Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven

Welcome to part 4 of our review series focusing on the best air fryers available. Today, we'll dive deep into the Cuisinart 6-Quart Basket Air Fryer Oven (model AIR-200). Featuring a powerful 1800-watt output—the highest wattage among the four models we've tested—this appliance promises quick preheating and efficient cooking. Equipped with five convenient preset modes (French Fries, Wings, Vegetables, Frozen Snacks, and Leftovers), the Cuisinart Air Fryer aims to streamline your meal prep. In this detailed Cuisinart Air Fryer review, I'll walk you through its cooking performance, ease of use, size and weight, cleaning experience, pricing considerations, and help you determine if this is the right air fryer for your needs.

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The Cuisinart 6-Quart Basket Air Fryer Oven is an excellent choice for anyone looking to quickly and efficiently prepare tasty, crispy meals at home.

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Cooking Quality

Alongside the five practical preset modes, the Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven offers five versatile cooking functions: Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Keep Warm. Having tested multiple dishes—including french fries, chicken wings, and green beans—we found that the combination of preset and manual settings contributed to excellent cooking results with minimal fuss.

French Fries

Using the French Fries preset mode, our fries emerged impressively crisp, even outperforming several other models we reviewed. The fries were satisfyingly golden-brown on the outside and fluffy within. Given how rapidly the air fryer heats, I initially expected some overcooking—but the preset delivered perfect fries consistently, demonstrating one of this air fryer's greatest strengths.

Green Beans

Preparing green beans in the Cuisinart 6-Quart Basket Air Fryer was easy and enjoyable. I simply chose the "Vegetables" preset at 400°F, and the beans cooked quickly and evenly, emerging vibrant and crisp-tender with slight char marks that boosted flavor. The roomy square basket also helped ensure even crispness without overcrowding the food.

Chicken Wings

Using the Wings preset mode at 400°F produced tasty results, with most wings crispy and evenly cooked, closely mimicking traditional fried wings but without excessive oil. However, achieving absolute consistency required manually shaking the basket midway through cooking to ensure even crisping. This extra step isn't difficult but may matter to those wanting a totally hands-free experience. Nevertheless, the wings were flavorful and enjoyable overall, showcasing this appliance's high-quality results.

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Preheat Time

The Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven features an impressive 1800-watt output, giving it the fastest preheat time out of all models tested in our Kitchen Lab. It reached our cooking temperature of 400°F in just about two minutes flat—less than half the time it took some competitors. If speedy preheating matters to you, the Cuisinart air fryer is an ideal choice.

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Size and weight

Among the four air fryers I've tested at Kitchen Lab, the Cuisinart 6-Quart Basket Air Fryer Oven ranked as the heaviest and second largest by dimensions. Weighing approximately 17.2 lbs and measuring 12 inches in width by 16.6 inches deep, it's quite substantial and could present challenges if frequently stowed in cabinets. For this reason, the air fryer works best if you have adequate countertop space in your kitchen.

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Max Temperature

Like many top-quality basket air fryers, the maximum cooking temperature of the Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven is 450°F. However, what sets this model apart is the exceptional speed at which it reaches this high temperature, thanks to its powerful wattage.

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Price

At the time of writing this Cuisinart air fryer review, the Cuisinart 6-Quart Basket Air Fryer Oven was priced at around $121 on Amazon. This places it second in terms of price among the four models reviewed, just below the Ninja Foodi. While not the cheapest, its powerful performance and speedy heating capabilities can justify the slightly higher budget for buyers prioritizing efficient cooking times.

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Ease of use and aesthetics

During testing, we found the Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven remarkably intuitive. Its control panel is thoughtfully designed, clearly displaying each cooking mode (Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Keep Warm) so selecting the ideal setting can happen quickly and effortlessly. The preset cooking modes—french fries, wings, vegetables, frozen snacks, and leftovers—offer added ease for beginners and experienced cooks, removing guesswork from cooking times and temperatures with one-touch cooking convenience.

Additionally, its sleek lines and modern aesthetic blend harmoniously with most contemporary kitchens, making it a pleasant countertop addition for daily use.

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Cleaning

In testing the Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven, we found cleaning to be relatively straightforward overall, though there were a few minor challenges. The non-stick basket and crisper plate cleaned easily after use, which made regular maintenance fairly simple. However, we noticed water tended to get trapped between the viewing window's panes or accumulate beneath the basket's handle, requiring extra caution and drying time after washing. While these aren't deal-breakers, taking care to avoid submerging the basket and thoroughly air-drying after cleaning definitely helped streamline my experience.

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Conclusion: Who should get the Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven?

With its impressive cooking performance, exceptional preheat speeds, and versatile preset modes, the Cuisinart 6-Quart Basket Air Fryer Oven is an excellent choice for anyone looking to quickly and efficiently prepare tasty, crispy meals at home. Yet, because it's a heavier appliance with a substantial footprint, this air fryer is best suited for kitchens in homes or larger apartments with ample counter space. If space permits and efficiently cooked meals appeal to you, the Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven could certainly make an attractive addition to your kitchen rotation. If space is a priority, then read our top air fryer reviews to find the right one for you.

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