When it comes to deep frying, there’s no denying that it’s delicious. But it’s also greasy, messy, and not exactly healthy. Enter the air fryer. Air fryers use circulating hot air to cook food, resulting in crispy, golden dishes with little to no oil. And since they come in small sizes, they’re perfect for those who live alone or have limited counter space.
We’ve rounded up 6 of the best small air fryers on the market, perfect for everything from frying up a small batch of fries to cooking chicken wings for a game day. The Kalorik MAXX Plus 4-Quart Digital Air Fryer is our favorite pick due to its great features. Before buying one, there are some things to keep in mind. First, decide what capacity you need. Small air fryers typically have a capacity of 2-3 quarts, which is perfect for single servings or small batches of food. Also, consider the features you want. Some air fryers come with preset cooking times and temperatures, so all you have to do is load in your food and hit start. Other models have more manual controls, which gives you more flexibility when it comes to cooking.
More features: 60-min. adjustable timer, comes with a trivet with double-nonstick coating, dishwasher-safe basket, included cookbook
The Kalorik MAXX Plus 4-Quart Digital Air Fryer is our Editor’s Choice due to its compact size and multifunctional settings. It has a basket capacity of 4 quarts and a power of 1600W, making it perfect for small families or couples. The temperature range is 120-450°F, and the LCD display provides easy control over the frying process. The MAXX Plus comes with 22 presets, making it simple to find the perfect setting for whatever you’re cooking. Additionally, the 60-minute adjustable timer ensures that your food will be cooked to perfection. The dishwasher-safe basket and included trivet make cleanup a breeze, while the double-nonstick coating on the trivet protects your dishes from sticking. Finally, the included cookbook provides delicious recipes to help you get the most out of your air fryer.
Compared to the Best for Beginners choice, the Kalorik wins without any doubts. It has more presets that allow experimenting with recipes, plus the LCD display is much easier to read and operate. Nevertheless, these two air fryers have something in common: an included recipe book and a timer that is a great addition to a convenient cooking process.
More features: non-stick coating, dishwasher-safe parts, comes with a recipe book, roasts, reheats, and dehydrates
The Ninja AF101 air fryer is the perfect solution for anyone who loves fried food but wants to stay healthy. With a 4-quart capacity, it can accommodate enough food for a family of four. The 1550W power ensures that your food will cook evenly and quickly, while the temperature range of 105-450°F gives you plenty of options for different types of frying. The touchscreen control makes it easy to select the right settings, and the dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup a breeze. The Ninja AF101 also comes with a recipe book, so you can explore all the different ways to use your new air fryer. Whether you’re looking to roast, reheat, or dehydrate, the Ninja AF101 has you covered.
Not only is this a versatile air fryer, but it is also extremely easy to use. It has four different programmable settings. These settings will allow you to choose temperatures and times that work best for your favorite recipes. Though our Editor’s Choice has more cooking presets, the Ninja AF101 requires less power, so you’ll save some money on electricity bills.
More features: 5-in-1 multi-cooker, a recipe book included, PFOA-free, non-stick cooking pan and crisping tray, 60-minute auto shut-off timer
The Bella Manual Air Fryer is the perfect solution for healthy, delicious fried foods. With a 5-in-1 design, it can cook, bake, broil, sear, and air fry, all with little to no oil. The included recipe book makes it easy to get started, and the PFOA-free, non-stick cooking pan and crisping tray make cleanup a breeze. The temperature range of 175-400°F lets you perfect your recipes, while the 60-minute auto shut-off timer keeps your food from overcooking. With its compact size and sleek design, the Bella Manual Air Fryer is the perfect addition to any kitchen.
There is one dial for the variable temperature control that ranges from 175-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The timer has an auto shut-off feature as well to prevent burnt meals. The numbers on the dial are a bit small though, making them hard to read. Still, it’s better in operation than the Best for Small Kitchen pick because the latest has no auto shut-off feature and an included cookbook.
