I’ve been through my fair share of air fryers over the years – some decent, some dismal – and I’ve used them enough times to know that some air fryers come with that unmistakable plastic smell when they heat up.
So, when I heard about the Crumble air fryer with its full stainless steel body and promise of zero cooking odours, I was intrigued. Could this good-looking Aussie appliance actually live up to the hype? And more importantly, would it earn a permanent spot on my countertop, or end up shoved in a cupboard like the rest?
I opted for the pink sand colour, one of several stylish options in Crumble’s retro-inspired range. If you’re not familiar with Crumble, they’re a small Australian brand known for their sleek, well-built kitchen appliances. This air fryer is one of their latest launches.
After putting the Crumble air fryer through its paces for several weeks, cooking everything from frozen chips to homemade nuggets and even attempting my first air fryer cake, I’m ready to share the final verdict.
Our verdict on the Crumble air fryer
GOOD FOR: Home cooks who want a stylish, well-built air fryer with plenty of room for family-sized meals.
What we liked
- Six-litre capacity can fit a whole chicken
- Stylish retro design with multiple colour options
- See-through window lets you monitor cooking progress
- Lightweight despite steel build
- Includes steaming function
- Quick, even cooking
- Easy to clean non-stick basket
- Helpful temperature guide printed on top
- Pleasant chime when cooking is complete
What you need to know
- Higher price point than many other air fryers
- Doesn’t come with a recipe booklet (though there’s a cooking chart)
- Large footprint may not suit kitchens with limited bench space
- Basket coating can wear over time if abrasive tools are used
- Requires preheating for best results
What’s so special about the Crumble air fryer?
It’s the mix of good design, quality materials and easy functionality that sets the Crumble apart. I’ve used plenty of air fryers over the years, and this is one I genuinely keep displayed on my bench.
- Steel construction: Unlike many air fryers that rely on plastic, the Crumble is made with a carbon steel body and interior. No burnt plastic smell, no flimsy parts – just solid construction that feels built to last.
- Generous capacity: I’ve roasted a whole (smallish) chicken, made enough chips for a family gathering and even baked a cake in it. No more cooking dinner in three separate batches!
- Style meets function: The retro-inspired design comes in gorgeous colour options that actually complement your kitchen. It also has a see-through window and interior light, so you can check on your food without opening the basket and letting the heat escape.
- Dual heating elements: It maintains consistent temperatures within a 10% fluctuation range (most air fryers can vary by 40-50%). That means no more burnt edges or soggy middles.
Crumble air fryer materials, size and specs
- Dimensions: 266mm x 329mm x 320.5mm
- Weight: 6kg
- Capacity: 6L
- Colours: Pink sand, iced matcha, broccoli green, chocolate, marshmallow, midnight grey, lavender gloss, Hermes blue gloss, beige gloss
- Materials: Carbon steel body and interior
- Warranty: One-year limited warranty
- What’s included: Air fryer unit, non-stick basket, crisper tray, instruction manual, 50 parchment papers
- Voltage: 220-240V ~ 50-60Hz
How to use the Crumble air fryer
Getting started with the Crumble air fryer is refreshingly easy, even if you’re new to air frying.
Setup:
Simply unpack, place on a stable surface with adequate clearance around the vents and plug in. The helpful temperature and timing chart on top means you can start cooking immediately without frantically hunting through a manual.
Preheating:
For best results, preheat for two to three minutes before adding food. Just don’t put parchment paper in during preheating, as it can become a fire hazard.
Loading:
Don’t overcrowd the basket. The generous capacity means you can cook for the whole family, but air needs to circulate for that perfect crispy finish.
Monitoring:
The see-through window and interior light make it easy to check progress without stopping the cooking cycle. Finally, an air fryer that satisfies my need to hover without sabotaging the process!
Hidden steam function
The hidden steam function lets you add water to the base of the basket and place the crisper tray on top – just make sure the food doesn’t touch the water. I’ve used it to steam veggies with good results. While it won’t replace a dedicated steamer for large batches or delicate foods, it’s a handy extra when you need something quick.
