If you have a tiny kitchen, you will rapidly run out of room for appliances. Following your microwave, coffee machine, and toaster oven, countertop appliances must provide something distinctive and be tiny enough to fit, or they risk becoming a hassle rather than a convenience. One of the appliances that meet this condition is a small air fryer.
Compact air fryers are small — some are as little as 10 inches tall — and provide a novel and quick method of cooking little servings of food that are highly gratifying. As if that weren’t enough, when utilized correctly, an air fryer may help start a person on the road to eating healthier foods.
We’ve covered all you need to know about the characteristics of high-quality mini air fryers, as well as how this appliance works and how it may help you. If you’ve come to our website looking for a fast purchase, try one of the tiny air fryers we’ve highlighted in this post.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Size
Size is just relative. It’s critical to understand your own requirements for how much food you’ll likely be preparing at one time, as well as the available space in your kitchen.
The most common unit of measurement for an air fryer is the quart. The smallest will contain 1 to 2 quarts. At this size, you should be able to cook two chicken breasts or one chicken breast and a serving of fries at a time. Air fryers with 3 or 4-quart capacity should be able to cook at least four average-size chicken breasts.
Consider the facts below to get a sense of how little you can go. Keep in mind that this is for typical portion sizes. People who eat more or less may need to make changes. This information is also intended for the person with limited kitchen space who wants a fryer that is as small as possible while still doing the job.
- 2 quarts: One person
- 3 quarts: Two people
- 4 quarts: Three people
- 5 or 6 quarts: Four people
DID YOU KNOW?
FEATURES
Controls
Because there isn’t much to manage, inexpensive mini air fryers are straightforward to use. These function using dials: twist one to adjust the temperature and another to set the timing, similar to a toaster oven. More costly ones provide more control and accuracy. They may contain a few settings for different sorts of food as well as a memory feature.
Digital: You’ll have to spend a bit more for a tiny air fryer if you like push-button technology, but you’ll get greater convenience in terms of accuracy, presets, and memory function. Some digital variants incorporate a remote control.
Light: It’s critical to understand when the mini air fryer is on. The most basic types include a light that indicates when the electricity is turned on.
Screen: More modern versions contain a screen that displays the current temperature, cooking time left, and other information.
Safety
If safety is a concern, seek a BPA-free type with overheat protection and immediate cutoff. You should also look for a model with a cool-touch handle and a lock to prevent the cooking drawer from being accidentally opened.
Style
The design of your mini air fryer is entirely up to you. Some types are brightly colored, while others are black or silver. The majority of tiny air fryers are cylindrical, however, there are a few rectangular types available. If you want to keep your air fryer on the counter, choose a type that complements the other appliances in your kitchen.
Maintenance
Some mini air fryers contain parts that may be washed in the dishwasher. If this appeals to you, seek a model that clearly reads “dishwasher safe” and does some study to determine which components are indeed dishwasher safe.
Accessories
If you buy a tiny air fryer, you won’t receive all the bells and whistles that a 16-quart air fryer would, but you should get at least a few handy extras. Metal baskets, toaster racks, tongs, oil brushes, silicone gloves, fry liners, and recipe books are all choices. But don’t get too excited just yet. The extras will most likely be fairly minimal.
Wet batter and anything that melts or is light enough to be impacted by the air current, such as fresh greens, are not suitable for a small air fryer.
COMPACT AIR FRYER PRICES
Inexpensive
Very simple variants with up to a 2-quart capacity are available for less than $60. These air fryers offer temperature and timing settings, as well as a frying drawer, but not much more.
Mid-range
Air fryers range in price from $60 to $100 and are somewhat bigger, maybe up to 5 gallons. Furthermore, the controls may be computerized, providing better accuracy.
Expensive
After $100, you may be looking at models that are bigger than “small.” These fryers may be the size of a countertop convection oven and include a rack and basket. You may also come across devices that work with a remote. Just make sure the fryers in this collection aren’t too big for the space you have.
DID YOU KNOW?
TIPS
It is critical to clean a small air fryer so that it performs properly and that lingering aromas do not damage the quality of the food. Here are some cleaning recommendations to help you get the most out of your mini air fryer.
- Follow all of the manufacturer’s recommendations. Following the guidelines in the owner’s handbook is the best method to clean your mini air fryer after each usage. If it isn’t possible, the instructions below should work for most units.
- Unplug the fryer and let it cool. Before trying to clean the fryer, unplug it and allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes.
- Wipe down the outside. A soft, wet cloth may be used to gently wipe the exterior of the tiny air fryer.
- Clean the accessories separately. Remove the basket, pan, and other items from the unit and thoroughly clean them with hot water and a non-abrasive cleaning solution. Any nonstick coating might be damaged by using an abrasive cleaning. Items containing cooked-on food may need soaking before cleaning. Consider using a degreasing solvent if any residue remains.
- Clean the heating element. Remove any stuck-on food particles from the heating element using a soft-bristled brush.
- Dry the fryer completely. Before using the mini air fryer again, make sure that it is completely dry.
FAQ
Q. Does an air fryer actually fry foods?
A. To deep-fry dishes, heat the oil from 325°F to 400°F. When you put the food in the oil, it immediately warms the exterior surface by boiling away the moisture, making it crispy while keeping the interior wet. Instead of frying the food in hot oil, an air fryer pumps hot air around it. The end outcome is basically the same: the surface becomes crispy while the moisture within is sealed. In other words, although an air fryer does not literally “fry” meals (frying needs oil or fat by definition), it performs similarly by utilizing hot air instead of oil or fat.
Q. What are some advantages of using a compact air fryer?
A. The apparent benefit of utilizing a tiny air fryer is the amount of room it saves. A mini air fryer takes up less room and may be used in kitchens where a full-size device would be too large. You can also cook smaller servings and use less energy with a mini air fryer (unless you cook several batches). A mini air fryer cooks significantly faster than a full-size device due to its smaller interior. Finally, since there is less area, cleaning is easy. In conclusion, a little air fryer may save you space, energy, and time while also reducing cleaning duties.
Q. Is using an air fryer healthier than other cooking methods?
A. While utilizing an air fryer requires far less oil than deep-frying, it does not always ensure a healthy diet. That boils down to personal accountability. The kind and quantity of food you consume, as well as how it is prepared, might have an influence on your diet. Buying a little air fryer is a start on the right way toward a healthy lifestyle, but it is not a panacea. Wise eating choices, exercise, and getting enough sleep are all essential for good health.
