimal oil (which means lower calories!), which is a huge win. The size is perfect - I can cook two different things at once! I’ve even roasted a whole chicken in there when I had friends come over, and it came out incredibly tender and juicy, all in way less time than my regular oven.”
-Connor, SEO Editor (gifted at Christmas by his family)
Pros
Cons
Price: On sale $299.99 down from $499.99 at Ninja
Sleek and powerful are the only words to describe the Sunbeam Alinea Max 7.5L DiamondForce Air Fryer. There are ten preset options, from - fries, wings, whole chicken, steak, fish, veggies, bake, dessert, dehydrate, and reheat. And, it comes with a bunch of recipes, perfect for those who may not be fully up to speed with cooking but want to invest in a feature-rich air fryer that’ll provide them with plenty of options.
Pros
Cons
Price: $399.99 at Mighty Ape
If you are looking for an extra large air fryer that can cook a lot of food at once, this Phillips air fryer is one to consider. It has a 2kg or 8.3L capacity - the brand’s largest air fryer - and is perfect for batch cooking or for feeding large families. It has plenty of pre-programmed settings to take the guesswork out of cooking and can grill, toast, bake, toast, slow cook and even defrost.
Pros
Cons
Price: $699 at Mighty Ape
If you want an air fryer but are looking for an appliance that can multi-task in the kitchen, the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 cooker should be on your shopping list. It can air fry but it can also slow cook, grill, bake and roast, sear and saute. It has two cooking lids depending on what type of cooking you are doing - a pressure lid and a cooking lid. It has 6L capacity, has a keep warm setting and parts are dishwasher safe.
Pros: Multifunction.
Cons: The unit is very heavy weighing 9.56kg.
Price: $458.72 at Mighty Ape
Entertainers, large families and meal preppers love the Ninja XXXL FlexDrawer Air Fryer. It can prepare a feast for the ages or two separate meals for the household. When the divider is in place, you can sync the temperature settings or the timers so all components of your dish are ready at once. Alternatively, you can easily slide it out to maximise the 10.4-litre capacity for roasts, baked goods and more.
Pros
Cons
Price: $399 down from $599.99
Another great option for home cooks who like versatility in their kitchen appliances. This instant pot is both a pressure cooker and an air fryer. It has 11 different functions including air fry, roast, bake and grill and there are two different lids you can change depending on what function you are using - pressure cooker or air fryer, a multilayer air frying basket and a steam rack. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp has a 4.6 out of 5 star rating from Amazon customers. One customer commented that the air fryer basket was smaller than the 8L cooking pot, which may not suit you if you want a large air fryer capacity.
Pros: Versatility.
Cons: This unit is heavy at 13.5kgs and with two lids can be bulky to store.
Price: $414.79
Have you ever seen a French-door air fryer? This elegant appliance seamlessly blends with your kitchen decor and is capable of air frying, baking, broiling, and roasting. The Kitchen Couture French Door Air Fryer also comes with 22 preset cooking functions that prepare mouth-watering meals with precise accuracy.
Pros
Cons
Price: $206.59
This Westinghouse Air Fryer is a single-basket design with eight pre-set functions and an easy-to-use digital touch screen with food icons for each of the different settings. You can cook frozen chips, fish, chicken, beef, pizza cakes and vegetables and if you want a higher temperature or longer cooking time you can adjust the settings using the manual controls. If you need to toss or turn your dish during cooking, the timer will automatically continue cooking when you put the basket back into the air fryer.
Pros: Internal light so you can see how your meal as it cooks.
Cons: Basic user manual and instructions. We couldn’t find information on what parts were dishwasher safe.
Reheating, baking, and roasting—the Ninja Air Fryer Max can do it all with the touch of a button. It has six present functions and the brand says it can cook meals up to 50% faster than traditional fan-forced ovens and reduce fat by up to 75%. It has a 5.2L capacity and the cooking pot and crisper plate are dishwasher safe.
Pros
Cons
Price: On sale $249.99 down from $399.99
The Masterpro 5L Ultimate Electric All-in-One Air Fryer is perfect if you are constantly searching for kitchen counter space. It’s not just an air fryer. It can steam vegetables, cook rice and even make rich, creamy yoghurt. All you need to do is throw in the ingredients, push a button and wait for your five-star meal.
Pros
Cons
Price: $168.37 at Amazon
If you love watching your food cook, you’ll adore the Healthy Choice 6.5L Glass Digital Air Fryer Oven. This model is large enough to prepare meals for families of up to four people and includes eight pre-set programs to make it even easier to assemble your favourite fish, chicken or vegetable dishes.