More features: 60-minute timer, detachable, non-stick fryer pan, non-slip fit, operation light indicator
The Hamilton Beach Digital Air Fryer is the perfect appliance for those who want to enjoy fried foods without all the guilt. This small yet powerful air fryer has a basket capacity of 3.1 quarts and 1500 watts of power, making it perfect for cooking up your favorite meals. The digital control panel makes it easy to select the perfect temperature for your food, up to 400°F, and there are eight preset options to choose from. You can also set a timer for up to 60 minutes, so your food will be cooked perfectly every time. The detachable, non-stick fryer pan and non-slip fit make it easy to clean and use, and the operation light indicator lets you know when it’s time to start cooking.
Unlike the Best for Beginners pick, with the Hamilton, you will need to be careful if you try to use the grill insert that comes with this model, however. While this insert does a great job of cooking meals to perfection, it is very difficult to clean. Though most of the parts of this fryer are dishwasher safe, this particular piece will need to be cleaned by hand. Otherwise, you will always have a bit of leftover food stuck in the grates.
More features: non-slip rubber feet, 100 original recipes included, programmable temperature and time, delay start function, leak-proof frying pan, auto-resume heating, auto shut-off
Looking for an air fryer that can do it all? Leuwd’s 4-Quart Air Fryer is perfect for small households or those who like to have options when cooking. With 11 different presets, a touchscreen control panel, and a temperature range of 176 – 400°F, this air fryer can handle just about anything you throw at it. Plus, the included 100 original recipes mean you’ll never be bored with your meals. And if that’s not enough, the Leuwd 4-Quart Air Fryer also features non-slip rubber feet, a programmable temperature and time, a delay start function, a leak-proof frying pan, auto-resume heating, and auto shut-off. So why wait any longer? Get your hands on the Leuwd 4-Quart Air Fryer today!
While the appliance is a little bulky, it makes a lot of sense if you’ve got the space to put it in your kitchen. Asides from that, this air fryer is pretty big on functionality. It features a touchscreen display with eleven presents that range from root vegetables through shrimps, which takes away tedious dialing and enables you to start immediately by just using a button. Still, it’s easier to use that the Best Value pick with its manual control.
More features: includes a 50-recipe cookbook and an app, 1-year warranty, PFOA-free non-stick material, 60-min timer
This versatile kitchen appliance uses hot air to cook food, using little or no oil, for a delicious and healthier alternative to deep frying. The GoWISE USA Electric Mini Air Fryer has a basket capacity of 2 quarts and 1000 watts of power for fast, even cooking. It features a touchscreen control panel with 5 presets, making it easy to find the perfect temperature for whatever you’re cooking. The dimensions are 16.5x9x11, and it weighs 7.83 lbs. This air fryer also comes with a 50-recipe cookbook and an app, so you can explore all the delicious possibilities! Plus, it has a 1-year warranty and is made with PFOA-free non-stick material.
This model also has a large temperature range, which makes cooking a wide range of foods all that much easier. The simple-to-use timer will allow you to keep track of your cooking without much effort at all, which will, in turn, help to guarantee that you make nothing but delicious meals. It is almost similar to the Best for Beginners choice, but the GoWise USA is much more compact, making it perfect for any kitchen.
When it comes to deep frying at home, many people shy away from the process because it can be messy and time-consuming. But with an air fryer, you can achieve that same crispy texture without all the oil. And since air fryers come in all shapes and sizes, you can find one that fits your needs perfectly – whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a crowd.
To help you find the best small air fryer for your kitchen, we’ve rounded up six of our favorites and ranked them according to their key features, pros, and cons. From models that come with all the bells and whistles to more budget-friendly options, there’s sure to be an air fryer that’s perfect for you.
The capacity of an air fryer is important to consider, especially if you’re cooking for one or two people. Small air fryers typically have a 2-3 quart capacity, which is perfect for single servings or small batches of food. If you’re feeding a larger crowd, however, you’ll want an air fryer with a larger capacity.
Another thing to keep in mind is the dimensions and weight of the air fryer. Small air fryers are typically more compact, making them easy to store on your countertop or in a cabinet. But if you have limited space, you’ll want to make sure the air fryer you choose will fit in the space you have available. Additionally, keep in mind that air fryers can be heavy, so make sure you have a sturdy surface to place it on.
