The Power XL Air Fryer is a popular kitchen appliance that uses rapid air circulation technology to cook food with little to no oil. It has become an attractive alternative to traditional deep frying methods for preparing crispy fried foods like chicken, french fries, and more with a fraction of the calories.
One of the key components of an air fryer is the basket that holds the food during cooking. So an important question for consumers considering a Power XL Air Fryer purchase is – does this model have a basket?
What is an Air Fryer Basket?
An air fryer basket is a container made of perforated metal or mesh that sits inside the air fryer and holds food during the cooking process. Air fryer baskets allow for optimal air circulation around all sides of food for quick and even cooking. The basket also makes it easy to shake or flip foods halfway through cooking.
Key features of a quality air fryer basket include:
- Perforations for maximum airflow
- Non-stick coating for easy food release and cleanup
- Dishwasher safe for convenience
- Durable metal construction that won’t warp from heat
- Nesting or sliding design for easy insertion and removal
- Capacity suited for 1-4 servings
The basket slides into the cooking chamber and slots or locks into place. Handles allow you to shake the basket during cooking for even browning.
Does the Power XL Air Fryer Have a Basket?
The simple answer is yes, the Power XL Air Fryer does come equipped with a removable non-stick air fryer basket.
Here are more details on the Power XL air fryer’s basket:
Basket Design
The Power XL air fryer includes a square-shaped metal mesh basket that slides into the cooking chamber. It has an open-top design with a handle on each side for shaking or pulling the basket out.
According to the product specifications, the basket’s measurements are approximately 12 inches wide x 12 inches deep x 4 inches high. This provides a 5.3 quart capacity suitable for cooking up to 4 servings of food at once.
Basket Features
The Power XL air fryer basket incorporates useful features for great performance:
- Non-stick coating – The basket has a BPA-free non-stick coating for easy food release and fast cleanup.
- Dishwasher safe – While hand washing is recommended, the basket is dishwasher safe for added convenience.
- Cool-touch handle – The basket handle stays cool during cooking for safe shaking and removal.
- Nesting design – The basket neatly nests into the fryer cavity for optimal use of interior space.
Capacity
With its 12 x 12 inch basket, the Power XL Air Fryer can hold up to:
- 2 pounds of french fries
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 pounds of chicken wings
- 1 whole chicken (4 lbs)
The decent 5.3 quart capacity makes this an ideal air fryer for families that need to prepare 2-4 servings at a time. If your household is larger, you may prefer a model with a larger basket.
How to Use the Power XL Air Fryer Basket
Using the Power XL’s air fryer basket correctly is important for getting the best results. Here are tips:
Preheat Properly
Always preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding food to the basket. This gets the air inside hot enough to quickly crisp and brown foods.
Don’t Overfill
Add enough food to fill the basket 50-75% full, leaving space for air circulation. Overfilling causes uneven cooking.
Shake and Flip
Use the handles to shake the basket periodically during cooking. This redistributes oils and batter for even browning. Also flip or rotate foods halfway through.
Use Basket Liners
You can place parchment paper or silicone liners cut to size inside the basket to prevent sticking, especially when cooking batters, sauces, or cheese.
Clean Regularly
Clean the basket and fryer after each use to prevent residue buildup. Wash with hot water and mild detergent.
Following these steps will help you get perfect air fried results with the Power XL’s basket!
Power XL Air Fryer Basket vs. Other Models
How does the Power XL air fryer basket compare to other popular models on the market? Here is an overview:
Size Comparison
| Model | Basket Size | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Power XL Air Fryer | 12 x 12 inches | 5.3 quarts |
| Ninja Air Fryer AF101 | 9 x 9 inches | 4 quarts |
| Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer | 10 x 10 inches | 6 quarts |
| COSORI Air Fryer XL | 12.6 x 12.6 inches | 5.8 quarts |
The Power XL has one of the larger baskets among popular models. The COSORI Air Fryer XL basket is slightly bigger.
