Over the decades, kitchen appliances have been improved through modern technology and the air fryer is no different. Show
The original air fryer was invented in 1945 by a man called William L. Maxson. He had a fascination with the frozen food and reheating process which led to his invention of the Maxson Whirlpool Oven. This air fryer had a 120 DC volt heating element with a fan attached to the back of the unit which circulated the hot air around the food. Since then, there have been many modifications to this original design until in 2010 Philips introduced the first modern air fryer. This air fryer was revolutionary to the cooking world as it cooked food faster and easier with less oil. Needless to say, the market quickly caught on and today there are so many models, makes, and sizes of air fryers. Consumers are now spoiled with so much choice that it could be hard to decide. The first thing you should consider is what size capacity air fryer would be best for you. We are an affiliate We hope that we can help you make the best decision on your purchase. Just so that you know, as an Amazon affiliate, we get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. × Dismiss alert Choosing Air Fryer SizesThe main factors to consider when you are deciding on the size of your air fryer are:
To make things easy, I have grouped the different sizes in 4 categories. Now let’s take a look at what each size can do! Small Capacity Air FryersCooking with these small air fryers is a breeze and will accommodate any busy lifestyle. Small air fryers usually range between 1 to 3 Quarts (0.95 to 2.8 Litres) of food capacity. For the 1 Quarts (0.95 Litres) air fryers you should be able to fit 1 small chicken breast with some fries on the side in one cooking session. The 2 to 3 Quarts (1.9 to 2.8 Litres) air fryers generally fit 2 chicken breasts or 4-6 chicken wings in one cooking session. The small air fryers are great for making snacks and light meals which are quick and easy with no mess. They are also a good alternative to the microwave for reheating food as they heat up really quickly and keep the food juicy on the inside. For single individuals or those who are only cooking for one or two people at a time, a smaller air fryer is likely the best option as you’ll be able to save on countertop space. This small Consori Air Fryer has a capacity of 3.7 Quarts (3.5 Litres)! Check price on Amazon Family-Sized Air FryersThis NuWave Air Fryer has a 6 Quarts (5.7 Litres) basket capacity! Check price on Amazon In this category we will be exploring medium to large air fryers which range between 4 to 6 Quarts (3.8 to 5.7 Litres) of food capacity. The 4 to 5 Quarts (3.8 to 4.7 Litres) air fryers should fit 4 chicken breasts or half a packet of frozen chips in one cooking session. This is a good serving size for 3 to 4 people for your daily meals however if the appetite levels are a bit larger you may want to consider a 6 Quarts (5.7 Litres) air fryer. This is because overcrowding the basket could lead to uneven cooking and food not being cooked properly on the inside. Most 6 Quarts (5.7 Litres) air fryers would be able to fit a whole chicken or one full bag of frozen chips in one cooking session. This size air fryer also comes with more features which means you cook a variety of things with it (depending on the model and make). Any of the air fryers in this range would suffice for a family of 3 to 4 people however depending on the appetite levels and the types of food you cook for your daily meals you may decide to go with the 6 Quart (5.7 Litres) basket. Extra Large Capacity Air FryersBigger families of 5 to 6 people would need to consider getting an extra-large air fryer. These air fryers are around 7 to 8 Quarts (6.6 to 7.6 Litres). They can spaciously fit a whole chicken (about 3 lbs or 1.3kg) or 23 chicken wings or two bags of frozen fries. The other benefit of this bigger size air fryer is the number of pre-set programs that come with them. The pre-sets are generally air fry, bake, grill, roast, reheat, dehydrate, and toast. This makes it so user friendly as you are able to just put your food in the air fryer, and with one touch, your food is cooking. This Ninja Foodi Air Fryer has two 4 Quarts (3.8 Litres) basket which allows it to hold 8 Quarts of food in total! Check price on Amazon Multifunctional Air FryersThis NuWave Air Fryer with rotisserie function has a capacity of 15.5 Quarts (14.7 Litres)! Check price on Amazon This Chefman Air Fryer with a toaster oven function has a capacity of 21.13 Quarts (20 Litres)! Check price on Amazon This Ninja Foodi Air Fryer with a pressure cooker function has a 6.5 Quarts (6.2 Litres) capacity! Check price on Amazon Are you still looking for more of what an air fryer can do? Well, there are the awesome Multifunctional Air Fryers that actually combine the basic air fryer with other cooking functions! There are so many variations on the market that we could be going on for pages so I have highlighted 3 types of Multifunctional air fryers that I find useful in the kitchen:
As you could imagine, these air fryers have so many functions, the devices are a lot bigger than the normal air fryer. This also means that the food capacity levels are higher too! Depending on which functions you are after, these air fryers range between 6 Quarts to 30 Quarts. So, if you frequently have more than 7 people to feed, the Multifunctional air fryer is something for you to consider. What Capacity Air Fryer Should You Buy?In summary, there are 4 different capacity sizes you can choose from:
Once you have established the size category and intended use, you can consider this like countertop space and dietary needs and preferences. To help you with finding the best air fryer for you, have a look at our reviews for each of these categories. This is where you can narrow your search even further. What fits in a 6 quart air fryer?Most 6 Quarts (5.7 Litres) air fryers would be able to fit a whole chicken or one full bag of frozen chips in one cooking session. This size air fryer also comes with more features which means you cook a variety of things with it (depending on the model and make).
Is 6 quart air fryer too big?A typical family of three will do well with an air fryer size of between 4 and 5 quarts. This Ninja 4 quart Air Fryer is a very good choice for a family of three. If your family of 3 cooks large meals, it's a good idea to size up to an air fryer that is over 5 quarts.
How many does a 6 qt air fryer feed?Air Fryer Sizes: Summary. How big of a chicken can you put in a 6 quart air fryer?For a 6 quart fryer, 4 to 4.5 lbs bird should give the fryer enough room for air circulation. Use dry spice rub. Fresh herbs get burnt easily in an air fryer so use your favorite dry spice rub combo. My basic spice rub combo is – salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder.
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