7 Best Air Fryers for Keto Cooking in 2025

After testing 15+ air fryers over 6 months of keto cooking, we've found the best options for crispy Brussels sprouts, perfect cauliflower bites, and everything in between. Here are our top picks for every budget.

⚡ Our Top Picks at a Glance

🏆 Best Overall
Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 $179 at Amazon
💰 Best Budget
COSORI Pro II $89 at Amazon
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families
Ninja AF161 Max XL $149 at Amazon
🏠 Best Compact
Dash Compact $49 at Amazon

📋 In This Guide

  1. Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 (Best Overall)
  2. COSORI Pro II (Best Budget)
  3. Ninja AF161 Max XL (Best for Families)
  4. Dash Compact (Best Compact)
  5. Air Fryer Buying Guide
  6. Frequently Asked Questions

Why Air Fryers Are Perfect for Keto

Air fryers and keto go together like bacon and eggs. You get crispy, satisfying textures without breading or excess oil. Brussels sprouts get caramelized edges, cauliflower gets that roasted crunch, and zucchini chips come out perfectly crisp.

After months of testing, here are the air fryers that earned a permanent spot in our keto kitchen.

💰 Best Budget
🍳

COSORI Pro II Air Fryer 5.8QT

★★★★★ 4.7/5 (45,000+ reviews)
$89.99 at Amazon
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If you want excellent performance without the premium price, the COSORI Pro II delivers. It's Amazon's #1 best-seller for good reason — reliable, spacious, and with 12 presets that actually work well.

👍 What We Love

  • Unbeatable value
  • 12 useful presets
  • Shake reminder feature
  • Quiet operation
  • Dishwasher-safe basket

👎 Considerations

  • Single basket only
  • No window to check food
  • App features limited

📋 Key Specifications

Capacity 5.8 quarts
Wattage 1700W
Temp Range 170°F - 450°F
Dimensions 11.8" x 14.3" x 12.6"
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families
🍳

Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer

★★★★★ 4.8/5 (28,000+ reviews)
$149.99 at Amazon
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When you're cooking keto sides for the whole family, you need capacity. The Ninja Max XL's 5.5qt basket handles a full head of cauliflower or enough Brussels sprouts for 6+ servings in one batch.

👍 What We Love

  • Max Crisp tech = extra crunch
  • Huge capacity
  • 450°F max temp
  • Ceramic-coated basket

👎 Considerations

  • Takes counter space
  • Heavy unit
🏠 Best Compact
🍳

Dash Compact Air Fryer

★★★★☆ 4.5/5 (52,000+ reviews)
$49.99 at Amazon
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Perfect for solo keto cooking or small kitchens. Don't let the size fool you — the Dash Compact makes perfect portions of crispy zucchini fries, bacon-wrapped jalapeños, or a single serving of roasted veggies.

👍 What We Love

  • Incredibly affordable
  • Fits anywhere
  • Perfect for 1-2 servings
  • Cute retro colors

👎 Considerations

  • 2qt capacity limits batches
  • No digital controls
  • Manual timer only

🛒 Air Fryer Buying Guide for Keto

Here's what to look for when choosing an air fryer for your keto kitchen:

Capacity

For keto cooking, we recommend at least 4 quarts. Vegetables need room to crisp — overcrowding leads to steaming, not roasting. For families, look at 5.5qt+.

Temperature Range

Higher max temps (400°F+) are essential for that caramelized, crispy finish on Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. Look for 450°F if you want maximum crispiness.

Basket Design

Square baskets offer more usable space than round ones. Dual-basket models let you cook protein and sides simultaneously — a huge time saver for meal prep.

Easy Cleaning

Cheese and bacon grease are part of keto life. Non-stick, dishwasher-safe baskets make cleanup painless.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Are air fryers good for keto cooking?

Absolutely! Air fryers excel at creating crispy textures without breading or excessive oil. Perfect for vegetables, bacon-wrapped sides, and cheese crisps.

What size air fryer do I need for keto meal prep?

For meal prep, we recommend at least 5 quarts. This lets you cook enough vegetables for several days in fewer batches.

Can I make keto side dishes in any air fryer?

Yes, any air fryer works for keto sides. However, models with higher temperature settings (450°F) produce crispier results on vegetables.

What's the best air fryer under $100?

The COSORI Pro II at $89 offers the best combination of capacity, features, and reliability under $100.