
I've seen and reviewed numerous air fryers on this website to the point that I believe I've seen it all.
But occasionally, I encounter a brand or model that piques my interest because of its peculiarity and what it offers.
Join me in this BELLA Air Fryer review as I unravel everything we need to know about this unit.
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Overview of the BELLA Air Fryer
The first thing I noticed about this air fryer is its shape. Unlike the traditional pod- or square-shaped air fryer, this unit is almost a triangular prism with a slight curve near the top.
It's 10 inches wide and 12 inches tall with a depth of 13 inches. The air fryer basket only has a 2.6-quart capacity, but that's more than enough for one to three persons.
It's powered by a 1500-watt engine and has a two-year limited warranty.
In-Depth Review
Performance and Food Taste
After a few days of cooking a fair amount of meals using the BELLA Air Fryer at home, I can say that the unit did not disappoint.
The food was great, and I had no problems operating the machine. What I love most is that it removes excess oil from my meals.
Based on their website, the BELLA Air Fryer reduces up to 88% of the fat from my food, allowing me to enjoy anything from French fries to fried chicken (since I also consume fewer calories from them).
From the several air fryer recipes I've tried, I tasted little to no difference in flavor, but I can definitely feel that the meals were healthier.
This Air Fryer Yogurt Marinated Chicken recipe is one of my favorites!
Design and Features
Overall appearance and construction
The BELLA Air Fryer avoids overcomplicating your time in the kitchen. It's as straightforward as it can get. Aside from its sleek design, it furthers its minimalist aesthetic by using only two manual dials.
The upper knob is for the timer, while the lower knob is for temperature. Two light indicators sit above the knobs; one for power and another for preheating.
It has a temperature range of 175°F to 400°F. However, the indicators around the knob are in 25-degree increments, so getting a precise temperature might be tricky.
Additionally, it does not include preset buttons (or presets, for that matter). So if you're looking for a more advanced air fryer, you might be better off with a digital version like the BELLA 2.9QT Touchscreen Air Fryer.
Size and layout of the cooking surface
If you regularly cook food in smaller quantities, this is a relatively good air fryer to have at home. Its 2.6-quart capacity is more than enough for small families or solo dwellers.
Since it has a lower capacity than most air fryers, it's also smaller, allowing it to fit in tight spaces and take up minimal countertop space.
Despite its unconventional shape, I like that it has a square basket and cooking chamber. Heating the chamber and cooking your food takes less time and power.
On the other hand, the square basket gives you more surface area to cook meals compared to pod-shaped models.
Ease of use
As I've said, it's very straightforward and simple to operate. Just set the timer and temperature using the dials, and you're good to go.
But one thing that I commend about this air fryer is the easy cleanup. Aside from having a small drawer and other accessories to clean, all of them are dishwasher safe.
You just have to toss them inside the dishwasher and let it do the rest. That's a huge point for convenience.
Additional features
Aside from the cool-touch handle, the air fryer also includes a built-in sensor for safety purposes. The sensor detects whether or not the drawer is properly locked in place.
If it's not, the air fryer won't turn on. This prevents the device from accidentally operating or heating up when not in use.
This safety feature is an excellent way to avoid mishaps in the kitchen.
Price and Value
If you're looking for a straightforward air fryer that gets the job done, I can say the BELLA Air Fryer is worth the price.
However, that's not to say you won't find other models with more advanced features in the same price range.
I'm not suggesting that manual air fryers are obsolete, but if you're going to invest in a kitchen partner you'd be using for years, you might as well include "versatility" in your checkboxes.
After all, air fryers are about convenience, so I'd prefer models with presets and other cooking functions. Nonetheless, the BELLA Air Fryer is a good unit to have at home, especially for beginners who wish to abandon deep-frying.
How to Clean
Cleaning the BELLA Air Fryer is very easy. As I've mentioned, all the detachable parts and accessories are dishwasher-safe.
But if you don't have one at home, you may also use dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge to remove food residue from the basket and tray.
You may also want to familiarize yourself with more advanced cleaning methods to remove stubborn and baked-on grease.
What We Like
- simple
- sleek design
- compact
- square basket
- safe
- dishwasher-safe
- nonstick coating
What We Don't Like
- temperature indicators are in increments of 25 degrees
- no presets
Alternatives
Here are some other air fryers you may want to check if the BELLA Air Fryer does not meet your expectations.
Philips HD9252/91 Air Fryer
Philips HD9252/91 Air Fryer on Amazon
The HD9252/91 is one of the most sought-after air fryers from Philips on Amazon and even on the Williams Sonoma website.
It includes 13 cooking functions and a free smartphone application where you can access hundreds of recipes you can try with the air fryer.
It utilizes Philips' Rapid Air Technology to reduce up to 90% of oil from your foods. All of the detachable parts are dishwasher-safe, so cleanup is relatively easy as well.
DASH Tasti-Crisp Air Fryer
DASH Tasti-Crisp Air Fryer on Amazon
DASH is among the most popular brands when it comes to compact air fryers. The Tasti-Crisp Air Fryer is equipped with a slightly less powerful 1000-watt engine.
However, it's significantly smaller than the BELLA Air Fryer, with dimensions of 10 by 8 by 11 inches. It also utilizes manual dials.
The maximum temperature is also 400°F, but the max setting for the timer is only 30 minutes. Nonetheless, it's still an excellent model for solo dwellers and those with limited countertop spaces.
Elite Gourmet EAF-0201BL Air Fryer
DASH Tasti-Crisp Air Fryer on Amazon
If the price tag is the only thing keeping you from purchasing the BELLA Air Fryer, let me introduce you to the EAF-0201BL Air Fryer from Elite Gourmet.
It's probably the most affordable compact air fryer in the market today (almost half the price of the BELLA Air Fryer).
It also uses manual dials with a maximum timer setting of 30 minutes and a maximum temperature setting of 395°F (just enough for most meats).
However, despite being less expensive, the Elite Gourmet Air Fryer includes six cooking presets.
Wrapping Up
That concludes my BELLA Air Fryer review. Remember that your personal needs are the most important factor to consider when choosing an air fryer.
How much food do you cook regularly? Do you have ample countertop space? Do you need cooking presets? Determine what works for your kitchen before purchasing a unit for your home.
If you want to read more air fryer reviews or learn more about this device, feel free to visit Also The Crumbs, Please.
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