If you finally decided to purchase an air fryer but don’t know which size will serve best to your family. It is good to do a little research before investing in any product. There are different air fryer sizes in the market, and choosing the right one for you can be pretty challenging.
The amount of food an Air fryer can cook in one go will determine its capacity. There are a lot of different varieties of air fryers available in the market with different styles and prices.
The air fryer has many different sizes ranging from small to extra-large. We will also discuss their benefits and the number of people each size can serve. Now let’s talk about different air fryer and their benefits so you can select the one according to your need.
Different air fryer sizes.
Small-size air fryers:
If you badly want to purchase an air fryer but have limited countertop space. Then don’t worry; the manufacturers nowadays make compact air fryers that can easily fit on any countertop.
Small air fryer size usually ranges from 1-2 Quarts, and the temperature can range up to 400oF. They are best for only single-person use and for preparing other side dishes. Small in size, they are also lightweight and easy to carry and store when you are not using them.
You can air-fry chicken wings, 1 lb French fries, or even reheat some leftover desserts. But if you want to make more oversized items, it’s better to choose the one with a bigger capacity.
One more thing to remember is that most small air fryers do not come with a digital display. But have simple knobs or dials for controlling the temperature and time.
Medium-size air fryer:
Medium air fryers have a capacity of 3-4 quarts and are suitable for a couple or a family of 3. They are the best for picky eaters in the different air fryer sizes. With medium air fryers, you can make a variety of appetizers, French fries, chicken wings, and even some baked foods.
Air fryers of medium size will also help you save time. Because you can put anything you want to fry in the basket, set the temperature and time, and it will cook it and make it crispy in less time than it takes to preheat your oven.
Maybe you won’t be able to roast a whole chicken, but you can fry it by dividing it into small pieces and cooking it in different batches. But the limitation of fewer cooking options ends with these medium-sized air fryers. The bigger they get, the more features you will get.
They are also straightforward to use, and some of them come with a non-stick air frying basket and other dishwasher-safe accessories, making them easy to clean.
Large-size air fryers:
These air fryers can range from 5 quarts to 6 quarts. They can prepare meals for a family of up to 6 people in just one go. Large air fryers are versatile kitchen appliances compared to other air fryer sizes. With an air fryer of large capacity, you can bake, grill, air fry, and make crispy fried chicken, pizza, and much more without consuming any extra calories.
They have a sleek and stylish design and come with a digital display and controls. Not only can you select temperature and time with this touch menu. You can also choose some pre-installed cooking programs for fish, pizza, chicken, and steak, so all you have to do is select a preset option, and the air fryer will automatically select the temperature and time for the food.
They also have all the necessary accessories, like a detachable cooking basket and a non-stick pan. Some manufacturers may also offer an auto-shutoff feature, so your air fryer automatically shuts itself off when your food is done. You can get all these features with an air fryer for under 100$.
Or a shake reminder alarm, so you don’t forget to share your food in the cooking process to get results. All these features depend upon the product’s price and the manufacturers, which may offer more features at the same price tag.
Extra-large air fryers:
If you have a large family and many guests come over often, then an air fryer with an extra-large capacity is just what you need. Its capacity ranges from 6 quarts to 10 quarts. Sometimes, even more than that, they have enough space to feed your whole family and for party-size servings.
It also comes with a facility of touch screen and preset cooking options. But the number of features you will get with this air fryer is just more than enough. Not only can you bake, broil, and air fry, but you can also roast a whole chicken with its rotisserie function.
With many functions, you will also get tons of accessories like an air fryer basket, baking pans and trays, rotisserie rods and skewers, and much more.
But with their large size, they are very hard to lift and store and will cover a lot of space in your kitchen. They also produce a lot of heat while working and consume a lot of electricity.
How the capacity of an air fryer is measured:
Mostly different air fryer sizes are measured in quarts. One quart is equal to 0.94 liters of cooking capacity. they are measured in quarts and liters, and some air fryers are labeled as pounds.
