For most people, an air fryer is worth it if you regularly want crispy food quickly, with less oil, for one to four people. It shines at fries, wings, frozen snacks and reheating, and it saves you from heating a full-size oven for a small meal. It’s less worth it if you mainly cook for a big crowd, rarely eat crispy foods, or have very little counter space to spare.
Who gets the most out of an air fryer
- Small households. For one or two people, it’s faster and more efficient than a big oven for everyday meals.
- People who love crispy food. Fries, wings, nuggets and reheated leftovers come out crunchy with little or no oil.
- Busy cooks. It preheats fast and cooks many foods quicker than a conventional oven.
- Anyone cutting down on oil. You get a fried texture with a fraction of the fat.
Who might not need one
- Large families who cook big batches, unless you choose a large or dual-basket model. A small basket means cooking in rounds.
- People short on counter space. Air fryers take up room and need clearance around the vents.
- Those who rarely cook crispy foods. If you mostly simmer, boil or slow-cook, the benefit is smaller.
What it’s genuinely good at, and not
Great at: fries, wings, frozen foods, reheating, vegetables, chicken pieces, bacon. Not great at: wet-battered foods, very large roasts, saucy dishes, or cooking for a crowd in one go.
An air fryer is essentially a compact, powerful convection oven, so if you already have and use a good convection oven, the gain is smaller, see air fryer vs convection oven.
Related questions
Do air fryers really use less oil? Yes. They crisp with hot air, so you need little or no oil compared with deep frying.
Are they expensive to run? For small portions, an air fryer often uses less energy than heating a full-size oven, though wattage and cooking time matter too.
New to them? Start with what is an air fryer, then see our best air fryer picks for your kitchen.