Unlike a lot of air fryers, the Cuisinart isn’t housed in plastic but constructed from stainless steel. Not only will it fit neatly on your countertop, you might prefer the look. The controls aren’t digital, which means they’re very straightforward to operate — you simply set the well-marked dials. However, there are no pre-programmed settings so you have to refer to the manual for air frying temperatures and times.
Non-toxic air fryers are free from potentially harmful non-stick linings, using timeless materials like ceramic or stainless steel instead. If you’re a health-conscious cook, head straight over to our guide to the
Digital air fryers tend to cost more than mechanical air fryers, as do stainless steel options versus plastic. And models that provide more functions, like steam cooking or slow cooking, will also cost more than those that are focused solely on air frying.
Top Picks for Stainless Steel Air Fryers in 2025
1. Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven – 6-Qt Basket Stainless Steel Air Fryer
Topping our list is this partially stainless-steel air fryer from Cuisinart. Size: 12″D x 16.5″W x 12.25″H | Capacity: 6 quarts | Power: 1800 watts | Max temp: 450°F | Style: Single-basket | Functions: Air fry, roast, bake, broil or warm | Care: Dishwasher-safe basket and tray · Basket doesn’t have a clear panel so you can’t see progress of food but you can easily pause to check. $150 at Amazon
Compared to other air fryer ovens, this one has an appealing stainless steel design and a clear, easy-to-use control panel. Like most other air fryer ovens we tested, the door needs to be pushed firmly to close.
The Cuisinart ran neck and neck with the Instant Vortex Slim—it was easy to use, didn’t whir too loudly, included a nice preheat feature, and was about the same price. We also really liked the viewing window you could use to check the progress of your food. But while it technically has the same capacity as the Slim, the shape of the basket is awkward, making it tougher to use.
2. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
Listen, most people don’t need the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro. But if you love to cook, have a large family or throw a bunch of parties, you’ll likely get a ton of use out of this machine. This stainless steel countertop oven is a beast, measuring one cubic foot, so be prepared to carve out some space in your kitchen for it. But its size allows it to cook an entire 14-pound turkey and fit things like a five-quart dutch oven and a 9 x 13 pan inside of it. $259.95 at Amazon
Helpful review: “I bought this as a gift for my wife and she has used it each day since receiving it over the holidays. We roasted a full chicken, followed by fresh beets, roasted carrots, and morning toast and it performed flawlessly. We replaced our stand-alone air fryer and small Balmuda toaster oven and now have one appliance that does it all and does it all exceptionally well.
It’s a microwave-sized and shaped countertop air fryer oven with ten separate cooking functions: toast (6 slices), crumpet, grill, bake, roast, warm, pizza, air fry, reheat and slow cook. We tested a bright, brushed stainless-steel silver model, but there are plenty of other colour options: there’s a choice of eleven in the US. The oven is well made and and will look great on your kitchen counter, unlike many plasticky rivals.
3. Instant Pot Pro Crisp & Air Fryer 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer
Most Versatile: Instant Pot Pro Crisp & Air Fryer 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer at Amazon $203 Jump to Review · When it comes to air frying, there’s only one preset, though the Crisp lid can also be used with the bake and roast functions. You simply place the nonstick air fryer basket inside the Instant Pot’s stainless steel bowl, which now locks into place, and arrange your food with the help of its accessories: the vented tray and/or the metal rack. $203 at Amazon
The air frying function automatically begins preheating and will alert you when it’s time to add food (or you can leave the food in from the beginning). The Crisp lid comes with a bottom cover to protect your counters and hands after cooking. Most of the accessories are dishwasher-safe, and they store inside the pot when it’s not in use. Still, you’ll need storage space for everything, and the air fryer lid is fairly tall. Type: Basket-style | Capacity: 8 quarts | Dimensions: 14.8 x 12.5 x 15.5 inches (with air-fryer lid) | Maximum Temperature: 450 degrees …
4. Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer
Best Dual Basket: Ninja DoubleStack XL Air Fryer at Amazon $250 Jump to Review … If you’ve always thought your kitchen countertop might be too small for a dual-drawer air fryer, this could be the model for you. New from Ninja is the Double Stack XL, an air fryer that turns the traditional dual-drawer design on its head, by positioning one drawer on top of the other rather than side by side. $250 at Amazon
The ‘stackable’ design doesn’t stop there, though: each 4.75-litre drawer comes with a stainless-steel rack, so you can also air fry two layers of ingredients simultaneously. In use, we found the Double Stack noisier than other air fryers we’ve tested, but cooking with it was a breeze. Our air fried chips were mostly even in colour, with a crisp and well-sealed exterior and fluffy centre.
