If you’re one of one or two people who often cook small portions, a single-drawer air fryer is worth considering, provided its basket, cleaning and installation space suit your needs. If your existing oven already handles your usual recipes, buying another appliance may be redundant. A mini oven is more worthwhile when the dishes you want to cook or the cooking methods you need call for a different type of oven cavity.
How often you cook small portions matters just as much as the size of your household. It can help you decide whether another appliance will genuinely earn its place.
If you mainly cook one or two portions, start by looking at a single basket. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for this type of household. Before choosing a capacity, also check the basket’s shape and the size of the dishes you usually cook.
Even an appliance described as ‘compact’ needs the installation and ventilation clearance specified in its instructions. Measure the space where you plan to put it, and remember to allow room for storage and to take out and clean the basket.
Your oven may already handle many of the dishes you have in mind. If you often cook small amounts, weigh up that use against the space an air fryer would take up. UFC-Que Choisir notes that their functions overlap, although energy use can differ for some of the recipes tested.
Start with the dishes you cook most often, then compare their size with the space available and the appliances you already own.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and basket | Compare the capacity, basket shape and size of the food. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a single 3 to 4 L basket as a starting point for one or two people; two drawers are better suited to cooking two different things at once. | I mainly cook one or two portions and would rather have a basket that suits my dishes than a large capacity I’ll rarely use. |
| Space and installation | Check the external dimensions and the clearance required for the exact model in its instructions. Allow for a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from water and walls as directed. | My worktop is narrow: the appliance needs to be able to run in its intended position, not just fit there when it’s switched off. |
| Oven or another appliance | Check whether your tins, dishes and preferred cooking methods will work with your existing oven, a mini oven or the basket you’re considering. In a 2024 test, UFC-Que Choisir found that, for a small quiche of the same quantity, the air fryers tested used an average of 36 % less electricity than the mini oven tested. This result won’t apply to every recipe. | If my oven already handles my smaller dishes, I want a clear reason to add another appliance. For larger tins or dishes, I’ll first check the available oven cavity. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check the instructions to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and how to access the basket for cleaning. If you’ll be using the appliance in a living area, look for a noise test of the exact model; UFC-Que Choisir includes this in its testing process. | I plan to use the appliance often, so day-to-day cleaning and noise in the room matter just as much as the programmes on offer. |
A second drawer is useful for cooking different foods at the same time, but takes up space when one cooking zone is enough for everyday use.
Make a note of the three meals you cook most often. Consider two zones if you regularly cook foods that need different settings.
The appliance dimensions don’t necessarily include the space you need to leave around it while it’s in use.
Measure the intended spot, then check it against the installation and ventilation instructions for the exact model.
Results vary depending on the recipe, quantity and appliances being compared. UFC-Que Choisir’s test of a small quiche against a mini oven doesn’t prove that the same will be true for every use.
Compare the small dishes you cook regularly with the meals you’d still make in your oven.
In a small kitchen, taking out the basket, cleaning the parts and using the appliance near a living area are all part of everyday use.
Check the cleaning instructions and, if noise is a deciding factor for you, look for an independent test of the exact model.
These brands offer examples of formats to consider. Your choice should depend on the features and instructions for the specific model, not just the brand.
Moulinex offers both single-basket air fryers and the Optimo 19 L mini oven, making it easy to compare two types of appliance for small portions.
Philips’ range lets you compare a single basket for modest portions with a two-basket appliance for cooking different foods at the same time.
Ninja is one of the brands featured in UFC-Que Choisir’s air fryer comparison.
These Joybuy options are for anyone considering an air fryer for modest portions. If your current oven already handles your recipes, first think about what a new appliance would change in the way you cook and the space available on your worktop.
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Its stated capacity of 3.2 L makes it an option to consider for small portions. Before choosing a spot for it, check the available space and the clearance specified in the instructions.
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If you switch between small and larger meals, compare the appliance’s container setup with the portions you usually cook. Also check how much space you’ll need for the whole unit and the ventilation instructions for this model.
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With a stated 2 L basket, check that it can fit the food and portions you usually cook. The product name states that it has a 60 min timer and a non-stick basket; check the instructions for installation dimensions and which parts are dishwasher-safe.
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For small meals or reheating, check that this model’s basket is suitable for the dishes you use. Confirm its dimensions, installation clearances and care instructions for removable parts in the manual.
Not necessarily: as UFC-Que Choisir points out, the two appliances offer similar cooking functions. Before buying, consider whether you cook small portions often enough to justify giving another appliance space in your kitchen.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests a single 3 to 4 L basket as a starting point for one or two people. Then check the basket’s shape, the size of your food and the appliance’s external dimensions: capacity in litres alone won’t answer all your questions.
Don’t assume that this is suitable. Moulinex recommends placing the appliance on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface, away from water and walls. Check the instructions for your chosen model to find out how much clearance it needs.
Check the instructions to see which parts are removable and which can go in the dishwasher: this varies from model to model. Also consider whether you’ll be able to take out and clean the basket easily where you plan to put the appliance.