Glass baskets are the latest air fryer trend in Aussie kitchens – what’s the benefit?

Air fryers are an increasingly common fixture in Aussie kitchens, and manufacturers are taking note.

The types of air fryers, and range of features, are expanding rapidly, with brands doing everything they can to capture the dollars of air fryer fans: there are vertical dual-basket designs, smart app integration and cooking features such as steaming, reheating and more. 

Now, to meet the consumer demand for cooking equipment and appliances made with non-toxic materials, we’re seeing a new trend on the air fryer scene: glass air fryers. These models swap traditional non-stick baskets for glass containers or baskets.

Offering benefits such as more visible cooking, easier cleaning and a naturally non-stick, PFAS-free surface, they certainly tick a lot of boxes. But are they better than conventional air fryers? 

CHOICE experts have tested dozens of air fryers in our kitchen labs, including several models with glass components, and they think there are a few things you should know before buying one.

What are glass air fryers?

Glass air fryers cook in the same way as traditional air fryers, but they have a transparent glass bowl or basket instead of a traditional plastic drawer with a non-stick coating. 

“We’re seeing more glass air fryers come onto the market in Australia and expect to see more,” says CHOICE kitchen expert Chantelle Dart.

“They seem to be growing in popularity for people who want to avoid non-stick chemical coatings, and they offer other benefits such as being easy to clean and easier to view your food as it cooks.”

Chantelle says that if you’re after an air fryer with a glass basket, there are a couple of different designs to consider. 

There’s the standard drawer type, like the Healthy Choice 6.5L Digital Air Fryer AFG605. And then there are models where the heating element sits on top of a glass container – this is the design that has been replicated in the new Ninja Crispi and the Dreame Tasti air fryers. 

Other brands to release air fryers with glass baskets or containers include Kmart Anko and Smith & Nobel. And Sunbeam has reimagined its traditional NutriOven (which traditionally uses a halogen lamp as the heat source) to one with a heating element, rebranding it as the NutriCrisp Glass Air Fryer.

“All these options have good visibility when cooking, which means you don’t have to stop cooking to see how your food is crisping up, says Chantelle.

“You still have to shake and turn the food halfway through cooking to get good results though, the same as you would with a traditional air fryer.”

And if you’re concerned about chemical coatings, Chantelle says a glass air fryer might not necessarily be entirely free of them.

“Some glass air fryers still have components, such as a crisping plate, that has a non-stick coating. The Dreame Tasti air fryer comes with a stainless steel crisping plate, which is preferable if you want to avoid non-stick coatings.”

Are glass basket air fryers better?

The performance of the glass air fryers we’ve tested in the CHOICE kitchen labs is on par with non-glass air fryers, but Chantelle says there are a few pros and cons to be aware of.

“Glass air fryers are definitely a good option to consider if you want to avoid non-stick coatings, and the glass containers are easy to clean and wipe over,” she says. 

“But keep in mind, glass baskets can be heavier and slightly more difficult to manoeuvre and can get really hot.

“We have measured temperatures on these baskets of over 100 degrees, depending on the settings used, so you really need to exercise caution and follow the manufacturers’ safety instructions to ensure you don’t burn yourself.”

Chantelle recommends you buy a model that is made from thermal shock-resistant borosilicate glass so it can withstand these high temperatures, and ensure you are always following manufacturer’s instructions for use.  

Pros of glass basket air fryers

• You can see your food while it cooks (but you still need to shake and turn the food to ensure ultimate crispness).
• Greasy stains are more visible but glass is easy to clean and wipe over. Glass containers are also generally dishwasher-safe and you don’t have to worry about damaging, degrading or scratching a non-stick coating. 
• No PFAS/non-stick coatings on glass components (but other components such as crisper trays may still have non-stick coatings).
• Depending on the type you choose, glass containers are designed to double up as storage containers (some brands even include storage lids).
• Some glass air fryers come with different size containers so you can adapt the size of the container to what you’re cooking.

Cons of glass basket air fryers

• Exterior surfaces can get very hot. You may need to use oven mitts when operating.
• Glass adds significant weight compared with metal baskets, which can make the basket trickier to shake during cooking or more awkward to clean by hand.
• Some glass air fryers still have non-stick coatings on components such as crisper trays.
• There are currently fewer shapes and sizes to choose from, compared with traditional drawer-type air fryers.

CHOICE verdict

While glass air fryers appear to be a growing trend, for the time being there are still fewer options to choose from, which might make it harder to find one that suits your needs and budget.

The models we’ve tested perform well, and if you can find one in the right size and shape, with the features you need for the right price, it can be a good option, particularly if you want to avoid non-stick coatings.

A glass air fryer is not for everyone though, and could be unsuitable if you think you’ll have an issue with a heavier basket or extremely hot surfaces. 

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Pru Engel

Pru Engel is the Audience and Engagement editor at CHOICE. Her job is to ensure as many Australians as possible know about the great work we do at CHOICE.  She works closely with our testers and experts to find the gems of information in our data and research that will resonate with Australian consumers and help them make the best decisions, whether they're purchasing an air fryer, looking for a new mattress or trying to find the cheapest car insurance. She also helps to drive meaningful change for consumers by collaborating with our Campaigns team on content covering issues such as grocery pricing, product safety and scams.  Prior to CHOICE, Pru worked as an editor at many of Australia's leading food and lifestyle titles.  Pru has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) from the University of Technology, Sydney. Find Pru on LinkedIn.

Pru Engel is the Audience and Engagement editor at CHOICE. Her job is to ensure as many Australians as possible know about the great work we do at CHOICE.  She works closely with our testers and experts to find the gems of information in our data and research that will resonate with Australian consumers and help them make the best decisions, whether they're purchasing an air fryer, looking for a new mattress or trying to find the cheapest car insurance. She also helps to drive meaningful change for consumers by collaborating with our Campaigns team on content covering issues such as grocery pricing, product safety and scams.  Prior to CHOICE, Pru worked as an editor at many of Australia's leading food and lifestyle titles.  Pru has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) from the University of Technology, Sydney. Find Pru on LinkedIn.