COSORI Air Fryer 5.8Qt Review: Weeknight Workhorse Tested

Overview

If you want crispy food on a tight schedule, the COSORI 5.8 quart air fryer is one of the most talked about basket models for a reason. It promises family size capacity in a compact box and a row of presets that claim to handle everything from frozen fries to roast chicken without a lot of thought.

Over several weeks of weeknight cooking, we used this COSORI as our primary hot cooking appliance for quick dinners, sides, and reheating. It handled most tasks very well and genuinely replaced our oven for a lot of everyday cooking. It is not perfect, but for the price and footprint it delivers impressive power, even browning, and a user experience that suits busy households.

This review focuses on the 5.8 quart digital basket model with the square drawer and top mounted touch controls, which is the size most retailers carry and the one we tested.

Design, capacity, and footprint

The COSORI 5.8 quart air fryer looks like a compact cube with a slightly angled front and a pull out drawer. The exterior is mostly matte plastic that resists fingerprints better than glossy finishes, with a streamlined handle that feels solid when the basket is full and heavy.

The control panel sits on the angled top front and uses a bright LED display with touch sensitive buttons. Presets are clearly labeled with icons and temperature numbers, and there are dedicated buttons for preheat, keep warm, and time and temperature adjustment. The interface is simple enough that after the first night most people will not need the manual.

The square basket is where this model earns its reputation. At 5.8 quarts, it holds about 2 pounds of fries, a pound and a half of chicken wings, or a whole 4 pound spatchcocked chicken if you tuck the legs in. The square footprint makes better use of space than round baskets, so you can spread food into a single layer more easily for crisping.

On the counter, the COSORI takes roughly a 12 by 12 inch footprint and stands about a foot tall. It fits under most upper cabinets but you will want to pull it forward while cooking so the rear exhaust has room to vent. At around 12 pounds it is light enough to move but heavy enough to feel sturdy when you open the drawer.

Who it is for

This COSORI is a strong match for households of two to four people that like crisp textures and want to speed up weeknight cooking. If your usual dinner is protein plus one hot side, this size basket can cook everything in one or two batches without much juggling.

It particularly suits people who rely on frozen staples like breaded chicken, fries, and fish sticks. The presets for these foods are tuned well enough that you can usually tap once and come back to food that is browned and cooked through, though shaking the basket halfway improves results.

If you cook for a larger family, host regularly, or love baking full sheet pan meals, this air fryer may feel cramped. You can batch cook, but serving six or more people hot food at once starts to be a challenge, and a larger toaster oven style air fryer could be a better fit.

Anyone sensitive to clutter will appreciate that this model does not sprawl across the counter. It is easier to live with than a full size air fryer oven, although you give up multi rack cooking in exchange for the smaller footprint.

How it feels and performs

The COSORI 5.8 quart heats quickly, which is its biggest everyday advantage. In our tests it took about 3 minutes to reach 400 degrees Fahrenheit and rarely needed more than 5 minutes, compared with 10 to 15 minutes for a full size oven. That means you can go from craving to eating in under 20 minutes for many foods.

Frozen fries came out evenly golden and crisp in 14 to 18 minutes depending on thickness, with soft interiors and no pale, soggy pockets at the center of the basket. Shaking the drawer at least once is still important, but the strong fan and square basket help circulate air so even the corners crisp nicely.

Chicken wings are a highlight. A pound and a half of wings cooked at 380 degrees for about 22 minutes, flipping once, yielded deeply rendered skin with a glassy crisp bite and juicy meat. The basket size is just right for arranging wings in a single layer, which keeps them from steaming.

We also roasted vegetables, salmon fillets, and pork chops. Broccoli florets tossed with a teaspoon of oil and salt browned at the edges and developed a tender, slightly chewy texture in about 9 minutes at 375 degrees. Salmon cooked at 370 degrees for 10 minutes came out moist and flaky with slight browning around the edges, though the fan can dry thinner fillets if you overshoot the time by more than a couple of minutes.

Reheating leftovers is another strong use. Pizza slices regain a crisp bottom and melty top in 4 to 5 minutes at 320 degrees, and breaded foods like fried chicken or egg rolls revive with almost fresh texture. The keep warm function holds food at a lower temperature without overcooking as quickly as the main settings, helpful when family members eat on different schedules.

Noise levels are similar to a microwave on high or a range hood on low. You can hold a conversation over it, but the fan hum is present. The exterior stays warm but not dangerously hot, although the rear exhaust vents a strong stream of hot air so you should avoid blocking it with a wall or appliance.

One important note about safety: some earlier COSORI air fryer models were recalled because of a potential fire risk related to the power cord assembly. Current units sold through major retailers are advertised as redesigned, but if you buy used or are unsure which batch you have, it is wise to confirm your model against the recall information from the manufacturer.

How to use for best results

To get the most from the COSORI 5.8 quart air fryer, think of it as a tiny, very fast convection oven rather than a deep fryer. A light coating of oil and plenty of exposed surface area are what produce crisp textures.

Start by preheating. The dedicated preheat button runs a short cycle that brings the basket up to temperature and usually takes less than 5 minutes. Preheating is especially helpful for proteins and anything breaded, since food starts browning immediately when it hits the hot surface.

Avoid overcrowding the basket. For fries and vegetables, fill it no more than halfway and shake once or twice. For meat and chicken, aim for a single layer with a little space between pieces. It is better to cook two quick batches than one crowded batch that steams instead of crisps.

