People who often cook fried food
You’d like to handle less oil and avoid the drawbacks of deep-frying. However, cooking with hot air can produce a different result from your fryer, particularly with chips, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Who this choice is for
Households that prepare several parts of a meal
You want to cut down on batches or cook a main and a side dish at the same time. In that case, the usable space in each basket matters more than the stated total capacity.
Small kitchens that already have an oven
You need to find space for the appliance and decide whether you’ll use it often enough to justify having both. Noise from the fan and cleaning are also worth considering, according to the criteria examined by UFC-Que Choisir.
What makes the difference
For regular home cooking of foods you’d usually fry, start by deciding what you want from the cooking results. Then compare how much you need to prepare, how much space you have and how much cleaning you’re happy to do day to day.
Single-basket air fryer
Consider it if: you mainly cook one small batch at a time.
Bear in mind: you may need to cook a main and a side dish in separate batches.
Dual-zone air fryer
Consider it if: you regularly cook two different foods separately for the same meal.
Bear in mind: the space the appliance takes up and the capacity limit of each zone.
Deep-fat fryer
Keep it if: the taste and texture of traditional deep-frying, particularly for chips, matter more to you than switching appliances.
Bear in mind: handling the oil, possible odours and the cleaning involved with deep-frying.
Using your existing oven
Stick with it if: you only make these dishes occasionally and your oven meets your needs.
Weigh up: it may be less convenient if you want a dedicated appliance for regular small batches.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking results | Look for tests covering the recipes you usually make and the recommended quantities for the model you’re considering. | I often cook chips or breaded food, so I want to know whether I’ll be happy with the results from hot-air cooking, even if they don’t have the same texture as food cooked in oil. Around 27% of consumers in this group may put this first. |
| Capacity and cooking a meal in parallel | Check the usable dimensions of the basket and, for a dual-zone model, the capacity of each zone rather than just the total volume. | When I’m cooking for several people, I want to avoid making multiple batches or be able to cook two parts of the meal separately. This could be a priority for around 27% of consumers in this group. |
| Space and how you use your oven | Measure the space you have and work out which dishes you’d cook in the air fryer instead of your oven. | My oven already handles this kind of cooking and I’m short on space, so I’d only add another appliance if it had a distinct, regular use. Avoiding duplication could be the top priority for around 20% of consumers in this group. |
| Cleaning, odours and noise | Check the cleaning instructions for the parts and look for a noise test of the exact model, especially if you have an open-plan kitchen. | I want to avoid handling oil, but I also want an appliance that’s easy to clean and whose fan noise I can live with. This everyday convenience could be the main consideration for around 26% of consumers in this group. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying on the “XXL” label alone
The total volume doesn’t tell you how much fits in each drawer or how the food can be arranged inside. UFC-Que Choisir recommends matching capacity to the size of your household and how you plan to use the appliance.
Start with your usual portions and the largest foods you cook, then check the dimensions of the baskets and the appliance.
If the basket is too small for your portions, you may have to cook several batches, making meal preparation take longer.
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Expecting the same results as deep-frying without oil
Hot-air cooking won’t automatically recreate the taste and texture of traditional deep-frying. UFC-Que Choisir particularly advises chip lovers not to assume they’ll be happy with the change.
If that texture matters most to you, keep your fryer or look for tests of the recipes you actually make.
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Forgetting about noise in an open-plan kitchen
Some models have an audible fan, which may be more noticeable when the appliance is running close to your living space. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering noise before you buy.
Look for a noise measurement or a detailed test of the exact model you’re considering.
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Adding an air fryer without deciding where it will go alongside your oven
Both appliances cook with hot air. Depending on your recipes and how often you use them, an air fryer may duplicate an oven you already own, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Identify the meals where a small basket or two separate zones would make a real difference to how you cook.
An extra appliance takes up space long-term and adds more parts to clean.