Some air fryers come with preset cooking times and temperatures, so all you have to do is load in your food and hit start. Other models have more manual controls, which gives you more flexibility when it comes to cooking. If you’re looking for an air fryer that does all the work for you, we recommend choosing one with preset functions. But if you want to be able to experiment with different cooking times and temperatures, a manual air fryer is a better option.
Some air fryers come with specific cooking settings for popular items like chicken, fish, and French fries. These can be helpful if you’re new to air frying or don’t want to spend time figuring out the perfect cooking time and temperature. If you want an air fryer that can do it all, we recommend choosing one with multiple cooking settings. But if you’re an experienced cook or are looking for more flexibility, we recommend choosing an air fryer without preset functions.
Air fryers use a lot of energy, so you’ll want to make sure the one you choose is powerful enough to do the job. Small air fryers typically have a wattage between 1,000 and 1,500 watts, which is more than enough to cook most foods. If you’re looking for an air fryer that can handle larger batches of food, however, you’ll want one with a higher wattage.
Some air fryers come with safety features like automatic shut-off and cool-touch exteriors. These can be helpful if you’re worried about accidentally leaving the air fryer on or accidentally burning yourself. If safety is a top priority for you, we recommend choosing an air fryer with built-in safety features. But if you’re not worried about safety, any air fryer will do.
Cleaning an air fryer can be a bit tricky, so you’ll want to make sure the one you choose is easy to clean. Small air fryers typically have removable baskets and dishwasher-safe parts, which makes cleaning them a breeze. If you’re looking for an air fryer that’s easy to clean, we recommend choosing one with removable parts that are dishwasher-safe and non-stick coating.
Some air fryers come with additional features like digital displays and timer functions. These can be helpful if you want to be able to keep track of the cooking time or want an air fryer that will turn off automatically when the food is done. If you’re looking for an air fryer with extra features, we recommend choosing one with a digital display and timer function.
Air fryers have become all the rage in recent years – and for a good reason. This kitchen appliance can do so much more than just “fry” food. In fact, air fryers are perfect for those who want to enjoy oil-free (or at least healthier) versions of their favorite foods.
So, what can you cook in a small air fryer? Here are six ideas to get you started:
1. French Fries
One of the most popular things to cook in an air fryer is French fries. They come out nice and crispy – without all the oil. You can even make sweet potato fries in your air fryer!
2. Chicken Wings
Another great option for your air fryer is chicken wings. They come out nice and crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside. Yum!
3. Veggie Chips
If you’re looking for a healthier option, you can also make veggie chips in your air fryer. Simply slice up some veggies (like carrots, sweet potatoes, or beets) into thin chips and cook them in the air fryer.
4. Chicken Nuggets
Air fryers are also great for chicken nuggets. They come out nice and crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside – just like chicken wings.
5. Salmon
Looking for a healthier option? You can also cook salmon in your air fryer. It comes out nice and flaky – without all the oil.
6. Desserts
Yes, you can even make desserts in your air fryer! One of our favorites is an air fryer apple pie. So good!
So, there you have it – six ideas for things to cook in your small air fryer. Enjoy!
Yes, you should always preheat your air fryer before cooking. This helps to ensure that your food will cook evenly and prevent it from sticking to the basket. You can preheat your air fryer by setting it to the required temperature and letting it run for a few minutes or by using the preheat function if your air fryer has one.
The best small air fryers on this list are all excellent choices for those who want to enjoy delicious, oil-free food. Our Editor’s Choice is the Kalorik MAXX Plus 4-Quart Digital Air Fryer has 22 presets for cooking everything that you want. Whether you’re looking for a compact appliance for your kitchen or a portable option for picnics and camping trips, there’s an air fryer here that will suit your needs, the Ninja AF101. And finally, if you want a nice, compact air fryer and spend less, get the Bella Manual Air Fryer. So go ahead and indulge in your favorite fried foods without guilt – these air fryers will make sure they’re cooked to perfection.
