Best Air Fryer for One Person: Compact and Efficient Options for Solo Meals
When you are living alone or just cooking for one, it makes sense to keep it simple and easy. But you still want to eat tasty and healthy food, right? Luckily, air fryers are a great option for single-serving meals. An air fryer can cook everything from crispy and juicy chicken wings to roasted vegetables without having to turn on your oven or deal with messy oil.
Our recommendations for the best air fryer for one person are the Instant Vortex Mini Air Fryer and the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer. But if you would like your air fryer to cater for additional dinner guests or you are looking for a combo appliance, then the multifunction air fryers are definitely worth looking at.
So, what do you need to know when choosing the best air fryer for one person? We will go into details in the article, but here is a quick summary. Firstly, you’ll want to look for an air fryer with a small capacity. This will ensure that you don’t waste food or energy when cooking for yourself. Then consider what features you would like it to have. There are the basic air fryers that just air fries or you could upgrade with different cooking functions. Lastly, it would be wise to get something within our budget. Air fryers worth considering range between $50 to over $200, so there is a wide range of choices for everyone.
Why Choose an Air Fryer for One Person?
If you’re living alone or cooking for one, you might think that an air fryer is not necessary. However, there are several reasons why many people have invested in an air fryer.
Air frying uses less oil than deep frying
Air fryers are designed to use little to no oil to get the crispy texture on food as an alternative to deep frying. You can still enjoy your favorite fried foods without the added fat and calories. Plus, using less oil means less mess to clean up.
An air fryer cooks faster
Air fryers heat rapidly because their chamber is much smaller than an oven. Plus, the fan distributes the heat around the chamber so that the heat surrounds the food, which results in even cooking. You can cook a single serving of food without using a large oven or stove.
Convenience
Air fryers are convenient to use. You can set the temperature and cooking time and let the air fryer do the rest. To make it even easier, most air fryers come with various preset cooking options so that you can start cooking with a press of a button.
Not only is the cooking easy, the cleaning up is just as easy. Most of the detachable parts can be hand washed or are dishwasher-safe. The quality air fryers will have a non-stick basket which makes it easier to clean.
Air fryers are smaller appliances
Air fryers are designed to be compact and to save space in the kitchen. However, it depends on the type and model of air fryer you choose. There are air fryers that can be as small as a coffee machine to bigger multifunctional air fryers. That said, the compact air fryers are around the size of an electric rice cooker. Therefore, if space is an issue for you, there is an option to opt for a mini or small air fryer.
Frozen food cooks well in an air fryer
Air fryers are great for cooking frozen food. You can cook frozen chicken wings, fish sticks, and french fries in minutes. This is a great help when you need to whip up a quick snack or for a busy day when you have no time to prepare ingredients.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Air Fryer for One Person
There are several factors to consider when choosing the best air fryer for one person, but here are the four most important ones:
Air fryer capacity
The capacity of an air fryer relates to how much food can be placed in the basket for cooking in one go. Therefore, the air fryer capacity is probably one of the first selections you would want to make. You want to ensure that the air fryer you choose is the right size for your needs. You don’t need a large air fryer if you only cook for one person. A smaller air fryer with 1-2 quarts (0.95-1.89 liters) capacity should be sufficient.
Air fryer size and kitchen space
The next thing to consider would be the size of the air fryer. That is the actual dimensions of the unit. This may depend on how much kitchen space is available. A smaller air fryer may be a better choice where there s limited countertop space. There is also an option of storing your air fryer in a cabinet if it’s not in use with smaller air fryers.
Air fryer cooking functions
One thing that can affect the size of an air fryer is the number of cooking functions it has. The compact air fryer offers air frying as the primary function. Then different models may offer functions like grilling, roasting, baking, reheating, and dehydrating. When you get a compact air fryer, the capacity will affect the size. The cooking functions use the same components to achieve the cooking outcome.
On the other hand, when you are looking at combining two appliances together, then the size of the air fryer can be affected by the cooking functions. These air fryers are called multifunction air fryers, and they can save kitchen space as you can get one appliance that replaces two. These air fryers are usually bigger than the compact air fryers because they need different sections to perform the various cooking methods.
Chefman Air Fryer cooks two times faster than oven!
COSORI Air Fryer, 5 QT Compact Air Fryer, Suited for 1-4 People
Consori Air Fryer Toaster Oven that bakes as well
Instant Vortex Air Fryer
with rotisserie
Cost of an air fryer
Price is always a factor when purchasing any appliance, and air fryers are no exception. Air fryer prices can range from $50 to over $200, so there is a price that suits everyone. Remember that a higher price doesn’t always mean a better air fryer. You can find a good quality air fryer that fits within your budget.