Results from our test
I’ve put this air fryer through everything – from quick weeknight dinners to weekend baking – and honestly, it’s been impressive across the board. Even my sceptical friends couldn’t argue once they tasted the perfectly crispy chips.
Supermarket frozen chips and chicken tenders came out with the kind of crunch you’d expect from deep frying. Fresh ingredients delivered just as well – baked potatoes were fluffy inside with perfectly crispy skins, and reheated pizza tasted almost as good as the night before. The base crisped up nicely, while the toppings stayed melted and intact.
However, where the Crumble really shone was with homemade dishes. From crisp veggie sides to quick desserts, everything I tried cooked evenly and turned out as expected.
Recipe testing: Women’s Weekly favourites
I also tested a few recipes from our very own Women’s Weekly Food collection. Here are the results:
Air fryer chicken nuggets:
I’ll be honest – I was sceptical about making nuggets from scratch when perfectly good frozen ones exist. But after trying our Women’s Weekly Food air fryer recipe, I was certain I made the right choice. I used gluten-free cornflakes, which made the coating slightly more crumbly than intended, but the flavour was richer and fresher than anything store-bought.
The seasoning came through really well, with a nice balance of savoury spices that made each bite more satisfying. Plus, the even heat meant they cooked through perfectly without drying out, keeping the chicken juicy inside while the outside stayed crispy.
They also disappeared pretty quickly when I offered them to friends, which I’m taking as a positive sign!
Air fryer passionfruit buttermilk cake:
I never thought I’d be baking cakes in an air fryer, but this passionfruit buttermilk cake recipe looked too good to pass up.
I adjusted the recipe slightly to fit the Crumble’s size and made it gluten- and dairy-free. The result was a moist, flavourful cake that baked evenly. The see-through window let me keep an eye on the rise and browning without opening the basket, which was oddly satisfying to watch.
The consistent temperature control definitely made all the difference – no hot spots or uneven cooking to ruin delicate cakes and pastries.
What do others think of the Crumble air fryer?
With 229 reviews and an average rating of 4.8 stars, it’s clear Crumble customers are impressed. The retro look gets a lot of compliments, with shoppers loving how it “matches their kitchen perfectly.”
They consistently praise how well it cooks, especially the even results and the fact there’s no plastic smell. It seems to be a hit with families too; one reviewer said, “the kids love the French fries, roast chicken and nuggets.” The glass window also gets positive mentions.
A few did point out that the manual dials aren’t quite as precise as digital controls, and some thought the air fryer was smaller than expected for the price. But overall, most agree the solid steel build, design and dependable cooking make up for that.
Overall, is it worth the investment?
The Crumble air fryer definitely isn’t the cheapest option on the market. At around $429 (but often on sale for $329), it sits in the mid-to-premium price range. However, when you consider what you’re getting – a steel build, generous capacity, stylish design and consistently excellent results – I believe it gives you genuine value for money.
This air fryer is perfect for health-conscious cooks who want to reduce oil in their cooking without sacrificing taste or texture. It’s also great for busy families who need the capacity to cook for everyone at once.
The 30-day risk-free trial means you can test it in your own kitchen and return it if it doesn’t meet your expectations. Although based on my experience, I’d be surprised if you’re not satisfied.
Where to buy the Crumble air fryer
At the moment, the Crumble air fryer is only available through the official Crumble website. It usually retails for $429 but is currently discounted to $329.The deal also includes a bonus 50-pack of liners valued at $19.95.
Buying directly from Crumble ensures you get the full warranty, access to their customer support and the 30-day trial period.
What else does Crumble Cookware make?
Beyond the air fryer, Crumble’s range includes a few other kitchen essentials that share the same quality-built, no-fuss philosophy.
There’s the best-selling Classic Round Dutch Oven ($299, usually $429) for slow-cooked stews and crusty sourdough, the Everyday Non-Stick Set ($556, usually $795) for easy weeknight meals, and a cleverly designed Bread Oven ($449) for bakery-style loaves.
Related articles:
- The best air fryers for families, singles and everyone in between
- Steph de Sousa’s air fryer tips
- Ninja Dual Zone Air Fryer review: we tried the double drawer air fryer
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