Looking to avoid mystery coatings and cook with clean materials? These glass-bowl air fryers (a.k.a. halogen convection ovens) use tempered glass and stainless-steel racks, so there’s no nonstick basket surface touching your food. They circulate hot air for crisp texture with little to no oil, and the clear bowl lets you see doneness at a glance—no mid-cook guessing.
We focused on models with durable glass, simple controls, ample capacity for family meals, and easy-to-wash parts. Specs were verified against maker pages or Amazon listings, and we summarized recurring pros/cons from owner feedback. Prices and stock shift often—check each product page for the latest.
Below are five clean-material picks with quick picks, a head-to-head table, detailed notes, and buying tips to help you cook healthier without adding clutter.
Quick Picks
Top Pick
Big Boss 16-Qt Glass Air Fryer
Classic glass-bowl design, roomy capacity, and dead-simple dial controls. Stainless racks and no basket coatings keep it “clean” and easy to scrub.
Runner-Up:
NutriChef 13-Qt Glass Halogen Air Fryer (PKAIRFR48)
Tempered glass bowl with extender ring, two-rack cooking, and a wide temp range for dehydrating to high-heat crisping.
Best Value:
Classic Cuisine 12–17-Qt Glass Air Fryer
Budget pick with a dishwasher-safe glass bowl and included extender ring to boost capacity for whole-meal batches.
Best for Small Households:
APSARAS 17-L Glass Air Fryer
Straightforward controls and a compact footprint for 1–2 people, plus accessory set for steaming, roasting, and baking.
Most Accessories:
Rosewill R-HCO-15001 Infrared Halogen Convection Oven
Stainless extender ring and multi-rack setup make it flexible for stacking veg and proteins in one go.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Product | Type | Standout Feature | Pros | Cons | Deal Status* | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Boss 16-Qt | Glass-bowl halogen air fryer | Large, see-through bowl; dual racks | No basket coatings; big capacity; simple dials | Bulky; halogen lamp hum | Frequent promos | Families & weekly meal prep |
| NutriChef PKAIRFR48 | Glass-bowl halogen air fryer | Extender ring; wide temp range | Two-level cooking; easy view | One-hour max timer | Coupons pop up | Mixed batches (veg + protein) |
| Classic Cuisine 12–17-Qt | Glass-bowl halogen air fryer | Dishwasher-safe glass; extender ring | Great price per capacity | Basic controls only | Value pricing common | Budget, first-time buyers |
| APSARAS 17-L | Glass-bowl halogen air fryer | Accessory kit; compact base | Good for 1–2 portions | Smaller rack area | Occasional markdowns | Singles & small kitchens |
| Rosewill R-HCO-15001 | Glass-bowl halogen air fryer | Stainless extender ring | Stackable racks; sturdy build | Counter space needs | Sales vary | Batch cooking & sides |
Detailed Reviews
Big Boss 16-Qt Glass Air Fryer
A longtime favorite for “clean-contact” cooking: tempered glass bowl, stainless racks, and no Teflon-coated basket. The 16-quart capacity (with included extender ring) handles full meals, and the clear bowl makes doneness obvious without heat loss. Two dial controls keep it foolproof.
- Best for: Family-size sheet-pan-style dinners in a single vessel.
- Takeaway: The simplest path to glass-only cooking space at a great size.
- Pros: Roomy; view-through; racks for two-level cooking.
- Cons: Large footprint; halogen bulb eventually needs replacing.
NutriChef PKAIRFR48 Glass Halogen Air Fryer
Compact but capable: a 13-quart glass bowl with extender ring, two racks, and a broad temperature span for everything from low-temp dehydrating to high-temp crisping. The glass makes monitoring easy and cleanup straightforward.
- Best for: Two-level cooking of proteins and veg together.
- Takeaway: A balanced size with flexible temps and simple knobs.
- Pros: Clear visibility; extender ring; multi-rack setup.
- Cons: 60-minute max timer requires a reset for longer cooks.
Classic Cuisine Glass Air Fryer (12–17-Qt)
A value-driven pick with a heat-resistant glass bowl that’s dishwasher-safe and an included extender ring to scale up capacity for whole chickens or multi-component dinners. Straightforward dials keep the learning curve low.
- Best for: Budget buyers who still want a large cooking volume.
- Takeaway: Clean materials and easy cleanup at a friendly price.
- Pros: Glass visibility; extender ring; simple operation.
- Cons: Fewer presets; basic accessories.
APSARAS 17-L Glass Air Fryer
A compact glass-bowl unit suited to smaller portions. Comes with a multi-piece accessory kit to switch between air-fry, roast, steam-broil, and bake. Clear bowl, easy-clean racks, and quick heat-up for weeknight convenience.
- Best for: 1–2 person meals and side dishes.
- Takeaway: Small footprint without sacrificing clean material contact.
- Pros: Accessories included; simple controls.
- Cons: Less rack area for big batches.
Rosewill R-HCO-15001 Halogen Convection Oven
A sturdy glass-bowl model with a stainless extender ring to boost volume and stack racks. Ideal when you want veg and protein to finish together without crowding.
- Best for: Batch cooking, party wings, and roasted veg trays.
- Takeaway: Flexible capacity and solid accessory set.
- Pros: Multi-rack; extender ring; easy monitoring.
- Cons: Needs counter space and clearance.
Buyer’s Guide (Healthy Materials)
- Glass + stainless contact: A tempered glass bowl and stainless racks avoid typical basket coatings. If you’re minimizing contact with synthetic nonstick, this is the layout to pick.
- Check capacity the right way: Look for an extender ring (often included) to jump from ~12–13 qt to ~16–18 qt for family meals.
- Cleaning & upkeep: Glass bowls can go dishwasher-safe on many models; racks soak clean. Halogen bulbs are consumables—budget for an eventual replacement.
- Counter space & weight: Glass bowls are hefty; ensure a stable spot with vertical clearance to lift the lid safely.
- Heat profile: Halogen + convection heats fast and browns well. For longer than 60 minutes (common max timers), you may need to reset the dial mid-cook.
FAQs
Are glass-bowl air fryers safer than basket models?
They use a tempered glass bowl and stainless racks—so no nonstick basket coating is in contact with food. If you prefer glass and steel in your cooking path, these are a great fit.
Do they still “air fry” crisply?
Yes. A halogen element with a convection fan circulates hot air for browning and crisping similar to basket-style air fryers.
Anything to watch out for?
The glass bowl is heavier than a basket. Also, many models have a 60-minute timer—just reset it for longer roasts or low-and-slow cooks.