Yes, a Vortex air fryer (such as those by Instant Pot) is absolutely worth it if you want an appliance that crisps, roasts, and reheats food quickly using much less energy and oil than a traditional oven.
The Instant Vortex Air Fryer, particularly the 6-qt ClearCook model, is highly regarded for its consistent, even cooking, user-friendly interface, and fast preheating times. It is praised for producing crispy food with minimal oil, making it a top contender for 2–4 person households, though some users note it can be noisy during operation.
The absolute top-rated air fryers are dominated by brands like Cosori and Ninja, known for their even cooking, reliability, and spacious capacities. Whether you want a compact option for a small kitchen or a large dual-basket system for a family, these top models stand out:
Air frying is an excellent, diabetes-friendly cooking method. By using hot air circulation instead of vats of oil, it drastically reduces calories, fat, and harmful carcinogens like acrylamide compared to deep-frying. This makes it easier to manage blood sugar and maintain a healthy weight.
Choosing between an Instant Pot Vortex and a Ninja Air Fryer depends on your cooking style and counter space. Ninja excels in reaching higher temperatures for crispier sears and offers robust multi-zone tech. Instant Vortex is known for its spacious, easy-to-clean designs and budget-friendly "ClearCook" models.
The Instant Pot became an unnecessary appliance taking up space in my pantry. The Instant Pot is safe and effective at cooking food thoroughly, but I found that the downfalls of the machine didn't justify its space in the kitchen.
Air fryers may be better for you than deep fryers, but they're only as healthy as the food you put inside. They won't magically remove the saturated fat from bacon or the trans fats from a bag of processed chicken wings. To reap the benefits, reach for better-for-you options like vegetables and lean proteins.
The #1 absolute worst foods for your blood sugar are sugar-sweetened beverages (sodas, sweetened iced teas, fruit punches, and energy drinks).
While air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep-frying because they use significantly less oil, high-heat cooking can still produce potentially harmful byproducts. Risks include the formation of acrylamide (a probable carcinogen), Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) tied to inflammation, and the degradation of non-stick coatings.
The top-rated air fryers are typically ranked by their capacity, speed, and overall value. The Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 10-qt. DualZone (DZ550/DZ401) is widely celebrated as the best overall choice for families, while the Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart is the top pick for single-drawer models.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using an Air Fryer
America's Test Kitchen's top pick is the Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer. It earns their top recommendation for its highly intuitive controls, exceptionally spacious basket, and reliable cooking performance. For a budget-friendly option, they also recommend the GoWise USA 3.7-Quart 7-in-1 Air Fryer.
The only slight complaint we have is the price; it's a bit more than the average air fryer. However, for those looking to approximate the taste of fried food while using far less oil, the Vortex Plus delivers results and a user experience that are worth the extra cost. This is one of our favorite air fryers we tested.
The absolute top-rated air fryers are dominated by brands like Cosori and Ninja, known for their even cooking, reliability, and spacious capacities. Whether you want a compact option for a small kitchen or a large dual-basket system for a family, these top models stand out:
Awesome Air Fryer
Absolutely love this air fryer! I have been through a few and this one is great! I have a family of 4 and it holds a good amount of food. Cooks great, easy to use, non stick, and easy to clean!
People with diabetes do not need to avoid fruit entirely, but should be cautious with specific varieties that have a high Glycemic Index (GI) or are highly concentrated in sugar. The following 7 high-sugar options should be strictly limited or avoided to prevent rapid blood sugar spikes:
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) occurs when your body doesn't produce enough insulin or can't use it effectively. Five common warning signs include:
The miracle fruit (or miracle berry) is native to West Africa and contains a unique protein called miraculin. When eaten, miraculin temporarily alters your taste receptors so that sour and bitter foods (like lemons or unsweetened Greek yogurt) taste intensely sweet for 30 to 60 minutes.
Yes, you can safely use an air fryer every day, provided you prioritize whole foods like lean proteins and vegetables over processed, breaded items. Because an air fryer is essentially a miniature, high-powered convection oven, daily use carries the same safety and nutritional profile as traditional baking or roasting.
The safest air fryers ditch conventional Teflon/PTFE coatings for completely non-toxic alternatives made of ceramic, stainless steel, or heat-tempered glass. Top-rated, thoroughly vetted, PFAS-free options include the COSORI TurboBlaze (ceramic), the Ninja Crispi Pro (glass), and the Fritaire (glass bowl).
Yes, you can absolutely use aluminum foil in an air fryer to make cleanup easier. However, because an air fryer relies on rapid air circulation to cook and crisp your food, you should use it carefully to avoid blocking airflow.
Instant Pot did not go out of business, but its parent company, Instant Brands, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2023. This was caused by massive debt, post-pandemic sales drops, and high interest rates. The company was successfully restructured and acquired by Centre Lane Partners in 2024 to operate as Instant Pot Brands.
Instant Pots and electric pressure cookers are designed with multiple built-in safety mechanisms and rarely explode. However, they can violently eject hot contents or malfunction due to clogged pressure valves, improperly seated seals, overfilling, or forcing the lid open while the unit is still pressurized.
As NPR reported, sales of “electronic multicooker devices” (a large chunk of which are Instant Pots) hit $758 million in 2020. But those numbers weren't tenable. Sales in the category dropped by half by 2022, and in the first quarter of 2023, Instant Brands' sales dropped 22 percent compared to last year.