What Is The Best French Door Air Fryer For Your Kitchen? (2024)

Finding out what is the best French door air fryer for your kitchen can feel overwhelming with so many options. It’s a hot new trend for home cooks who love air frying but want something sleeker and more convenient than the classic basket-style fryers.

This means it can be tough to sort through the hype and figure out which one is truly worth your money. You’re likely juggling limited counter space and a tight budget while also wanting something reliable that will cook up delicious meals for you and your family.

I get it – that’s why I’m here to help break down what you need to know about this appliance and guide you toward the best french door air fryer to fit your needs.

What Is a French Door Air Fryer?

Think of those fancy refrigerators with two doors that swing open wide. This style, known as french doors, is gaining popularity among kitchen appliance makers – but is it just a trendy design or a genuine upgrade in functionality?

French door air fryers work on the same principle as traditional models—using rapid air circulation to crisp and cook food—but with a sleeker design that’s reminiscent of a countertop oven. The dual doors are more visually appealing than basket air fryers and can make it easier to load and unload food.

Some French door air fryers come with a rotisserie function, allowing you to cook rotisserie-style chicken at home. French door air fryers can also function as a convection oven, providing more cooking options.

You also have more glass to see through to watch your food cook without having to open the doors and let out the heat. These new models also typically feature a larger capacity than their basket counterparts.

The Advantages of Using a French Door Air Fryer

Why are folks excited about French door air fryers? The stylish look is one big reason. Most of these are made from brushed stainless steel which sophisticates your kitchen’s decor more than those basic plastic basket fryers. Many French door air fryers come with a nonstick coating, making them easier to clean.

Ease of Access

These dual doors open outward like an oven, as opposed to the pull-down basket design of many other air fryers. This lets you slide trays and loaf tins in and out easily. Another perk – your arms and hands aren’t hovering over the heating element when loading and unloading food, reducing the chance of accidental burns. The inclusion of a crisper basket allows for even more versatility in cooking different types of food.

Capacity and Speed

French door models have large internal capacities, similar to some of the bigger countertop ovens, which means more cooking space for bigger meals or larger families. They often have adjustable shelves to customize cooking space and can even accommodate 9x13 baking pans and even 12" pizzas. Since french door fryers utilize trays rather than baskets, you can fit more food at one time.

Enhanced Visibility

The dual-door design typically means more glass which allows for better viewing during the cooking process. No more needing to constantly open and shut to check on progress – the food is on display. Plus, keeping that heat trapped inside can also lead to faster cooking times. Many French door air fryers come with a digital display, making it easier to monitor and control the cooking process.

What are the Best French Door Air Fryers To Look for?

What are some features to look out for as you figure out which is the best French door air fryer for you? Like most kitchen gadgets, the right choice depends on your lifestyle, family size, and what you like to cook. However, here are some basic things to think about:

Size and Capacity

Consider your counter space, family size, and what you typically cook. Larger models might fit whole chickens and multiple baking trays but require significant real estate on your counter. Remember, those wide-opening doors also need room on either side when open. Some brands, like Elite Gourmet, specialize in space-saving designs despite large cooking areas.

If you're working with a smaller kitchen, you might consider a more compact air fryer toaster oven, or if you have a large family, you'll need to consider the cubic feet of the air fryer to make sure it can cook enough food.

Related: What Is The Best Air Fryer For One Person In 2024?

Presets and Controls

Love experimenting? Look for models with many different settings, like Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Broil, Toast, Dehydrate, and maybe even Pizza and Rotisserie. These let you whip up everything from crispy wings and fries to juicy roasts and homemade jerky.

Some fryers, like the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large model, even include up to 24 presets. If you’re new to air frying, consider looking for a model with fewer buttons and digital controls to help you avoid feeling overwhelmed. Digital air fryers can make cooking a breeze.

Do you need a rotisserie chicken function? How about slow cook? Keep in mind the types of meals you like to make and look for an air fryer that offers those functions. Many French door air fryers offer a digital display to make using the air fry function and fry function that much easier.

Price and Brand

French door fryers can be expensive, so budget wisely. Prices often correlate with capacity, functionality, and even build quality. Choose brands known for customer satisfaction and warranties – it can be worth the investment for peace of mind and product longevity.

