Someone living alone or a couple cooking one portion at a time
You often cook a small dish rather than a family meal and want to know whether an air fryer could save you from switching on the oven for these recipes.
Who this choice is for
Someone with a small or open-plan kitchen
You need to keep the appliance within easy reach without losing valuable worktop space, while also bearing in mind the noise from its fan.
Someone cooking two things for the same meal
You’d like to serve two dishes together and need to decide whether synchronising two drawers is worth the extra space they take up.
What matters most
First, check whether an air fryer would genuinely replace oven use for your smaller dishes. Then compare the space it needs and how convenient it is to use. Only consider two cooking zones if you often cook two things at once.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| How useful it is compared with an oven | Compare your usual recipes and portion sizes with the basket’s usable capacity, then consider which oven-cooked dishes the appliance would replace. | If I can already cook my smaller dishes easily in the oven, I want to avoid buying an appliance I’ll rarely use. Around 33% of consumers would put how useful it is in practice at the top of their list. |
| Available space | Measure the space you have in mind and check how much room you’ll need to open the drawer or door, as set out in the model’s instructions. | In a small kitchen, I want to keep enough worktop space to prepare meals. Preserving that space would be the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for a noise measurement while the appliance is running and check the instructions for how to remove and wash its parts. | If I cook near my living space, the fan noise and the clean-up after each use will influence my choice. Around 20% of consumers would put this everyday convenience first. |
| Co-ordinating two dishes | Check whether the zones work independently, whether there’s a synchronisation function and the usable capacity of each drawer. | When I regularly cook two things with different cooking times, I want to serve them together. Around 20% of consumers would make this their main requirement. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming an air fryer will always replace your oven
What works well for some smaller recipes won’t necessarily work for every dish. If you still need your oven for the meals you usually cook, a new appliance could simply take up space.
Make a note of the small dishes you cook every week and check that their shape and quantity will fit the basket you’re considering.
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Choosing based only on the advertised capacity
You may need to cook in batches if the food won’t fit in the basket in a single, even layer. In its tests of cooking chips, UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the optimum and maximum quantities.
Compare the internal dimensions and recommended load in the instructions with your usual portions.
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Overlooking noise in an open-plan kitchen
You may hear the fan from nearby living areas, and noise levels vary between models.
If quiet operation matters to you, look for a noise measurement taken while the model you’re considering is running.
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Buying two drawers when you nearly always cook just one dish
Two zones are mainly useful for co-ordinating separate dishes; they won’t, by themselves, make it easier to cook a single portion.
Choose this format for meals when you regularly use both zones and want both dishes to finish cooking at the same time.
Brands to know
There are no brands to feature in this section.
Air fryers for small portions on Joybuy
These models are suited to smaller dishes: several have a single drawer, while the Ninja Crispi comes with containers in different capacities. Compare the portion you actually cook with the space you have available before choosing. This selection alone won’t tell you whether you should keep your oven.
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Midea 2 L air fryer, 1 150 W, black
Worth considering if you usually cook one small portion at a time. Check that your dishes will fit in its 2 L basket.
The product listing mentions a 60-minute timer, a non-stick basket and dishwasher-safe parts. Measure the space you’ll need and look for a noise measurement if you plan to use it in an open-plan kitchen.
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Ninja Crispi FN101EUGY air fryer
Worth considering if you’d like to use different containers for different small dishes. Check the capacity and accessories included in the set before buying.
Also check how much space you’ll need around the appliance and how noisy it is when running, to make sure it suits the spot you have in mind.
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Ninja AF110EU 4,7 L air fryer, black
Worth a look if you cook for one or two people and want to check whether a 4,7 L basket is right for your usual portions.
The product name lists a power rating of 2 000 W and a non-stick basket. Check its external dimensions, the clearance it needs and how noisy it is when running in your kitchen.
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Philips NA210/00 2000 Series air fryer, 3,2 L
Worth a look if you’re after a 3,2 L appliance for smaller dishes. Capacity alone won’t tell you whether your food will fit in the basket.
Check the usable internal dimensions, how much space to leave around the appliance and how noisy it is when running in the spot you have in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Will an air fryer always use less energy than my oven for a small portion?
No. It depends on the recipe, the quantity and the appliances being compared. For a small quiche, UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers it tested used an average of 36% less electricity than the mini oven in its test, when cooking the same quantity. This result can’t predict how much energy your own oven will use.
How do I choose the right capacity for one or two people?
Start with the food you cook and how much room it takes up in the basket, rather than looking at the litre capacity alone. Check the internal dimensions and recommended load in the instructions. If your portions need to be cooked in several batches, the size you’ve chosen may not suit your needs as well.
Are two drawers useful for small meals?
Yes, if you regularly cook two things that you want to finish at the same time. UFC-Que Choisir’s test uses two synchronised zones for chips and chicken drumsticks. If you mainly cook one dish, check that a second drawer is worth the space it takes up.
How can I get an idea of the noise and cleaning involved?
For noise levels, look for a test carried out while the exact model is running, particularly if you have an open-plan kitchen. For cleaning, check the instructions to see which parts can be removed and how to wash them. Neither the power rating nor the number of programmes will answer these questions.