Even if you don’t own an air fryer, you can’t have failed to notice the number of them on the shelves at big box outlets.
Why should you invest in an air fryer, though?
Well, these small countertop ovens contain a concentrated heating source along with a powerful fan. Rather than deep-frying your food, you instead use a splash of oil or no oil at all – this varies from model to model and according to taste – to replicate that fried finish without as many calories.
The problem is, most of these air fryers tend to be pretty small so is there anything beefier on the market?
There certainly is and in today’s large-capacity air fryer reviews, we’ll be showing you all the best appliances if you’re looking to feed a big family or cater for dinner parties or gatherings.
All the air fryers we highlight today have a cooking capacity of at least 5.8 quarts. If you spot a model slightly smaller than this, make sure it will give you enough latitude for the amount of cooking you plan to perform.
Many of the best large capacity units also come with a range of other cooking applications baked in. They also provide you with the extras and accessories you need to get going right out the box.
Now, when you’re shopping for an appliance like this, there’s no right or wrong answer.
Our advice?
Browse our reviews first for an impartial snapshot of all the leading large capacity air fryers.
When you’re done and you have a decent overview of what’s on offer, check out our brief buying guide where we break down how to buy the most appropriate air fryer with the minimum of effort.
Dig in!
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I. The 10 Best Large Capacity Air Fryers
1. Our #1 Pick:Cosori Air Fryer Max XL (5.8-quart)
First up and our overall favorite large capacity air fryer comes from the highly reputable Cosori. How does this thing shape up, then?
First up, you can find this air fryer in red and white as well as the more commonplace black. Winning the Red Dot Award for design, is it a case of form over function?
Certainly not! Off the bat, you benefit from 11 presets punched in allowing you to cook steak, seafood, poultry, fries, frozen foods, and a bunch of other cooking applications at the push of a button.
The basket slips out easily so you won’t have to fuss around with any tasky clean-up. Capacity is 5.8 quarts and the squared-off nature of the basket allows you cook with confidence for up to 5 people.
If you’ve never used an air fryer before, you’ll be up and running in minutes. A recipe book thrown in should give you plenty of ideas if you’re stuck.
The temperature band of this air fryer is pretty wide starting at 170F and maxing out at 400F.
If you need an air fryer for a large family, and you also need the flexibility of multiple cooking applications in one unit, the Cosori performs strongly and is priced within most people’s budgets making for a great all-rounder.
Things We Like:
- 11 presets baked in for total flexibility
- Removable, non-stick basket free of contaminants
- Book of 100 recipes bundled
Things We DisLike:
- Some reported issues with quality control
2. Runner-up:Cuisinart TOA-60 Air Fryer and Convection Toaster Oven (5.7-quart)
Air fryers are great, but how about if you want to do more than just whip up fried food with less oil?
Well, invest in the Cuisinart TOA-60 and you also get the advantage of a countertop convection oven so you can broaden your repertoire and menu considerably. How does this unit stack up, then?
Capacity is reasonable with 0.6 cubic feet of interior cooking space. This will allow you to toast 6 slices of bread, air fry 3 pounds of chicken wings, or roast a 4-pound turkey. You can even bake a whole 12-inch pizza giving you everything you need for a dinner party or a meal with the whole family.
Despite this interior real estate, the Cuisinart is pretty compact measuring up at 15.5 x 16 x 14 inches so it won’t dominate your entire kitchen counter.
The timer baked in is adjustable through 60 minutes and comes with an auto shut-off function for safety’s sake.
As well as air frying, you can also convection bake or broil with this appliance. Regular baking and broiling functions along with warming and toasting complete a comprehensive package in one squat unit.
With a baking pan, air fryer rack and oven rack thrown in, you get superb value from a brand you can trust and an air fryer convection oven combo to grace any kitchen.
