If you are looking for the best small air fryer to fry food without adding tons of extra calories, you have clicked on the right page.
Chefs and home cooks are always on the lookout for advanced kitchen gadgets, which will make their time in the kitchen more cherishable. Air fryers give you the simplest pleasure of life- fried food minus the unhealthy part.
However, not everyone has sufficient space to accommodate them. This is why we are here with the top 5 best small and mini air fryers. We will be reviewing the best small air fryers for 2021, along with a small buying guide.
Top 5 Best Small & Mini Air Fryers for 2021 Reviews
Regular deep fryers dunk protein-filled food in a bath of oil, and it comes out drenched in fat. That’s not very healthy, right? But leaving fried food is not an option either.
Luckily, some of the best air fryers are here to save the day. They can make low-fat meals possible and equally delicious.
The best small deep fryers can cook yummy food as their larger counterparts. With so many options around, it can be hard to figure out the best for your kitchen. But we are here to help.
#1. Best Small Air Fryer 2021: Philips Kitchen Appliances Avance Digital Turbostar Airfryer, Mini-v192
For this air fryer, hot air is the new oil. Philips is a renowned company for manufacturing trusted TVs and smart homes, and now, it’s on top of the game in mini air fryers as well.
This aesthetically pleasing air fryer has made it to the top of our list with its advanced features and elegant design.
Although it is a pricier option comparatively, Philips’ Turbostar technology makes it ideal for healthy cooking with up to 75% less fat. The mini air fryer cooks food evenly, even if it’s piled up, and leaves a crispy golden crust on top.
Being one of the best small deep fat fryers in the market, Philips Digital Turbostar heats up instantly to save the preheating time. But, what makes this one stand out is the versatility. It does more than just frying — it grills, roasts, and bakes, so you are never out of choices.
Simply set the temperature with QuickControl Dial, set the time, and click to start cooking. You can also use the Keep Hot mode to, you guessed it, keep the food fresh and hot for up to 30 minutes after cooking.
The removable basket and dishwasher safe options make cleaning easier.
The only downsides to this masterpiece are the lack of stainless steel details and a high price. So, if you are willing to spend some cash on an air fryer, this one is an all-rounder.
Pros
- Elegant design and shiny exterior
- Equipped with Turbostar technology
- Instant heating
- 3-in-1 functions
- QuickControl Dial
- Keep Hot feature
- Removable basket for easy cleaning
Cons
- Pricier than other air fryers
- No stainless steel details
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#2. COSORI Air Fryer, 3.7qt
COSORI has made its name in the industry solely due to its air fryer. The COSORI Air Fryer exclusively comes in stainless steel and serves almost anything from fries to roasted meat, vegetables, and even desserts.
If you are seeking performance and simplicity, this is the best small deep fryer you will get. You can select recipes from 11 One-Touch Presets to automatically set the temperature and time, or choose your own settings for your personal recipes.
Moreover, the digital LED display is angled for more comfortable readings and a full view of the cooking as it happens inside.
Apart from all that, the removable basket makes it easy to clean the air fryer that comes in direct contact with your food. It also makes it easier to plate out food, while the nonstick surface ensures little to no residue is left in the fryer.
You may have to be a little patient because the preheating takes two to five minutes. However, it’s less than the preheating time of traditional ovens, so it’s not a total turn off.
Pros
- Simple functioning
- 11 One-Touch presets
- Angled digital LED display
- Removable basket for easy cleaning
- Nonstick surface
Con
- Preheating required
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#3. Ninja Air Fryer that Cooks, Crisps and Dehydrates, 4qt
If you want something bigger in the mini air fryer range, you will like the Ninja Air Fryer, which has the perfect size for a small family. You can cook guilt-free food in the fryer with 75% less fat than traditional methods, similar to the Philips’ Digital Turbostar AirFryer.
Many praise the ceramic-coated crisp plate in this model, allowing even heat distribution in the unit for evenly cooked, crispy meals. Another notable feature is a user-friendly control panel with a digital display that allows you to set the desired cooking mode.
You can choose from the four cooking functions to control the cooking time manually for best results.
- If you want a crispy golden treat, set the Air Fry mode.
- For roasted meat and veggies, go for Roast mode.
- Want to reheat leftovers and revive their crispness once again? Go for the Reheat mode.
- The Dehydrate mode lets you remove moisture from your food. This helps in making perfect dried fruits, jerky, and whatnot.
The Ninja Fryer can handle two pounds of frying at a time and cook meals for two to five people without a snag.
Pros
- High gloss finish
- Ceramic-coated crisp plate
- User-friendly control panel
- Four different cooking functions
Cons
- Bigger than other small fryers
- Takes up some space on the counter
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#4. T-fal Actifry Oil Less Air Fryer
T-fal has some amazing, sturdy pots and pans that can take your cookware to the next level. Similarly, T-fal has also gained fame because of its high-quality T-fal Actifry Oil Less Air Fryer. The brand has used advanced technology to create an air fryer way ahead of its counterparts.
