Choose an air fryer if you want to cook chips, breaded foods and other dishes without managing a bath of oil, and are happy to make room for it and work with the limited quantity each basket can hold. If the results of deep-fat frying are your priority, it’s worth considering keeping a deep-fat fryer: Que Choisir says an air fryer may not be a suitable replacement for those who are particularly fond of chips. If you only cook these dishes occasionally, compare what you can already prepare in your oven or frying pan before adding another appliance.
If you mainly cook small portions of chips, vegetables or breaded foods, a single-basket air fryer could suit your needs. Check how much food you can fit in the basket and how much room you’ll need to open the drawer.
A dual-zone air fryer lets you set different cooking programmes for a side dish and another meal. Compare the capacity of each zone, not just the total volume, and check whether the model can synchronise the cooking times.
If chips and deep-fried foods feature regularly in your meals, a deep-fat fryer is still worth considering. Que Choisir points out that an air fryer may not be a suitable replacement for a traditional fryer if you’re particularly fond of chips. However, you’ll need to handle the oil, let it cool and dispose of it safely.
Start with the dishes and quantities you usually prepare, then consider how each cooking method fits your space and the level of cleaning and maintenance you’re prepared to take on.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per batch | Compare the basket’s cooking surface, the capacity of each zone and the recommended quantities for your food. For a household of four, Que Choisir recommends an air fryer of at least 6 L, but you should still check the basket. | I want to prepare enough for everyone without cooking multiple batches. |
| Cooking dishes at the same time | A dual-compartment air fryer allows you to use separate settings; check the capacity of each drawer and whether cooking times can be synchronised. For a deep-fat fryer with two baskets, check that each has its own settings. | I need two dishes ready at the same time, sometimes with different cooking times or temperatures. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space available, the room needed to open the drawer and the clearances specified in the manual. Que Choisir notes that air fryers can be bulky and a little noisy. | My kitchen has limited space, or it opens onto the living area. |
| Cleaning and oil | Check which parts are removable and the cleaning instructions for the specific model. A deep-fat fryer, whether electric or designed for a hob, also means letting the oil cool and arranging for its disposal. | I’d rather clean a basket than store and dispose of frying oil. |
| Results when cooking chips | Look for tests using chips and comparable quantities. According to Que Choisir, replacing a deep-fat fryer with an air fryer may not suit those who are particularly fond of chips. | The results of deep-fat frying matter more to me than avoiding a bath of oil. |
| Dedicated appliance or equipment you already own | Que Choisir points out that you can also cook chips in an oven or frying pan. If deep-frying on a hob, check that the pan is suitable for your hob and follow the safety precautions for hot oil. | If I only cook these dishes occasionally, I want to see whether my oven or frying pan is enough for the way I cook. |
| Safe operation | Check the manual, the appliance’s stability and the instructions for hot surfaces. With a bath of oil, take care when handling the hot oil and guard against splashes. | I want to be able to set up, use and clean the appliance by following instructions that suit my kitchen. |
A capacity in litres doesn’t tell you how much cooking surface is available or how large each drawer is. A high total capacity may still mean cooking several batches for a particular recipe.
Before choosing, compare the shape and dimensions of the basket, the quantities recommended in the manual and the appliance’s external dimensions.
Results vary by appliance and recipe. Que Choisir says an air fryer may not be a satisfactory replacement for those who are particularly fond of chips.
If chips are what you’ll cook most, look for tests of this dish and check the quantities used before giving up your deep-fat fryer.
ADEME says an appliance’s actual energy consumption depends on its size and how it’s used. The stated power rating alone is therefore not enough to compare two cooking methods.
To compare energy consumption, look for measurements using the same recipe and quantity, with preheating conditions clearly stated. Que Choisir records the energy used for each cooking session in its testing protocol.
A deep-fat fryer requires you to let the oil cool before decanting it. ADEME says it must not be poured down the sink, flushed down the toilet or tipped into the natural environment.
Have a sealed container ready and check what collection services your local authority offers.
Depending on the collection point available, disposing of the oil may also mean making a special trip.
The features below apply to the models mentioned, not every appliance made by each brand.
Philips offers air fryers with separate cooking zones, among other models.
The range includes the Easy Fry Compact EZ8618F0, which Moulinex lists with a capacity of 7,5 L.
Ninja is one of the brands in the air fryer category, with models that include dual-zone designs.
These Joybuy options include single-basket and dual-drawer air fryers, as well as an electric deep-fat fryer. First choose the cooking method that suits the way you cook, then check the dimensions and instructions for the model you’re considering.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two foods in separate drawers. This model is listed with six functions; check the capacity of each drawer, the space you’ll need and the cooking coordination features before choosing.
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This single-basket model may suit a household looking to cook larger portions without managing two drawers. Compare its usable cooking surface and external dimensions with the quantities you need to prepare and the space you have available.
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With a 2 L basket, this model is better suited to smaller portions. It has a 60-minute timer; check how much food is suitable for your recipes and the appliance’s dimensions. Its 1150 W power rating alone doesn’t tell you how much energy it uses per cooking session.
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The cooking window lets you see the food in the basket. If you’re considering this model for larger portions, check the basket surface and recommended quantities: the 7 L capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much food it can cook.
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This deep-fat fryer is designed for deep-frying, with two baskets and two independent thermostats. It isn’t the right choice if you want to avoid handling hot oil; you’ll also need to let the oil cool, store it and dispose of it after use.
Not necessarily. An air fryer saves you from managing a bath of oil and can be used for other types of cooking, but Que Choisir says it may not be a suitable replacement for a traditional fryer if you’re particularly fond of chips. If chips are your main reason for buying one, compare tests of chips before switching appliances.
Que Choisir recommends a model of at least 6 L for a family of four. However, check the basket surface and the recommended quantities for the foods you prepare: two models with the same capacity may have different layouts.
You can’t tell from the power rating alone. ADEME says an appliance’s actual energy consumption depends on its size and how it’s used. To compare two cooking methods, look for measurements using a similar recipe and quantity, with preheating conditions clearly stated.
Let it cool, then put it in a sealed container and check what local collection services are available. ADEME says it must not be poured down the sink, flushed down the toilet or tipped into the natural environment.
Check the manual in French, the manufacturer’s details and the instructions for setting up the appliance, handling hot parts and cleaning the model. For products where applicable, also check for the CE marking, but don’t mistake it for independent certification: the DGCCRF explains that the CE marking is not a certification mark.