Things We Like:
- Multipurpose air fryer with 7 functions
- Generous 0.6 cubic feet capacity
- Easily adjustable 60-minute timer
Things We DisLike:
- Plastic knobs are fragile
3. Best Combination:Ninja FD401 Foodi 9-in-1 Air Fryer (8-quart)
If you want a great deal of variety with cooking beyond air frying, the Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, you can do everything from pressure cooking and slow cooking to dehydrating and broiling when you’re not too busy air frying. On the other hand, by trying to shoehorn so much in, you lose out in terms of quality compared to standalone appliances.
If you’re prepared to take a slight hit on functionality to get a broad range of basics done in one squat appliance, the Ninja makes perfect sense.
Foodis start at 5-quart capacity and move up through a wide choice of configurations until you hit the 8-quart beast here. You can easily cater for a small gathering or a large family with this powerful, spacious unit. Throw in a whole 7-pound chicken and let the Foodi do the hard work for you while you prepare some cocktails.
The reversible rack included further expands your options. From steaming and broiling through to cooking layered meals, this simple piece of kit is a true bonus.
The basket is non-stick and also free of PFOA, PTFE, and all other contaminants known to leach into your food. Once you’re done, it’s safe to put the basket in the dishwasher so you won’t need to do anything except wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth.
This air fryer might be a jack of all trades and master of none, but it still makes great fried food and much more with a fraction of the cooking oil.
Things We Like:
- Great variety of applications
- Broad spread of sizes available
- Reversible rack thrown in
Things We DisLike:
- Some dip in quality to achieve such versatility
4. Ninja AF150AMZ Air Fryer XL, 5.5 Qt. Capacity
Ninja AF150AMZ Air Fryer XL is a revolutionary kitchen appliance that offers up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods!
Thanks to a 5.5 qt. nonstick basket and crisper plate, this versatile fryer can easily accommodate up to 3 lbs of food for fast, delicious meals and snacks. Next, based on great 5-in-1 functionality, the AF150AMZ features programs for air frying, air roasting, baking, reheating, and dehydrating, which makes it become a perfect countertop companion for creating all your dishes.
Featuring a wide temperature range from 105°F to 400°F, you can quickly and gently remove moisture from foods or quickly cook and crisp dishes with convection heat. The nonstick surfaces are easy to clean and dishwasher-safe (BPA-free).
The Ninja AF150AMZ Air Fryer is the ultimate tool for cooking delicious and healthy snacks/meals in your home.
This 5.5 QT capacity air fryer comes with a powerful 1750-watt heating element to quickly cook food without any oil. It can also be used to dehydrate favorite foods for an enjoyable afternoon snack with friends or family. Furthermore, this appliance also allows you to air roast, bake, or even reheat leftovers!
The included nonstick basket and crisper plate make it easy to prepare everything from French fries to pizza wings with minimal cleanup. Plus, it comes with a 20-recipe cookbook that provides all of the inspiration needed to try so far!
Things We Like:
- Cook up to 3 lbs. of food at once
- 5 versatile cooking programs
- Easy cleaning
- Wide temperature range
Things We DisLike:
- Small size
5. GoWISE USA 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer (7-quart)
Some manufacturers try to cram in as many functions as possible so you get more than an air fryer, but they don’t always manage to pull it off. GoWISE USA dials it back slightly so you get 8 cooking applications allowing you to fry, grill, bake, and roast with a fraction of the oil you’d normally use.
Touchscreen functionality is nimble even if you’re not the greatest tech-lover. There’s even a stop/start button you can use to interrupt any cooking cycle. An alarm sounds in increments of 5, 10, and 15 minutes so you don’t forget to shake your food. This will guarantee the most even cooking results possible.
8 presets allow you to experiment with much more than air frying without needing to hustle out and pick up any new appliances.
The wide range of temperatures from 180F through 400F so you can whip up all your favorite treats without the oil and without the guilt.
Customer-care is helpful and responsive, but build quality is such that you shouldn’t have any need for it. This is a top-notch large capacity air fryer that’s also reasonably priced. Grab one while you can.
