Best Air Fryers for 2 People in 2024
When looking for the best air fryer for 2 people, you want one that is compact and efficient, yet still able to cook enough food at once. I evaluated 5 top-rated models based on size, capacity, features, and reviews to determine the ideal air fryers for cooking for couples.
Please note that this article contains affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission when you purchase products through these links. This commission comes at no additional cost to you and helps support the maintenance and growth of this website. Your support is greatly appreciated, and I only recommend products and services that I believe will provide value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
Our Top Picks
Below you'll find more details on each model, including:
Keep reading for full reviews on the top air fryers for cooking for two people to find the right fit for your kitchen and lifestyle.
What To Look For
When selecting an air fryer for 2 people, here are the key factors I evaluated:
Size & Footprint - You likely have limited counter space, so compact air fryers with smaller footprints work best. Prioritize your storage space as well.
Capacity - Basket sizes between 2-5 quarts sufficiently serve 1-2 people. Make sure it fits enough food per batch without being oversized.
Features - Variable temperature and timer controls help customize each meal. Dishwasher-safe parts add convenience in a two-person household.
Performance - Look for rapid, consistent hot air circulation for quick, crispy, tender results using little to no oil.
Reviews - Customer reviews validate real-world performance when cooking for couples. High ratings in ease of use are also ideal.
Using these criteria, these air fryers stood out as the best for cooking for two in 2024.
COSORI Air Fryer Pro LE 5-Qt
Overview
The COSORI Air Fryer Pro LE is a great option for couples thanks to its 5-quart basket capacity. It can fit enough food to serve 1-4 people, making it perfect for cooking for two while still leaving room to meal prep.
This mid-sized air fryer uses rapid 360° heat circulation to cook food crispy, tender, and evenly with up to 85% less fat than deep frying. The wide temperature range (170°F - 450°F) and 9 one-touch presets make it easy to air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and more.
Features & Benefits
With a slim 12” width, this air fryer has a nice mid-size footprint for countertop real estate in a two-person household. It earns consistent praise in reviews for being fast, easy to use, and able to cook a huge variety of foods perfectly crispy and tender.
What Customers Are Saying
With over 28 reviews and a 4.7-star rating, customers praise this air fryer for being fast, easy to use, and able to cook a wide variety of foods perfectly. It would make a great addition to any couple's kitchen.
"We LOVE this air fryer! The size is perfect for 2-3 people. It’s so easy to use and cooks food evenly and deliciously."
Key Specs
This COSORI air fryer has the right basket size and cooking performance to handle quick crispy meals for two.
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
Overview
The Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is an excellent choice with its 4-quart ceramic-coated basket. While slightly smaller than the COSORI, the Ninja can still fit up to 2 pounds of fries to easily cook for two people.
It uses advanced convection heat and airflow for quick, crispy, tender results with 75% less fat than deep frying. The wide 105°F - 400°F temperature range allows you to air fry, roast, reheat or dehydrate.
Features & Benefits
With a 12.1” width, the Ninja has a compact footprint that saves precious counter space in a small kitchen. Its consistently glowing reviews praise how fast, easy, and versatile this air fryer is for cooking restaurant-quality meals with little to no oil.
What Customers Are Saying
With a 4.8-star average over 51 reviews, this air fryer earns outstanding feedback for being fast, easy to use, and able to cook food perfectly with almost no oil. It's a customer favorite model for couples.
“I absolutely love this thing! The size is perfect for 1-2 people.”
Key Specs
Delivering premium performance in a compact size, the Ninja Air Fryer is specially equipped for quick, easy meals for two.
CHEFMAN 2 Qt Air Fryer
Overview
For even smaller kitchens, the CHEFMAN 2 Qt Air Fryer is the most compact option at just 2 quarts. While best suited to solo cooks, it can still make quick meals for two people without taking up much space.
This mini air fryer uses rapid hot air technology to achieve a crispy, fried texture with 98% less oil than traditional fryers. The adjustable 60-minute timer prevents overcooking.
Features & Benefits
If you're tight on space when cooking for two, this pint-sized model earns rave reviews for air frying perfectly with an ultra-small footprint. It's exceptional for RVs, dorms, offices and apartments.
领英推荐
What Customers Are Saying
With a 4.6-star average over 22 reviews, customers love this tiny model for air frying flawlessly on a small countertop footprint. It's easy to use and clean, making it ideal for tight spaces when cooking for two.
“Perfect size for two people! Saves counter space and cooks just as good as the bigger ones.”
Key Specs
The CHEFMAN 2 Qt Air Fryer delivers mighty performance in a mini package designed for 1-2 servings.
Instant Vortex 2QT Mini Air Fryer
Overview
Similarly, the Instant Vortex 2QT Mini Air Fryer is a great compact choice with its small 2-quart basket capacity. It can still cook 1-2 servings of wings, fries, veggies and more for quick meals for two.
This mini air fryer uses EvenCrisp technology for tender, crispy results with little to no preheating needed. It air fries, bakes, roasts and reheats with adjustable temps up to 400°F.