Top Picks for the Best Air Fryer for One Person
If you’re cooking yourself, a compact air fryer is a great choice. These small appliances are easy to use and cook food quickly and efficiently. Here are some top picks for the best air fryer for one person.
Compact Air Fryers
Compact air fryers are perfect for small kitchens or those wanting to save space on their countertops. They are typically less expensive than larger models and use less energy. Some of the best compact air fryers for one person include:
- Best mini air fryer: Instant Vortex Mini Air Fryer. This air fryer has a 2 quart (1.89 liters) capacity and is perfect for cooking small food portions. It has a simple design and is easy to use.
- Best small air fryer: Ninja AF101 Air Fryer. With a 4-quart (3.8 liters) capacity and it can cook up to 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) of fries. It has a digital display with four functions (air fry, roast, dehydrate, and reheat).
- Best medium air fryer: Consori Pro Gen II. This 5.8 quart (5.5 liters) capacity air fryer is slightly bigger than the small air fryers, but it is a good choice for hosting extra dinner guests.
Multifunction Air Fryers
Multifunction air fryers are bigger than compact models and can cook more food at once. These air fryers are great for replacing two appliances with one. An added benefit is that they can cater to additional dinner guests or even parties. Some of the best multifunction air fryers for one person include:
- Best air fryer with rotisserie: NuWave Brio air fryer & Grill. This air fryer is ideal for those who love meat. The easy-to-use rotisserie function will ensure the meat is succulent and juicy. It also comes with a grill plate to make the perfect grilled steaks. With a capacity of 15.5 quarts (14.67 liters), it has more than enough capacity to cook any type of meat.
- Best air fryer toaster: Ninja SP101 Foodi. With its digital crisp control technology, you will get crispy food every time. It can fit 4 pounds (1.81 kilograms) of air-fried foods, and the best part is that it is designed to save space too. It has a flip-away function where you can flip the appliance up and store it in smaller areas when it’s not in use.
- Best air fryer and pressure cooker combo: Ninja Foodi Deluxe XL. If you like stews and fried food, an air fryer pressure cooker combo is worth your investment. This fantastic appliance cooks everything in the pot, and to switch between air frying and pressure cooking, all you need to do is switch the lids. It has an 8 quart (7.6 liters) capacity for pressure cooking and a 5 quart (4.7 liters) capacity for air frying. That’s great for making enough stew for a couple of days to save cooking time on busy work days.
Conclusion
When you break down the search for finding the best air fryer for one person into the four main factors, it’s not too difficult to find the one for you.
The best way to start with your research is to jot down your answers to the air fryer capacity you need, the kitchen space available, the cooking functions you prefer, and your budget. Then you can start searching for air fryers based on those criteria.
Based on our research, the Instant Vortex Mini Air Fryer and the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer are great options for those living alone. But if you would like your air fryer to cater for additional dinner guests or you are looking for a combo appliance, then the multifunction air fryers are definitely worth looking at.
Overall, the best air fryer for one person fits your specific needs and preferences. Consider the factors mentioned above and do your research to find the perfect air fryer for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
The smallest air fryer is a Mini Air Fryer. The Mini Air Fryer is between 1 to 2 quarts (0.95 to 1.9 liters). The Elite Gourmet Mini Air Fryer is the smallest one on our list with a capacity of 1.1 quarts (1.04 liters).
When it comes to air fryers for one person, there are several top-rated options available. The Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is a popular choice, as it has a 4 quart (3.8 liters) capacity and cooks food quickly and evenly. The Cosori Pro Gen II Air Fryer is another great option, as it has a 5.8 quart (5.5 liters) capacity with a square basket.
Yes, there are several affordable air fryers for one person available on the market. The Dash Compact Air Fryer and the GoWISE USA 2.75-Quart Digital Air Fryer are affordable options that offer great value for money.
Yes, a small air fryer can definitely cook enough food for one person. Many small air fryers have a capacity of around 2-3 quarts (1.9-2.8 liters). This should be able to cook around 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) of fries.
Using an air fryer for one person has several benefits. Firstly, air fryers do not require oil to cook the food, which can help you lower your calorie consumption. They’re also easy to use and clean, and they cook food quickly and evenly. Lastly, air fryers are versatile and can cook various foods, from chicken wings to vegetables to desserts.
There are several brands that offer great air fryers for one person, including Ninja, Philips, Cosori, Instant Vortex, and NuWave. Consider factors like capacity, price, and features when choosing an air fryer for one person.
