Small-batch cook
You often prepare a single dish or a small portion and want to know whether a drawer can save you from switching on the full-size oven for that particular job.
Who is this guide for ?
Cook preparing two dishes
You’d like to cook two things at the same time, such as a side and a protein, without assuming the advertised total capacity is available in each drawer.
Shopper with an already equipped kitchen
You’re weighing up the benefits of another appliance against the space it takes up and how you use your oven. The shape of your dishes may also point you towards a format with trays or racks.
What should you look for before buying ?
Que Choisir recommends considering capacity, ease of use and cleaning, and points out that an air fryer’s functions may overlap with those of an oven.
Single-drawer air fryer
Choose this if : you mainly cook one small batch at a time. Check that the basket can hold your food without overcrowding it.
Bear in mind : you may need to cook a main and its side dish in two batches.
Dual-zone air fryer
Choose this if : you often cook two different dishes and want to synchronise when they finish cooking.
Bear in mind : check the capacity of each zone. Que Choisir notes that results can vary from one drawer to the other.
Mini-oven-style air fryer
Choose this if : your recipes need a tray, a rack or a differently shaped cooking cavity. Moulinex describes the AL605820 as a 20 L air fryer oven with racks and trays.
Bear in mind : measure the space available and factor in the accessories you’ll need to clean and store.
Your existing oven
Choose this if : its capacity and cooking times already suit your meals, or you don’t want to make room for another appliance.
Bear in mind : for a small batch, compare the results and energy use for a recipe and quantity similar to your own.
| What matters | What to check | Who this matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Usual portion size | Compare the usable shape of the basket and the quantity recommended in the instructions with your food; look for tests involving similar recipes. | If I mainly cook small portions, I want them to fit without being crammed in or needing a second batch. Around 33% of consumers prioritise being able to cook their usual portion. |
| Two dishes | Check the capacity of each zone, how cooking times can be synchronised and the results achieved in each one. | If I want to cook a side and a main at the same time, I check that each dish fits in its own drawer. Around 27% of consumers prioritise cooking two items at once. |
| Space and existing appliances | Measure the space available and the clearances specified in the instructions; compare the recipes you have in mind with what your oven can already do. | If my worktop is already full or my oven meets my needs, I want to avoid an appliance that would duplicate what I have. Around 20% of consumers prioritise available space and making use of their existing oven. |
| Cleaning and noise | Find out which removable parts are dishwasher-safe and check noise measurements taken in comparable conditions. | If I use it often, I want to know which parts I’ll have to wash and how noisy it’s likely to be in my kitchen. Around 20% of consumers put cleaning or noise levels first. |
Pitfalls to avoid
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Choosing based only on the total capacity in litres
With a dual-zone appliance, each portion needs to fit in its own drawer. In its cooking tests, Que Choisir distinguishes between the recommended quantity and the maximum fill level.
Check the dimensions of your dishes, the capacity of each drawer and the recommended quantities in the instructions.
If a portion doesn’t fit in the usable space, you may need to cook a second batch.
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Taking an energy-saving claim as a guaranteed result
Que Choisir’s measurements vary depending on the recipe and appliance: some models used more energy when cooking chicken drumsticks. Its comparison with conventional ovens covered just one model of each format.
Compare measured energy use for the same quantity and a recipe similar to your own. Wattage alone isn’t enough to calculate the energy used to cook something without knowing how long it takes.
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Assuming a second appliance will be easy to store
Que Choisir highlights how much space air fryers take up and how their functions overlap with those of an oven. A dual-drawer or mini-oven-style model serves different needs from a small single drawer.
Measure the space available and the clearances specified in the instructions before deciding whether the extra recipes justify another appliance.
A new appliance takes up worktop space or needs somewhere to be stored, and its accessories mean more items to clean.
Brands to know when comparing formats
Philips
The Series 2000 NA210/00 is an example of a single-drawer model with an advertised capacity of 3,2 L.
- Philips says the StarPlate is dishwasher-safe and notes that this model has a viewing window.