Things We Like:
- Easily navigable touchscreen
- 8 presets punched in
- Free of PFOA and all known contaminants
Things We DisLike:
- Handle is weak
6. NUWAVE BRIO 6-Quart Digital Air Fryer (6-quart)
If you’re shopping for a large capacity air fryer on a budget, the Nuwave Brio should be one of the first models you check out. Does performance stand up to pricing, though?
The 1500 watts of power ensures you get all your fried food cooked to perfection, but without the need for oodles of cooking oil. Do your wallet and a waistline a favor with this thing. The Air Flow design gives those fried delicacies the golden crispness you crave without the calories.
Starting at a super-low 100F, you can crank the heat all the way up to 400F so you can take care of pretty much any recipe you’d normally throw in a deep-fat fryer.
With a 6-quart capacity, you can cook 3 pounds of fries, a couple pounds of chicken wings, or 4 whole chicken breasts. Despite this interior space, the space-saving unit won’t dominate a small kitchen. This model works well for apartments and even RVs.
The cooking rack and other accessories included give you everything you need to get going right out the box.
Consistency is assured thanks to the digital switch used to check the temperature 120 times every second. Whatever you throw into this air fryer will comes out done to a turn.
Rely on the 6 presets to get all your favorite foods on the go by doing nothing more than popping it inside and punching a single button. Cooking doesn’t get much easier.
As soon as the cooking basket is removed, auto shut-off kicks in. The fryer won’t fire up again until the basket is locked securely back into position.
One of the early adopters of the air fryer, Nuwave delivers in fine style with this patented fry pan basket built into a solid and highly capable large capacity air fryer.
Things We Like:
- Outstanding overall value
- Preheat and reheat at the push of a button
- 1500 watts of cooking power
Things We DisLike:
- Some complaints about poor lifespan
7. Chefman 6.3 Quart Digital Air Fryer with Convection Oven, Rotisserie, and Dehydrator (6.3-quart)
Are you looking for an fryer large enough to cook for a family of 5? If so, this 6.3-quart gem from Chefman is well worth popping on your shortlist. What makes it stand out in a crowded field?
Well, in some ways this appliance doesn’t really stand out. What it does, though, is perform multiple cooking functions to a high standard in a single space-saving unit ideal for small kitchens in apartments, dorms, or RVs.
If you’re looking to air fry, this unit lets you dispense with 75% of the cooking oil without losing out on those crispy golden results. Enjoy fries that are still tasty but not dripping in oil or a roasted chicken that won’t blow you diet.
8 presets are pre-programmed so you can get started with push-button ease even if you’ve never used an air fryer before.
Capacity gives you the freedom to roast a whole chicken while the rotisserie function ensures it’s cooked to a crisp while remaining tender.
A 1-year warranty gives you some peace of mind and is reasonable for an air fryer at this price point. While you should find this appliance robust enough, a few dissatisfied users have complained vocally about the heating element giving up the ghost. If you’re concerned about finding an air fryer built to give you years of service, you might want to reconsider.
Things We Like:
- Touchscreen with 8 presets integrated
- Decent bunch of accessories thrown in
- Rotating basket retriever
Things We DisLike:
- Heating element is volatile
8. Instant Vortex Pro 9-in-1 Air Fryer with Rotisserie (10-quart)
Instant’s Vortex Pro is a smaller variant of the Plus we highlight above.
This capacity comes in the following variants:
- 4-in-1
- 6-in-1
- 7-in-1
- 9-in-1
- 11-in-1
We feel the 9-in-1 is a strong option if you like plenty of variety in the kitchen. With this iteration, you can air fry, dehydrate, roast, broil, bake, reheat, proof, and toast. You even get a rotisserie oven to complete a winning combination. This extends you the ability to replicate deep-fried without the ruinious amount of oil associated with that cooking method.
Proprietary Even Crisp technology gives you the power to cook with complete consistency at the push of a button. Make yourself look like a great chef even if you’re a complete novice.
This air fryer doesn’t need reheating either so you can get right down to business as soon as you step inside the door. Cooking time is further accelerated as you can slide a pair of cooking trays inside at the same time. Cook up a storm for a large group in a single session so you can enjoy the rest of the evening instead of sweating in the kitchen.
