The 5 Best Deep Fryers To Make Fast Food Classics At Home
While it’s hard to beat fried chicken and French fries from your go-to food joint, a deep fryer can help you recreate restaurant-quality versions of your favorites at home. Whether you’re making beer-battered fish or apple fritters, the best deep fryers cook foods quickly and uniformly, plus they’re safe to use and easy to clean. For its sleek stainless steel construction and automatic oil filtration system, All-Clad’s Deep Fryer is the best option for most home cooks.
Some of our favorite deep fryers come from Presto, All-Clad and Elite Gourmet.
Though air fryers have been especially trendy in the past few years, if you want the crispiest and crunchiest fried foods, traditional deep fryers are the way to go. And whether you’re in the market for a large-capacity model to pull out for celebrations or something small and easy to clean, there are plenty of options to suit your needs. At the end of the day, the right model for you depends on how many people you typically feed, how many additional features you want in the mix and how much you want to spend. Ahead, here are the best deep fryers in 2024.
How We Chose The Best Deep Fryers
To determine the best deep fryers the market currently has to offer, we started by identifying the most popular top-rated models from trusted kitchen brands like All-Clad, Cuisinart and Hamilton Beach.
- We took a closer look at each of those deep fryers, analyzing their build, ease of cleaning and use, capacity and additional features.
- We also took into consideration customer reviews to get a better sense of how these devices perform in a range of households.
What To Look For In A Deep Fryer
From value to capacity, here are the most important features to consider when shopping for a deep fryer.
Price
As is often the case with small kitchen appliances—blenders, toasters and the like—deep fryer prices vary widely. Generally speaking, the larger and more advanced the machine, the higher the price. For example, if you’re in the market for something small and basic, you can snag a model for as low as $35. If you’re seeking something smarter or larger, expect to spend up to $200 or more.
Size/Capacity
To determine the right capacity for your household, start by asking yourself how many people you’re typically feeding at once. If you want a deep fryer to occasionally make French fries for you and your partner, you don’t need a massive machine; you can get away with something that holds around two cups of food at once to reduce waste and frying time. On the other hand, if you’re a regular fryer and have a larger family, you’ll likely need a model in the 3.5- to 4-quart range.
Additional Features
In terms of functionality, deep fryers aren’t the most versatile kitchen appliance out there. That said, some premium models come equipped with additional features. The Hamilton Beach Triple Basket Deep Fryer, for example, comes with multiple baskets, allowing you to fry two or more foods at once. Others, like the All-Clad Deep Fryer, feature an oil-filtration system to reduce waste. Just remember that the more features a machine offers, the higher the price tag will likely be.
What Is The Best Home Deep Fryer?
There is no singular best home deep fryer, as the right model for your household ultimately depends on a number of personal factors: the size of your family, the foods you like to fry, the size of your kitchen and your budget. While we believe the All-Clad’s deep fryer is the best option for most people, there might be a better model for you. If you want a model that can do more than deep fry, the Presto Kitchen Kettle can also boil and steam foods.
Is It Worth Having A Deep Fryer?
Unlike chef’s knives and cutting boards, deep fryers aren’t a universal must-have kitchen appliance. If you want to recreate your favorite fried foods at home with any regularity, though, a top-notch fryer will certainly come in hand. While shallow frying in a cast-iron skillet is always an option, deep fryers are faster and offer better temperature control. They’re also largely hands-off, as you don’t have to worry about flipping your foods.