How big is a 2 Quart Air Fryer?
Are you considering adding a 2 Quart air fryer to your kitchen appliance collection?
But you are not sure whether it will cook enough food. The air fryer capacity is quoted in quarts or liters. How does this tell you how much food it can cook?
One thing you should not do is associate the visual size of the air fryer to how much it can cook! This is because the air fryer basket is the cooking area. And you will notice that this basket is substantially smaller than the outer casing.
So, read on to find out how much these compact air fryers can cook.
I have put together this guide to delve into what a 2 Quart air fryer can offer for those who love to air fry with a small footprint on their countertop.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- A 2 Quart Air Fryer is ideal for 1 to 2 people, as it cooks 1 to 2 servings of food.
- The amount of food that can fit in the air fryer basket is a small portion of fries, one large chicken breast, or two small pork chops.
- It has a small footprint on your kitchen countertop
Table of Contents
The basics of a 2 Quart Air Fryer capacity
A 2 Quart air fryer is a mini air fryer designed for efficiency and convenience. However, some refer to them as small air fryers as well.
The “qt” stands for quart, a unit of volume measurement. In terms of capacity, 2 quarts equates to approximately 1.89 liters, or 8 cups of liquid. But be aware that this does not mean that you can cook 8 cups of food in this mini air fryer. I found that out the hard way!
But it’s just enough room to comfortably cook a meal for one to two people, making it ideal for single servings.
Let’s see what this means in terms of food, though!
Capacity and Serving Size
Although the capacity is 2 quarts, the amount of food that can be cooked is less. This is because the hot air used to cook and make the food crispy needs to be circulated properly.
The general rule is to lay the food in a single layer for maximum airflow. This reduces the cooking surface, thereby reducing the amount of food that can be packed into it.
The 2 Quart air fryer is perfect for cooking small batches of food, such as a couple of chicken wings or a small batch of French fries.
Here are some food portions that will fit in the 2 Quart air fryer:
- 2 burger patties
- 1 large chicken breast
- 300 grams french fries
- 2 corn cobs
- 6 chicken wings
- 2 pork chops
Although the physical size of the air fryer does not give you a clear indication of how much food it can cook, knowing its dimensions will help you determine where to put it.
Dimensions of a 2 Quart Air Fryer
One of the biggest perks of a 2 Quart air fryer is its small countertop footprint.
While the external dimensions of air fryers can vary by brand and model, a 2 Quart air fryer generally measures around 11 inches in height, 8 inches in width, and 10 inches in depth. For example, the Instant Mini Air Fryer measures 12.9″D x 11″W x 12.9″H.
That’s less space than my De’Longhi Expresso Machine!
Additionally, its compact size makes it easy to store in a cabinet or pantry when not in use, and its lightweight design enhances portability and ease of handling.
Since this compact air fryer seems most suited for singles or couples, does that mean you are wasting your money if you do not fall into this group? Not necessary.
Who Should Consider a 2 Quart Air Fryer?
So far, we can see that the 2-quart air fryer can cook 1 to 2 servings of food.
This small air fryer is perfect for individuals or couples who want to enjoy their favorite fried foods without the added fat.
It’s also a great choice for those with compact living spaces, such as dorms or RVs.
However, other groups may want to consider it as well:
- small families with small kitchens
- families with young kids that have a small appetite (this would be great to make quick and easy snacks for them)
- it is a great entry-level air fryer for anyone to explore what air frying is about
Now that we know who this compact air fryer is ideal for let’s also consider how it compares to other sizes.
How does a 2 Quart Air Fryer compare to other Air Fryer sizes?
This compact air fryer definitely has its perks for being small:
- it heats up quickly, so there is less pre-heating time to get to your desired temperature
- less electricity used compared to larger models
- it’s easy to store and movable when it’s not in use due to its lightweight and small dimensions
- more versatile than 1-Quart Air Fryer, offering preset menus like bake, roast, and dehydrate, making it easier to select the frequently used cooking settings
So, what would be the constraints of this compact air fryer?
Here are the main ones that I would consider:
- it’s not suitable for entertaining large groups or for meal prepping in bulk
- if you frequently cook more than 1 to 2 servings of food, then you will need to do batch cooking, which will take more time
- larger air fryers have more versatility as they have more preset menus
- cannot cook big bulky food like a whole chicken
By now, you have a good idea of the size, capacity, and how much food this compact air fryer can make. Let’s do a round-up to see whether this compact air fryer is worth it.
Are 2 Quart Air Fryers worth it?
The value of a compact air fryer varies from person to person because it depends on what you want to gain out of it.
I value time and efficiency when cooking, so I would say that the 2 Quart Air Fryer is worth it.
Opting for a 2 Quart air fryer is a smart choice for many reasons:
- Small footprint: It won’t take up much countertop space.
- Energy-efficient: Uses less electricity than a conventional oven, saving on utility bills.
- Healthier meals: With less oil, you can enjoy your favorite fried foods with fewer calories and less fat.
- Quick cooking: Air fry technology cooks food faster than traditional methods, so you can have meals ready in a snap.
- Ease of use: Simple controls and easy maintenance make it perfect for those who want to cook without fuss.
Next, I would love to share some of my air frying tips so you can get an idea of what it’s like to cook with an air fryer.
Tips for Cooking with a 2 Quart Air Fryer
From my years of cooking with an air fryer, I found the following tips helpful to get the right results:
- Shake or turn the food halfway through the cooking time to achieve an even crispy texture.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket to allow hot air to circulate properly around the food.
- If the recipe requires, preheat your air fryer to ensure the food starts cooking immediately and reaches the desired golden color.
- Use a light oil spray for extra crispiness, but remember, one of the benefits of an air fryer is reducing fat content.
- Experiment with cooking times and temperatures as they can be adjusted to suit different foods and personal preferences.
- Invest in air fryer accessories like parchment liners or baking pans designed for small air fryers to expand your cooking options.
Lastly, I thought sharing some of my air fryer cooking times would be useful. This shows how fast it can cook. This is why I love it the most!
Air Fryer Cooking Times
I’ve air-fried these foods in my air fryer, and these were the results:
- Frozen shoestring fries: 390° Fahrenheit (199° Celsius) for 10 minutes
- Chicken Wings: 338° Fahrenheit (170° Celsius) for 20 minutes
- Roasted Vegetables: 320° Fahrenheit (160° Celsius) for 12 minutes
- Cookies: 300° Fahrenheit (149 ° Celsius) for 8 minutes
Wrap up
A 2 Quart air fryer is a space-saving appliance perfect for quick, healthy meals for one or two people.
What you can expect from this compact air fryer is a small portion of fries, one large meat portion (like one large chicken breast), or a couple of chicken wings.
While it’s not the go-to for large family dinners, its convenience and efficiency make it a valuable addition to any small kitchen.
For all available air fryer sizes, read our article “What Air Fryer Capacity Do I Need?”
FAQs about 2 Quart Air Fryers
No, a 2 Quart air fryer is too small for a whole chicken. You can chop the chicken into pieces and cook it in batches.
Cooking times are generally similar, but smaller air fryers like the 2 Quart model may heat up more quickly due to their compact size, potentially reducing cooking time slightly.
Several reputable brands offer high-quality 2 Quart air fryers. Popular options include the Instant Vortex Mini Fryer, the Consori Mini Air Fryer, and the Chefman Mini Air Fryer. Each brand has its own unique features and design, so consider what functions are most important to you before making a purchase.