Instead of a pullout compartment, the fryer has a ring-shaped basket that can accommodate reasonable food quantities. The Actifry has a built-in stirring paddle which rotates the food in the basket under hot air.
That means you don’t have to flip, stir, or reposition the food for even cooking, as the fryer does that for you.
Additionally, the transparent top lid gives you a view of the food inside without opening the lid. Even if you don’t keep a check, the buzzer in the fryer indicates when it’s time to check.
Along with the air fryer, you also get a cookbook and a measuring spoon for accurate cooking. The removable ceramic-coated pan and paddle are super easy to disassemble and wash.
The only thing that may bug you is that the ActiFry couldn’t handle liquidy foods. If the basket gets overfilled with liquid, it will leak from the fryer onto your kitchen counter. Hence, when it comes to versatility, this smart air fryer falls short.
Pros
- Creative design
- Built-in stirring paddle
- Transparent lid
- Removable ceramic-coated pan
Cons
- Can’t handle liquidy foods
- Not versatile
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#5. Best Mini Air Fryer: Dash Compact Air Fryer, 2qt
The Dash Compact outshines other mini air fryers with its adorable colors and affordable price tag. It is the best mini air fryer to gift your friend as the multiple color options can complement any kitchen setting.
Although this air fryer offers minimum features, it is ideal for newbies and occasional users who won’t need too many extra features.
What you have to do? Simply set the temperature and time to start cooking, and give an occasional flip o stir to your meal when necessary. It takes a few minutes to cook fried food without oil.
The1.6-quart bucket can fry fries, wings, desserts, and more for two people in one go. On the downside, you do not get much longevity as the quality equals the low price. However, if you use the fryer once every week, you won’t have much to complain about.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Adorable color options
- A small basket that gets the job done
Cons
- Won’t last you a very long time
- The small basket might be limiting for some users
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When it comes to kitchen appliances, not many brands come close to Philips. The Philips Digital Turbostar Airfryer is expensive but worth every penny with its TurboStar technology that makes cooking easy.
The fryer delivers crispy golden outside ad tinder insides, without having to flip the items repeatedly.
If you want to make meals for your whole family but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen, the Philips Airfryer will be your loyal companion. It cooks food evenly, has a digital screen, and fits any countertop effortlessly.
The QuickControl Dial, Keep Warm, and Instant Heat are only a few features that keep this fryer at the top of our list. Other than that, the 2.75-quart basket is perfect in size and easy to clean.
The Philips Digital Turbostar Airfryer has a good reputation among customers, but the only problem? The shiny finish of the exterior tends to collect dust. However, it is not a dealbreaker unless you like your countertop appliance to be spotless 24/7.
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What Size Air Fryer Do I Need?
An air fryer deep fry food without using much oil. You just have to use a tablespoon at most. It makes use of a convection fan that fills the fryer with hot air instead of fat.
The air cooks the food inside out while making the outsides crispy as in deep-frying. Plus, the food is cooked in half the time taken by conventional cooking methods.
The air fryers also cook more food than deep fryers, but before investing in one, make sure it is the right size for your countertop. If the air fryer is too big, it will take a lot of your precious counter space, which can be a major inconvenience.
All air fryers have different cooking capacity; it basically depends on the model. To give you an idea, the smallest cooking capacity is around two quarts. If you only cook for a small family of two to three people, any air fryer on our list should fit your needs.
If you usually cook for more people, then the Ninja air fryer is the best small deep fryer for you.
Mini Air Fryers
An ideal mini air fryer has a capacity of 1.5 to 2.75-quarts. It fits in small kitchens, dorms, and even offices without taking too much counter space. They serve two to three people in one go, and their compact design creates no hassle at all.
The larger you go in terms of cooking capacity, the larger the model will be. So, if you have a small counter space and want to serve more than three people, you should consider two to three quarts air fryers.
Any small electric fryer can also cook all the same delicious dishes as their bigger versions for about half the price and size.
You can fry meats, roast vegetables, bake bread, and even prepare desserts in these compact air fryers.
Big Air Fryers
Any air fryer between five to ten quarts capacity is considered big, and it is great for preparing meals for family and friends. However, bigger fryers have bulkier designs and take up more space on your kitchen counter.
They usually let you cook multiple dishes at a time, without mixing the flavors. You only need this fryer if you are hosting parties or preparing food for large groups. A larger version will save you unnecessary nuisance, and you can even use the fryer for your daily meals.
Conclusion
A mini air fryer will take the guilt out of your guilty pleasure of consuming fried food. Air fried food is healthier as it reduces your calorie intake by limiting the use of oil in your meals.
We do not suggest that consuming fries and pizza every day is the way to go, even if it’s air fried. So, use these bomb air fryers to roast your meat, crisp up your zucchini, and make yummy desserts for yourself and your loved ones. Know what you want and decide accordingly.
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