Best Air Fryers for Perfect Chips in the Laboratory Test

Air fryers now sit on worktops in many homes. Expectations are high: less fat, fewer cooking smells and fast cooking times. Yet chips, above all, quickly reveal the differences between models. Some appliances produce golden, crisp batons, while others turn out pale, limp potato strips that nobody would choose to eat. A major laboratory test shows which air fryers are capable of making genuinely good chips – and what buyers should look for.

Why chips in an air fryer often disappoint

On paper, every air fryer sounds much the same: hot air, little or no oil, and temperatures of up to 200 or 230 degrees. In real-world use, however, the combination of airflow, basket size, heating power and ease of use makes all the difference. If the air is not circulated effectively, the top layer cooks too quickly while everything beneath it remains in the shade. Overfilling the baskets creates steam rather than heat – leaving the chips soft.

"Anyone who wants chips that are crisp on the outside and soft inside needs more than just a high temperature figure on the box."

Another issue is that many appliances exaggerate their capacity. What is marketed as a “family basket” can produce unattractive, uneven results in practice. Anyone regularly preparing chips for several people should examine the basket layout and airflow carefully.

Best air fryer for chips: Philips Steam Airfryer with a steam advantage

One model stood out in the laboratory test: the Philips NA555/00 Steam Airfryer. It combines conventional hot-air cooking with an integrated steam-cooking function – an interesting pairing that proves worthwhile in everyday use.

What makes the Philips Steam Airfryer so impressive

• A main compartment of around 6 litres for larger portions
• An additional, smaller compartment of roughly 3 litres that can be used separately
• A temperature range of around 40 to 200 degrees, allowing low-temperature cooking too
• Easy cleaning: the baskets and inserts can simply go in the dishwasher
• 12 symbol-based programmes that can be customised

During testing, the appliance cooked chips, pretzel rolls and croissants quickly and evenly. Steam is especially useful for keeping baked goods moist, while the hot air delivers the required browning. This combination is particularly appealing for households that prepare more than just frozen chips.

"The combination of steam and hot air brings not only chips, but also bread rolls and croissants, up to bakery standard."

There are drawbacks nevertheless: this Airfryer is large and therefore requires a substantial amount of worktop space. It lacks Wi-Fi or app connectivity, which may disappoint some smart-home fans, although this has no bearing on chip quality.

Value choice: Philips Airfryer XXL – a large basket with little fuss

Those looking to spend a little less will soon come across the Philips Airfryer 5000 Series XXL. It does without a steam function, but offers a large frying basket and solid test results for chips.

Strengths of the XXL model

In day-to-day use, the XXL Airfryer demonstrates how important a genuinely usable basket area is. Its large basket comfortably holds a family-sized portion. Wi-Fi and app control allow cooking times to be adjusted remotely or programmes to be started. For technology enthusiasts, that is a welcome extra.

In the test, it produced evenly cooked, crisp chips, pretzel pastries and croissants. Its chips ranked among the very best overall. With a minimum temperature of around 40 degrees, the appliance can even be used to dehydrate fruit – useful for anyone wanting to try apple crisps or vegetable snacks.

"The XXL Airfryer is a classic workhorse: not a showpiece, but exceptionally reliable when it comes to crisp chips."

One weakness remains: electricity consumption is towards the higher end. Anyone who bakes frequently and for long periods should bear the running costs in mind. For many users, though, the convenience of app control and straightforward cleaning is still compelling.

Dual-basket and XXL compartments: when larger models are worthwhile

Anyone who often cooks for a larger group will quickly find themselves considering appliances with two baskets or enormous drawers. Two tested models are particularly interesting: the Philips Airfryer 3000 Dual Basket and the Ninja Foodi Flex Drawer.

Philips Dual Basket: two compartments, one purpose

The Philips NA352/00 Airfryer 3000 Dual Basket has two separate compartments, holding around 6 and 3 litres. Its Copy function is practical: users can duplicate the settings from the first basket to the second, which is ideal when cooking a large quantity of chips at the same time.

