The best deep fryers can help you cook delicious fried food in your kitchen. These efficient and effective fryers can make crispy French fries, chicken wings, and even sweet treats like hot and fresh donuts. Many models have a self-contained design and an auto-drainage system to prevent spills and make cleaning easy.
Before purchasing a deep fryer, consider the type of food you will be frying, as this will often dictate the size of the appliance you need. You also need to consider where you will store the fryer and where it will fit in your kitchen. Deep fryers come in a range of sizes from 1.4L to 3.5L, so if you're cooking for your entire family, you may opt for a larger size.
Once you have decided on the size, consider the features that will make the deep fryer easy and convenient. Some models come with clear digital displays and adjustable thermostats for monitoring temperatures. Models with viewing windows are also great for beginners, as they allow you to closely monitor the food as it cooks. Cleaning is also essential, so look for models with removable elements that make cleaning a breeze.
Finally, safety is always a top priority, especially if you have young children. Look for models with cool-touch handles and auto power-off modes to avoid accidents. Remember never to leave the appliance unattended. If you're interested in cooking, check out our guides on the best air fryers and best turkey fryers.
The best deep fryers we recommend in 2024
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Top Ten Reviews is on a mission to review everything we feature in our buyer's guides. Still, while we work hard to make this a reality—or where this isn't possible—some of our guides still feature rankings based on our team's considerable expertise and research.
While we haven't been able to test any of the units in this guide in person, we've instead honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best features to help you make the right decision for your home, all for the best price.
The best deep fryer overall
One reviewer on Amazon loves the T-Fal fryer's easy-to-clean features, oil filtration system, and generous capacity, but suggests improving the odor filter. Another had no issues with the power cord, temperature, or oil overflow but suggested reinforcing the control panel. A third customer considers the T-Fal fryer the best they've ever owned, praising its professional quality and affordable price.
The T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Fryer is a powerful and innovative deep fryer that offers a range of helpful features, making it an excellent choice for cooking. It can quickly cook two pounds of chicken or fish fillets, and it has precise temperature controls and heating functions that deliver perfect, crispy food in less than 30 minutes. The fryer is straightforward, with a simple dial on the front that lets you switch modes from frying to automatic oil filtration.
The T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Fryer's power and size are impressive. Its 3.5-liter oil capacity provides ample space to cook large family dinners and big portions. It also features an adjustable thermostat for precise temperature control, a handy two-position basket for cooking and draining, and a viewing window in the lid. However, the most impressive feature is its Ultimate EZ clean oil filtration system, which automatically drains leftover oil into a plastic container for reuse, making maintenance much more manageable.
The only downside to the T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Fryer is that it has no auto-off timer, so you must manually turn it off. It has a higher price tag than other models, so it may not be the best option if you're looking for a budget-friendly basic fryer. However, if you regularly cook big family meals, this fryer is an excellent investment with many features that make it worth the price.
The best compact deep fryer
Customers appreciate the GranPappy fryer's performance, speed, and size. However, opinions on temperature control and quality are mixed. One satisfied customer on Amazon recommends it for its simplicity and ability to make crispy homemade fries. Cleaning is easy, but some mentioned that the plastic scoop is useless.
If you're cooking for a small household or have limited kitchen counter space, the Presto GranPappy Deep Fryer is the perfect choice. It's compact and stylish, yet powerful enough to fry all your favorite foods evenly within 15 minutes. The fryer has a six-cup capacity, which makes it great for a small family, and it comes with a heat-resistant handy scoop for moving your food around or taking it out of the hot oil without the risk of burns or damage.
The Presto GranPappy Deep Fryer is incredibly easy to use and maintain. It features a good-sized opening at the top for easy food in and out, cool-touch handles, and non-stick surfaces for easy cleaning. Another impressive feature is the magnetic safety connection, which automatically turns the fryer off if it's accidentally knocked.
However, the plastic lid can often get too hot, so it's important to handle it with care. The Presto GranPappy Deep Fryer only has an inner automatic thermostat that provides quick heating, but the lack of manual temperature control could be disappointing for some. If you're looking for the best compact deep fryer, the Presto GranPappy Deep Fryer is an excellent option. If you have a large family, the Presto GranPappy Deep Fryer won't be the best choice for you, but if you're cooking for yourself or your partner, it's a convenient and nifty appliance. The appliance is highly rated among users, with an average rating of 4.8/5 stars on Amazon.
The best value deep fryer
Amazon customers praise the deep fryer for its ease of use and cleaning. However, some are unhappy with the oil resistance. Opinions on quality, temperature control, performance, size, and value are mixed. Top reviews highlight quick recovery time and sturdy build.
If you're looking for a simple yet powerful deep fryer at an affordable price, the Cuisinart CDF-200P1 Deep Fryer is our top pick. It features a powerful 1800w heating system that delivers evenly crisp foods. The fryer also has a 'ready' light indicator that lets you know when the oil has reached the desired temperature for your favorite foods. The immersion element heats the unit quickly, making it perfect for cooking dishes such as chicken, fries, onion rings, donuts, and churros to perfection.
Although it doesn't have the largest capacity, it cooks smaller portions evenly and in less time. It also doesn't use much oil, making it healthier and less messy. Additionally, there is a small filter on the top of the fryer to trap rising grease, and all parts are detachable and dishwasher safe. The fryer also features a removable oil container with a pouring spout to dispose of oil safely and hassle-free.
