Small batches to brown
You often cook small portions of chips, vegetables or chicken pieces. A basket may suit these recipes, as long as you follow the recommended quantities and bear in mind that you may need to move the food around during cooking.
Who are these formats for?
Recipes in a dish or tin
For a quiche, gratin, tart or small cake, the usable width and height matter more than the advertised capacity. Check that your dish fits in the cavity with the accessories you need.
Limited worktop space
You need room to position or store the appliance, open its door or drawer fully and clean its parts. Measure the available space before relying on the stated capacity alone.
What sets air fryers and mini ovens apart?
If you regularly cook small portions, start with the shape of your recipes. This will help you decide whether a basket, racks or a cavity that can fit baking tins will work best for you.
Drawer-style air fryer
Worth considering: for small batches of separate foods that you want to brown in a basket.
Bear in mind: some recipes call for you to shake or turn the food. Results depend on the model and how full it is, as tests by UFC-Que Choisir show.
Oven-style air fryer
Worth considering: if you’d prefer to use racks or trays rather than a deep basket.
Check: UFC-Que Choisir highlights this format, but the name alone won’t tell you the usable capacity or energy consumption of the model you choose.
Mini oven
Worth considering: if your small portions are often a quiche, pizza, gratin or cake cooked in a tin.
Check: the size of dish it can accommodate and the room needed to open the door vary by model.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking a small batch | Look for tests using the recipes you usually cook and check the recommended quantity in the instruction manual. See whether you’ll need to stir or turn the food. | I often cook small portions of chips or vegetables, and how well they brown matters to me. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this need for small batches to brown. |
| Room for dishes and tins | Measure your largest dish and check the usable dimensions of the cavity and the included accessories, rather than relying on the stated capacity in litres alone. | For quiches, gratins or tarts, I first want to be sure I can use my usual dish. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Size and cleaning | Allow room to open the door or drawer and for any clearances specified in the instruction manual. Check which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe. | In a small kitchen, I need an appliance I can position easily and clean after each use. Around 25% of consumers put this constraint first. |
| Energy use per recipe | Compare the electricity used for recipes and quantities similar to your own, rather than looking at the wattage alone. | I often cook the same small portions and want to base my choice on their measured energy use. This is the main criterion for around 17% of consumers. |
What not to overlook
-
Choosing based on litres alone
The stated capacity won’t tell you whether your tin will fit in the cavity. A deep basket and an oven with racks accommodate dishes differently.
Measure your largest dish, then check the usable width, depth and height, the number of levels and the included accessories.
-
Assuming you’ll save electricity
In tests by UFC-Que Choisir, the difference in energy use between air fryers and mini ovens depends on the recipe and the appliances being compared.
Look for measurements based on a similar recipe and quantity to your own. Rated wattage alone isn’t enough to compare two appliances.
-
Assuming food will cook evenly without any help
UFC-Que Choisir found differences in browning between the top and bottom of chips, depending on the air fryer. Its test method includes mixing them during cooking.
If you don’t want to shake the basket or turn the food, check the instruction manual and look for tests using the recipes you usually make.
-
Relying on the appliance’s dimensions alone
The overall height, width and depth don’t tell you how much room you’ll need to open a drawer or door, or to meet the installation clearances specified.
Measure your worktop and check the instructions for the exact model before deciding where to put it.
Brands and models to know
Moulinex
Moulinex offers the Easy Fry Essential EZ130810 drawer-style air fryer and the Optimo 19 L mini oven, among other models. These are two formats to consider for different types of recipes.
- Moulinex says the Easy Fry Essential EZ130810 has a 3.5 L capacity and a non-stick basket that’s dishwasher-safe.
- Moulinex lists three modes for the Optimo 19 L: conventional heat, grill and bain-marie.
- For the Optimo, check the dimensions and installation clearances for the model you’re considering before making room for it.
Philips
The Philips 5000 Series Connected HD9255/90 is an example of a 4.1 L drawer-style air fryer, distinct from the Philips models featured below.
- Philips says the HD9255/90 can cook up to four portions and has removable, dishwasher-safe parts.
- Philips’s claims about its energy use are based on its own test conditions, so they can’t predict the difference compared with a mini oven for every recipe.
Severin
The Severin TO 2052 and TO 2067 mini ovens show two different cavity sizes to compare with the dishes you use.
- Severin says the 20 L TO 2067 can accommodate tins or pizzas up to 30 cm and measures 29.5 × 44.5 × 38.5 cm, excluding installation clearances.
- The TO 2052 measures 20.6 × 35.8 × 31 cm, and Severin doesn’t list any of its parts as dishwasher-safe.
Air fryers to explore on Joybuy
These Joybuy models are designed for hot-air cooking, including drawer-style appliances. To choose between an air fryer and a mini oven, compare the format with your recipes, dishes and available space.
Image unavailable
Ninja FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
If you use this air fryer for small portions, check that the container you choose suits the quantity and shape of your recipes. Also check that it fits on your worktop, with the clearances specified in the instruction manual.
Image unavailable
Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W
Compare the 2 L basket with the amount you usually cook. The product is listed as having a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Check the dimensions and room needed to open it before setting it up.
Image unavailable
Philips NA210/00 2000 Series Air Fryer, 3.2 L
For smaller meals, compare the recommended basket quantity with your usual portions rather than relying on the 3.2 L capacity alone. Check the instruction manual for the space needed around the appliance and in front of its drawer.
Image unavailable
Midea Air Fryer 4 L, 1500 W, 8 modes
If your recipes call for you to move the food around during cooking, this model has a shake reminder. It offers a temperature setting from 35 to 200 °C. Check the recommended quantity for your small portions and the care instructions for the model.
Image unavailable
Philips HD9252/70 Air Fryer, black
When reheating or cooking small portions with this model, check the instruction manual for the recommended quantity and the basket’s usable shape. Also check how to care for the parts and the clearances needed for installation.
Frequently asked questions
Does an air fryer always use less energy than a mini oven for a small portion?
No. In a UFC-Que Choisir test that included a 19 L Moulinex Optimo mini oven, the air fryers used an average of 36% less electricity to cook a small quiche of the same size. For chicken drumsticks, results varied more depending on the appliance. Look for measurements based on the recipe you cook.
Does the capacity in litres tell me whether my dish will fit?
No. Check the usable width, height and shape of the cavity, as well as the accessories you’ll use. For example, Severin says its 20 L TO 2067 mini oven can accommodate tins or pizzas up to 30 cm. Measure your own dish before choosing a model.
How can I plan for cleaning an air fryer or mini oven?
Check the product details and instruction manual for each part. Moulinex says the Easy Fry Essential EZ130810 has a dishwasher-safe basket, while Severin states that the TO 2052 mini oven has no dishwasher-safe parts. These details apply to those specific models.
What warranty applies to an appliance bought in France?
If you buy from a professional seller in France, the Ministry of the Economy says you can claim the statutory guarantee of conformity for two years on new or second-hand goods. Any commercial warranty is in addition to your statutory rights; it doesn’t replace them.