The appliance performed particularly well with chips in testing: they were fast to cook, very crisp and evenly browned. Pretzel pastries needed a little longer, but also turned out well in the end. Eight fixed programmes and numerous direct controls make operation easier, although app connectivity is absent. Anyone wishing to serve two different dishes simultaneously benefits from timer-based time synchronisation.

Ninja Flex Drawer: a huge drawer with a divider

The Ninja AF500EU Foodi Flex Drawer uses a different approach. It has one large compartment with more than 10 litres of capacity, which can be split into two zones with a divider. This suits large joints of meat as well as XXL portions of chips.

Its temperature range of around 40 to 240 degrees covers almost everything from keeping food warm to very intense browning. Chips and oven-baked goods performed well and cooked quickly in the test, although the appliance is comparatively noisy and takes up a great deal of space. There is no reminder to shake the chips – a feature many users value.

Cosori Iconic: a design-led appliance for an open kitchen shelf

Those who value appearance will quickly be drawn to the Cosori Iconic. With its stainless-steel housing and rounded corners, the appliance resembles a kitchen device from the 1950s – but with a touch display on top.

The basket holds a good 6 litres and has a PFAS-free ceramic coating. This will appeal to many health-conscious users, especially as the basket is dishwasher-safe. Its temperature range of around 30 to 230 degrees allows food to be kept warm, roasted and conventionally fried. In testing, the Iconic impressed with very good chips and successful baked goods.

"Anyone who does not want to hide their Airfryer in a cupboard will find that the Cosori Iconic delivers both visually and when it comes to chips."

It is operated via a large touch display and offers six programmes. Temperature and time can be set freely, and even the fan can be adjusted. The appliance connects to an app via Wi-Fi, where recipes and tips are available. One minor downside is that the machine is among the noisier models.

Key buying criteria for perfect chips

Many buyers first focus on the maximum temperature. The laboratory test shows, however, that figures above 200 degrees are not essential for good chips. Other factors matter more:

• Airflow: The basket base and air outlet should be designed so that air genuinely reaches every area.
• Basket size and height: A wide basket that is not too deep creates a shallow layer of chips, improving browning.
• Shake reminder: An audible prompt to shake the basket helps prevent forgotten chips that are browned on only one side.
• Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe baskets and inserts save time and effort.
• Low minimum temperature: Anyone who also wants to dehydrate food or keep it warm should look for a minimum temperature of around 30 to 40 degrees.

"A look at the instruction manual often reveals more than advertising promises: how full can the basket be, are there shake signals, and how easy is everything to clean?"

Five practical tips for genuinely crisp chips

Even the best air fryer cannot entirely compensate for poor handling. A few simple measures can noticeably improve chip quality:

• Limit portions: Fill the basket only enough to leave room for air to circulate between the chips. If in doubt, cook two batches instead.
• Avoid baking paper: Liners block airflow from underneath. Chips should go directly into the basket or onto the rack.
• Shake during cooking: Give the basket a firm shake once or twice during the cooking time so every side is exposed to heat.
• Lightly oil freshly cut potatoes: One teaspoon of oil per portion is enough to improve colour and crispness considerably.
• Do not overdo the temperature: 180 to 200 degrees is generally sufficient. Excessive heat leads to a dark crust and an undercooked centre.

Risks, terminology and useful ways to use an air fryer

Air fryers repeatedly raise questions: what about acrylamide? How harmful are non-stick coatings? In principle, acrylamide forms in starchy foods such as potatoes at high temperatures – whether they are cooked in an oven, an oil fryer or an air fryer. Avoiding unnecessarily high temperatures and aiming for medium browning reduces this risk.

When it comes to coatings, it pays to look closely. Many manufacturers still use conventional non-stick coatings, while others – as with the Cosori Iconic – use PFAS-free ceramic. Anyone who wants to minimise potentially problematic substances should specifically look for such information and avoid using metal utensils in the basket to prevent scratches.

Beyond chips, air fryers are suitable for numerous snacks: vegetable crisps, chicken pieces, filled pastries, reheated pizza and bread rolls. Many appliances are particularly strong when reheating baked goods: there is no lengthy preheating, cooking times are considerably shorter than in an oven, and the crust is often better because the hot air works in a concentrated area. Anyone who uses this versatility gets far more from the kitchen appliance than simply a quick portion of chips in the evening.