For larger households, dual-basket air fryers offer far more scope to cater to several people at once, meaning they're often a better option than a single-basket model. But with so many choices, picking the right one for you can be overwhelming. Cosori is a trusted brand, so much so that two single-basket models have already made it onto our best air fryers list.
The Cosori Dual Basket 9Qt air fryer is the brand’s first two-zone model. With two independent cooking zones and six cooking modes to choose from, it’s loaded with all the tech you’d expect. Some nice added extras include windows that allow you to watch your food while it cooks.
I’ve been impressed with Cosori air fryers, so I had high hopes for the brand's new dual-basket model. To test it out, I set it up in my home for a week and tried to use as many functions as possible for everyday cooking. Here’s how I got on.
Helen originally trained as a home economist before transitioning into the world of publishing. She has reviewed household appliances for over 15 years, and air fryers weren't even a thing when she started. But in the last few years, she has reviewed dozens of air fryers and has become an avid air fryer cook herself. She set this model up in her kitchen at home, using it to cook meals for herself and her partner for a week.
COSORI Dual Basket 9Qt Air Fryer: Key specs
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Row 0 - Cell 1 |
| Capacity | 2 x 4.5 quarts |
| Functions | 8 (air fry; broil; roast; bake; reheat; dehydrate) |
| Power | 1750 watts |
| Dimensions | 11.9 x 17.3 x 15.4 inches |
COSORI Dual Basket 9Qt Air Fryer: Price & availability
With a list price of $169.99/ £199.99, the COSORI Dual Basket air fryer is readily available from Amazon. It’s reasonably priced for a dual-basket model with this capacity. And you’ll likely find it on offer at various times of year.
COSORI Dual Basket 9Qt Air Fryer: Setup
The air fryer arrived securely packaged with styrofoam inserts in the box. And while this reduces the chances of damage in transit, it’s not the best choice from an environmental standpoint. That aside, once out of the box, the big black air fryer looks similar to most other dual-basket models.
When switched off, only the power button is illuminated, so it has an uncluttered and streamlined appearance without any physical dials or buttons. What’s more, the angled control panel makes it very user-friendly.
The two baskets are labeled with either an ‘L’ or an ‘R’ on the handle so you can quickly see which side they each slot into. There are removable perforated crisper plates for both, and my review unit also came with a skewer rack and a baking rack. But it’s worth noting that since I tested the UK version of this air fryer, accessories may vary depending on your location.
COSORI Dual Basket 9Qt Air Fryer: Design
Despite its somewhat simple and uncluttered appearance, this dual-basket air fryer is loaded with thoughtful design features. The first is windows in the front of each basket, combined with an internal light so you can quickly check your food without opening it up.
There are optional functions, such as a built-in preheat function and a reminder to shake foods mid-way through cooking. A ‘sync finish’ button takes the thinking out of getting both sides ready at the same time. The sync cook allows you to set up one side and copy the selections to the second side for easy batch cooking of the same foods.
The baskets and crisper plates are non-stick and dishwasher safe, so cleanup shouldn’t be a problem. As with most dual-basket air fryers, it’s not a small appliance, but it’s wider than it is deep, so when not in use, you can push it towards the back of the counter out of the way.
COSORI Dual Basket 9Qt Air Fryer: Performance
First, I used just one of the baskets to air fry some frozen breaded chicken goujons. I set it to air fry at 200°C/ 390°F and used the automatic preheat, which took three minutes. After the preheating, I put the chicken in, and with a turn halfway through, it was cooked to perfection in just 12 minutes. The breadcrumb coating had a satisfying crunch, while the frozen chicken meat was cooked and succulent.
To try out the bake function, I used it to bake a big batch of homemade granola, which I bake weekly in my usual air fryer. With the bake function set to 160°C/ 325°F on the left basket, I used the ‘sync cook’ button to mirror the settings on the right basket.
The preheat stage took four minutes, and I split the large batch of granola between the two baskets. It took 18 minutes to bake and brown to the level I like, which is pretty good.
Interestingly, when I removed a basket to stir the granola, I noticed that it only paused the timer for that basket. So even though the cooking time programmed at the start was the same, they can become out of sync if you open each basket for different lengths.
There’s no greater air fryer food than homemade fries, which I cooked alongside frozen breadcrumbed fish fillets. I followed my usual method and soaked the freshly cut chunky fries in cold water for 30 minutes before drying and lightly coating them in oil.
I set the air fryer to 200°C/ 390°F, with the timer set to 25 minutes for the fries and 15 minutes for the fish. I also selected the ‘sync finish’ so they’d be ready to plate up simultaneously. The automatic preheat started first for the fries and took three minutes. Once the fries had been in and cooking for a while, the second side began preheating.
