You might be thinking of buying an air fryer, but still feel a little unsure about it. Air fryers are a relatively new piece of equipment, so you might feel you don’t have much of a grasp on the basics.
Not to mention they can be pricey. No one wants to pay for something that just isn’t quite right. Don’t worry, we’re here to guide you towards making the right choice.
So, what is a good size for an air fryer? The size of which air fryer you need is related to how many people you’re feeding, what you’re going to use it for, and how much space you have.
Our guide explains what you can expect from each size air fryer. That way, you can make the best choice for you.
What is a good size for an air fryer?
5-7qt for 3-5 people, 3-4qt for 2 people, and 2qt for a single person. Larger families should look for an oven-style air fryer.
For a family of 3-5 people, the recommended size of an air fryer is 5-7qt. This should be large enough that although you may need to batch cook, you’ll only need to do a few batches. This saves time and effort.
For a couple, or family of 2 people, a smaller fryer of 3-4qt will be big enough. This size can also be purchased for larger families, but food will need to be cooked in multiple batches. This size is adaptable for single use, and serving guests.
A 2qt air fryer is a decent size for 1 person.
For larger groups, 5-6 people for example, a more spacious air fryer is recommended. These come oven-style, rack, countertop, or toaster style. With 2 racks, these air fryers are large enough to cook fresh food from scratch for a family.
Are air fryers good for one person?
Yes, an air fryer is good for one person. As they can be purchased in multiple sizes, it’s easy to get one that fits in with your lifestyle. A 2qt air fryer is large enough to fit single portions of food, so you’ll be able to cook full meals from fresh.
An air fryer can also be used to reheat food quickly, and while maintaining flavor and texture. Ideal for a single cook, who may rely on leftovers during the week.
Air fryers are energy efficient, and heat food quicker. You will save some money on electricity, but it won’t be much. However, the advantage is your food cooks fast. For a single serving, this removes the extra effort of oven cooking.
If you enjoy cooking or sharing food, then it’s a good idea to invest in a larger air fryer. A 5-7 qt air fryer is large enough to cook for multiple people at once. By purchasing a larger size, you can anticipate future needs.
What should I look for when buying an air fryer?
When buying an air fryer consider the size, capacity, wattage, and settings. First, the size. Air fryers can be compact gadgets, but you need to be sure you have enough counter space to accommodate it as it cooks.
Next, the capacity. A smaller capacity air fryer may need to be used in multiple batches, but will take less space. A large capacity air fryer will have room for big items such as chicken. Some air fryers have separate baskets, for frying different foods simultaneously.
The wattage and power consumption are important to check before purchasing. You have to be sure the air fryer will be supported by the kitchen outlets.
Different air fryers have different settings. Before purchase, look for timer controls, heat settings, and pre-set functions. If you like the ease of pressing a button and letting your food cook, look for air fryers with pre-programmed settings.
Finally, consider how often it will be used. While air fryers can be used for other forms of cooking, their main use is to make healthier fried foods. If you avoid fried foods because of the calories, an air fryer is a solid purchase. If you don’t really enjoy fried foods, you probably won’t get much use out of it.
What size air fryer do I need?
The size air fryer you need depends on how many people you wish to serve with it, what you want to use it for, and the counter space available.
A 5-7qt air fryer is good for 3-5 people, a 3-4qt works best for 2 people, and a 2qt is ideal for single use.
A larger air fryer may reduce the need for batch cooking, but it does take up more room. If you’re interested in an air fryer for occasional use, then it may be better to buy a smaller option and batch cook.
However, if you enjoy entertaining, then a larger size has more options.
