Frequent small portions
You often prepare one or two portions and want an appliance suited to small batches, without needing to cook a family-sized dish.
Who is this choice for?
Small oven-baked dishes
You regularly use dishes or tins for gratins, baking or pizzas. The usable space inside matters just as much as the stated capacity.
Worktop space is already at a premium
Your priority is to avoid another appliance taking up valuable space or duplicating the functions of your existing oven or microwave.
What should you prioritise?
For small portions in a kitchen where space is at a premium, start with the dishes you make most often. They’ll help you decide whether a new function is worth the space the appliance will take up.
Simple basket air fryer
Consider it: if you often cook one or two small portions in a basket.
Bear in mind: the basket limits the size of some dishes; Que Choisir also describes air fryers as bulky and a little noisy.
Mini oven
Consider it: if your small-batch cooking often calls for a tin, dish or rack.
Bear in mind: it needs a dedicated spot. In Que Choisir’s tests, energy use compared with an air fryer varied by recipe and appliance.
Combination microwave
Consider it: if combining reheating, defrosting and some cooking functions lets you replace a separate appliance.
Bear in mind: its size and settings need to suit the way you cook. The ADEME/INC study found no clear efficiency advantage for combination ovens under its test conditions.
Your existing oven
Keep using it: if you only cook small dishes occasionally or no extra appliance would meet a regular need.
Bear in mind: you’ll still be using its large cavity and preheating it, even for a small dish.
| What matters | What to check | Consumers with this need |
|---|---|---|
| Keep the worktop clear | Measure the available space and check the ventilation clearances required in the instruction manual. Ask yourself which appliance would genuinely stay out on the worktop. | If my oven already does these jobs, I don’t want to clutter my kitchen further; around 31 % of consumers would make avoiding duplicate appliances their priority. |
| Cook small batches | Compare the basket’s usable size with your usual portions. For one or two people, Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for a simple basket. | When I often prepare a small portion, I prioritise a size that suits that quantity; nearly 31 % of consumers would put this type of cooking first. |
| Use dishes and tins | Check the internal dimensions, rack positions and settings needed for your dishes, rather than looking only at the capacity in litres. | My gratins or bakes need to fit in the dish I usually use; around 23 % of consumers would prioritise this option. |
| Combine several functions | Check which settings are available, the usable capacity and which functions your current appliances already provide. | I want to reheat, defrost and cook without adding more appliances; around 15 % of consumers would make combining these functions their main priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Going by capacity in litres alone
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your tin, dish or usual portion will fit in the basket or cavity.
Compare the internal dimensions and the size of the accessories with the containers you use.
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Assuming an air fryer always uses less energy
Que Choisir found that air fryers performed well against mini ovens for some small-batch recipes, but the differences depend on the dishes and models tested.
Base your choice on the food you cook most often, rather than treating a limited test result as a general promise.
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Assuming “compact” means “easy to fit in”
Que Choisir notes that air fryers can be bulky and a little noisy. How much space they actually take up in your kitchen matters just as much as their category.
Measure the space, check the ventilation instructions and look for tests that measure noise if that matters to you.
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Confusing an extended warranty with your statutory rights
A commercial warranty doesn’t replace the statutory guarantee of conformity that applies in France to purchases from a professional seller.
Compare its duration, exclusions and repair terms with the rights you already have.
Brands to know in these categories
Moulinex
Moulinex offers mini ovens, including the Optimo 19 L. Its features are worth considering if you cook in dishes or tins.
- Moulinex says the Optimo 19 L has fan-assisted cooking, six settings and a thermostat that goes up to 240 °C.
- These features apply to this model. Also check the usable dimensions and the space needed to install it.
Panasonic
The Panasonic NN-CT57RM is an example of a combination microwave, bringing several cooking modes together in one appliance.
- Panasonic lists microwave, convection, grill and air fryer functions for this model.
- Combining functions doesn’t remove the need to check the usable capacity, external dimensions and ventilation requirements in the instruction manual.
Ninja
Ninja is a brand to consider for air frying, particularly if the basket size suits your portions.
- Some Ninja models have two cooking zones, according to the specifications published by the brand.
- If your priority is to free up worktop space, measure a dual-basket model before choosing this configuration.
Appliances for these needs
These Joybuy appliances suit two of the needs covered here: small-batch air frying and cooking in a mini oven. First choose the type of cooking that suits your dishes, then check how much space the model you pick will need.
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NINJA FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
Worth considering if you’re looking for an air fryer for small dishes. Make sure it will fit in your kitchen and check the ventilation clearances specified in the instruction manual.
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Midea Air Fryer 4 L, 1 500 W
Worth considering for small batches if a 4 L basket suits your portions. The title lists eight pre-set modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the appliance’s dimensions and care instructions before choosing.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1 150 W, black
The 2 L basket is worth considering if you make small portions; compare its usable surface with the food you prepare. The title lists a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket. Also check the external dimensions to make sure it will fit in your chosen spot.
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Taurus Horizon23, 23 L mini oven, black
This 23 L mini oven is worth considering if you want to cook small dishes in an oven-sized space. Before choosing it for your usual dishes or tins, check their dimensions against the cavity and make sure you have enough space around the appliance.
Frequently asked questions
What size air fryer should I choose for one or two people?
Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for a simple-basket air fryer used for everyday portions for one or two people. However, check the basket’s usable size and the amount you usually cook.
Is an air fryer always suitable for a small kitchen?
No. Que Choisir points out that these appliances can be bulky and a little noisy. Measure the available space, check the clearances required in the instruction manual and decide where you’ll store the appliance after use.
Can a combination microwave replace a mini oven?
A combination microwave can replace some of a mini oven’s functions if its settings and cavity suit the dishes you usually make, but it may not handle everything. The ADEME/INC study found no clear efficiency advantage for combination ovens under its test conditions. Check the functions and dimensions of the model you’re considering.
Do I need an extended warranty for an appliance bought in France?
An extended warranty is optional and separate from the statutory guarantee of conformity. For a purchase from a professional seller in France, the Ministry of the Economy says this statutory guarantee can be used for two years for new or second-hand goods. Compare any extra cover with the exclusions in the extended warranty on offer.