A compact air fryer could be a good fit if you often cook small portions and have somewhere to put it while in use and store it afterwards. If your oven already handles the same cooking tasks, the appliance may simply duplicate what you have, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. A mini oven may be worth considering if you need a particular shape of rack or tray; a multi-cooker is better suited to a different need, such as pressure or steam cooking.
How often you cook small batches matters more than the number of programmes on offer. It can help you decide whether a second appliance will genuinely be useful.
If you regularly cook small portions, a simple basket model could suit your needs. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people, while pointing out that usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook.
Before making room for an air fryer, think about the meals your oven doesn’t let you prepare conveniently. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the two appliances perform largely the same functions.
Fan noise can matter as much as the size of the appliance. Also check how to clean the basket and removable parts, and where you’ll store everything after use.
Start with the meals you already cook, then compare the space each option takes up, how much it can cook and what’s involved in using it.
| Consideration | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Different uses | Make a note of the small-batch cooking you do often and what your oven can already handle. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer performs the same general functions as an oven. | If my oven already handles my everyday meals, I’d rather keep the space than add another appliance with similar functions. |
| Portions | Compare the usable capacity and basket surface area with the number of portions you usually cook. For one or two people, UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for a simple basket model, but this doesn’t guarantee it will suit every dish. | I mostly cook small batches, so the basket needs to fit my food without making me cook it in several rounds. |
| Cooking style | If you use racks, trays or a large dish, consider a mini oven or an oven-style appliance. For pressure cooking, steaming or slow cooking, check the settings and accessories of the specific multi-cooker. | A basket won’t suit the shape of my dishes, or I’m looking for a different way to cook from what my oven offers. |
| Space required | Measure your worktop and storage space, then check the appliance’s external dimensions, how far the drawer or door opens and the clearances specified in the instructions. A large capacity doesn’t mean it takes up little space. | Space is limited: I need to be able to use and store the appliance, not just leave it on the worktop when it’s switched off. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for noise measurements that explain how they were taken. Check which parts can be removed and the cleaning instructions for the exact model. UFC-Que Choisir considers noise, cleaning and storage in its assessments. | In an open-plan kitchen, the fan noise and cleaning the basket will affect how often I want to use the appliance. |
| Added oil | Compare similar dishes and the amount of oil actually added. Using little added oil doesn’t tell you everything about the nutritional quality of a meal. | I want to understand what a claim about cooking with little oil means, without assuming it guarantees a health benefit. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, an air fryer’s cooking functions largely overlap with those of an oven. If you don’t often cook small batches, you’ll mainly be adding another appliance to store and more parts to wash.
Think about the meals you make in a typical week: which would genuinely be more convenient to prepare in a separate basket?
UFC-Que Choisir points out that usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook. A basket that’s too small may mean cooking in several batches, while a larger appliance takes up more space.
Compare the basket’s surface area with your usual portions, and measure how much room you need when the drawer or door is open.
The amount of oil added depends on what you’re cooking; it doesn’t tell you everything about a meal. The European Food Safety Authority also says that acrylamide can form in starchy foods cooked at high temperatures, including in an oven or by frying.
Read claims in the context of the preparation being compared, and follow the cooking instructions in the manual.
In an open-plan kitchen, you may notice the fan. A basket that’s easy to remove isn’t necessarily easy to clean or store with its accessories.
Read a test that explains how noise was measured, and check the cleaning instructions for the parts of the model you’re considering.
These brands offer examples of different formats, but their ranges are no substitute for checking the dimensions and accessories of the specific model you’re considering.
Moulinex offers Easy Fry air fryers and Cookeo multi-cookers: two options to consider depending on whether you want a hot-air basket or different cooking methods.
The Airfryer range includes baskets in different capacities, including the 4.2 L NA120/00 and the NA154/00 with a removable divider.
Ninja offers air fryers in several capacities, as well as multi-function Foodi appliances, which may be worth considering if a simple basket doesn’t suit the meals you usually cook.
These hot-air models are worth considering if you’re choosing an appliance for small batches. Before adding one to a kitchen that already has an oven, check that you’ll use it often enough to justify the space it takes up.
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Worth considering if you often cook small portions rather than using your oven.
Stated capacity: 3.2 L. Check the space needed around the appliance, how noisy it is in use and the cleaning instructions for this model.
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Its 4 L basket is within the guide given by UFC-Que Choisir for everyday portions for one or two people; check that the basket surface suits the dishes you make.
The product name lists 8 pre-set modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the clearance needed, noise levels and cleaning instructions before making room for it.
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This hot-air model is worth considering if cooking small batches makes a separate appliance worthwhile for you.
Before choosing this format, check that the cooking surface suits your portions, the dimensions with the drawer open, the noise level and the cleaning instructions.
Not fundamentally: UFC-Que Choisir says an air fryer performs the same general functions as an oven. However, if you often cook small batches, a basket-style appliance may suit a specific need. Weigh up this benefit against the space required for an extra appliance.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for a simple basket model intended for everyday portions for one or two people. Also check the usable capacity and basket surface area: the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that your usual dishes will fit in one batch.
No. The amount of oil added may differ from that used to fry a similar dish, depending on the food and recipe; that doesn’t prove an overall nutritional benefit. The European Food Safety Authority also says that acrylamide can form in starchy foods cooked at high temperatures, including in an oven.
Look for a test that explains its measurement method, especially if you’ll use the appliance in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir measures air fryer noise at 0.50 m, among other things; check that the result you’re looking at applies to the model you’re considering.