People who often cook small portions
You want to cook a side dish or a small meal without having to use the oven every time. Whether another appliance is worthwhile depends on how much space it takes up and how much cleaning it needs after each use.
Who is this choice for?
Households that cook two parts of a meal at once
You regularly prepare two foods at the same time, with different cooking times. A dual-drawer model may be worth considering to synchronise cooking, rather than simply to increase the advertised capacity.
People who rarely use their oven for small quantities
You mainly cook larger dishes, or only make small portions now and then. If your oven already handles these tasks, check that an air fryer wouldn’t duplicate what you have before making room for one.
What should you look for?
If you already own an oven, start by considering how often you cook small portions, then check the space and cleaning involved. Two compartments only offer a distinct benefit if you regularly cook two foods at once.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent small meals | Compare your portion sizes with the basket’s cooking surface, and think about how often you’d use the appliance instead of the oven. | If I often cook one small dish, I want an appliance suited to that quantity so I don’t have to use the oven; around 36% of consumers put small-scale cooking first. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space, including room to open the drawer, and check the cleaning instructions for removable parts. | In a kitchen where every centimetre counts, I don’t want an appliance that’s difficult to store or clean sitting unused; around 29% of consumers would prioritise space and cleaning. |
| Cooking two foods at once | Check the usable dimensions of each compartment and whether there’s a function to synchronise the cooking times. | When two foods in a meal need different cooking times, I want to cook them in parallel; around 21% of consumers would make this their top consideration. |
| How you use your existing oven | Identify dishes that are too large for a basket, as well as small meals your oven already handles with ease. | If I mainly cook large dishes or only make small portions occasionally, I’d rather avoid an appliance that duplicates what I have; keeping the oven would be the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Buying one solely to use less electricity
In tests published in 2024, Que Choisir found that, for the same quantity, the air fryers tested used an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven when cooking a small quiche. This result doesn’t predict the difference for your other recipes or your own oven.
First consider how often you cook small portions and which appliances you actually use to prepare them.
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Assuming the advertised capacity equals usable space
The shape of the basket and how the food is arranged also matter. In its testing, Que Choisir uses a maximum load of two-thirds of the basket for chips.
Compare the internal dimensions and cooking surface with your usual portions and dishes, rather than relying on the stated capacity in litres alone.
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Choosing two compartments for a single small portion
Two zones are mainly for cooking different foods at the same time. Que Choisir also points out that these appliances can be heavier and bulkier.
Before choosing this style, consider how often you’ll use both baskets and whether each one is large enough for your food.
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Forgetting about noise, storage and cleaning
Que Choisir describes air fryers as bulky and sometimes noisy. These drawbacks matter especially if you need to put the appliance away after every meal or use it in an open-plan kitchen.
Plan where you’ll keep it and check the manual for details of removable parts and how to care for them.
Brands to consider
There are no brands to feature in this section.
Air fryers for these uses
These two appliances suit different needs: a 2 L basket for one small portion at a time, or two baskets for cooking foods in parallel. Whether either is right for you depends on how often you cook this way and how much room you have for it alongside your oven.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1 150 W, black
Worth considering if you regularly cook one small portion at a time and your dish fits in the basket.
Advertised capacity: 2 L. Advertised power: 1 150 W. 60-minute timer and non-stick basket suitable for the dishwasher.
Check the basket dimensions, the space available for the appliance and its noise level if these are important to you.
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COSORI R901 Airfryer Dual Basket Chef Edition, 8,5 L
The dual-basket design suits regular cooking of two foods at once, rather than preparing a single small portion.
Advertised total capacity: 8,5 L. Check the usable dimensions of each basket and the space needed for the appliance; if noise is a deciding factor, check its noise level too.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace my oven for small portions?
It can complement your oven if you often cook quantities that fit in its basket, but it won’t necessarily offer the space needed for larger dishes. If you rarely cook small portions, first consider what difference it would actually make to the way you use your oven.
How can I choose the right capacity without relying on litres alone?
Compare the internal dimensions and cooking surface with the portions you usually prepare. Que Choisir’s testing, for example, fills the basket to two-thirds for its maximum load of chips and uses a quiche no larger than 16 cm. So the stated capacity doesn’t always reflect the space available for a particular dish.
Are two compartments useful for one or two people?
Yes, if you regularly cook two different foods at the same time and each compartment is the right size. If you only cook one small portion at a time, compare this style with a single-drawer model, taking the available space into account.
What should I check to use an air fryer safely in France?
Check the instructions, safety warnings in French and the applicable marking on the appliance, then follow the directions for use. The DGCCRF points out that CE marking is not independent certification; it doesn’t remove the need to consider the risk of burns and the precautions that apply to electrical appliances.