Cooking small portions
You often prepare a roasted or crispy portion and want a basket that’s the right size, without having to cook in multiple batches. Capacity details for Philips and Moulinex models can help you compare specific products.
Who is this option for?
Already have an oven
You want to know whether your usual small-scale cooking calls for a second appliance, or whether your existing oven already meets your needs. UFC-Que Choisir lists overlapping uses among the points to consider.
Cooking in a small kitchen
You need to consider available space, placement instructions, noise and regular cleaning. UFC-Que Choisir highlights size, ease of handling and noise among the criteria to take into account.
What to compare when cooking small portions
UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering factors such as capacity, ease of handling and cleaning. To choose the right appliance, start with the dishes you actually prepare, then check how much space it needs and whether it offers anything your oven doesn’t.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated quantity for the food with the basket dimensions. For the 4.2 l NA120/00, Philips says you can cook up to 500 g of chips or vegetables. | When I’m cooking a small portion, I want to spread the food out without packing it in or cooking in multiple batches. Around 36% of consumers prioritise a capacity that suits their portions. |
| How it compares with your oven | Make a list of your usual dishes, the size of your cookware and the appliances you already own. Compare tests using the same recipe and equivalent quantities. | If my oven already fits the dishes I usually make, I want to know whether a second appliance would meet a different need. Around 29% of consumers first look to avoid buying an appliance that duplicates what they already have. |
| Space and placement | Measure the space, check that the drawers can open fully and follow the clearance requirements in the manual for the exact model. Don’t substitute a generic distance for the manufacturer’s instructions. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to install and use the appliance in line with its manual. Around 21% of consumers prioritise an appliance that fits their space. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for a noise measurement for the specific model and check its manual to see which removable parts are dishwasher-safe. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise from 0.50 m away in its test protocol. | For regular use, I want to keep disruptive noise and time spent washing parts to a minimum. Around 14% of consumers prioritise quieter operation and easy cleaning. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Judging the number of portions by the litre capacity alone
The amount that will fit depends on the food, the model and the space needed for air to circulate. If the basket is too full, you may need to cook in several batches.
Compare your usual portions with the quantities stated for the model, and check the usable dimensions if you plan to use a tin.
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Choosing two compartments for one small dish
Two baskets can be useful for cooking different foods at the same time, but their combined capacity doesn’t make one large basket.
Choose this format if you’ll regularly use both zones to prepare a meal. For a single dish, also compare a single-drawer model with your oven.
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Assuming energy-use results apply to every recipe
In tests published on 4 October 2024, UFC-Que Choisir found different results depending on the dish. For a small quiche, the air fryers tested used less electricity on average than the mini oven tested, while some models used more for chicken drumsticks.
Don’t assume these results apply to every recipe or to your oven. Compare equivalent quantities and dishes, and consider whether you need another appliance at all.
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Confusing deep-frying with hot-air cooking
A traditional deep fryer and an air fryer use different cooking methods and won’t necessarily suit the same tastes.
First decide whether you want to deep-fry food in oil or roast it using hot air, then compare the appliances designed for that method.
Brands to compare by format
Moulinex
The Easy Fry Compact EZ145820 and the Optimo OX444810 mini oven show two different cooking formats to compare for smaller dishes.
- Moulinex says the EZ145820 basket is dishwasher-safe. The Optimo OX444810 is a 19 l mini oven with several cooking modes.
- These features apply to these specific models and don’t, on their own, tell you whether they’ll suit your dishes or whether you need another appliance.
Philips
The 1000 Series NA120/00 is a 4.2 l single-drawer model, while the 3000 Series NA352/00 has two separate baskets.
- Philips says the NA120/00 can cook up to 500 g of chips or vegetables, while the NA352/00 can synchronise the end of cooking in both baskets.
- The quantities stated for the NA120/00 don’t apply to the NA352/00. The latter’s 6 l and 3 l capacities are divided between two separate baskets.
Ninja
SharkNinja describes the DoubleStack SL300EU as a 7.6 l vertical air fryer. It’s worth considering if its drawer layout suits the way you cook.