The presets are a useful starting point, but you will likely tailor a few. In our testing we often dropped the default temperature by 10 degrees when cooking thinner foods like salmon or homemade fries to prevent over browning. Because the fryer heats so quickly, shaving 2 to 3 minutes off the suggested time is an easy way to avoid dry results until you learn your favorite settings.

Shake or flip as the manual suggests. For foods that shed fat, like chicken wings, flipping halfway through helps render the skin evenly and reduce smoking. If you notice wisps of smoke, pausing to carefully drain excess grease from the drawer can restore clean cooking.

Use accessories wisely. The removable crisper plate at the bottom of the basket keeps food raised so hot air can circulate, and it pulls out easily for cleaning. You can add a small metal rack or skewers for layered kabobs, as long as you leave room for air flow and avoid scratching the nonstick surface.

Cleaning is straightforward. Once the basket has cooled slightly, hand wash it and the crisper plate with a soft sponge and mild soap, or place them on the top rack of the dishwasher if the manual for your specific model confirms that is allowed. Avoid steel wool, abrasive pads, and aerosol cooking sprays, since all can shorten the life of the nonstick coating.

Pros and cons

Here is how the COSORI 5.8 quart air fryer stacks up when you weigh its strengths against its trade offs.

What we liked

• Fast, even cooking: Preheats in a few minutes and delivers consistent browning across the square basket.
• Family friendly capacity: The 5.8 quart size fits generous portions for 2 to 4 people without taking over the counter.
• Simple controls: Clear presets and a bright display reduce the learning curve, so anyone in the household can use it.
• Versatile performance: Handles frozen snacks, chicken, vegetables, and reheating with equal confidence.
• Easy cleanup: Smooth nonstick surfaces and a removable crisper plate make post dinner scrubbing quick.

Where it falls short

• Not ideal for large crowds: Cooking for six or more people often requires batches, which can lead to staggered serving times.
• Single zone only: You cannot cook two foods at different temperatures at once, unlike dual drawer models.
• Nonstick durability: As with most basket air fryers, the coating can scratch or wear over time if you use metal utensils or abrasive cleaners.
• Limited visibility: There is no interior light or window, so you must pull the drawer out to check doneness.

Final verdict

The COSORI 5.8 quart air fryer earns its reputation as a reliable weeknight workhorse. It heats quickly, crisps evenly, and fits a surprising amount of food into a compact footprint, which are exactly the qualities busy home cooks need.

If you want a countertop appliance that can handle fries, wings, vegetables, mains, and leftovers without much fuss, this model delivers excellent value. Its main drawbacks are capacity constraints for large families and the usual care required for nonstick surfaces, both of which are common trade offs in this category rather than deal breakers.

For two to four person households that crave crisp textures and shorter cooking times, the COSORI 5.8 quart is an easy recommendation. Treat it like a small, powerful oven, keep the basket reasonably uncrowded, and it will repay you with fast, consistently satisfying meals on busy nights.

See also

If you cook a lot of poultry, our best air fryer for chicken guide can help you compare the COSORI to other standout models, and our top kitchen gadgets for busy weeknights roundup highlights more tools that save time in the kitchen.

• Ninja DZ201 dual zone air fryer review for flexible two basket cooking.
• Cuisinart TOA-70 air fryer toaster oven review if you prefer a multi rack oven style appliance.
• Emeril Lagasse french door air fryer review for extra large, entertaining friendly capacity.

FAQ

Is the COSORI 5.8 quart air fryer big enough for a family of four?

For most families of four, the COSORI 5.8 quart basket is a comfortable size for everyday dinners. You can cook 4 to 5 medium chicken breasts, a generous batch of vegetables, or about 2 pounds of fries in one go. If everyone wants large portions of a single item, you may still need two quick batches, but for mixed meals with a main and a side it generally keeps up.

How does the COSORI 5.8 quart compare to dual zone air fryers?

Dual zone models such as two drawer air fryers let you cook two foods at different temperatures and times, which is handy for full meals. The COSORI 5.8 quart cannot do that, but its single large basket offers more flexible space for bigger items like whole chicken pieces or casseroles. If you often cook a protein and side together, dual zone may be worth the extra cost, but if you mainly focus on one hot component at a time, the COSORI is simpler and usually more compact.

Can you cook raw chicken safely in the COSORI 5.8 quart air fryer?

Yes, the COSORI 5.8 quart air fryer cooks raw chicken thoroughly as long as you use the correct time and temperature. Boneless skinless breasts typically cook at 375 to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes depending on thickness, and bone in thighs or drumsticks need closer to 25 minutes. Use an instant read thermometer and aim for an internal temperature of 165 degrees to confirm doneness.

How easy is it to clean the COSORI 5.8 quart basket and accessories?

Cleanup is one of this model’s strengths. The basket and crisper plate release easily and their smooth nonstick coating means most residue wipes off with a soft sponge and warm soapy water. Let greasy parts cool slightly before washing, avoid metal scrubbers and harsh cleaners, and check your manual to see if your specific variant is rated as top rack dishwasher safe.

Does the COSORI 5.8 quart air fryer make the kitchen hot or smoky?

The exterior of the COSORI warms up but does not throw as much heat into the room as a full size oven. You may see a little steam or light smoke when cooking fatty foods like bacon or wings, especially if grease builds up under the crisper plate, but this is usually resolved by pausing to drain excess fat and wiping the basket after use. Placing the unit with its rear vents a few inches from the wall and using a basic kitchen vent or open window is usually enough to keep the space comfortable.

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