Selecting the Perfect-Sized Air Fryer
So finally you have made up your mind to invest in an air fryer. Well, that’s going to be one of the best kitchen investments for you.
But now you aren’t sure that what should be the size of your air fryer and which size is most suitable according to your cooking requirements.
The answer to your questions depends on various factors, one of which is how many family members you are going to cook.
So the size recommendation will vary accordingly, now you might be thinking how do you choose the right size? Right?
I know, so in this post, I have listed everything related to choosing the perfect-sized air fryer considering the most important factors. So, let’s start now:
How to Determine the Best Size of an Air fryer?
To pick the most suitable size of air fryer considers two things:
Number 1:What Do You Want to Cook? And
Number 2:How Often Do You Want to Cook?
And that’s it, make your air fryer choices accordingly. Like if you want to just make side dishes in the air fryer then a small-sized air fryer will work for you. Similarly, for air frying whole meals you can opt for medium or larger-sized air fryers depending on the number of family members for whom you are going to cook.
The same goes for how often you are going to use the air fryer, are you going to use it for your day-to-day meal preps? Or you are just getting it for making snacks sometimes?
Based on these two important factors, you can choose the most suitable air fryer size based on your requirements and preferences.
Tips for choosing the best size of air fryer for you
- If you want to make dehydrated foods or grilled items or you want to make baked things then you can opt for an air fryer having additional features of the dehydrator, baking, and grilling. Your air fryer will serve the multipurpose and you’ll save your money by investing in just one good air fryer.
- If you want to get an air fryer just to lessen your calorie intake by going for air-fried foods, then a simple air fryer is good to go. No need to spend on additionally featured air fryers when you are not going to use these features.
Why It’s Important To Get the Right Size Air Fryer?
Choosing the right-sized air fryer is as important as your decision to get an air fryer in the first place. Why?
Because the wrong size selection will make the cooking process difficult instead of making it easier. Like if you have to cook for a large family, then having a small-sized air fryer will get you in trouble as you’ll repeat the air frying process instead of cooking in one go.
Similarly, getting a large-sized air fryer when you have to air fry food for only 2-3 family members is also not a smart decision.
Besides size, there are other factors to consider as well. But long story short size consideration is really important when you consider buying an air fryer.
Factors to consider while choosing an air fryer
Capacity
The air fryer capacity ranges mostly from 2 to 10 quarts. Capacity is basically the basket area on which the food is kept for air frying, that’s why enough space should be in the basket for perfect air-frying of foods.
The capacity factor is one main reason for the square basket air fryer’s popularity. They are wide, having more space than circular baskets. That’s why they are really popular these days.
Size
Let’s see the suitable size as per the number of family members for whom you are going to cook.
Small
If you are cooking food for just 1-2 people than getting a small air fryer of 2-3 quart is perfect for you. Also, you can opt for a small-size air fryer if you are going to cook side dishes only instead of whole meal preparations.
Medium
A medium-sized air fryer with a capacity of 4-5 quart is a suitable choice for preparing food for a family of around 4 members.
Personally, I use a medium-sized air fryer to prepare meals for my family of 4 members and it works well.
Large
If you need to cook for more than 5 people, a large-size air fryer of 6-8 quarts will be a perfect selection as it will make a larger quantity of food in a single go.
Extra-Large
And if you want an extra large-sized air fryer then you can go for large air fryer toaster ovens. They are even bigger and easily make a considerable amount of food in one go, making cooking easier even in large quantities.
So, for larger gatherings or parties, an extra large-sized air fryer toaster oven is the ultimate supreme choice.
Functionality
Look for the functions that an air fryer has besides air frying like baking, roasting, grilling, and reheating. See why you want to have an air fryer and then make choices accordingly; if you want to use your air fryer for baking as well, get the one that has this function.
It’s a good idea if your air fryer can be used for multipurpose but in case you just need to use it for air frying only then no need to go for the ones with such additional functions as they will be of no use to you.
Features
Again, check the air fryer’s features before buying. If you intend to make dehydrated foods like beef jerky go for the fryer that has dehydrators in them. Similarly, rotisserie and toaster oven’s features are also present in some air fryers.
You just need to see your priorities and purpose of getting an air fryer. If you want to use these additional features, such air fryers are good to go but in case you just want to simply air fry foods then no need to spend extra for such fryers as you are not going to use them. Makes sense right?
Counter Space
Besides the space of the fryer’s basket, you need to consider the counter space in your kitchen as well. Make sure you opt for a size that you can fit easily on your counter so that it will be handy and easy to be used whenever you want.
You can also keep your air fryer in the cabinet, instead. For that, you just need to pick a smaller and lighter-weight air fryer so that it’ll be easy to move in and out.
Price
There is no need to invest a lot in air fryers when you can get a good functioning air fryer at a reasonable price. Depending on the size and functionality, air fryers can cost anywhere from $80 to $400.This a wide range from small air fryers to large toaster ovens. Choose the one that suits your preferences the best.
Last Verdict on Selecting Right-Size Air Fryer
Having an air fryer is more than a blessing in your kitchen as it makes the cooking process a lot easier and quicker. But you need to consider a few things before buying an air fryer for an ultimate smooth cooking experience.
Consider its size, basket capacity, counter space, and other features as well. For small families get a 2-quart air fryer and for large meal prep, a 8-quart air fryer is a good choice.
FAQs
What size air fryer do I need for a family of 4?
For a family of 4, the recommended capacity range is 5 to 6 quarts. This range can handle a large quantity of food at once, saving you time during cooking.
Ideally, a 5.8 Quart air fryer is perfect for a small family of 4 members but you can look at various other options based on your preferences and priorities.
What size air fryer is recommended for a family of 6?
For a family of 6, the recommended capacity range is 6-7 quarts. If you intend to prepare main meals like lunch and dinner, this size is ideal as the basket of this size is wide enough to cook for the whole family in a single go instead of repeating the process. So, cooking gets quick and easy.
How big is a 2 quarts air fryer?
A 2-quart air fryer is a small-size air fryer that can be used to air fry food for 2 people in one go. Also, this size is recommended if you want to get an air fryer for preparing sides instead of whole meals.
How big is a 4-quart air fryer?
A 4 quarts air fryer is a medium-sized air fryer having the capacity to cook for a family of 4 members in a single go. The size is ideal for whole meal preps as the basket is wide enough to easily cook larger food quantities.