An air fryer is worth considering if you often cook small batches of crispy or roasted food without wanting to deal with a pan of hot oil. It won’t automatically replace your oven: keep your oven for large dishes or if space is tight; if you’re mainly looking for the results of traditional deep-frying, stick with a deep-fat fryer. UFC-Que Choisir highlights both the risk of duplicating what your oven can do and the difference between air frying and traditional deep-frying.
For one or two people who regularly make chips, roasted vegetables or breaded food, a single basket can offer something different from an oven. Check that your portions will fit and that you’re happy with the noise and cleaning.
A dual-drawer model lets you set different cooking settings for your main and side dishes. Compare the capacity of each drawer with the size of your meals, rather than looking only at the total capacity.
If you mainly cook large dishes or are short on space, your oven saves you from adding another appliance. UFC-Que Choisir points out that air fryers overlap with ovens in the cooking functions they offer. Your recipes and how often you cook small batches will determine whether a second appliance makes sense.
Start with the recipes and quantities you cook most often, then see how they fit with your available space and the level of cleaning you’re happy to take on.
Worth considering: for frequently cooked small batches of crispy or roasted food, without having to handle a pan of hot oil.
The trade-off: it takes up extra space and its functions overlap with those of an oven, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Worth keeping: if the results of deep-frying are your priority for chips or doughnuts, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
The trade-off: you’ll need to handle hot oil, then deal with the smells and cleaning.
Worth keeping: for large dishes or if you don’t want to add another appliance with similar functions.
The trade-off: for your frequent small portions, compare the steps involved and the results with those of an air fryer, without assuming it will save energy.
| Criteria | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Compare the capacity and shape of each basket with the size of the food. Estimate how many batches you’ll need, rather than relying on the « XXL » label alone. | I want to cook enough portions for a meal without having to make several batches, but I also need an appliance that fits in my kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 l for a family of four. |
| Recipes | Look for test results covering the foods you cook, at different loads. If you want to cook two recipes with different settings, check the capacity of each drawer and whether the cooking can be synchronised. | Chips aren’t the only thing I cook: I also make vegetables, chicken and roasted dishes. If I prefer deep-frying, I’ll compare its results separately from those of an air fryer. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are removable and whether they’re dishwasher-safe for the exact model. With a traditional deep-fat fryer, factor in handling and maintaining the oil. | After an everyday meal, I’d rather not deal with a pan of hot oil; cleaning the basket matters just as much as cooking. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space available and the clearance needed. If you have an open-plan kitchen, look for a test that assesses noise: UFC-Que Choisir draws attention to the sound of the fan. | An appliance I have to take out and put away every time may get less use; noise also matters while I’m preparing meals. |
| Oven and energy | Compare its functions with those your oven already offers. To assess energy use, look for measurements taken per cooking cycle using the same recipe, quantity and comparable conditions, as in UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol. | My oven already handles my large dishes. I’d only add an air fryer for a frequent, separate use, without assuming it will always use less energy. |
UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances perform similar functions. If your oven already suits your recipes and quantities, an air fryer mainly gives you another item to find space for and store.
Before deciding whether you’d use a dedicated basket regularly, make a note of your three most common recipes, the portions you cook and the space available.
A capacity split between two drawers isn’t the same as one large basket for a bulky item. The basket shape may also mean you need to cook in several batches.
Check the capacity of each basket and its internal dimensions, if listed, then compare them with the dishes you usually cook.
Extra batches mean more handling and a longer wait before you can serve the meal.
A comparison based on one particular recipe won’t predict the results for every dish you cook or every oven.
Look for tests that specify quantities, cooking conditions and energy use for each recipe. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol measures the latter for every cooking cycle.
UFC-Que Choisir flags the noise made by the fan. Recalls published on RappelConso have also covered specific air fryer models because of different risks; they don’t automatically apply to other models.
Check a noise test, find out which parts of your chosen model are dishwasher-safe and search for its exact model number on RappelConso before buying or using it.
A feature described for a particular range or model doesn’t apply to every appliance from that brand. Always compare the exact model you’re interested in.
The Easy Fry range includes models with two drawers. Moulinex describes its Easy Fry Dual XXL as having 6,5 l and 4,5 l baskets.
Philips offers air fryers and parts designed for some models in its range.
The range includes DualZone appliances with two drawers; retailer Boulanger’s product listing says the Foodi AF300EU lets you cook two different foods to serve at the same time.
This own-brand name features among the air fryer models available in France.
These air fryers come in single-basket, dual-drawer and large-capacity designs, so you can compare them with your portions and recipes. Their inclusion here doesn’t settle whether you should replace your oven or deep-fat fryer.
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The two-drawer design lets you cook a main and side dish with different settings. The advertised total capacity is 9,5 l; check that each drawer is suitable for the size of your food and that the appliance will fit in the space you have available.
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Compare this 6,2 l single-basket model with the portions you usually cook. If you often prepare two foods that need different settings, check whether cooking them in separate batches would suit you.
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The two drawers let you prepare different foods, with an advertised total capacity of 7,6 l. For a bulky item, compare the space available in one drawer rather than looking at the total capacity.
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Compare this 7,6 l single-basket model with the portions you cook in one go. Measure the space available in your kitchen and check the basket shape against the dishes you usually prepare.
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The advertised 9 l capacity makes this model worth comparing for larger batches. Check the basket’s internal shape and the appliance’s external dimensions before choosing it for your dishes and worktop; the 1700 W power rating alone doesn’t tell you how much energy it uses per recipe.
Not for every meal. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have overlapping functions: an air fryer may be useful for frequent small batches, while an oven is still worth considering for large dishes or when space is limited.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 l for a family of four. This is only a guide: you’ll still need to check the basket shape, the size of your food and, for a dual-drawer model, the capacity of each basket.
Look for tests that cover the recipes you cook as well as different quantities. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol records factors such as the conditions and energy use for each cooking cycle; a function listed on an appliance doesn’t, on its own, prove the results it will deliver.
No: a general claim isn’t enough to tell you how it will perform for your needs. To compare, look for measurements using the same recipe and quantity under equivalent conditions. ADEME’s annual data for ovens doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much energy your air fryer cooking will use.
Search for the exact model number on RappelConso, the official alerts and recalls platform, then follow the appliance instructions. If that model is subject to a recall, follow the guidance on its notice rather than assuming every model from the brand is affected.