- The vertical design and two drawers are another option to compare for cooking separate dishes.
- The stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether it’ll fit your space. Check the dimensions and clearance requirements in the manual.
Tefal
The Uno M FF215D30 is a traditional deep fryer to consider if you want to cook food immersed in oil.
- For this model, Tefal states a food capacity of 1 kg and an adjustable thermostat ranging from 150 °C to 190 °C.
- This method involves handling oil and doesn’t meet the same need as hot-air roasting with an air fryer.
Appliances available on Joybuy
This selection includes drawer-style air fryers and appliances with separate containers. Compare them based on your portion sizes, available space and each model’s instructions.
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Ninja AF110EU, 4.7 l 3-in-1 digital air fryer
It’s stated to be suitable for 1–2 portions, which may make it a good fit for small meals, provided the food fits in the basket without restricting airflow.
Stated capacity: 4.7 l; up to 500 g of chips; power stated in the product name: 2,000 W. The listed functions are Air Fry, Reheat and Dehydrate. The description says the basket is dishwasher-safe and warns against blocking the air inlets and outlets. Use oven gloves when handling the hot basket.
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Ninja CRISPi PRO XL AS090EUWH, 5.7 l and 2.3 l glass containers
The two containers come in different sizes, letting you compare a smaller dish with higher-capacity needs. Their capacities don’t combine to make one basket.
The description lists transparent containers, dishwasher-safe accessories and five preset modes. The glass container and outer surfaces can become very hot, so use oven gloves. The container must not be used over a naked flame or on a hob.
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Ninja FN101EUGY Crispi, 1.4 l and 3.8 l containers
The two containers have different capacities, giving you options to compare based on the usual size of your dishes.
The description lists four functions: Air Fry, Roast, Keep Warm and Recrisp. The containers and accessories are stated to be dishwasher-safe. The glass container and cooking tray may remain hot after use. Don’t restrict airflow with baking paper.
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Philips NA210/00 Airfryer 2000 Series, 3.2 l
Its 3.2 l basket is worth comparing with your usual portions and the space available on your worktop.
Stated dimensions: 368 × 273 × 293 mm; adjustable temperature up to 200 °C. The drawer and removable basket are stated to be dishwasher-safe. The description specifies a minimum clearance of 100 mm on each side and warns that accessible surfaces can become very hot. Follow the placement instructions in the manual for the exact model.
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ROUNY T3 air fryer, 5 l
Compare its stated 5 l capacity with your usual portions: an overfilled basket may restrict airflow.
The description lists a temperature range of 80 to 200 °C, a 60-minute timer and eight preset programmes. It advises against overfilling the basket or blocking the air inlets and outlets.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cook a quiche or vegetables in a drawer-style air fryer?
Yes, as long as the dish fits in the basket and leaves room for air to circulate. For the models covered by its support guidance, Philips recommends leaving space around a tin and not overfilling it. The dimensions and quantities you can use depend on the model.
How do I clean an air fryer after cooking a small portion?
Check which parts of your specific model are listed as dishwasher-safe. Moulinex states that the EZ145820 basket is dishwasher-safe, while Philips says the bowl and StarPlate for the NA120/00 are too. Follow the manual, and don’t assume this applies to the appliance unit or every accessory.
What statutory guarantee applies to an air fryer bought in France?
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer. You have two years to claim under it. The Ministry of the Economy and Finance distinguishes this mandatory guarantee from an optional commercial guarantee.
Can I return an appliance bought online if it’s not right for me?
For a distance sale between a business and a consumer, the right to cancel generally lets you change your mind within at least 14 days. Check the terms and any exceptions that apply to your order. This right is separate from the remedies available for a faulty or non-compliant product.
Does the CE mark guarantee an air fryer’s cooking performance?
No. According to the DGCCRF, the CE mark represents the manufacturer’s declaration that the product meets the applicable regulatory requirements; it isn’t a certification mark. It doesn’t rank an appliance’s cooking performance.