Air fryer or oven for small meals: how to choose

Which option is right for you?

Small meals for one or two

You often cook a single batch of vegetables, fish, chicken pieces or leftovers. A single-drawer model may suit you if your portion fits, but you may need to cook your main and side in two separate batches.

A main and side to serve together

You want to cook two dishes for different lengths of time or at different temperatures, and serve them together. A dual-drawer model with a synchronised finish may work, as long as each food fits in its own drawer.

A kitchen that already has an oven

Your oven handles larger dishes, and you’re wondering whether to add another appliance to your worktop. UFC-Que Choisir suggests considering the risk of duplication: how often you cook small batches matters as much as the space available.

How do air fryers and ovens compare?

Start by considering the size and frequency of your batches. The appliance format, space needed and cleaning requirements will help you decide whether an additional appliance would be useful.

Single-drawer air fryer

Consider it: for a regular, small meal that fits in one batch.

Bear in mind: you may need to cook your main and side in two separate batches.

Dual-drawer air fryer

Consider it: to cook two dishes with different cooking times or temperatures.

Bear in mind: the drawers may be different sizes, so the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much will fit in each one.

Mini-oven style air fryer

Consider it: if racks, trays and the recipes you use them for matter more to you than a basket.

Bear in mind: compare the space it needs with that of your current oven.

Your existing oven

Keep it: for large dishes, multiple portions or if another appliance would duplicate its functions.

Consider: for a small meal cooked on its own, energy use may differ from that of an air fryer, depending on the recipe and appliances.

Factor	What to check	Consumers who prioritise it
Energy and cooking time	Compare the energy used per cooking cycle for a recipe and quantity similar to yours, and consider how many batches you’ll need. Wattage alone isn’t enough.	For a frequent small portion, heating a large oven may seem disproportionate; around 36% of consumers would prioritise energy use and cooking time.
Usable capacity	Check the internal dimensions and recommended load. For a dual-drawer model, check each drawer separately.	If your main and side don’t fit together, you’ll need more cooking cycles. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise usable capacity.
Space and duplication	Measure the space available, allow for the clearances specified in the manual, and check where you’ll store the appliance. Compare this with how you use your oven.	If your worktop is already occupied, an appliance you rarely use could affect your decision: around 21% of consumers would prioritise space and avoiding duplication.
Cleaning, noise and safety	Check which parts are dishwasher-safe according to the manual, look for comparable noise measurements if needed, and read the safety instructions.	If you cook regularly, cleaning the parts and putting up with the noise could become deciding factors. Around 14% of consumers would put these practical considerations and safety first.

Mistakes to avoid

Confusing stated capacity with usable space

The total volume doesn’t tell you whether your food will fit without overfilling the basket. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the recommended quantity and filling the basket to two-thirds; on a dual-drawer model, the drawers may also be different sizes.

Compare the internal dimensions and recommended loads in the manual with your usual dishes, checking each drawer separately.

If your meal needs several batches, preparation will take longer.
Expecting the same energy savings with every meal

UFC-Que Choisir recorded lower energy use with an air fryer for chicken pieces and a sponge cake, but the comparison covered only one model of each type of appliance.

To assess how it will work for you, compare similar recipes and quantities, then factor in any additional cooking cycles.
Adding an appliance without planning where to put it

An air fryer takes up space even when it’s not being used, if you keep it alongside your oven. UFC-Que Choisir recommends thinking about the risk of having more appliances than you need.

Measure the space it would occupy and consider which meals you’d regularly cook in it instead of using the oven.

Keeping it within easy reach means giving up some of your worktop space long term.
Forgetting about noise, cleaning and usage instructions

UFC-Que Choisir’s testing takes these aspects into account, including noise measured at 0.50 m and electrical and thermal safety. A removable part isn’t necessarily dishwasher-safe.

Check the manual to see which parts can be washed and how to install the appliance. If noise matters to you, look for measurements taken under comparable conditions.

Brands to consider by format

Philips

The range includes options worth considering in a dual-drawer format. Philips says the NA352/00 combines a 6 L basket and a 3 L basket with synchronised cooking.

Separate drawers can be useful for cooking a main and side so they finish at the same time.
Check which drawer each food will fit in: the two capacities aren’t interchangeable.

Moulinex

Moulinex’s documented models include a 3.5 L basket, a 7.5 L basket and a 20 L air fryer oven.

Depending on the model, Moulinex product information mentions a dishwasher-safe basket or accessories such as a rack and drip tray.
Capacity, accessories and dishwasher-safe parts vary, so check the product details and manual for the model you’re considering.

Ninja

Ninja is among the air fryer manufacturers mentioned by UFC-Que Choisir; consider each format and its results on a model-by-model basis.

The brand can be included in a comparison of formats if the model’s dimensions and intended use suit your meals.
UFC-Que Choisir reports noise from the Ninja Crispi FN101, based on tests by its European counterparts; this doesn’t apply to the whole range.

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Frequently asked questions

Can an air fryer replace an oven for every meal?

No. It can handle some types of cooking for small meals, but an oven is still a good choice if you often cook large dishes, use several shelves or prepare large batches. UFC-Que Choisir points out that adding an air fryer could also duplicate functions your oven already provides.

Can you compare energy use by looking at wattage?

No. The rated power doesn’t show how much energy an appliance uses to cook a recipe. Instead, compare measurements in Wh or kWh for similar foods, quantities and cooking cycles. The results published by UFC-Que Choisir for two recipes aren’t a rule that applies to every meal.

Are two drawers useful for a small meal?

Yes, if you regularly cook two foods that need different cooking times or temperatures and want them to finish together. Check how much fits in each drawer: Philips says the NA352/00 splits its 9 L capacity between a 6 L drawer and a 3 L drawer.

What should you check before installing and cleaning an air fryer?

Follow the manual for your model: place it on a stable, heat-resistant surface, leave the specified clearances and clean the parts once they’ve cooled. Check which removable parts are dishwasher-safe individually, as this depends on the model and the part.

What does the CE marking on an air fryer mean?

For products covered by the relevant European rules, the CE marking indicates that the manufacturer declares the product meets the applicable requirements. According to the DGCCRF, it isn’t an independent quality certification. If you’re considering an appliance in France, also check its manual, safety information and electrical specifications.