We get it, summer is when you would rather be outside and, often, would rather do anything than cook a hot meal in a sweltering kitchen. So if buying an air fryer wasn’t on your mind during Amazon’s Prime Day deals last July, you’re in luck: The Big Deal Days sales event is returning this fall.
Jump to the deals
We’ll be rounding up all of the great kitchen deals the online retailer is offering this season (check out that list here). But if you’ve got a one-track mind and are looking to specifically snag an air fryer this time around, we’ve pulled some of the best Amazon deals on air fryers we found before Prime Big Deal Days even begin. They include some of our picks from our extensive product testing and reviews of countertop air fryers, which you can read here.
When is Prime Day?
In 2024, Amazon Prime Big Deal Days will take place on Tuesday, October 8 and Wednesday, October 9. As long as you’ve got a Prime membership (you can get one with the button below if you don’t), the Big Deal Days sale is like having another round of Amazon Prime Day Deals with a second chance to score discounts on a variety of products, including housewares, kitchen appliances, vacuums, and more right before the holiday shopping season and well ahead of Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Early gift list achievers, this one’s for you!
What do air fryers do?
Air fryers are, essentially, countertop convection ovens. But before you say “I already have an oven,” there are a few things to consider about air fryers aside from their ability to blow some hot air. While some ovens do have a convection setting (which, yes, you can use to “air fry” stuff, as we explain here), air fryers make that process quicker and more efficient, allowing you to make crispy chicken and french fries, completely cooked-through frozen entrees and appetizers, and evenly reheat leftovers and pizza slices, all within a relatively small appliance.
Models with multiple cooking modes can even replace some of your other appliances like toaster ovens and microwaves. Some models offer features that allow you to not only bake, but also broil, dehydrate, cook on a rotisserie. And if you’re all about all-in-one gadgets, consider an Instant Pot combo with an air fryer lid that will really let you do just about every cooking task you can think of in one appliance.
Check out our collection of air fryer recipes to get some inspiration for your new (or current) air fryer.
What kind of air fryer should I buy?
The first thing you’ll want to decide is how much food you actually want to be able to cook in your air fryer. We tend to think a 5- to 6- quart air fryer is a decent capacity for a family of four people, so adjust your choice accordingly. We’d call 2- to 4-quart models small air fryers, and they’ll be best suited for only one or two people. Also decide if you’re looking for a basket air fryer or an oven style, and if you want the baskets to be solid nonstick material or mesh, both of which come with their own versatility and cleaning drawbacks (i.e. mesh can produce more stuck-on food and but nonstick isn’t really dishwasher-safe). From there you can get just about as fancy or stripped down as you want, from app-enabled, highly programmable “smart” models with multiple presets and cooking functions, to those with simple time and temperature knobs. If you’re often hosting parties, you might opt for a dual-basket air fryer, which allows for concurrent cooking of different items or big batches of party snacks at once. Or, if space is at a premium in your kitchen, consider a compact air fryer to tuck between other appliances and under cabinets.