- Check that the basket’s usable shape suits your dishes. The brand’s claims about speed or energy savings aren’t a substitute for measurements for every recipe.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry Compact EZ145820 is an example of a drawer model advertised at 3 L; the Easy Fry AL605820 is an air fryer oven advertised at 20 L.
- Moulinex says the EZ145820’s basket is dishwasher-safe and lists replacement parts.
- With its trays and racks, the AL605820 is suited to a different kind of cooking from a small batch in a drawer. Advertised energy savings aren’t a general measurement.
Ninja
The DoubleStack SL300EU is an example of two stacked drawers designed for cooking two dishes.
- The vertical layout helps when width is limited; also measure the available height and required clearances.
- Don’t assume both zones cook in the same way: Que Choisir says results can vary between drawers.
Severin
The FR 2430 is an example of a drawer model advertised at 3,2 L; the FR 2453 has two independently controlled baskets.
- Severin specifies a ceramic coating for the FR 2430.
- For the FR 2453, Severin’s description gives a capacity of around 3,25 L per basket, while its technical specifications state 2 × 3,8 L. Check the capacity that applies in the model’s instructions before relying on the usable volume.
Air fryers to compare for smaller portions
This selection brings together basket-style air fryers to compare based on your portion sizes, the space available and the cleaning instructions for each model.
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Ninja AF110EU Air Fryer 4,7 L, 3-in-1
The product description presents this model as suitable for meals for one or two people.
Advertised 4,7 L basket and 2 000 W power; the basket is listed as dishwasher-safe.
The description states that the appliance must not be used for deep frying.
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YASHE LQ-4201B Air Fryer 4,2 L
The product information presents this model as suitable for meals for one to four people; compare this with your usual portion sizes.
Advertised capacity of 4,2 L, power of 1 500 W and dimensions of 28,8 × 28,8 × 33,3 cm.
The basket is listed as dishwasher-safe.
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Midea Air Fryer 4 L, touch screen, 8 functions
The product information presents it as suitable for meals for one to four people; check that the advertised capacity matches your portion sizes.
Advertised 4 L basket, 1 500 W power and temperature range of 35 to 200 °C.
The listing specifies eight cooking functions and a dishwasher-safe basket.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1 150 W
The description recommends this compact model for small portions for one or two people.
Advertised capacity of 2 L, power of 1 150 W and a 60-minute timer.
The basket is listed as dishwasher-safe. The instructions state that the bowl must never be filled with oil.
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SHARP AF-GS404AE-B Air Fryer 4 L, 8 programmes
To compare an air fryer advertised at 4 L with your portion sizes, check the usable shape of the bowl and the recommended quantities.
Advertised power of 1 300 W, eight preset programmes and digital controls.
Frequently asked questions
Should you buy an air fryer if you already have an oven ?
Not necessarily. First, consider how often you cook small batches, how much space you have and which recipes your oven can already handle. For a small quiche cooked in the same quantity, Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity used by the air fryers tested than by the mini oven tested. This result doesn’t apply to every dish or every oven.
How can you avoid uneven cooking ?
Follow the quantity and instructions specified for your model. In its test procedure, Que Choisir shakes the chips at least once, or more often if the instructions recommend it, then assesses their appearance and texture separately. Preset programmes alone aren’t enough to establish how evenly food cooks.
Are all the parts dishwasher-safe ?
No. Check the care instructions for each part and the specific model. Philips says the NA210/00’s StarPlate is dishwasher-safe, while Moulinex gives the same guidance for the EZ145820’s basket.
What statutory guarantee applies in France to a new appliance bought from a professional seller ?
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new goods sold by a professional to a consumer. According to the DGCCRF, claims must be made within two years of delivery. This guarantee is separate from an optional commercial warranty: check who the seller is and keep your proof of purchase.
Is the CE mark an independent quality certification ?
No. The DGCCRF explains that the CE mark represents the manufacturer’s declaration that the product complies with regulations; it isn’t a certification mark. Don’t take it as proof that the product has undergone comparative testing.