While it may not be ideal for large family-sized feasts, and the power cord is shorter than most, it does come with an impressive three-year warranty. If you have a small family or are cooking for yourself and your partner, this deep fryer should be more than enough and will make a great, convenient addition to your kitchen. And with several delicious deep-fried desserts, the possibilities for sweet treats are endless.
The best deep fryer for chicken wings
Amazon customers appreciate the quality and ease of cleaning of the deep fryer, but opinions are mixed on performance, heating, ease of use, and value. Top reviews highlight the convenience of digital temperature control with a timer, filtered drain, and responsive customer service.
If you love to cook delicious chicken dishes regularly, the DeLonghi Livenza Easy Clean Deep Fryer D44528DZ is the perfect choice. With a powerful 1800w, this fryer heats quickly and retains a high temperature for perfectly crispy chicken and other favorites.
The fryer has an exceptionally large removable basket, which offers plenty of capacity to cook large quantities of food at once. This makes it ideal for large family meals or gatherings. Our testing found that the fryer heats up quickly and retains the temperature, making it perfect for cooking multiple batches of food. The fried chicken was cooked evenly and had a perfect crisp every time. The amount of oil left on the food was minimal, as very little was absorbed during the cooking process, making it ideal for those who occasionally indulge in fried meals.
The fryer also has some impressive features, including stylish LED temperature controls that are easy to operate at the touch of a button. Its 'Easy Clean' oil drainage system tap filters any leftover oil for future cooking, which means no messy clean-ups. Most removable parts are dishwasher-safe, which is a bonus.
There are a few minor drawbacks, such as the timer needing to be set before the fryer can start and the magnetic power cord that can become disconnected when the fryer is slightly moved. However, these can be overlooked by the quality, top features, and premium standard of the cooking results.
The best large capacity deep fryer
Customers on Amazon praise the Chefman deep fryer for its ease of use, large basket, and fast heating. However, there are mixed opinions on heat, value, quality, and performance. Top reviews mention its robust build quality, precise temperature control, and easy maintenance.
The Chefman 4.5-litre Deep Fryer is ideal for families who frequently entertain guests or have friends over for meals. Its impressive XL capacity of 4.5L makes it perfect for cooking large portions of your favorite fried foods, such as chicken, shrimp, french fries, potato chips, mozzarella sticks, donuts, churros, and more.
The deep fryer features a removable basket with a heat-resistant handle for easy draining and cooking and a lid with a viewing window for safety and convenience. The temperature can be easily adjusted using the dual control settings for precise frying without requiring any additional tools. The 1700-watt heating element and air filter ensure that food is fried quickly and evenly.
The deep fryer has a magnetic breakaway cord, which is a useful safety feature to prevent spills and accidents. The removable oil tray is helpful for cleaning—just remove it and pour out the oil to dispose of it. The stainless steel basket is also removable and easy to clean. The oil tray and stainless steel basket are dishwasher safe, making cleaning a breeze.
The deep fryer is surprisingly lightweight, weighing only 7.13 pounds, despite its large capacity and potential frying output. It may not be the fanciest appliance on the market, but it delivers abundant, delicious, crispy fried food. Overall, it is a great value for the price and perfectly suited for large families or special occasions.
How to choose the best deep fryer for you
When buying the best deep fryer, different people will have different priorities, depending on what they plan to put in it and how easy it is to use. However, the most important thing to consider when buying a fryer is its capacity, as investing in a product that can accommodate the foods you want to fry is essential.
Safety is also crucial when shopping for a deep fryer. It is important to have peace of mind while cooking, and auto-shutoff features are valuable if you forget to monitor the appliance. The Presto GranPappy Deep Fryer has a magnetic safety connection that automatically shuts off the appliance if it is knocked out of place, making it an excellent choice.
Deep frying can be messy, so removable elements are essential to keep the appliance clean and in the best possible condition for longer.
Deep fryer FAQs
How much do deep fryers cost?
Deep fryers are priced differently depending on their capacity and features. In this guide, we present options that range from $42 to $160. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a well-designed deep fryer that cooks well and has helpful safety features. In our testing, we found that mid-priced fryers provided good results.
Are deep fryers safe?
Countertop deep fryers are great for making crispy, delicious foods. However, they can be dangerous if not used properly. Hot oil can reach temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and is highly flammable, which can cause serious burns or even start a kitchen fire.
It is important to take precautions when using a deep fryer to avoid accidents. Avoid getting water in the hot oil, as it instantly creates dangerous steam. Never use water to put it out in the event of a fire. Instead, use a fire extinguisher designed for kitchen fires.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends following these safety guidelines to prevent accidents when using a countertop deep fryer.
- Read the owner’s manual first.
- Use the correct type of oil.
- Leave at least two inches of space at the top of the container.
- Heat to the recommended temperature for specific foods.
- Don’t overcrowd food in the fryer.
- Unplug the machine and let it cool completely before cleaning.
It is worth noting that some deep fryers can get hot enough on the outside to cause burns. However, during our testing, we awarded higher scores to deep fryers with lower exterior temperatures than those with higher temperatures.
When purchasing a deep fryer, it is advisable to choose one with a lid to reduce grease splatter. Additionally, vented lids are even better as they allow steam to escape. The best fryers come with magnetic electrical cords that break away easily in case of any mishap. Furthermore, we recommend selecting fryers with sturdy, heavy-traction rubber feet as they help keep the machine securely in place on your countertop, even when bumped.
