Power Air Fryer Oven: Really Worth the Hype?

Air fryers are the next big kitchen appliance and for good reason: they make crispy food that tastes just as good as the fried stuff without all the extra grease.

Since air fryers have become so popular, our Test Kitchen has been working hard to test all the amazing recipes, and they’re always looking for great appliances to make reader recipes taste their best. That’s why when Sarah Farmer, the executive director of our culinary team, saw the PowerXL Vortex Air Fryer, she knew the Test Kitchen had to give it a go.

Check out our Test Kitchen’s complete guide to air fryers.

All About the PowerXL Vortex Air Fryer

The PowerXL Vortex Air Fryer comes in three different sizes: 2-, 5- and 7-quart. You can also find it in either red or black finishes. This air fryer uses Vortex Rapid Air Technology to circulate the air inside the air fryer more quickly than traditional models (this circulating air is what makes the food crisp).

This model has 10 different presets and can do much more than air fry; it can also air roast, air bake, broil, dehydrate and reheat. These settings and the rapid air technology are what really set this air fryer oven apart from other options on the market.

But how did these features work in the Test Kitchen? Check it out.

What We Loved About This Power Air Fryer Oven

Our Test Kitchen pros experiment with a lot of different products—we tested dozens last year alone—and know how to put them through their paces. After testing plenty of air fryer recipes, Sarah and her team found plenty to love about this oversized air fryer.

The BIG Basket

Sarah says that one of the major reasons she loves this particular air fryer is because the basket inside is huge. You can opt for a 7-quart model to pack a lot of fried pickles and chicken tenders in there.

“You can accommodate a lot more food and have larger batches than other air fryers on the market,” Sarah says. “I cooked four tenderloin steaks in one batch. I made eight pieces of crispy, air-fried Southern-style chicken in just two batches. Ten beefy meatballs fit in nicely with plenty of space around them for better circulation. You can even fit a whole fryer chicken inside.”

Quick Preheat Time

This air fryer only takes three minutes to preheat (way faster than any oven). You can have snacks air fried and served before your oven would be up to temp.

Intuitive Controls and Simple Display

“There is nothing confusing about operating this air fryer,” according to Sarah.

The power and control buttons are easy to identify and operate (here’s what each button does). While Sarah recommends going through the manual before using it at home, she says that you won’t have to spend much time reading through the easy instructions.

Browning Power

While this easy trick helps air-fried goodies get a little extra color, we do know that air fryers don’t always give you the same golden hues as a traditional fryer.

Well, until now. Sarah says the PowerXL Vortex gave many foods the great golden brown color we all hope for. Meatballs, in particular, browned up perfectly. “They were perfectly browned and looked oven-roasted delicious!”

Easy Cleanup

Both the basket and tray are covered in nonstick coating, making it super easy to clean after frying up some of your favorite snacks. Follow these air fryer cleaning tips when you’re done.

Are There Any Downsides?

It might sound silly, but the biggest downside that our Test Kitchen found with this air fryer oven was the beep sound it made when the food was done. Sarah says it was just too high pitched.

Also worth noting was that this air fryer required two hands to close it. This, of course, isn’t a big deal and doesn’t impact the functionality of the machine at all, but it does force you to put down everything to fill the fryer. Overall, though, there weren’t many cons to this air fryer, and it’s one that our Test Kitchen plans on using regularly to test your recipes.

The Verdict

It’s safe to say that the PowerXL Vortex Air Fryer is Test Kitchen approved.

This sleek new gadget browned up our air fryer recipes like no other and provided our team with plenty of room to make big batches of appetizers and other dishes. It’s even large enough to air fry (or air bake or roast) a rotisserie-style chicken. How amazing is that? Go-to rotisserie chicken-based recipes can become even easier.

For a big family or air fryer fanatics, this is a great option (and if you don’t have a big crowd to cook for, opt for the two- or five-quart sizes).

Make These Recipes in Your Air Fryer

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Taste of Home

Air Fryer Eggplant Fries

My kids love these air fryer fries—and I like that they're healthy. Coated with Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese and garlic salt, these eggplant fries are delicious and guilt-free. —Mary Murphy, Atwater, California