Hi Reader,

You know I'm all about keeping things simple in the kitchen. And while I don't jump on every trendy appliance, there are two that have earned a permanent spot in my house -- the Instant Pot and Air Fryer.

The Instant Pot speeds up long cook times on stews and soups and is made for staples like beans, rice, and yogurt.

An air fryer requires little to no preheating, cooks faster than an oven, and gives you that crispy finish we all love using just a small amount of oil. I LOVE using it to make homemade fries, breakfast potatoes, and even juicy chicken.

And while I have stood by one Instant Pot Model for almost 10 years now (this ONE if you are curious), I have struggled to consistently recommend one air fryer model.

But I finally found one that made me pause.

I recently tested the Cosori Stainless Steel 6.5-Quart Smart Air Fryer and wanted to share with you my honest thoughts. Full disclosure: Cosori sent it to me but I am sent products all the time and RARELY do they make the cut for me to chat about here with you.

Here's what stood out right away:

• The basket is ceramic-coated and PFAS-free. This was the big one for me.
• It's actually nice-looking. You could leave it on your counter without cringing or it taking up an insane amount of space.
• It has a wide temp range (90°F - 450°F). So it's more flexible than most. And while I don't like extra gimmicks or functions, this makes sense. You can proof bread, reheat items quickly at a low heat, and even dehydrate fruit or meat. (Layla can't wait for me to try making dried berries!)
• It cleans like a dream. While dishwasher safe, it wipes clean BEAUTIFULLY. This stood out to Garrett, who is typically my dishwasher on recipe test days. He said so much easier than any other model I have used.
• 5 year warranty. I have bought and replaced 3 air fryer in 7 years. So while I have only been using it for a month now, I am hoping this machine was built to last and the warranty indicates so.
• Consistent results so far. I have been testing it for several weeks and it is does what I want it to do -- makes crispy food with little oil and without having to preheat the oven. And it cooks things evenly. One side of the basket isn't cooked faster than the other half -- been there done that before.

A Few Downsides

• The price is HIGH. $249 at Cosori and $249 at Amazon. I get that is due to the quality of materials (PFAs-free, ceramic coating, and stainless steel), but that is double the cost of most models. That said, I have had to replace a lot of those cheaper models after 1-2 years, so with that in mind, if this lasts as long as it warranty indicates (and hopefully) longer, the price is easier to swallow.
• The stainless steel shows fingerprints easier. I have been able to buff them out with a microfiber cloth, but I do want to point that out in case it bothers you.
• Smaller than some. It has a 6.5-quart basket which if ideal for families of 3-5. You can find 8 and 10-quart capacity in some brands.

My Honest Take:

If you use your air fryer regularly and care about using PFAs-free materials, this one is absolutely worth considering.

If you only pull one out a few times a year or are on a budget, you don't need this level of appliance.

If you are looking for something more affordable, I would recommend checking out the Cosori Turboblaze. It is a newer product, and while the body is mainly plastic, the basket and crisper tray feature a premium ceramic coating -- which in my mind, is the most important part!

Interested?

• Check it out at Cosori ($249)
• Check it out at Amazon ($249)
• Less expensive Turboblaze at Amazon ($89 -- on sale for Big Spring Sale)

And now I have to ask, what air fryer recipes do you want to see next? I'm open to suggestions.

If you would like to watch the machine in action in my kitchen, I posted a video over on my YouTube Channel. Unfortunately, I can't link to videos here, but you can check out my channel here.