Overall cooking times are roughly twice as fast as a conventional oven while you’ll get away with using a tiny fraction of the cooking oil of a deep-fryer: you win every way with this multipurpose appliance.
Things We Like:
- 9-in-1 workhorse
- Even Crisp tech baked in
- No need for preheating
Things We DisLike:
- Hinged door feels flimsy
9. Innsky Air Fryer with Rotisserie Oven (10.6-quart)
As we edge to the end of our air fryer reviews, here’s a substantial 10.6-quart model from the ever-reliable Innsky.
This 10-in-1 countertop unit lets you air fry, dehydrate, roast, bake, toast, and grill.
A dedicated pizza grill helps you enjoy perfect pies. You can also make use of the rotisserie oven for perfect chicken, the oven toaster for breakfast bread, and the dehydrating function, too. You really are spoiled for choice, and all of these applications works efficiently, something that can’t be said for all multipurpose air fryers.
Temperature range is impressive and gives you ample scope to cook all your favorite recipes.
In spite of the generous capacity, this air fryer is smaller than you might imagine measuring up at 11 x 9 x 7 inches.
Things We Like:
- Broad band of temperatures from 150F to 400F
- Easy to use even for complete beginners
- 10 presets for huge versatility
Things We DisLike:
- Door doesn’t seem to close evenly and snugly all the time
10. Ultrean Large Family Size Air Fryer (6-quart)
Last up in our large capacity air fryer reviews is this 6-quart beauty from Ultrean. This is one of the cheapest multipurpose air fryers you can find that doesn’t compromise on quality.
7 presets affords you a great deal of variety without going over the top. While you can find appliances with more than 12 cooking functions integrated, you need to ask yourself if you’re really going to use all of them. If not, you’re not getting a bargain, you’re wasting your money.
The Rapid Air Frying tech onboard lets you use up to 85% less oil so you’ll get no food splattered round your kitchen and you won’t need to worry about your waistline or missing out on your favorite fried treats.
This oversized 6-quart cooker gives you the freedom to cook for a large family without taking over the whole kitchen counter.
As well as the ubiquitous auto shut-off, you also benefit from overheat protection so you can cook safely as well as efficiently.
Crowned by a 1-year limited warranty alongside lifetime customer support, this is more than you could expect for a budget air fryer.
Things We Like:
- Splatter-free cooking with almost no oil
- Recipe book filled with inspiring ideas
- Auto shut-off and overheat prevention onboard
Things We DisLike:
- Sometimes gives off a nasty smell according to some users
OK, with our reviews in place, you should now have a sound overview of the best large capacity air fryers in your price range.
How can you find the right appliance the easy way?
Read on…
II. What to Look for When Buying an Large Air Fryer
Buying an air fryer for a large family is reasonably straightforward. Focus on these aspects to get the right appliance for you without taking too much time or trouble.
- Capacity
- Analog or Digital?
- Temperature Range
- Cooking Functions
- Safety Features
- Removable Basket
- Extras and Accessories
Capacity
The first and by far the most crucial element to nail down if you’re looking to cater for a large family or you frequently host large gatherings and want to cook with ease in a single batch is capacity.
The interior capacity of these things is expressed in terms of quarts. We’ve highlighted how much space is inside each of the air fryers we review so you can compare them at a glance.
You should also consider whether you need to cook different foods simultaneously. If so, make sure the models on your shortlist give you the ability to do this.
When thinking about capacity, you should take a moment to check out the overall dimensions, too. After all, it’s no use investing in a stellar air fryer with a hug capacity if you don’t have adequate space on the kitchen counter.
Once you’ve found this balance, it’s time to think about how you want to control your air fryer.
Analog or Digital?
Air fryers with analog controls are super-simple to control if you aren’t too confident with tech.
If you’re looking for push-button ease, though, look for an air fryer with a digital interface and/or touchscreen. These interfaces are typically straightforward to navigate even if you’re not. Huge tech-lover.
