People who cook one portion at a time
If you usually prepare just one small portion, first check whether a single basket can hold the foods you cook regularly without taking up more space than necessary.
Who might each format suit?
People who cook two items at the same time
If you want to cook two foods at different temperatures or for different lengths of time, check the capacity of each zone and whether the model has a synchronisation function, rather than looking only at its total capacity.
People with limited worktop space
An extra appliance needs to fit without getting in the way of opening drawers. Also consider storage, noise and cleaning, especially if your oven already does most of the cooking.
What matters when cooking small portions?
Start by choosing a format that suits what you cook most often, then check how much space you have. The formats below suit different ways of preparing meals; none is automatically a replacement for an oven.
Single drawer
Consider it: for one portion, a side dish or a simple preparation at a time, if the basket shape suits your food.
The trade-off: a single drawer cannot cook two foods independently with different settings.
Two drawers
Consider it: for cooking two parts of a meal at the same time, with separate settings depending on the model.
The trade-off: the total capacity may be split between unequal-sized zones, and the appliance takes up more space.
Mini-oven-style air fryer
Consider it: if your recipes call for racks, trays or tins suited to this format.
The trade-off: it takes up worktop space and may duplicate your oven’s functions more closely.
Existing oven or mini oven
Stick with it: if you regularly cook large dishes or use several shelves at once.
The trade-off: for some small recipes, its energy use may differ from that of an air fryer. Compare similar quantities and appliances.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the basket’s surface area and shape with your food or tins, rather than looking at its capacity in litres alone. | For everyday small portions, I want to avoid both a basket that’s too narrow and an appliance that’s far larger than I need. Around 30% of consumers prioritise a capacity that suits their needs. |
| Space and duplication | Measure the space available, allow room to open the drawer and consider which jobs your oven already does. | In a kitchen where worktop space is limited, an extra appliance only makes sense if you’ll use it regularly. Around 29% of consumers prioritise saving space and avoiding duplication. |
| Cooking two foods | Check the capacity of each zone and whether there’s a synchronisation function if you want both foods to be ready together. | When two parts of a meal need different settings, I want to be able to cook them at the same time. Around 24% of consumers put separate cooking settings first. |
| Everyday use | Compare energy use for similar recipes, then check the model’s noise level and cleaning instructions. | For frequent small meals, spending less time cooking and using less electricity matter more to me than having lots of functions. This is the top priority for around 17% of consumers. |
What should you look out for before buying?
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Choosing a large capacity for one small portion
According to Que Choisir, larger models can hold more food, but they’re also heavier and bulkier. An air fryer also performs some of the same functions as an oven.
Measure your worktop, the space needed to open the drawer and the dimensions of the dishes you plan to use.
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Looking only at the total capacity of a two-drawer model
The two compartments may be different sizes, so a sufficient total capacity doesn’t guarantee that each one will fit your food.
Check the dimensions of each drawer and whether the model can synchronise cooking if you want both foods to be ready at the same time.
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Assuming you’ll save on electricity
Que Choisir’s results relate to the recipes and quantities compared in its tests; they don’t predict the energy use of every appliance for every meal.
To assess whether an air fryer is worthwhile compared with your oven, look for test results based on a recipe and quantity similar to what you usually cook.
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Forgetting about noise and maintenance
Que Choisir assesses noise, cleaning and ease of use model by model. A dishwasher-safe part doesn’t mean you can ignore the appliance’s care instructions.
Read a review of the exact model and check its manual to see which parts are removable and how to clean them.
Brands to consider, model by model
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range includes a 4.2 L single-drawer model and an 8.3 L two-drawer model, according to Moulinex’s product pages for these models.
- For the two-drawer model mentioned, Moulinex specifies a 5.2 L and 3.1 L split, which is worth checking if you cook two different-sized portions.
- The brand’s care information and details about removable parts vary by model, so check the information for the one you’re considering.
Philips
The range includes both single- and two-drawer formats. Philips describes the NA156/60 as a model with two 3.55 L zones that can be combined into a 7.1 L zone using a removable divider.
- With the NA156/60, this configuration lets you compare using two separate zones with a single larger space.
- The divider and these capacities are specific to this model; don’t assume they apply to other Philips models.
Ninja
Que Choisir lists Ninja among the brands in this category, with air fryers in a range of formats.
- Check the format of the exact model to see whether it suits cooking one portion or two parts of a meal.
- You can’t tell how noisy a model is or how much usable capacity it has from the brand name alone. Check the specifications and reviews for the model you’re considering.
Air fryers for different needs
This selection from Joybuy mainly includes single-basket appliances for cooking one portion at a time, as well as a two-drawer model for cooking two different foods. Before choosing, compare the format with your portions and the space you have available.
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Philips NA210/00 2000 Series Air Fryer, 3.2 L
Worth considering for cooking one portion at a time, with a stated capacity of 3.2 L. Check the basket’s usable dimensions against the food you cook, and read a review of the model if noise matters in your kitchen.
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Ninja FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
If you switch between different portion sizes, check which containers are supplied with this model and whether you have space for them on your worktop. Don’t assume it can cook two foods at the same time; check that it has this function if it’s essential for your meals.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1 150 W
The 2 L basket is worth considering for cooking a small portion at a time; the title also specifies a 60-minute timer. Check that your food will fit in the basket and measure the space where you plan to put it before buying.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7.6 L
Worth considering if you want to cook two foods in separate drawers; the title specifies two drawers and a total capacity of 7.6 L. If you’re cooking just one small portion, measure the space it takes up and check the usable capacity of each drawer before choosing this format.
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Midea Air Fryer 4 L, 1 500 W
If you’re cooking one dish at a time, compare its 4 L basket with the size of the dishes you usually make. The title specifies a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the care instructions for the parts and how much space you’ll need to set it up.
Frequently asked questions
Is capacity in litres enough to help you choose an air fryer for small portions?
No. The stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether your food or tins will fit in the basket. Check its surface area, depth and shape too. For a two-drawer model, look at the dimensions of each zone separately.
Does an air fryer always use less electricity than an oven?
No. It depends on the recipe, the quantity and the appliances being compared. In its air fryer test, Que Choisir found that cooking a small quiche using the same quantity used an average of 36% less electricity than a 19 L mini oven. This result doesn’t automatically apply to your oven or all the meals you cook.
What should you measure before making space for an air fryer in your kitchen?
Measure the space available and allow room to open the drawer fully. Also check the clearance and ventilation requirements in the manual for the model you choose; don’t assume it will be compact based on its capacity alone.
What can you do in France if an air fryer bought from a retailer doesn’t conform to the contract?
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual, as the Ministry of the Economy explains. Contact the seller if the appliance has a conformity defect or doesn’t match its description. This statutory guarantee is separate from any commercial warranty.
What should you do with an air fryer at the end of its life?
Air fryers are covered by the French collection scheme for waste electrical and electronic equipment, as described by the ministry responsible for ecological transition. Ask the seller, your local authority or a collection point about the available take-back or drop-off options.