One of our favourite air fryers of 2024, the Ninja Double Stack is a seriously impressive appliance that offers exceptional cooking results from its cleverly designed, mammoth 9.5-litre capacity.
5. Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart Air Fryer
Cosori is a fairly new brand and certainly not one of the best known. But if you’re looking for a medium sized air fryer, the 6QT/6L TurboBlaze is definitely one to consider. It has an easy to use and easy to read digital display and touchscreen controls and a single drawer cooking space. $120 at Amazon
One of the things we liked best about it is that its cooking functions aren’t defined by food types (fries, chicken) but by cooking methods. It has nine functions in all: including proving dough, yogurt making, warming food, dehydrating, plus four Turbo modes with a fast fan for much faster air frying, cooking from frozen, roasting and grilling.
Bigger is better when it comes to air frying performance, but you might want smaller if bigger won’t fit in your kitchen. The COSORI TurboBlaze is a 6-qt air fryer, which isgenerally enough capacity to serve about four people.
6. Philips Premium Airfryer XXL
The Philips Premium Airfryer XXL earns high marks for its unique fat removal technology that separates and captures excess fat. Consumer Reports testing confirms it produces exceptionally crispy exteriors while maintaining juicy interiors. Though higher priced than some competitors, its durability and performance justify the investment. $200 at Amazon
We have found that most Philips air fryers crisp well, but the larger ones take longer. Such is true for the Philips 5000 Series Airfryer XL HD9280/91, a 6.5-quart air fryer with a roomy (though heavy) basket, a larger footprint, and a more bulbous look than the other two Philips air fryers we recommend in this guide. It took longer to crisp, usually requiring around five extra minutes to get almost-as-good results.
What to Look for in a Stainless Steel Air Fryer
Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking by offering a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying while delivering crispy, delicious results. These countertop appliances use circulating hot air to cook food with minimal oil, reducing fat content by up to 75% compared to conventional frying methods.
Capacity: Lower capacities, obviously, mean smaller portions. We’d recommend at least 2 to 3 quarts of cooking room for individual servings, 4 quarts for two servings and 6 quarts or more for households of four or more (higher capacities are also helpful for entertaining). Power: More power typically yields quicker results. Similarly, higher temperatures will allow you to zap certain foods, such as frozen pizzas and slices, at a faster rate.
The idea of ingesting these chemicals is understandably concerning. When I consulted Dr. Bruce Jarnot, a board-certified toxicologist with over 30 years of experience managing product safety and global materials compliance, he said: ‘I’d recommend selecting an air fryer marketed as “PFAS Free.”‘
FAQs About Stainless Steel Air Fryers
Are stainless steel air fryers harder to clean?
Nah, they’re usually a breeze. Most have dishwasher-safe parts, but stainless steel baskets can be trickier than nonstick. Just soak and scrub gently.
Do stainless steel air fryers cook faster?
Not really. Speed depends on wattage and fan power, not the material. Stainless steel just looks slick and lasts longer.
Are they worth the extra cost?
If you want durability and a PFAS-free option, totally. Plastic ones are cheaper but might not age as well.
Can I cook a whole chicken in these?
Yup, especially in bigger ones like the Breville or Instant Pot. Check the capacity—6 quarts or more is usually good for a whole bird.
Do they get too hot on the outside?
Some do, like the Breville. Keep it on a clear counter and don’t touch it right after cooking. Smaller models stay cooler.