Design and Features
Most air fryer baskets share common design elements like non-stick coatings, cool-touch handles, and dishwasher-safe construction. Unique features of the Power XL basket include:
- Square shape maximizes cooking area
- Nesting design for compact storage in fryer
- Metal guard under basket to prevent scorching
The Instant Vortex basket stands out for its angled sides that promote air circulation. The Ninja basket has a non-stick ceramic coating that is PTFE/PFOA free.
Price Comparison
| Model | Basket Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Power XL Air Fryer | 12 x 12 inches | $99.95 |
| Instant Vortex Plus | 10 x 10 inches | $119.95 |
| Ninja AF101 Air Fryer | 9 x 9 inches | $129.95 |
| COSORI Air Fryer XL | 12.6 x 12.6 inches | $119.99 |
The Power XL is one of the most affordable options, making it a budget-friendly choice. The COSORI XL model matches its large capacity at a similar price point.
Does the Power XL Air Fryer Basket Work Well?
Based on customer reviews and tests of the Power XL Air Fryer, the basket does its job effectively. Owners say it cooks food evenly with nice crisping and browning all over. The non-stick is durable and prevents most sticking or burning.
The basket capacity can fit several servings, though you may need to work in batches for larger amounts. Shaking the basket halfway through is recommended for ideal texture and doneness. It’s easy to insert and remove the lightweight basket using the cool-touch handles.
One downside is that the square basket shape leads to some underutilized space in the corners. Overall though, the Power XL air fryer basket delivers solid performance, especially given the affordable price tag.
Tips for Using a Power XL Air Fryer Basket
Here are some helpful tips and tricks for getting the most out of the Power XL air fryer’s basket:
Coat the Basket
Lightly coat the inside of the air fryer basket with oil or non-stick spray before adding food. This enhances browning and prevents food from sticking.
Cook in Batches
Avoid overcrowding the basket. Cook foods in smaller batches for even cooking results.
Vary Placement
Try placing larger foods near the edges of the basket and smaller items toward the center for the best results.
Use a Basket Liner
Line the basket with parchment paper or a silicone mat cut to size to prevent sticky batters or melty cheeses from sticking to the mesh.
Secure With Toothpicks
Keep ingredients like sandwiches and wraps contained using toothpicks. Just be sure to remove them before eating!
Add Smoking Wood
Place a small smoker box with wood chips in the bottom of the basket to infuse foods with smoky barbecue flavor.
Clean After Each Use
Don’t let food debris collect in the basket. Wash it thoroughly after each use for best performance.
Common Power XL Air Fryer Basket Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Power XL air fryer’s basket:
Is the basket dishwasher safe?
Yes, the Power XL air fryer basket is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Hand washing is recommended to preserve the non-stick coating.
Can you bake in the air fryer basket?
The basket can be used for baking items like french fries, chicken wings, and fish fillets. For more delicate baked goods, a baking pan placed inside the basket works better.
What happens if the basket is overfilled?
Overfilling the basket prevents proper air circulation, leading to uneven cooking. Stick to filling it half to three-quarters full. Overfilling can also cause foods to spill over making a mess.
How do you get the basket out if hot or stuck?
Use oven mitts to carefully grasp the basket’s cool-touch handles. Gently wiggle or twist the basket to release it if stuck. Allow the fryer to fully cool down before removing a hot basket to prevent steam burns.
Can you get replacement Power XL air fryer baskets?
Yes, you can purchase replacement Power XL air fryer baskets directly from the manufacturer if needed. Make sure to get the correct 12 x 12 inch size basket for your model.
Conclusion
The Power XL Air Fryer does indeed come equipped with a handy non-stick metal basket that fits inside the cooking chamber. The square-shaped basket has a 12 x 12 inch capacity suitable for making 2-4 servings of air fried foods at once.
It slides into place and allows you to easily shake foods during cooking for even browning and crisping. The dishwasher-safe basket features cool-touch handles, non-stick coating, and a nesting design for compact storage.
While not the largest on the market, the Power XL air fryer basket works effectively for crisping up favorites like fries, nuggets, wings and more. Following proper usage tips will ensure you get the most out of the basket’s performance. Given the affordability of this model, the basket delivers plenty of value.