The air fryer was invented by Dutch engineer Fred van der Weij in 2006. He developed the device to cook crispy food with little oil, aiming for a safer and healthier alternative to traditional deep frying. Fred's key innovation was the patented "rapid air technology," which circulates hot air at high speed around the food to mimic frying without using much oil
. Fred van der Weij spent several years refining his prototypes, starting from a large wooden and aluminum model resembling a dog kennel. After about four years of development and near bankruptcy, he perfected the design and partnered with Philips, who bought the patent and launched the product commercially. The first air fryer was introduced by Philips in 2010 at the IFA Berlin consumer electronics fair
. While the concept of cooking with circulating hot air had earlier roots—such as William Maxson's 1940s convection oven technology for the U.S. Navy—Fred van der Weij is credited with inventing the modern air fryer as we know it today
. In summary:
- Inventor: Fred van der Weij, Netherlands
- Year invented: 2006 (prototype development started)
- Commercial launch: 2010 by Philips
- Key technology: Rapid air technology for healthier frying with less oil