Whether you want knobs and dials or LCDs is down to personal preference. Just make sure you find an air fryer that’s easy for you to use or it will end up gathering dust in the cupboard.
Temperature Range
Think closely about the type of recipes you like to whip up. The average air fryer allows you to cook at temperatures of anywhere from 100F through 400F.
You shouldn’t get hung up on numbers here, but you should make certain that you won’t be left unable to cook your favorite dishes.
Cooking Functions
Next is one of the most important elements, and another area you need to personalize if you want the most appropriate large capacity air fryer.
Is air frying all you want to do?
If so, focus purely on finding the most effective dedicated air fryer.
For anyone attracted to other cooking methods like baking, broiling, roasting, rotisserie ovens, and more, there’s a great deal of choice with multipurpose models.
Appliances with 6 or 7 functions tend to cover all bases admirably. For the most part, when the manufacturer tries to cram in too many features, many fall short of the mark. We review some of the exceptions above, but we’d advise you not to obsess over cooking applications unless you know you’ll make good use of them. Don’t fall for the marketing hype.
Removable Basket
Look for a cooking basket you can remove and, ideally, pop in the dishwasher. This allows you to run your air fryer with almost no effort.
Safety Features
Take a moment to explore the safety features of all the models on your shortlist so you can cook with confidence.
Auto shut-off should come as standard on any worthwhile air fryer.
Make sure that the exterior, the handles in particular, stay as cool as possible.
Last but not least, spare a minute to browse what accessories the manufacturer throws in…
Extras and Accessories
You shouldn’t chase extras for the sake of it. Instead, think about how you intend to use your air fryer and then think which of these accessories will get used regularly.
Racks are handy and widen your cooking options substantially if you have a multipurpose air frying allowing you to create baked goods.
Rotisserie attachments give you the chance to rustle up a delicious roasted chicken that’s delightfully brown on the outside but remarkably succulent on the inside.
Check out what other pans or recipe books are on offer but don’t let this dominate your buying decision.
Right, you should now be perfectly placed to buy a large air fryer with consummate ease.
We’ll round out for the day with the most frequently asked questions about these versatile appliances.
III. FAQs
1) What’s considered a large-capacity air fryer?
While there’s no fixed rule for what constitutes a large capacity air fryer, 6 quarts is generally considered the benchmark. In our case, we’ve also included a 5.8-quart model as we felt it merited inclusion and it’s roughly the right size. If you need to cook for more than 5 people, look for a much larger capacity model like a handful we review above.
2) Can I cook frozen meat in an air fryer?
You certainly can, and it won’t take too long either.
3) Can I use my air fryer with no oil at all?
Many of the best air fryers let you cook with absolutely no cooking oil, yes.
4) What type of oil works best in an air fryer?
If you are using oil, you’ll need only a splash. Extra-light olive oil is a good choice. Peanut oil and sesame oil can work well, although they each have a stronger taste. Avocado oil is also worth a try.
5) Does an air fryer cook food quicker than a conventional oven?
It certainly does. You can get your fried food turned out twice as quickly when you’re air frying.
6) Is it possible to cook steak in an air fryer?
It’s possible, but you might not get it done exactly to your liking if you’re a purist. Try firing up your air fryer at 400F then cooking your steak for 7 minutes. This will return a medium-rare steak. Tweak timings if you want it more well done or you prefer it even bloodier.
7) Is it safe to place a glass bowl in an air fryer?
As long as the bowl is microwave-safe, you’ll have no worries here.
IV. Conclusion
If you began today with no idea about air fryers, that should have changed by now.
For larger families of 5 people or more, you should look for an air fryer with a minimum cooking capacity of 6 quarts or so. You can find much larger units if you need to cook bigger batches. All that counts is finding the right fit for you.
Stick with the air fryers we review today and you know exactly what you’re getting. If you spot a model we don’t cover today, just refer to our air fryer buying guide and you can make your own mind up.
Bookmark Foodie&Tours before you head off and pop back soon as we have much more on the slate over the coming months.