These measurements help us know how much an air fryer can cook and how many people it can serve in one go. It is advised not to overcrowd the basket. It is better to cook in batches, and when cooking the second batch, it is better to check on it a few minutes earlier than the first batch. Because the air fryer was already hot and the second batch may cook quickly.
The sizes of an air fryer may not be universal. Like if you purchase a medium air fryer, it has a capacity of 3.5 quarts. You may find another air fryer from a different company with 4 quarts of cooking capacity.
Should you get an air fryer with a bigger capacity?
The benefits of having an air fryer with a bigger capacity are a lot. You can cook food for your whole family in just one go. And also you don’t need to worry when you have guests over or when you want to throw a party.
Not only will you be able to cook more food but also a variety of different foods like roasting a whole chicken or even a medium-sized turkey for thanksgiving. You can also air fry, bake, broil, roast, and dehydrate different fruits and vegetables.
But they also have some disadvantages you should know before making any decision.
They are cumbersome and hard to lift, and being large, they also cover up a lot of countertop space, so if you have a small kitchen or are just short on space, it isn’t wise to have a large capacity air fryer.
These air fryers are big and powerful, requiring a lot of electricity. They will also sometimes heat up too much and warm up your kitchen, and they are also not safe to touch when they heat up.
How to choose an air fryer
what size air fryer for one person
We recommend getting an air fryer for at least 2 quarts for one person. This 2 quarts air fryer will allow you to cook enough food without having to cook in batches. If you want to be able to cook more oversized items like chicken breasts or pork chops, you may want to get an air fryer that’s at least 3 quarts.
However, if you only plan on cooking small items like french fries or chicken wings, a 2-quart air fryer should be sufficient. Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines. The best way to know which size air fryer is right for you is to read reviews and compare air fryers. When looking at air fryers, please pay attention to the capacity and ensure it’s big enough for your needs.
what size air fryer for a family of 2
You will need an air fryer of at least 3 quarts for a family of two. This size air fryer will allow you to cook enough food for everyone without cooking in batches. If you want to be able to cook more oversized items like chicken breasts or pork chops, you’ll need an air fryer that’s at least 5 quarts.
However, if you only plan on cooking small items like french fries or chicken wings, a 2-quart air fryer should be sufficient.
what size air fryer for a family of 3
We recommend getting an air fryer of at least 3 quarts for a family of three. It will allow you to cook enough food for everyone without having to cook in batches. If you want to be able to cook more oversized items like chicken breasts or pork chops, you’ll need an air fryer that’s at least 5 quarts. However, if you only plan on cooking small items like french fries or chicken wings, a 2-quart air fryer should be sufficient.
Read more: Air fryer sizes for families of 4, 5, and 6.
Conclusion.
After reading about different air fryer sizes in this article, now you’ll be able to choose quickly and know exactly how big of an air fryer you need. If you live alone in an apartment, a small-size air fryer will be more than enough for you. But for couples or more than one person, we recommend buying an air fryer having a medium capacity.
But if you have a family of 4-5 persons, it is advised to get an air fryer with extra-large. Extra-large air fryers are also great for people who love to party because they can easily make large batches of food or fries.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How much do large air fryers cost?
A: A large air fryer can cost you about 100$ to 300$. The price of an air fryer depends on the number of features added and the air fryer’s quality.
The air fryers bought for 100$ or 300$ will use the same principle while cooking. But the more price will offer better quality, more features, and more versatility.
Q: Can you cook two things at once in an air fryer?
A: Yes, you can prepare multiple dishes with an air fryer. Some of them also come with an accessory called the separator. So, you can put two different words at once and get them both ready simultaneously.
Q: Can you stack wings in an air fryer?
A: Yes, you can stack chicken wings in your air fryer, but stacking them will make their skin less exposed and will result in a less crispy exterior. So, it’s advised to cook the food in batches. It will take some of your time, but it will be worth it.
Q: What size air fryer will fit a whole chicken?
A: An air fryer having a size of 6-10 quarts will be enough to fit and cook a whole chicken. In this size air fryer, you can also cook a pizza and a lot of french fries.
