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Q: If you're buying one countertop appliance for a college student moving into their first apartment, what would you choose?
A: This is a question we received in our live weekly chat, where we help you level up your skills in the kitchen. Continues the reader: “Thinking of things like a microwave, air fryer, toaster oven, etc. Multifunctional would be great, and we're willing to invest in quality, but not super high-end. The student in question loves food and has broad tastes, is inclined to cook, and has decent beginner skills, but is busy and will likely keep things pretty basic (think a piece of salmon [with] veggies vs. fries and frozen pizza, [though] I'm sure there will be plenty of that, too.”
Based on the context, it sounds like an air fryer or air fryer toaster oven is the way to go. I really like my Instant Vortex Plus air fryer. The Breville air fryer toaster oven is very highly rated, but maybe that's more high-end than the reader wants. The Instant Oven 18L air fryer toaster oven is America's Test Kitchen's best buy in that category.
Be sure you think outside of the box, too. The air fryer excels at roasting, but you can also use it for baking or even dehydrating. (I like drying halved cherry tomatoes when I end up with too many.)
Here are a few other options culled from our own advice and reader suggestions:
• Toaster oven: Even if you don't go the air fryer toaster oven route, a regular toaster oven is handy for more than toast. Use it to reheat leftovers, roast a protein or vegetables, or bake a single cookie. Some are large enough to roast a small chicken or bake a frozen pizza. It also won't heat up your kitchen as much as a standard oven.
• Food processor: A great multiuse appliance that can help cut down on prep work. We like it for chopping, making pizza dough or pie crust, grating cheese or vegetables, blending sauces and even whipping cream.
• Mini food processor: Ideal for small spaces. I recommend it for small-batch sauces and dips, or chopping nuts. It makes a fine single-serving smoothie, too.
• Coffee maker: Essential for caffeine-powered students, especially if they're looking to save money. You don't have to go the automated brewer route for great homemade coffee either. If your recipient is a budding coffee aficionado, consider a French press, pour-over coffee maker or even cold brew system.
• Rice cooker: Rice is the foundation for many cheap, quick and flexible meals. A rice cooker ensures perfectly cooked grains every time and gives you the ability to throw together a batch in the morning and have it ready to go when you come home.
• Multicooker: The Instant Pot is a popular example. It's another gadget that can help you batch-cook relatively affordable meals, whether that's oatmeal, a pot of beans or a stew. You can slow-cook and steam in a multicooker as well.
• Blender: A great tool for the consummate host who wants to serve frozen drinks. Of course, it can assist in making soups, smoothies, sauces and more.
• Stand mixer: Not an essential, but nice to have for aspiring bakers. Mine was an early first-apartment gift from my parents. That was a game changer for me.
• Slow cooker: Maybe not the obvious pick for a younger cook, but it can make a variety of cost-conscious (and big-batch) meals with little effort.