Avoid those cheap, no-name brands that could break down quickly and leave you frustrated. Sticking with recognizable names like Oster, Calphalon, and BLACK+DECKER often offers a good balance of features and affordability.

You can even find French door air fryer toaster ovens in the color silver, which will surely match other kitchen appliances in your kitchen. Some brands also make air fryer toaster ovens.

Let’s Explore Some Popular Models

Ok, are you ready to dive into some specifics and see what some of the top-rated options on the market are? Read on below:

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

Consistently ranked among the best air fryers, this is a solid option with a high-end price tag of $400. However, the Breville Smart Oven offers a ton of functionality and high-quality design.

It includes 13 presets and advanced features like Element IQ technology which automatically adjusts the power output across six quartz heating elements. It even has a super convection setting for crispier finishes. You can snag this premium French door air fryer on Amazon.

Cuisinart TOA-65 Air Fryer Toaster Oven

Coming in at a more reasonable price point (often retailing around $300), the Cuisinart TOA-65 Air Fryer Toaster Oven still boasts seven cooking functions and ample space for family-sized meals.

The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven is also on Amazon. The design is user-friendly and has a sleek stainless steel finish.

Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo 12-in-1

For an excellent bang for your buck, the Cosori 12-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo offers tons of versatility without the high price tag, usually retailing for around $180.

You'll get 12 different cooking modes, a digital display with a large viewing window, and a 32-quart capacity which should be able to accommodate large meals for a hungry family. It's easy to use and comes in a budget-friendly stainless steel to elevate your kitchen decor.

Emeril Lagasse Extra Large Air Fryer

This air fryer caught our attention, not just for its stylish French doors and sleek design, but also because it offers a whopping 24 pre-set cooking modes to tackle nearly any culinary adventure. This one seems perfect for those intimidated by complicated instructions – the preset options eliminate a lot of the guesswork involved with air frying, especially for novice cooks.

The Emeril Lagasse Extra Large Air Fryer features intuitive controls, making it easy to navigate through its various settings.

BLACK+DECKER Crisp n Bake French Door Air Fryer Oven

The name pretty much tells you all you need to know. The Black+Decker French Door Air Fryer Oven combines convenience and space, accommodating a 12" pizza or six slices of toast.

Its 12 different functions should make cooking fun and interesting while saving you time and energy. Its digital display and intuitive controls make the BLACK+DECKER French Door Air Fryer a great pick for users seeking modern convenience.

A Deeper Look into Why Some Ditch Basket-style Air Fryers

While classic basket-style air fryers have their advantages (like compactness and budget-friendliness), French door fryers solve some of their drawbacks.

French door air fryers really address two big issues that standard air fryers have: accessibility and space. With those swing-out doors, you don't have to risk hot oil splattering or burning yourself when you're removing trays and dishes.

You get more usable space because you aren't limited to one circular basket. French door ovens open a whole world of different types of cooking: roasting chickens, baking cakes, broiling fish— you name it.

You'll find that most French door air fryers have dishwasher-safe parts such as a drip tray and air fry basket to make clean-up easier. The fry basket can be removed and washed separately.

Also see: Why Are Air Fryers So Popular? The Kitchen Revolution Explained

Some Concerns about French Door Air Fryers

French door fryers can require more counter space and might not be suitable for everyone, especially folks with small kitchens. Prices can be quite steep compared to basic basket fryers, with many popular options costing over $200. And remember those French doors open outward which requires some room on either side to safely access those hot trays of food.

These issues aren’t a deal-breaker but are worth thinking about. Basket air fryers are still very practical and functional for certain cooking needs. It boils down to what you cook the most and the amount of space you've got in your kitchen.

Keep in mind that since a French door air fryer is larger than a traditional air fryer, its overall pounds and dimensions will be larger, so you will want to compare that to other similar models. A larger air fryer will likely have a higher number of pounds in its dimensions.

Conclusion

Whether or not french door air fryers truly replace standard models remains to be seen. This emerging style brings style, function, and versatility to those who desire the ease of air frying in a larger capacity, without the clunky look of basket-style air fryers.

Ultimately, choosing the best French door air fryer (or air fryer in general) boils down to what will best serve your needs, family size, counter space, and budget. Take your time, and carefully review the different features above, and I'm certain you’ll end up with a new kitchen companion you will love. Happy air frying!