An air fryer won’t automatically replace a deep fat fryer. It’s better suited to households that also want to roast or cook a variety of meals, while a traditional fryer is worth considering if achieving the right fried-chip result matters more than those other uses. To decide, compare how much you cook in each batch, the space you have and how much maintenance each appliance needs. Two drawers can make it easier to prepare two different dishes for one meal, but they don’t provide one large cooking area.
If you often make chips and care most about the results you get from deep frying, consider an air fryer as a different way to cook, not a like-for-like replacement. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this distinction for people who are particularly fond of chips.
If you also want to prepare vegetables, poultry or oven-style dishes, an air fryer’s functions may matter just as much as how it cooks chips. Check the features of the exact model: Braun, for example, describes some MultiFry 5 models as combining air frying, oven and grill functions.
If you want to serve a main and a side at the same time using different settings, consider a dual-zone appliance. Philips offers synchronised finishing on the NA352/24; check the size of each drawer too, to make sure they’ll suit your portions.
The cooking method should suit what you make most often. Extra capacity and functions won’t necessarily make up for chips that don’t turn out the way you like.
Consider it: if you want to switch between chips and other types of cooking without having to organise two separate cooking sessions.
Bear in mind: results depend on the model and how full the basket is. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests found that some appliances cooked unevenly.
Consider it: if two foods need different settings but you want them ready at the same time, as with the synchronisation feature Philips highlights for the NA352/24.
Bear in mind: the capacity is divided between the compartments, so their combined volume isn’t the same as the space in one large basket.
Consider it: if chips are what you cook most and you’re mainly looking for the texture of traditional deep-fried food, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to use and maintain the oil, as well as clean the bowl and basket.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Chip texture | Compare the cooking method with the results you’re looking for. If you’re considering an air fryer, read tests that focus on chips rather than relying on basket capacity alone. | When chips are often on the menu, I want the crispness associated with deep frying. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this result. |
| Quantity and cooking at the same time | Check the quantity per batch if it’s given, the capacity of each zone and whether there’s a synchronisation feature if you’re cooking two foods. | When cooking for my household, one large batch or two dishes ready at the same time matters more than the total stated capacity. This would be the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Everyday uses | Check the functions and accessories included with the exact model, as well as the size and shape of food its basket can hold. | If I also want to cook vegetables or poultry, I’m looking for an appliance that can do more than just chips. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this versatility. |
| Space and maintenance | Measure the space available, including room to open the drawers, then check which parts can be washed and what maintenance the model requires. | In a kitchen where every appliance needs to earn its place, I want to be able to set it up and clean it without too much hassle. Space and maintenance would come first for around 20% of consumers. |
If you already use an oven for large dishes or cooking on several shelves, factor that into your decision too. Whether an air fryer is a useful addition depends on the portions and recipes you’d actually use it for.
Hot-air cooking and deep frying don’t automatically give the same results. UFC-Que Choisir also reports differences in how evenly air fryers cook chips.
If chips are the main reason you’re considering a replacement, look for tests that include this type of food and decide what difference in texture you’d be happy with.
On a dual-compartment appliance, the total capacity is split between the drawers. It doesn’t tell you how much of one food will fit in the larger zone.
Compare your usual portions with the capacity of each compartment and, where the specifications include it, check the quantity of chips you can cook per batch.
A model with several drawers needs room in front of it, and dishwasher-safe parts don’t mean you can skip maintaining the other components according to the instructions.
Measure the worktop space, allowing for the drawers to open, and check exactly which parts can be removed before choosing a large model.
A comparison of cooking times or energy use for one particular recipe won’t tell you how all your meals will turn out.
For the dishes you make regularly, factor in portion sizes, any batches you may need to cook one after another and cleaning time, rather than assuming a general claim applies to every use.
Philips offers air fryers with one or two drawers. The brand describes the HD9252/90 as a model for two people and up to four portions, while the NA352/24 has two baskets of different sizes.
Moulinex offers several dual-drawer air fryers. For the Easy Fry Dual XXL EZ942HF0, the brand states that its 11 L capacity is split between a 6.5 L drawer and a 4.5 L drawer.
Tefal offers deep fat fryers, including the Easy Pro and Filtra Pro. According to the brand, the models mentioned can hold up to 1 kg and 1.3 kg of chips respectively.
Braun offers MultiFry 5 air fryers as well as TwinCook 5 models with two zones. Functions and capacities vary by model.
These Joybuy appliances let you compare single- and dual-bowl deep fat fryers with air fryers featuring one or two drawers. Consider each format alongside the way you like your chips, the other recipes you make and the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you want to stick with deep frying while using two separate bowls.
The model name specifies 2 × 3 L and 3 300 W. Allow for oil maintenance and check the appliance’s dimensions to make sure it will fit.
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Worth considering if you cook two foods with different settings rather than making one large batch.
The model name specifies six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets. Check how much space you’ll need to open the drawers; the stated capacity doesn’t indicate how crispy your chips will be.
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Compare it with air fryers if you’d rather keep using oil to cook your chips.
The product name mentions an anti-mist window. Consider how many chips you usually cook and allow for oil maintenance.
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Worth considering if you want to cook several portions in a basket-style air fryer rather than sticking exclusively with deep frying.
Check its dimensions against your worktop space, and look for chip-cooking tests of this specific model if texture will determine your choice.
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Worth considering if you want to deep fry two different dishes in separate baskets.
The model name specifies 3 600 W, two independent thermostats, removable baskets and odour filters. Check the electrical compatibility and the space available, as well as how many chips will fit in each bowl.
No, you shouldn’t expect exactly the same results. UFC-Que Choisir encourages people who are particularly fond of chips to consider the difference in texture and reports that some air fryers cook unevenly. If chips are your main reason for buying one, look for tests of the model you’re considering before replacing your fryer.
Check the capacity of each drawer separately, then compare the larger one with your usual portions. Moulinex, for example, says that the 11 L capacity of the Easy Fry Dual XXL EZ942HF0 is split into 6.5 L and 4.5 L. Also measure the clearance needed to open the drawers.
Check which removable parts of the model you’ve chosen are dishwasher-safe, and follow the instructions for cleaning the rest of the appliance. Unplug it and let it cool completely before cleaning; avoid abrasive accessories on surfaces with special coatings.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual in France, as the French Ministry for the Economy explains. If the air fryer or deep fat fryer doesn’t match its description or the qualities advertised, keep your proof of purchase and a copy of the offer so you can assert your rights with the seller.