A few weeks ago, I shared my thoughts on why I prefer my oven over an air fryer. One of my biggest issues? The size. Most air fryers just can’t handle cooking a full meal for the whole family at once.
But here’s the thing: air fryers really are easy to use. They heat up quickly, make food crispy, and require minimal oil.
So maybe the answer is just to get a bigger air fryer.
After spending way too much time reading reviews online, I’ve put together a list of the best air fryers for families.
If you’re just here for the recommendations, here are my top picks for family-sized air fryers.
Best air fryers for families
Best overall family air fryer – Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer, 7.6L
A good-looking alternative – Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket 9L Air Fryer XXL
Best large air fryer for big families – Ninja Foodi Max XXXL Dual Zone Air Fryer, 9.5L
Best budget-friendly family air fryer – Healthy Choice 7L Digital Air Fryer
Best compact air fryer for small families – Sunbeam Alinea DiamondForce Air Fryer
What to look for in a family-sized air fryer
If you’re shopping for a family-sized air fryer, the first thing I’d check is the capacity. In my experience, a 3 to 4 litre model is fine for two or three people, but if you’re cooking for four to six, you’ll want something at least 5 to 7 litres.
After that, it’s worth thinking about the type of air fryer. Basket models are usually smaller and simple to use, while dual-drawer versions let you cook two foods at once. These are handy if you don’t want to wait around for one part of dinner to finish before starting the next.
I’ve found that being able to cook two things at once is a real time-saver, especially on busy weeknights when everyone’s hungry and patience is running low.
It’s also important to choose a machine that is easy to use. Look for simple buttons and settings that help you cook food for the right amount of time.
And let’s be honest: if cleaning the air fryer is a pain, it’s just going to sit in the cupboard. I always check if the basket is dishwasher safe before buying.
Finally, think about price and what you get for your money. While basic models will handle the essentials, I’ve noticed that spending a bit more often gets you handy extras like reheat, roast, and bake settings. It’s worth weighing up what you’ll actually use.
Best air fryers for families in 2025
Best overall family air fryer
Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer, 7.6L (AF300ANZ), $199.99 (usually $249.99), Ninja
Ninja Foodi Dual Zone is the one I’d recommend to most families. It cooks food evenly and gets things really crispy, plus it has two baskets so you can make your main and a side at the same time without mixing up the flavours. It’s roomy enough for family dinners but still fits on the kitchen bench without taking over.
Key features:
- Consistently crispy, even results
- DualZone™ Technology with two 3.8L baskets (7.6L total)
- Smart Finish™ syncs cooking times so dishes finish together
- Six cooking functions: Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate
- Non-stick ceramic coating, dishwasher-safe baskets
A good-looking alternative
Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket 9L Air Fryer XXL $319.20 (usually $399), Myer
If you want something that looks nice on the bench and doesn’t hog all your space, the Philips 3000 Series is a solid pick. It still cooks food really well, thanks to the Rapid Air Technology that gets everything crispy. I like that it has two drawers in different sizes, so you can do a main and a side together.
Key features:
- Sleek grey finish fits neatly into modern kitchens
- Rapid Air technology for consistent crisp results
- 9L total capacity with one large and one small drawer
- Touchscreen with preset programs
- Dishwasher-safe baskets for easy cleaning
If you’ve got a big family or just want to cook a lot at once, the Ninja Foodi Max XXXL is hard to beat. It’s massive, with two huge drawers that let you cook mains and sides together, or just fill them both up for a big batch. I like that you can set each side to a different setting, or sync them so everything finishes at the same time.
Key features:
- Dishwasher-safe non-stick drawers and crisper plates
- 9.5L total capacity (two XXXL 4.75L drawers)
- DualZone Technology with Smart Finish™ and Match Cook™
- Six cooking functions: Max Crisp, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate
- Handles whole chickens, roasts, or up to 2.8kg of chips
- Wide temperature range (40°C – 240°C) with auto-adjusting fan speeds
- Frozen-to-crispy meals in around 30 minutes
The Healthy Choice 7L has plenty of space for family meals, easy-to-use touch controls, and a clear window so you can actually see how things are going without opening it up. It’s a great mix of value and practicality.
Key features:
- Dishwasher-safe non-stick parts
- 7 L capacity
- 8 pre-set touch-control programs
- Turbo air technology
- Transparent viewing window
- Digital controls with precise temp/time.
For smaller families
Sunbeam Alinea DiamondForce Air Fryer, $179 (usually $299), Myer
If you only need to cook for two or three people, the Sunbeam Alinea is a handy little air fryer that won’t take up much room. It’s a good pick if your kitchen bench is already crowded.
Key features:
- Digital controls for precise temperature and timing
- Compact design perfect for kitchens with a small bench
- DiamondForce nonstick coating for easy cleaning
Air fryer sizes explained: how big do you need?
When it comes to picking the right size, it really depends on how many people you’re cooking for. For two people, a 3 to 4-litre air fryer is usually plenty. If you’ve got three or four at the table, I’d go for something in the 5 to 7 litre range.
Larger households—those with a family of five or six people —you’ll want an air fryer that holds at least 7 to 10 litres, so you’re not stuck cooking in batches.
Can you cook a whole chicken in an air fryer?
If your air fryer is on the bigger side, around 7 litres or more, you can fit a whole chicken in there. Typically, a 1.5 to 2 kilo chicken fits nicely and takes about 50 to 60 minutes at 180°C. The result is juicy meat and crispy skin, which is always a win.
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