I added the fish when the second side prompted me to. But it was immediately obvious that there was a few minutes difference between the two sides, so frustratingly, they wouldn’t finish exactly in sync. And as I noticed with the granola, the time difference was made worse because I removed the chips a couple of times to shake them, and it only paused cooking on that side.
Worried I’d done something wrong, I tested the sync cooking on another occasion and had the same problem. For my fish and fries, waiting the extra few minutes for the other side to finish didn’t make much difference. And the result was worth the wait: tender, moist fish with a crunchy crumb. The fries were fluffy in the center, while the outside was crisp and golden.
Roast tomatoes and mushrooms were next on the menu. I set the roast function to preheat to 190°C/ 375°C on both baskets, which took six minutes. I added halved tomatoes I’d seasoned and topped with balsamic vinegar on one side. Then, sliced mushrooms, drizzled in oil, went into the second basket.
During the 15-minute cooking time, I gave the mushrooms a couple of good shakes but left the tomatoes alone. The vegetables cooked beautifully; I have no complaints.
Not wanting to ignore the included accessories, I made some chicken skewers. Though there were five skewers, it was quickly obvious that unless the chicken was cut into tiny pieces, I couldn’t thread all five skewers with chicken and still fit them on the rack, so I made three.
I planned to use the broil function to cook the skewers and some sliced halloumi in the second basket. However, I quickly discovered that the broil function can only be selected for one basket at a time.
With that in mind, I selected broil at 220°C/ 425°F for 10 minutes for the chicken skewers and air fry at 200°C/ 390°F for six minutes for the halloumi slices. I selected the sync finish and allowed it to preheat, which took four minutes.
Despite turning both halfway through the cooking time, neither was long enough. So, at the end of cooking, I switched both sides back on for a couple more minutes, which did the trick. My tip here is don’t forget to deselect the preheat function because, in my hurry to get dinner on the table, I didn’t realize that when I added the extra couple of minutes, it had gone back into preheat mode, which I think is more fierce. Hence, my halloumi looks a little better than I had planned.
Cleaning was always easy. When the baskets were greasy or dirty, I cleaned them in the dishwasher. But sometimes, that seemed unnecessary, so if they weren't too bad, I washed them by hand, which was quick, thanks to the non-stick coating.
COSORI Dual Basket 9Qt Air Fryer: User reviews
The Cosori Dual Basket 9Qt Air Fryer is a popular choice among Amazon customers due to its large capacity and dual basket feature, allowing for cooking different foods simultaneously. Users appreciate the air fryer's ease of use and versatility, with various cooking functions available.
The 360 ThermoIQ technology is a standout feature of this air fryer. It evenly redistributes heat, ensuring well-cooked meals. The visible windows are also appreciated, as they allow users to monitor their food as it cooks.
However, some users have reported issues with the non-stick surface peeling or rusting when the basket is washed in a dishwasher. To maintain the non-stick surface, it is recommended that the basket be hand-washed.
Should you buy the COSORI Dual Basket 9Qt Air Fryer?
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | suitable for larger families; dual-basket design | 9/10 |
| Wattage and Cooking Performance | excellent cooking speed and efficiency; food cooks evenly and quickly; minor issues with the sync function | 8/10 |
| Versatility and Cooking Functions | variety of cooking functions, including air frying, baking, roasting, and broiling; presets for different types of food; dual-basket feature and sync cook function | 9/10 |
| Ease of Cleaning | baskets and crisper plates are non-stick and dishwasher safe | 9/10 |
| Build Quality and Safety Features | thoughtful design elements like an angled control panel and windows in the baskets; some limitations with the broil function; minor concerns about the sync finish | 8/10 |
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
How does the COSORI Dual Basket 9Qt Air Fryer compare?
If you like the idea of two separate cooking baskets but are not sold, I highly recommend you check out the Ninja Foodi DualZone FlexBasket. This huge-capacity air fryer allows you to use the basket as one single zone or split it into two independent zones. It offers the best of both worlds, but the catch is that it’s pricey.
Or, if you prefer cooking your food on trays instead of in a basket, you should consider the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro. This countertop oven offers far more functionality than the Cosori air fryer. The familiar oven-style layout means you can stay in your comfort zone for many of your favorite recipes.
How I tested the COSORI Dual Basket 9Qt Air Fryer
I used this air fryer in my home to cook common everyday foods. This allowed me to assess what it’s like to use it in day-to-day life, including the cleaning, how much space it takes up, and any quirks I noticed along the way.
I cooked various foods, from frozen fish to fresh meats and veggies. While the air fryer was in my kitchen, I tried to use as many of the cooking modes as I could.
See more about how we test.
