The Cuisinart AIR-220 takes a different approach from a traditional dual-basket air fryer. Instead of permanently dividing its capacity into two separate drawers, it uses one large 9-quart basket with a removable divider.
That means you can separate two foods when needed, then remove the divider when one larger continuous cooking area is more useful.
Cuisinart AIR-220 at a Glance
| Model | Cuisinart AIR-220 |
|---|---|
| Format | Single basket with removable divider |
| Capacity | 9 quarts |
| Cooking Surface | 10 × 12 inches |
| Cooking Functions | Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate, Keep Warm |
| Air Fry Presets | French Fries, Wings, Nuggets, Frozen Snacks, Vegetables, Leftovers |
| Temperature Range | 100°F to 450°F |
| Timer | Up to 60 minutes |
| Power | 1800W |
| Coating | Ceramic non-stick coating |
| Viewing | Viewing window with interior light |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate |
| Dimensions | 18″L × 14.85″W × 12.78″H |
| Weight | 17.6 lb |
| Warranty | 3-year limited warranty |
What Makes the AIR-220 Different?
One Large Basket Instead of Two Drawers
The AIR-220’s main advantage is flexibility. The 9-quart basket remains one continuous cooking space when the divider is removed.
That can be more useful than a dual-basket design when you want to cook one large batch, a larger protein, or foods that do not fit naturally into two separate drawers.
The Removable Divider
The divider sits inside the main basket and lets you physically separate two foods during cooking.
This is useful when you want vegetables on one side and a protein on the other, or when two foods should stay separated for convenience.
How Large Is the Cooking Surface?
Cuisinart lists the cooking surface at approximately 10 × 12 inches. That wide rectangular area is one of the AIR-220’s more useful features.
A wider cooking surface can help spread food into a more even layer rather than stacking it deeply inside a narrow basket.
Six Cooking Functions
The AIR-220 includes six main cooking functions:
- Air Fry
- Roast
- Bake
- Broil
- Dehydrate
- Keep Warm
That gives the machine more flexibility than an air fryer designed only around basic Air Fry and Reheat settings.
Six Air Fry Presets
Cuisinart also provides six presets:
- French Fries
- Wings
- Nuggets
- Frozen Snacks
- Vegetables
- Leftovers
Presets can simplify common foods, although manual temperature and timing control remains more useful when cooking foods outside those categories.
Temperature Range
The AIR-220 offers an adjustable range from 100°F to 450°F.
The lower end supports functions such as dehydrating and warming, while the higher end is useful for browning and crisping.
Toss Reminder
The Toss Reminder provides an alert during cooking when foods may benefit from being flipped, shaken, or redistributed.
This can be particularly useful for fries, nuggets, vegetables, and similar foods where movement during the cycle can improve exposure to circulating hot air.
Viewing Window and Interior Light
The front viewing window lets you check browning without pulling the basket out.
The interior light makes the window more useful than a dark viewing panel, especially when monitoring food during the final few minutes of cooking.
Auto-Pause
Cuisinart states that cooking automatically pauses when the basket is opened.
That makes it easier to check, shake, or turn food without manually stopping the cooking cycle first.
Cleaning
Cuisinart lists both the crisper plate and air-fry basket as dishwasher safe.
The basket also uses a ceramic non-stick coating, which is intended to reduce food sticking and simplify cleanup.
As with any coated cooking surface, follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding utensils and abrasive cleaners to reduce unnecessary wear.
How Large Is the AIR-220?
Cuisinart lists the dimensions at:
- 18 inches long
- 14.85 inches wide
- 12.78 inches high
The appliance weighs approximately 17.6 pounds.
This is a large family-oriented basket air fryer, so measure the intended counter space before buying.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large 9-quart capacity
- Wide 10 × 12-inch cooking surface
- Removable basket divider
- One continuous basket when divider is removed
- Six cooking functions
- Six air-fry presets
- 100°F–450°F temperature range
- Viewing window with interior light
- Toss Reminder
- Auto-pause when basket is opened
- Dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- Divider does not create independent cooking zones
- Large countertop footprint
- May be oversized for one-person households
- Both sides share the same temperature when divider is installed
- Less useful than a true dual-basket model when foods need different settings
Who Is the Cuisinart AIR-220 Best For?
The AIR-220 makes the most sense for households that want:
- One large basket for family-size batches
- The option to separate two foods physically
- A wide cooking surface
- More flexibility than a permanently divided dual-basket design
- Simple basket-style air frying rather than a countertop oven
Who Should Consider Something Else?
A true dual-basket air fryer may make more sense if:
- You regularly cook two foods at different temperatures
- You need independent cooking timers
- You want synchronized finishing between two separate zones
A smaller air fryer may also be better if you usually cook for one or two people and do not need a 9-quart basket.
AIR-220 vs Cuisinart ADZ-112
The AIR-220 and ADZ-112 represent two very different approaches.
The AIR-220 gives you one 9-quart basket with an optional divider.
The ADZ-112 gives you two independent 5.5-quart baskets with separate controls.
Choose the AIR-220 when one large continuous cooking area matters more. Choose the ADZ-112 when two independent cooking zones are more useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large is the Cuisinart AIR-220?
Cuisinart lists the appliance at 18 inches long, 14.85 inches wide, and 12.78 inches high.
How large is the basket?
The AIR-220 has a 9-quart basket with an approximately 10-by-12-inch cooking surface.
Does the divider create two independent zones?
No. The divider physically separates foods, but both sides remain inside the same cooking chamber and share the same cooking settings.
What is the temperature range?
Cuisinart lists an adjustable range from 100°F to 450°F.
Are the basket and crisper plate dishwasher safe?
Yes. Cuisinart lists both as dishwasher safe.
What is the warranty?
The AIR-220 carries a 3-year limited manufacturer warranty.
Our Bottom Line
The Cuisinart AIR-220 is most compelling for shoppers who want a large single basket but still value the option to separate foods.
Its strongest features are its 9-quart capacity, wide 10 × 12-inch cooking surface, removable divider, 100°F–450°F temperature range, viewing window, Toss Reminder, and dishwasher-safe removable components.
The main limitation is that the divider does not turn the appliance into a true dual-zone air fryer. Both sides still share one cooking temperature.
If you usually cook one large batch but occasionally want to keep foods separate, the AIR-220 makes more sense than a permanently divided dual-basket design.