The air fryer, or Airfryer, has revolutionized the way Spanish households cook. It uses high-speed hot air circulation to achieve the same crispy effect as a traditional oil fryer, but using up to 80% less fat. The result: French fries, chicken wings, croquettes, and fish with a crispy exterior and juicy interior, without the drawbacks of deep-frying.
How does an oil-free fryer work?
The core mechanism is Rapid Air technology: a high-powered fan circulates hot air at 200°C around the food placed in the basket. This airflow creates the Maillard effect (surface browning) that produces the crispy texture, while the heat penetrates to the inside to fully cook the food. Only a small spray of oil is needed in some cases, or none at all in others.
Real advantages of the air fryer over the traditional fryer
- Less fat: up to 80% less oil than a classic fryer
- No odors: no hot oil fumes fill the kitchen
- No splatters: zero risk of oil burns
- Faster: preheats in 2–3 minutes compared to 8–10 for oil
- Versatile: fry, bake, roast, gratinate, and dehydrate in a single appliance
- Easy to clean: the basket is dishwasher-safe
- Energy savings: uses less energy than a conventional oven
Foods that cook best in the air fryer
French fries and wedges, chicken wings, croquettes, and empanadillas (frozen or homemade), nuggets, breaded fish, roasted vegetables, thick toast, muffins, small cakes, and meats such as ribs or sirloin with a seared finish.
Foods that DO NOT work well in the air fryer
Liquid batters (raw fritters, crepe batter) tend to stick or leak through the basket. Melted cheese without a topping is also problematic. In these cases, breading or using perforated parchment paper solves the problem.
How to Choose the Best Air Fryer
Before buying, these are the criteria that really make a difference between models:
- Power: from 1,000W to 1,800W. The higher the power, the shorter the cooking time.
- Capacity: from 1L (1-2 servings) to 7L (7-8 servings). Adjust to the number of people in your household; don't buy too much «just in case».
- Exterior size: the greater the capacity, the larger it will be on the countertop. Measure the available space before deciding.
- Extra features: some models also bake, toast, roast, or steam, replacing other appliances.
- Temperature control: essential for precise control over the result.
- Timer: useful for cooking without having to keep an eye on it all the time.
If you want to see specific models compared with real prices and specifications, we have a comparison of the best oil-free fryers of 2026. And if you already have one and want it to last longer, check out our guide on how to properly clean your air fryer.
Find your ideal air fryer at Bronmart: different capacities and power levels, with fast delivery.
View oil-free fryers and airfryers →Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryers
Do air fryer fries turn out as crispy as oil-fried ones?
With a small spray of oil and a temperature of 200°C for the last 5 minutes, the fries turn out very crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are not identical to traditional deep-frying, but most users find the result very satisfying with a seventh of the fat.
What size air fryer do I need?
For 1–2 people: 2–3 liters. For 3–4 people: 4–5 liters. For large families or frequent cooking: 6–7 liters. A larger size allows you to cook more at once without doing batches and gives better results with large pieces like whole chickens.
Does an air fryer use a lot of electricity?
An air fryer uses between 900W and 1,800W depending on the model. However, because it is much faster than a conventional oven (which can take twice as long), the total energy consumption per cooking session is usually 30–40% lower than using a traditional oven.
Can you cook raw meat in the air fryer?
Yes. Chicken breasts, burgers, chops, and sirloin turn out perfectly. The recommended temperature for chicken is 180°C for 15–20 minutes depending on thickness, always ensuring an internal temperature of 75°C.
Can the air fryer also be used to reheat food?
Yes, and it is superior to the microwave for reheating foods that need to stay crispy: pizza, empanadas, croquettes, or bread. At 160°C for 3–5 minutes, the texture is like freshly made, without the microwave's «soggy» effect.
Is the air fryer easy to clean?
Yes. The basket and outer drawer are dishwasher-safe in most models. The exterior is cleaned with a damp cloth. Since no hot oil is spilled, cleaning is much faster than with a traditional fryer. Check out our complete cleaning guide for more detail.
Can you bake in the air fryer?
Yes. Small cakes, muffins, cookies, and even homemade bread work well, as long as you use molds suitable for the size of the basket. Cooking times are usually shorter than in a conventional oven, so it is best to keep an eye on them for the first few minutes until you get to know the appliance well.
What foods are not suitable for the air fryer?
Liquid batters without a mold (such as raw fritters), melted cheese without any topping, and foods with a lot of liquid do not work well, as they tend to leak through the basket or stick. Using a suitable mold or perforated parchment paper solves most of these cases.
