The Philips Premium Air fryer XXL offers a hi-tech, healthy way to fry food
Fitted with Smart Sensing technology that adjusts time and temperature as it cooks, this is the ultimate in air fryers.
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I’m a woman of simple tastes. My idea of a perfect meal is fried chicken, hot chips and if I’m feeling fancy, maybe a side of coleslaw (as you can imagine, Colonel Sanders and I are on a first-name basis).
However, as a parent, I’m aware that my culinary tastes are being passed onto my children, so have decided to make the move to air fryers. If you and your household are, too, considering an alternative, healthier way to cook your favourite deep-fried foods (without having to sacrifice texture or taste), have a read of our recommendations below.
BEST AIRFRYER: Philips Premium Air Fryer XXL, Amazon, $580.60
This brilliant airfryer is the first of its kind in two ways: Fat Removal technology separates and captures excess fat, improving on an already healthier food cooking method; and Smart Sensing technology, which will adjust time and temperature instinctively as it cooks.
A removable stainless steel rack allows for food like chicken breasts and fish fillets to be evenly cooked, with hot air passing above and under; and when removed, the air fryer’s deep basket allows for large quantities of chips or spring rolls. Utilising its preset programs is easy, thanks to its central dial, and a Keep Warm mode keeps food at the ideal temperature for up to 30 minutes.
RUNNER UP: Instant Vortex Plus Airfryer, Amazon, $269
From the creators of the massively popular Instant Pot Duo Nova, expectations are fairly high for this air fryer model. With a 5.7L capacity basket (large enough to cook an entire 1.8kg chicken!), it is suitably sized to feed a small family.
RELATED: Instant Pot review: Multi-use cooker home cooks keep selling out
Its easy-to-use preset programs promise six different functions - air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat and dehydrate - and with 95 per cent less oil than its deep-fried cooking alternative.
CHEAPER OPTION: Healthy Choice Analogue Air Fryer, Catch, $88
With a 10L capacity, this air fryer is an excellent option for larger families and home cooks who love to entertain. Users are given complete control of temperature, with the ability to cook foods up to 230°C; still, rapid air technology ensures food stays moist, even at the highest temperatures. Tiny detail to love? Suction cups on the base prevents the air fryer from moving around on the counter.
PHILIPS PREMIUM XXL AIR FRYER REVIEW
This is not the first air fryer I’ve owned - but after having tried this one, it’s likely to be the last. I’m just not sure how air fryer technology is going to surpass that of the Philips Premium Air Fryer XXL.
For context, I am not an accomplished cook, far from it. My husband relishes learning different ways to cook, testing various kitchen tools and appliances - don’t get him started on the virtues of a cast iron pan - whereas I would rather order in and get to the eating faster.
However, with observant children in the house and a desire to not completely obliterate my weekly budget on takeaway, I had been considering the virtues of home cooked meals - if I could find a method that wouldn’t put me behind a stove for hours. Enter: the Philips Premium Air Fryer XXL.
Unlike our old air fryer - a simple model armed with only a timer and temperature dial, that I quickly got tired of - this particular model takes all the guesswork out of cooking different foods. Its Smart Sensing technology (my favourite feature), will adjust both timing and temperature from its preset programs, so that no matter if there are two chicken legs or eight, you can count on the same perfect result every time.
The first I used it, I had a go at a chicken schnitzel. Raw meat with a crust? I wondered how the air fryer would manage to cook the chicken breast through, while staying juicy, and maintain a crip-not-burnt crust. As you can see, the air fryer absolutely nailed it. No need for me to hover over the appliance either (take that, cast iron pans).
Other things to praise in this model are its accessories - it comes with a stainless steel rack that elevates small quantities, allowing hot air to circulate evenly; when removed, the remaining deep basket features a grill-like bottom, meaning excess fat is drained away. Those who dislike the cleaning up aftermath (hi, it’s me) will be pleased to know that all the above is dishwasher-safe.
If there’s anything I could critique, it has to be said this air fryer is quite loud - but in my experience, that is true of all air fryers. It is also sizeable - must be, to accommodate its large basket - and so those with limited counter space may find moving it to and from storage a hassle.
However, currently sitting just shy of a five-star rating on Amazon, it would appear I’m not the only fan of the Philips Premium Air Fryer XXL. One user titled her five-star review, “Couldn’t live without it”.
She went on to say, “I love the Philips air fryer and will never go back to using an oven. It’s quick and very user friendly. The food I cook comes out juicy and crispy in less than half the time.”
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Price: You can pick up a Philips Premium Air Fryer XXL now for $580.60 from Amazon Australia.
HOW DOES AN AIR FRYER WORK?
Air fryers are kitchen appliances that use the circulation of hot air to cook foods. Considered a healthier alternative to the traditional deep fryer that requires large quantities of added oil to work, it is favoured for the utilisation of oils already present in foods to give flavour and texture to its contents.
WHAT CAN YOU COOK IN AN AIR FRYER?
Depending on the model you choose to invest in, you’ll be able to do more than air fry foods - but bake, roast, reheat and broil, too. Some air fryers’ baskets are only designed to hold small qualities of snacks - chips, spring rolls, chicken wings - but others, with deeper baskets will aim to replace ovens and deep fryers which are used to prepare meals, including whole chickens.
RELATED: 45 air fryer recipes we can’t get enough of
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