Small portions in a compact kitchen
You mainly cook one or two portions and want an appliance whose basket and footprint suit those meals, without needing to make large batches.
Who are these options for?
Meals that need two cooking settings
You often cook a main and a side that need different settings. Two independent cooking zones can help you prepare them at the same time, as long as each one is large enough for the portion you have in mind.
Home cooks who already have an oven
You regularly use large dishes or several shelves. Before adding a countertop appliance, check which meals it would genuinely take over from your oven.
What matters for your meals?
Start with the kind of meals you make: this will help you decide whether a basket, two drawers or an oven cavity meets a distinct need.
Single-drawer air fryer
Consider it: for regular small portions that fit in one basket.
Bear in mind: a larger meal or one with several components may need to be cooked in batches.
Dual-drawer air fryer
Consider it: if your meals often include two items that need different settings.
Bear in mind: two compartments take up space, and their capacities may differ.
Mini convection oven
Consider it: if the size of your tins and oven dishes matters more than having a basket.
Bear in mind: its cavity takes up space, so check that you have room for it in your kitchen.
Your existing oven
Stick with it: if your usual meals need large dishes or several shelves.
Keep in mind: an additional air fryer would also need space and regular cleaning.
| Factor | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare your portions with the basket’s surface area and the dimensions of your dishes, not just its stated capacity. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l as a guide for one or two people. | If my meal doesn’t fit in the basket, I’ll need to cook another batch. Around 37% of consumers would put choosing a capacity suited to their portions first. |
| Cooking two things at once | Check the capacity of each drawer, its settings and whether it has a synchronisation function if you want to serve both items together. | When a main and a side need different cooking settings, I want to be able to prepare them at the same time. This would be the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Space and oven use | Measure the space for the appliance and your usual oven dishes; identify the recipes your oven already handles. | With a busy worktop and an oven I use often, I don’t want another appliance for the same dishes. Around 18% of consumers would put space and avoiding duplication first. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and, if possible, look for an independent noise assessment of the exact model. | If I cook often in an open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to clean and put the appliance away without too much hassle. Around 18% of consumers would put ease of use first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on the stated capacity in litres
A high capacity doesn’t guarantee that your food will fit as you intend or that a dish will fit in the basket. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the stated capacity and the amount you can actually use.
Measure your dishes and the foods you cook regularly, then check the basket’s surface area and internal dimensions before estimating how many batches you’ll need.
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Assuming two drawers will cook a meal in one basket
Two zones are most useful when you need to cook two foods separately. They aren’t necessarily the same size: Moulinex, for example, lists capacities of 5,2 l and 3,1 l for the drawers in its EZ901N20.
Choose this format for combination meals you make often, and check that each drawer can hold your usual portion.
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Assuming you’ll save electricity with every recipe
In its tests on a quiche, UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers tested used less electricity than the mini oven tested. This result for a comparable recipe doesn’t mean the same will be true for every dish.
Compare cooking tests for portions similar in size to your actual meals, especially if you’d need to cook them in several batches.
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Forgetting about cleaning and storage after cooking
An appliance you use often will also need to be cleaned and put away often. UFC-Que Choisir includes ease of cleaning and noise among the factors to consider when choosing an air fryer.
Plan where you’ll keep it, and check the exact model to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and whether noise assessments are available.
Brands to know
Philips
The range includes single-basket and dual-drawer models. Philips describes the 4,1 l HD9252/90 as suitable for two people and lists a cooking synchronisation function on the NA352/24.
- Philips says the removable parts of the HD9252/90 are dishwasher-safe.
- Check the features and cleaning instructions for each model: these details don’t automatically apply across the range.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range includes the 4 l single-drawer AL4018F0 and the dual-drawer EZ901N20, with capacities of 5,2 l and 3,1 l respectively, according to Moulinex.
- Moulinex says the AL4018F0 can fit pizzas, tarts or quiches up to 27 cm.
- With a model that has two different-sized drawers, check which foods will fit in the smaller compartment.
SEB
SEB also makes mini convection ovens. The brand says its 22 l Crousty Delice can fit round dishes up to 33 cm and cook two dishes at once.
- This model gives you a practical point of comparison if your oven dishes are too wide for a basket.
- Check its dimensions against the space you have available; this model’s features won’t apply to every mini oven.
Air fryers to consider on Joybuy
These single- and dual-drawer models let you compare formats for small portions and meals with two separate components. Before choosing, check that the basket suits your usual dishes and that you have enough space.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 l, 1150 W, black
A single-drawer model to consider for small portions, provided its surface area suits the foods you usually cook.
Stated capacity of 2 l and a 60 min timer. The title says the non-stick basket is dishwasher-safe; if you have a compact kitchen, check the appliance’s footprint too.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, 7,6 l, two drawers
Its two drawers are designed for cooking a main and a side separately, which can be useful if you often prepare meals this way.
Stated total capacity of 7,6 l and six functions listed in the title. Check the space you have and read the manual before assuming the baskets are dishwasher-safe.
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Cuisinart AFD10XBLE, dual zone with viewing windows, black
Worth considering if you regularly cook two separate foods and want to keep an eye on them through the windows.
A dual-zone format may be more than you need for small portions: check the appliance’s dimensions against your worktop before choosing this model.
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Bear QZG-F24F1, 9 l, two baskets
The two baskets suit separate cooking if your meals often include two different items.
The title lists a total capacity of 9 l, 2400 W, eight programmes and independent temperature control. For small portions, check whether you need this much capacity and have room for it; consult the manual for basket-cleaning instructions.
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KITCHENCOOK AIRMED7W, 7 l, with viewing window
This single-basket model may appeal if you want to keep an eye on your food while it cooks without opting for two drawers.
The title lists a capacity of 7 l, a digital display and a viewing window. Compare the internal cooking area and external dimensions with your portions and available space.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace an oven for everyday meals?
Not for every meal. An air fryer is most worth comparing with your oven for regular small portions. If you use large oven dishes or several shelves, first check that the basket can fit what you want to cook. Otherwise, your oven or a mini oven may be a better option.
What capacity air fryer should I choose for one or two people?
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l as a guide for one or two people. This figure doesn’t replace checking the basket’s surface area or measuring your usual ingredients and dishes.
Do you need two drawers to make a complete meal?
Two drawers are most useful if you often cook a main and a side separately using different settings. Check the capacity of each compartment and, if you want to serve both items together, see whether the model has a synchronisation function.
Are all air fryer baskets dishwasher-safe?
Don’t assume they are: check the manual for the exact model and the parts it covers. Philips says the removable parts of the HD9252/90 are dishwasher-safe, but that doesn’t mean the same applies to other models.
What should you check before buying an air fryer with a view to repairing it?
Check whether spare parts are available, the warranty terms and the repair options for the specific model. The Ministry for Ecological Transition explains that, where available, a repairability index indicates how easy a product is to repair relative to others; it doesn’t replace checking the details for the model itself.