Brands to consider
Philips
In the Airfryer range, the Série 3000 NA352/24 featured by Philips France is an example of a dual-basket format for cooking a main and a side dish separately.
- For the NA352/24, Philips France describes a function that lets both sides finish cooking at the same time.
- Compare the capacity of each basket, the dimensions and tests of the model you’re considering. The NA352/24’s specifications don’t apply to every Philips model.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry Dual XXL EZ942BF0 featured by Moulinex France is an example of a dual-drawer format for cooking different foods at the same time.
- Moulinex France lists two compartments of 6,5 L and 4,5 L for this model, so it’s worth checking the capacity of each drawer separately.
- These capacities are for the EZ942BF0, not the whole range. Also check how much space you’ll need and what will fit in each compartment.
Ninja
Ninja is one of the air fryer brands mentioned by UFC-Que Choisir. Compare its models to find a format that suits the meals you cook.
- The brand is worth including when comparing multi-zone formats if you regularly cook two parts of a meal at the same time.
- Check the dimensions, noise, cleaning and results for the exact model. The brand name alone won’t tell you how it performs against these criteria.
Air fryers to compare by format
These models let you compare dual-drawer air fryers, a convertible basket and formats designed for cooking one batch at a time. First choose based on your portion sizes and how you put meals together, then check the cleaning requirements and the space needed for the model you select.
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Ninja Dual Zone Digital DZ300EU, 7,6 L
Worth considering if you want to cook two parts of a meal in separate drawers.
The product name indicates two drawers, a total capacity of 7,6 L and six functions. Check the space you have and how noisy it is if your kitchen is open-plan.
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Philips Série 3000 NA351/00 Airfryer with dual basket, 9 L
Worth looking at if you want to split a meal between two baskets rather than cook everything in one.
The stated capacity is 9 L in total. Check the usable capacity of each basket for your portions and the noise level if the appliance will be used near your living space.
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COSORI TF101S Airfryer Dual Blaze Twinfry, 10 L
Worth comparing if the amount you need to cook is important for the meals you usually make.
The stated capacity is 10 L. Before choosing this format, check how much space it will take up, the cleaning instructions and the noise level.
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Ninja FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
Worth looking into if the amount you cook varies from one meal to another.
Check the suitable quantity for each of your dishes, and don’t assume the containers can cook at the same time. Also check the cleaning instructions for this model.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7,6 L
Worth comparing if you cook one batch at a time and want to consider a model with a stated capacity of 7,6 L.
Check the basket’s usable dimensions against your recipes. Also measure the space you have and check the noise level if these factors matter in your kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer completely replace a deep-fat fryer?
It can replace one for the dishes you make if hot-air cooking suits your recipes and portion sizes. But it may not be a good substitute if you’re mainly looking for the texture of traditional deep-frying. UFC-Que Choisir particularly advises chip lovers not to assume the results will be the same.
What capacity do I need for my household’s meals?
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a starting point for one or two people, 5 to 6 L for three or four people, and 7 to 9 L for five or six people. Then check the shape of the basket, the capacity of each drawer and the space your food needs: the total volume alone won’t tell you how much you can cook in one batch.
Does an air fryer duplicate what an oven can do?
It can, if your oven already handles this kind of cooking and you’d only use the air fryer occasionally. As UFC-Que Choisir points out, both appliances use hot air. Think about whether small batches or meals cooked in two separate zones would justify adding another appliance to your kitchen.
Does noise matter in an open-plan kitchen?
Yes. It’s worth checking the fan noise if the air fryer will be used near your living space. UFC-Que Choisir identifies noise as a factor to consider when buying, so look for a measurement or test of the exact model rather than judging by its size alone.
How can I tell whether an air fryer will be easy to clean?
Check the instructions for your chosen model to see which parts can be removed and which are dishwasher-safe. Also look at how easy it is to reach the basket and areas exposed to grease: avoiding a vat of oil doesn’t mean there’s no cleaning to do after cooking.