I’ve tested several of the best air fryers this month and around 10 in the past year. I’ve cooked entire meals for my family of seven and also simply warmed up my lunch to give leftovers a second life. During that time, I’ve struggled with buttons that don’t make sense, too many options, and large bulky appliances. Luckily, the Midea 5.5 QT Air Fryer review is the complete opposite. The small but mighty product features an intuitive design, the necessary buttons at your fingertips, and a brilliant “+1 minute” button I thought only existed on microwaves.
It won’t cook an entire roast, a big bag of frozen vegetables or French fries, or even more than a few chicken drumsticks. But it does well if you keep portions small and don’t overlap items. People with limited space, mainly vertical underneath an upper cabinet, might appreciate its compact, square, simple shape.
However, a few design elements could be improved, such as the fact that, like some others, the drawer falls when you pull it out. It's not on a track like some air fryers. This product is a must-have for cooking for one to two people or just reheating leftovers.
Alex Frost is a mom and an experienced journalist and product reviewer. She tests a variety of products in her career, including small and large home appliances, mattresses and products that make parenting easier. As a mom of 5 kids who are all under the age of 10, products are tested for durability, efficiency, and the ability to make family life a bit less chaotic.
Midea 5.5 QT Air Fryer: Key specs
| Power | 1500 watts |
| Capacity | 5.5 QT |
| Cooking Functions | 9 preset menus, including grill, bake, air fry, roast, broil, bagel, dehydrate, keep warm and reheat. Also has the option of adding a minute to cook time with a single button and a favorites setting for most used or preferred cooking settings. |
| Dimensions | 13.5 x 10.7 x 11.8 inches |
| Weight | 9.8 lbs |
| Material | All-metal |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes |
| WiFi Connectivity | No |
| Max Temperature Setting | 400 degrees F |
| Variations | Additional model available without glass door |
Midea 5.5 QT Air Fryer: Setup
My first impression of this product was how cute it was! It was smaller and more square than other bulky fryers I’ve tested, so I wondered if it would perform as well.
I also noticed that the material and glass front at the bottom seemed very high-quality and well-constructed. However, I was concerned about the length of the cord and had to carefully choose where to set it. For example, it didn’t reach around the edge of the island counter and down to a plug halfway to the ground.
These minor limitations gave me pause, but I was excited to get cooking when I saw special features like the +1-minute button for easy time-increasing and the favorite setting to remember your most frequently used time and temperature.
- Score: 7/10
Midea 5.5 QT Air Fryer: Design & Features
The Midea 5.5 QT HeatExpress Air Fryer is compact, measuring 13.5 x 10.7 x 11.8 inches. Unlike some of the air fryers I’ve tested in the past, this one fits nicely on my counter without feeling like I’ve wedged it underneath my upper cabinets.
I also loved that it was lightweight (9.8 lbs!). It makes it portable, which I appreciate when transporting food for my big Greek family gatherings.
However, my favorite design feature of this air fryer has to be the “Favorite” button. Think of it like a pre-set channel for your cooking preferences. It stores your preferred temperature and time, so a single button makes cooking those dino nuggets three times a week incredibly seamless. I also liked the “+1” feature, which added a minute to the cooking time without waiting for the end of a cooking cycle to decide if the food needed additional time.
In terms of its exterior, it is sleek and modern, though I admit I’m not as crazy about the glass window on this model as it shows smudges. With five kids in my house, I’d prefer one less thing to have to wipe down when it comes to fingerprints.
The design also lacks in a few other areas. Compared to other air fryers I’ve had, this Midea model's power cord seems shorter. While it wasn’t a deal breaker for me, as I could find a space where the air fryer could be close to an outlet, it might be for those with smaller kitchens or fewer outlets available.
I also noted in the design that the drawer can be difficult to remove. While the air fryer does have some grippers on the bottom of it, most of the time, because of the wiggling required to remove the drawer, I found that the entire unit moved too–something that is less than ideal when you have hot food and kids running around the kitchen.
- Score: 8/10
Midea 5.5 QT Air Fryer: Performance
As someone experienced in testing air fryers, I like to cook potatoes to determine if the product can do much more than simply crisp up the outside of denser food. As anyone who has eaten potatoes knows, they can sometimes cook well on the outside but not entirely on the inside, especially if you rush them.
So, I tested the “bake” setting of the air fryer to determine how well I felt the potatoes (small sweet potatoes with cuts in them) cooked. I also tested them on air fry, and while both worked well, the air fry setting resulted in a crunchier outside. The potatoes were cooked around the same length as in an oven or a bit quicker. However, it worked more quickly to cut them into small pieces and periodically shake the basket to mix them up better.
This air fryer has a nonstick base. This is essential when cooking various meats, anything with a glaze, or crisping up fried eggs. Food can easily adhere to the bottom during the frying process if it doesn’t have a well-performing, nonstick surface.
