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An air fryer is one of those gadgets that quietly earns its place on the worktop, and this single-basket family model is a sensible starting point. It crisps chips, roasts a tray of veg, reheats last night’s leftovers without the soggy microwave finish, and bakes small batches, all without preheating an oven or wading through a pan of oil. It suits couples, small families and anyone who batch cooks midweek.
What to look for
- Capacity that fits your kitchen. Around 5 litres feeds two to four people, but check the footprint, these machines are taller and deeper than they look.
- Dishwasher-safe parts. A non-stick basket and crisper plate that go in the dishwasher save you the worst job, scrubbing baked-on bits by hand.
- Simple controls. A clear digital display with a handful of preset functions beats a fiddly menu when you are tired and just want tea on the table.
Our pick
This family-sized single-basket fryer holds enough for a couple or a small household, with several cooking modes covering everyday jobs from crisping and roasting to reheating and dehydrating. The non-stick basket and plate lift out for easy washing, and it cooks noticeably faster than a fan oven while using far less fat. Good for daily family meals rather than catering for a crowd.
One honest note: you do not need the priciest or the biggest dual-drawer model to cook well. If you mostly cook for two or three, a single basket like this does the job for less, and you can always size up later if you find yourself wanting two zones.