MM logo white 1
MM logo red
Image description is not available

What is an air fryer?

Amina11 FEBRUARY 2026
A counter displays an air fryer with food, plus a fruit bowl, cake, muffins, zucchini, and sauce.

Are you looking for a healthy and easy way to prepare snacks and meals? With an air fryer, you can quickly and safely cook crispy chips, juicy roast chicken, roasted vegetables, or one of the many other possibilities. But what exactly is an air fryer, how does the appliance work, and what can you prepare in an air fryer?

What is an air fryer?

A black air fryer sits on a wooden countertop, with vegetables on a cutting board nearby. A clock hangs on the wall.

An air fryer uses hot air to fry food. Unlike a traditional deep-fat fryer, you don’t need oil when using an air fryer. This makes it a healthier alternative to a classic fryer. With an air fryer, you can not only fry but also bake, grill, roast, and cook. With this versatile kitchen assistant, you can prepare a wide range of dishes in no time, such as chips, croquettes, chicken, vegetables, and even cake.

View all air fryers

How does an air fryer work?

Hands place a rack of four chicken legs over vegetables in an air fryer basket, next to a black air fryer on a white counter.

An air fryer circulates hot air at high speed, ensuring that ingredients cook evenly and quickly inside the appliance. Thanks to this efficient air circulation, even your chips develop a crispy coating – all without the use of oil. Place the food in the basket or tray. The temperature can usually be set between 80°C and 200°C. For the correct settings, check the packaging of the product you want to prepare. Some air fryers feature automatic programmes for specific dishes, allowing you to serve a tasty meal in no time.

Advantages of an air fryer

A kitchen counter displays a black Philips air fryer, lemons, radishes, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, garlic, and herbs.

An air fryer offers numerous benefits:

  • You don’t need frying oil or fat, allowing you to fry in a ‘healthier’ way. It’s also safer, as you don’t have to deal with splattering oil.
  • With an air fryer, you can prepare a wide range of foods – not just chips and party snacks, but also chicken, macaroni, and even cake.
  • Dishes cook thoroughly from all sides thanks to the even circulation of hot air. Even your chips get a crispy finish.
  • The hot air fryer is easy to clean. You don’t have to worry about leftover grease, and many accessories are dishwasher safe.
  • You won’t be bothered by lingering frying smells in your home.

What is the best air fryer?

A black air fryer with fries is on a marble counter, near a gold vase with greenery, a bowl of lemons, and a plate of fries.

Which air fryer suits you best depends on your personal preferences. When choosing, consider the capacity of the hot air fryer and the dimensions of the appliance so that it fits comfortably in your kitchen. Also think about which features you would like, such as a timer, temperature control, power, preheating time, basket capacity, automatic programmes, and the available accessories for your chosen model. To help you further, we have compiled a top 10 list of the best air fryers.

The best air fryers

What can you cook in an air fryer?

Roasted chicken with lemon and tomatoes on a plate, surrounded by side dishes on a wooden table.

With an air fryer, you’re not limited to oil-free frying; you can also bake, grill, and roast. Explore all the possibilities to effortlessly prepare the tastiest dishes in a healthier way. It’s also useful to know what you should avoid putting in the air fryer so that your appliance lasts longer.

Discover what can go in an air fryer

Differences between an air fryer and an oven

An air fryer filled with fries sits on a counter with plates of chicken, fish, and vegetables.

Are you wondering what added value an air fryer offers alongside the oven you probably already have at home? We are happy to explain what makes an air fryer so special and outline the differences between an oven and an air fryer. This way, no matter how often you use your oven, you can decide whether an air fryer would also be a good addition to your kitchen.

Difference between an air fryer and an oven

Difference between an air fryer and a fryer

A black air fryer sits on a wooden surface, its basket filled with golden-brown French fries.

Are you hesitating between an air fryer and a deep-fat fryer? We are pleased to clarify the differences so that you can make the right decision. Choose the authentic fried flavour you enjoy from a traditional fryer and prepare your snacks quickly or opt for the healthier and simpler choice: the air fryer.

Differences between an air fryer and a fryer

How do you clean an air fryer?

A dishwasher holds dishes. A gray air fryer plate is held above a metal rack.

To enjoy your air fryer to the fullest, it’s important to clean it thoroughly. Certain parts can simply go in the dishwasher, but if food residue has become stuck, a bit more effort is required to get your appliance spotless. This can be done using lemon, soft soap, baking soda, vinegar, or a dishwasher tablet. We are happy to provide a few tips to keep your air fryer in optimal condition.

Cleaning an air fryer

Different air fryer brands

A black air fryer is on a kitchen counter next to fried food, oil, and a scale.

At MediaMarkt, we offer air fryers from various brands, differing in power, capacity, and features. Philips hot air fryers are well known, but we also carry many other brands such as Ninja, Domo, KOENIC, and Moulinex. Read more about Philips air fryers or take a look at our top 10 best air fryers to find out which model best meets your needs.

Accessories for the air fryer

Brown cake in a black pan. Toasted almonds cover the top. A red oven mitt and red and white zigzag cloth are nearby.

Useful accessories are available for the air fryer, depending on the model you own or are considering purchasing. For example, there is a grill set specifically designed for the air fryer, allowing you to effortlessly grill meat and fish. There are also special baking tins that fit perfectly in the air fryer, so you can bake muffins or cake with ease.

All air fryer accessories

These articles might be interesting for you