I tested the nonstick functions using a vegetable medley covered in a sauce (which included a little sugar, making it stickier). Although the vegetables caramelized into a lovely glaze in the air fryer, I had no issues removing them at the end. The nonstick surface performed well.
As a parent cooking for a large family, sometimes I need to cook more than just a few pieces of chicken. So, I tested the air fryer to see how it would perform when there were two layers of food, such as chicken tenderloins.
As with some other air fryers, but not all, this didn’t go too well. The bottoms of the bottom row and the tops of the top row were cooked well, but the basket frequently needed to be mixed up or shaken a bit so everything cooked evenly.
I did appreciate, though, that underneath the air fryer, an inch or so of space allows air to fry the food properly from the bottom with enough clearance.
- Score: 8/10
Midea 5.5 QT Air Fryer: Care & maintenance
When cleaning an air fryer, there’s nothing worse than a problematic basket to remove stuck food. Fortunately, this Midea air fryer didn’t have either when maintaining a clean cooking surface.
The non-stick cooking basket makes cleaning up a breeze. Unlike some competitors, the basket doesn’t require extra time to scrub away cooked food, and it’s also dishwasher safe to save you cleaning time and energy.
The company recommends that owners clean the basket as soon as possible to avoid damaging the nonstick coating. Erosion can occur if oil or food particles are left behind. They also recommend that owners avoid using hard or sharp items like a wire brush to clean the air fryer, as this will prevent the air fryer from getting scratched.
Additional recommendations include wiping out the air fryer with a soft cloth and using a neutral detergent. This will help prolong the machine's integrity. If you notice any chipping of the non-stick surface on the basket, it’s best to replace the basket or appliance.
Not every machine is perfect, but here are some solutions to common problems:
Uneven cooking: If your items are being cooked unevenly, consider shaking them in the basket halfway through cooking time. This will help ensure that the food continues to cook evenly and that heat is evenly distributed.
Difficulty sliding the basket into the appliance: It’s important not to overfill it, as doing so can make reinserting it difficult. Also, ensure that the basket is placed in the appliance correctly.
Items aren’t crispy: Not all foods are created equal regarding air frying. Ensure the foods you’re preparing are made for the air fryer, not traditional deep frying. You also might want to lightly brush oil, such as canola oil, on your foods to help them crisp in the air fryer.
This air fryer is smaller than others so that it can be stored in a kitchen cabinet, pantry, or countertop. When storing it on your countertop, please unplug the appliance after each use to prevent fires.
The manufacturer also recommends not to store additional items on top of the air fryer, as this can damage the appliance's exterior.
- Score: 9/10
Midea 5.5 QT Air Fryer: Price & Value
The Midea 5.5 QT HeatExpress Air Fryer is currently available through Amazon for $63.53. It is also available online through Target, Home Depot and Walmart.
Prices vary by retailer but most stay within the $60 to $80 range for this specific product.
- Score: 8/10
Would I buy the Midea 5.5 QT Air Fryer?
Consider buying this air fryer if you need a quick-cooking appliance that heats up quickly. Its Heat Express Technology ensures even cooking. Its modern design is aesthetically pleasing and doesn't take up much counter space, making it ideal for one or two people and perfect for cooking single items like fries or wings.
However, if you prefer cooking full meals at once or have limited kitchen outlets, this might not be the best choice. Its capacity is small, meaning you can’t prepare meals for larger families, and the short power cord can complicate placement in your kitchen.
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Compact model and easy setup | 7/10 |
| Design | A fan “favorite” button and a +1 minute make things easy | 8/10 |
| Performance | Non-stick, thorough cooking | 8/10 |
| Maintenance | Easy to clean and maintain | 9/10 |
| Value | Widely available and extremely economical | 8/10 |
How does the Midea 5.5 QT Air Fryer compare?
For larger families, I would recommend a model like the Midea Dual Zone Air Fryer or the Toshiba 7.7-Quart Air Fryer both of which I have tested and reviewed myself.
Check out our Top Ten Reviews favorites in our buying guide for the best air fryers.
How I tested the Midea 5.5 QT Air Fryer
Here’s how we test, including the following for this product:
Unboxing
When I unboxed the air fryer, I noticed the packaging had protected the product well. The instructions were clear, though the simplicity of the buttons and product design suggests they are unnecessary.
Assembly
The product arrived assembled and ready to use. However, as with any cooking product, washing the parts that will contact food before beginning use is advised. I plugged it in and was ready to go.
Performance
To test the air fryer, I cooked various foods my family would typically eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I tried the numerous settings on the product but used the actual “air fry” button most frequently. I also attempted to add more cooking time and tried various time frames and temperatures.
Cleaning, Storage, and Maintenance
As with many air fryers, cleaning the air fryer was easy. I tested this by removing the tray, washing it with soap and water by hand, drying it, and returning it to its compartment. Storage testing involved ensuring that it would fit under upper cabinets, as people will likely use it on a kitchen counter.
Finally, I determined that it is lightweight, allowing people to quickly move it to a pantry or other storage area. It also didn’t need any maintenance.
