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I’m sure you have seen all the articles and social media posts raving about the wonders of the air fryer.
Definitely the hot kitchen appliance of 2018, it seems like there is a new model being released every month.
Trying to sift through the information and reviews on these products can be frustrating, especially if you are trying to decide if one is right for your household!
What if you are single? Can you use one in a small kitchenette or dorm room? Which capacity is the right for your situation?
I’m here to help you decide if an air fryer is right for your household.
Quick Look – Best One Person Air Fryer Choices
Note: Clicking the above links will take you to further information, current prices and customer reviews on Amazon.
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Air Fryers for One Person – Top 5 Recommendations
1) Dash 1.2 Quart
This trendy fryer is a modern unit in a retro package. The manual controls are simple to use, just pick your temperature and set the timer! The temperature range is 170-400F and the timer can be set from 1-30 minutes. It has an auto-shutoff so your food won’t burn, and the stay-cool basket handle will never get hot. The inner pan and basket can even be washed in the dishwasher!
The capacity is perfect for making a pound of fries, chicken nuggets, chicken breasts and roasted veggies. It weighs 5.7 pounds, so it’s easy to move around as you need to. The choice of 5 colors means you can match it to any decor. The perfect choice for a single user or a dorm-room snack maker.
- HEALTHIER FRIED FOOD: Dash Compact Air Fryer uses AirCrisp technology (instead of oil) to help reduce added fat by 70-80%, without sacrificing the flavor of your fried food (No more residual smell hours after you’ve eaten)
- QUICK plus EASY: Short on time. Simply load the 2 qt capacity fryer basket, set the temp, and set the timer. Your food comes out crispy, guaranteed, EVERY TIME. And in less time than it takes to pre-heat your oven, making it more energy efficient
- SAFER: The auto-shut off function prevents overcooking, and the cool touch housing and handle makes it easy to use.
- VERSATILE: This is the PERFECT appliance for picky eaters, large families, or those who have busy schedules. Appetizers to desserts, 1 dozen chicken wings, 1lb French fries, even baked goods, and all within minutes of setting the timer - it couldn’t be easier.
- COMPACT plus LIGHTWEIGHT: Half the weight of a standard fryer, the Dash Air Fryer is your MUST-HAVE for that first apartment, smaller kitchen, college dorm life, or camper/rv traveling. Plus, its sleek design and trendy color options will accent any kitchen space.
2) Bella 2.5 Quart
At twice the size of the smaller units, this compact fryer can hold up to 2.2 pounds of food! The adjustable thermostat goes up to 400F and the 60 minute timer with auto shut-off will ensure you never burn your food. Both the temperature and timer dials are located on the front of the unit are are easy to set.
The modern-looking black and silver exterior will stay cool-to-the-touch during use, and is easy to wipe clean. The inner basket and detachable pan are both non-stick and dishwasher safe. At 2.5 quarts, this unit has the capacity to make a meal for one or snacks for more.
- AIR FRYER: This air fryer enables you to cook crispy golden brown french fries, onion rings & chicken nuggets safely, without all the extra calories & unhealthy fats. It's like having a convection-type oven at your finger tips.
- FAST & EASY: Features a 2.6 quart removable dish washer safe basket that can hold up to 2.2 lbs. of food. Simply set the temperature & timer & the ready indicator light will let you know when your cooking cycle is over.
- SAFE & TIDY: Look in on food while it cooks with safe handling via cool-touch parts & an automatic shut off for safety. Our 1500-watt Circular Heat Technology ensures quick, even cooking every time without a smelly, oily mess
- KITCHEN ESSENTIALS: BELLA offers a full range of high-quality products including air fryers, waffle irons, toasters, coffee makers, electric kettles, slow cookers, espresso machines, griddles & juicers.
- MIX IT UP: The kitchen should be fun. With BELLA It can be. We provide you with quick & convenient kitchen solutions to simplify your hectic life, including small kitchen appliances, cookware & housewares.
3) GoWISE 2.75 Quart
If you are looking for the most value for your money in a compact fryer, then the GoWISE is the go-to choice! The digital controls make setting it a snap. The temperature is adjustable from 170-400F and the timer can be set for up to 30 minutes. The unit has an auto shut-off for safety and will turn off when the basket is opened.
The modern exterior is designed to stay cool to the touch while in use, and comes in a variety of colors. It has a compact shape that will look great in any kitchen or room, and it is the perfect size for making a meal for up to 2 people. There are several accessories that GoWISE makes for this unit that can expand your cooking options. It is the best value for the features and capacity.
- Healthier cooking in 30 min Or Less: thanks to rapid air technology, you can now experience your favorite food without the extra calories. This air fryer can fry, bake, grill and roast with little to no oil.
- Easy to use controls: set the time and temperature using button controls. Set the temperature to 175F - 400F and cook from 1 – 30 minutes. 30-Minute timer will automatically switch to standby mode when complete.