Features & Benefits
With a width under 10”, this mini model earns glowing praise for taking up hardly any counter space while still cooking 1-2 servings worth of food fast and flawlessly.
What Customers Are Saying
With a 4.7-star average over 14 reviews, this air fryer is praised for being fast, versatile, easy to use for perfect golden finishes every time. Its compact size and no-fuss cleanup also make it ideal for small kitchens.
“It’s the perfect size for 2 people! Cooks everything very nicely.”
Key Specs
The Instant Vortex 2QT uses smart technology in a perfectly pint-sized form for effortless air frying for two.
Dreo Air Fryer Pro Max 6.8QT
Overview
On the larger end, the Dreo Air Fryer Pro Max has an extra-large 6.8QT basket capacity. While bigger than needed for 2 people, it can still be a good option for couples who love meal prepping or cooking big batches.
This spacious air fryer uses a smart temperature control system with 360° hot air circulation to cook ingredients crispy outside yet tender inside 30% faster. It has an industry-leading temp range up to 450°F for all kinds of dishes.
Features & Benefits
Although oversized for just 2 people, this air fryer could still suit larger households that frequently cook big batches. Just its viewable window alone makes meal prep more fun.
What Customers Are Saying
Over just 3 reviews, this air fryer already earns a 4.7-star rating for its versatility, even cooking results, and see-through window for monitoring ingredients. It’s poised to be a customer favorite.
“It’s a good size, easy to use, cooks evenly, and is simple to clean up.”
Key Specs
With an extra-large basket and leading-edge cooking technology, the Dreo Air Fryer Pro handles batch cooking for any sized household.
What Is the Best Air Fryer for 2 People?
When looking for the best air fryer for 2 people, I would recommend the Ninja AF101. With its 4-quart basket capacity, it can easily cook for couples while still being compact for small kitchens.
Its fast cooking times, even heat circulation, dishwasher-safe parts, and outstanding reviews also make it the ideal choice for effortless, oil-free meals for two people.
For smaller spaces, the Instant Vortex 2QT is also an excellent option with similar premium performance and a smaller footprint best suited to 1-2 servings.
Ultimately though, any of these top-rated compact air fryers are specially equipped for fast, easy cooking for just two people without sacrificing features or quality.
Air Fryer Benefits
Here are the main perks of using an air fryer when cooking for a two-person household:
More Efficient Cooking - Air fryers use rapid hot air circulation to cook foods fast and evenly, doing the work of multiple appliances like your oven, toaster oven or deep fryer.
Healthier Results - By using little to no oil, air fryers reduce calories by 70-80%, making traditionally “fried” foods better for you without sacrificing texture and flavor.
Compact Footprint - With basket capacities between 2-5 quarts, air fryers designed for 1-2 people save precious counter space with their small size.
Easy Operation - User-friendly controls like presets and dishwasher-safe parts cut down on cleanup time, making meals more enjoyable.
Budget Friendly - At $70 to $150 price points, quality air fryers pay for themselves quickly as an all-in-one cooking solution.
With faster, healthier, oil-free cooking packed in a countertop-friendly size, air fryers are ideal for effortless meals for two people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about buying an air fryer for cooking for 2? Here I’ll answer some frequently asked questions:
How big of an air fryer do I need for 2 people?
For a two-person household, look for air fryer basket capacities between 2-5 quarts. This provides enough room to cook 1-4 servings of fries, chicken wings, vegetables and more per batch.
What accessories do I need with my air fryer?
Quality air fryers come ready to use out of the box. But handy accessories like silicone mats to line the basket or air fryer cookbooks to get recipe ideas can further enhance your experience.
Can you put foil in an air fryer?
It's not generally recommended. The crinkly foil surface disrupts smooth airflow. Instead, use parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Some air fryers even include nonstick, dishwasher safe baskets.
Is air fried food healthy?
Yes! By using little to no cooking oil, air frying reduces fat and calories up to 80% over traditional fried foods or fast food. The rapid hot air helps foods achieve a crispy exterior just like deep frying while keeping moisture inside.
What foods should you not cook in an air fryer?
Super greasy foods like sausages may cause excess smoking and leave residue behind. Batter-coated or doughy items like egg rolls can obstruct airflow. Very delicate seafood tends to overcook. Stick to single layers of veggies, frozen snacks or breaded proteins.
The Bottom Line
The Ninja AF101 Air Fryer stands above other models as the best air fryer for 2 people in 2024. With its 4-quart basket capacity and 12.1” footprint, it perfectly suits cooking fast, oil-free, restaurant-quality meals for couples without monopolizing counter space.
For even smaller spaces, the similarly high-performing Instant Vortex 2QT packs premium air frying technology into a crazy compact design best for 1-2 people.
But ultimately any of these top air fryers earn their reputation for user-friendly controls, versatile cooking functions, and consistently delicious results — whether making quick lunches for two or sides for four.
Stop wasting time and money on takeout or microwave meals. Give air frying a chance and you won't regret having a quick, easy way to cook fast food favorites and full-flavor dishes packed with cripsy, golden results tailored to serving sizes of two.