Pros
Cons
Price: $150.19
If you’re looking for simplicity for your studio apartment and having a small kitchen, bench space is something you probably don’t want to waste. That’s where this Essential Air Fryer comes in. While it’s most likely only suitable for one medium-sized portion, it’s the perfect tool to heat up snacks and frozen food.
Pros
Cons
Price: On sale $143.90 down from $218.68 at Amazon
The Healthy Choice 8 Litre Digital Air Fryer is an excellent budget option for tiny kitchens. The tray capacity is ideal if you’re cooking for yourself or need some sides for you and your partner. While it might not be large enough for roast dinners, it can still serve up plenty of healthy fried treats.
Pros
Cons
Price: $158.30
While you might be excited to get an air fryer, there are some features you should keep an eye out for before you finalise your purchase. These are the specifications we recommend reviewing.
These countertop wizards are taking kitchens by storm, and for good reason. They’re not fancy culinary tools from a bygone era, but innovative little machines that can seriously up your home cooking game.
Now, before you pick one off the shelf, let’s explore the two main types:
Air frying is a fantastic way to cook healthy and delicious meals, but the possibilities don’t stop at crispy fries and wings! To unlock even more potential from your favourite appliance, consider investing in some handy accessories. Here are a few that we’ve used ourselves and love:
Air fryers are taking kitchens by storm for a few reasons:
Is air frying healthier than deep frying?
Yes! Air fryers use up to 80% less oil than deep-frying methods and can even cut calories by up to 70%.
What can I cook in an air fryer?
Air fryers can cook the same foods as deep fryers. They are also capable of preparing pizzas, ribs, and even roast dinners, including vegetables.
Can I use an air fryer to reheat food?
Some of the best air fryers in New Zealand feature a reheat program. It sets the temperature perfectly so that it tastes like it did when it was initially made.
Do I need to preheat an air fryer?
You don’t need to preheat an air fryer. However, warming it for three or four minutes before placing food inside the baskets can improve the cooking quality.
How do I clean my air fryer?
Most removable air fryer parts are dishwasher-safe, and sometimes, the baskets are also. We recommend reviewing the specifications to see how easy cleaning up after cooking meals will be.
Is it safe to use an air fryer with parchment paper?
It is safe to use parchment paper in air fryers. However, it shouldn’t be left inside the basket alone and should be kept clear of any heating elements.
What are the best oils to use in an air fryer?
You don’t need to use oils in airy fryers. But if you choose to, we recommend using light olive oil, canola, sunflower, peanut, sesame or avocado oils if you’re cooking meals in the air fryer under 180 degrees Celsius.
Can I use frozen food in an air fryer?
Yes, you can! There are even cooking programs for frozen meals, including vegetables, meats and fish.
How long does it take to cook food in an air fryer?
The time it takes to cook food in an air fryer will vary according to the type of meal and its size. For example, vegetables can be ready in as little as 10 minutes, and thick-cut steaks will take as long as 30 minutes.
Where can I find air fryer recipes?
Some top manufacturers, like Ninja, feature recipes on their websites. Others include them as a pamphlet in the box with the air fryer.
What are the best air fryer brands in New Zealand?
With a range of styles, models, and capacities to choose from, here are some of the top air fryer brands to consider:
Where can I buy an air fryer in New Zealand?
You can purchase an air fryer from several major retailers. We suggest checking out Amazon, Ninja, Best Deals and NZ Sale as a first port of call.
What is the typical price range for air fryers in NZ?
There are budget air fryers in New Zealand that start as low as $150 and high-tech air fryers going for as much as $800.
Do I need to buy any additional accessories for my air fryer?
If you’re purchasing a convection air fryer, you may want to buy some accessories, such as rotisseries and baking trays, if they don’t come with the appliance. However, most air fryers in New Zealand come with everything you need to cook a delicious meal.
What is the warranty on air fryers in New Zealand?
Most air fryers come with a minimum 12-month warranty. However, some models have two or three-year warranties.
How do you choose the best air fryers in New Zealand?
As fans of fast, healthy and delicious meals, we’ve conducted extensive research on the best air fryers in New Zealand and reviewed hundreds of positive and negative customer reviews. We’ve even put on our aprons and tested these products for ourselves. This comprehensive analysis helped us narrow down the top options for Kiwi kitchens.
*This story contains carefully curated selections from The Selection team and affiliate links which may earn NZ Herald a commission. *Prices are as stated at the time of publication, these prices may vary at the discretion of the listed brands.
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