- PFOA-free: comes with a non-stick and PFOA-free air fry pan and basket with a cool touch handle and button guard to prevent accidental detachment.
- Recipe book included: Includes 50 recipes specifically made for GoWISE USA air fryers. Get started today with 50 step-by-step recipes to explore all that your new kitchen gadget has to offer.
- Customer obsessed and committed to 100% Satisfaction, all GoWISE USA products come with a 30-day money back Guarantee, 1-year warranty and forever support from gowise customer care. Registered products receive an additional 60 days of Warranty coverage.
4) Chefman 1.6 Quart
This extremely compact fryer is a great choice for those who live in tight spaces! With easy-to-set manual controls, you can control the temperature from 180-390F. The integrated 30 minute timer has an auto shut-off feature for extra safety. The basket has a unique stay-flat pan which adds extra capacity without sacrificing the compact design!
The black and silver exterior will fit in any room or kitchen, and will stay cool during use. The basket and inner pan are non-stick and dishwasher safe. With a tiny footprint and weighing only 1.1 pounds, you will have no trouble moving this unit around and storing it away. It is the perfect size to make a meal for one or a main/side dish for two!
- ADJUSTABLE: Temperature range from 180-390 degrees allows you to cook at your desired temperature, achieving a healthy, crispy, fried finish using at least 80% less oil than traditional fryers. Achieve the perfect results with little or even no oil
- SPACE SAVING: The personal size air fryer saves space on your counter and in your cabinet; perfect for any small kitchen, dorm, RV trips, and more!
- VERSATILITY:Manual temperature control & 30-minute integrated timer lets you air-fry everything from frozen veggies, chicken & even reheat yesterday's dessert! The detachable flat basket, cool touch exterior, & auto-shutoff ensures added safety & security
- EASY CLEAN: The 1.6 L fryer basket is removable and dishwasher safe so your meal is as easy to clean as it is healthy and delicious. Basket is non-stick, so no cooking spray is required!
- RESOURCES & WARRANTY: Includes access to Club Chefman for step-by-step recipes, tutorial videos, & more! cETL approved w/ advanced safety technology for long-lasting durability, & 1-year hassle-free warranty provided by Chefman
5) Phillips 2.75 Quart
If you are looking for the biggest capacity and highest quality compact fryer, then look no further than this unit! Philips has been refining their fryers for years, and this unit is a great example. The manual controls are easy to see and set. The temperature range is from 80-400F and it has a 30 minute timer. The TurboStar heating technology means it preheats quickly and you won’t have to shake your food as often to get even crisping.
This sleek-looking black and silver unit will look right at home in any kitchen, and is easy to wipe clean. This fryer is a heavy 15 pounds and could be more difficult to store away. The basket and inner pan are both non-stick and dishwasher safe. This is a premium unit for those who don’t mind paying more to get the Phillips name backing their purchase. There are a lot of great accessories for this fryer as well!
- Unique TurboStar Technology for healthier cooking and frying.
- The air fryer cooks fried food 50% more evenly
- 5 presets for most popular dishes including a keep warm function.
- Quick control dial with digital display
- Over 200 recipes in app and free recipe book included
How an Air Fryer Works
Should I Buy an Air Fryer?
Compact air fryers are really the perfect cooking appliance for people living in tight spaces. Since they can fry, bake, grill, roast, reheat and even stir-fry foods, their versatility really pays off at meal time. You are best getting the largest unit you can to suit your needs, as it is easier to have the extra capacity if you need it. In the smaller units you may have to cook in batches. The larger units are usually only $10-20 more than the smaller, so if you have the room they could be the better choice for your household.
These units have fewer features than the full-sized air fryers, but they do a great job! Most of the featured compact fryers mentioned here are easy to move and store, making them perfect for a small living space, dorm or RV. Even better, they won’t heat up your space and you can use them in place of an oven or microwave.
Perfect For A Single Person
Compact air fryers usually have a capacity of 1-3 quarts. That’s enough room to make a couple of servings of fries or mozzarella sticks, an omelette, a couple of chicken breasts or a grilled sandwich.
They are best for small kitchens, RV’s or dorm rooms, and for folks who want to make food for 1 person. The nice thing about these compact units is they are easy to relocate and store, since they are about the size and weight of a coffee maker.
Bigger is Always Better
There is a lot of variation in the amount of food the compact models can handle. The larger units can cook more than twice the amount of food at a time as the smaller ones. Pick the model with the most capacity to meet your needs. If you plan to use the unit to cook for more than one person or to make multiple dishes, you may prefer one of the larger compact models.
Is An Air Fryer Right For Me?
Air fryers are a versatile and easy way to make foods usually cooked in a deep fryer without the extra grease and the messy clean up. They can also perform other cooking tasks like reheating, baking, grilling, roasting and even stir-fry. These units are much faster and more energy efficient than using an oven!
Compact air fryers do the same job as the full sized models, they just have a smaller capacity. In order to keep the size of the unit small, these units have fewer features as well.
