How Much Electricity Does an Air Fryer Use?

Typical air fryer wattage

Most home air fryers are rated between about 800 and 2,000 watts. Small 2 to 3 quart models are often near 800 to 1,200 watts, mid-size 4 to 6 quart models 1,400 to 1,800 watts, and large or dual-basket units up to 2,000 watts or more.

Check the label on the bottom of your unit or the owner's manual for the exact rating. Note that the heating element cycles on and off to hold temperature, so the average draw is often lower than the maximum.

Larger families sometimes buy a unit in the 6 to 8 quart range, and dual-basket models often list a combined wattage. Keep in mind the maximum is used mainly during heat-up. Once the target temperature is reached, the element cycles on and off.

How to estimate the cost

Use this formula:

• Watts ÷ 1,000 = kilowatts (kW)
• kW × hours of cooking = kilowatt-hours (kWh)
• kWh × your electricity rate = cost

An illustrative example

Suppose you have a 1,500-watt air fryer, cook for 20 minutes (one-third of an hour) and pay about $0.15 per kWh. That's 1.5 kW × 0.33 hours = about 0.5 kWh, or roughly 7 to 8 cents at full power. Because the element cycles, the real figure may be a bit lower.

These numbers are only an illustration. Your actual cost depends on your local rate and your model, which you can find on your electric bill.

To compare, imagine using a 3,000-watt oven for 40 minutes at the same rate, including preheating. That's 3 kW × 0.67 hours = 2 kWh, or about 30 cents. The air fryer example uses a fraction of that for a small meal. Again, these are illustrations and not a prediction for your bill.

Air fryer vs oven energy use

A typical electric oven uses about 2,000 to 5,000 watts when heating, and it must warm a much larger space and often preheat for 10 minutes or more. An air fryer heats a small chamber, preheats in a few minutes and often cooks faster, so for small meals it generally uses less energy.

For large batches or multiple dishes, the oven can be just as efficient per serving. In hot weather, the air fryer also adds less heat to your kitchen. See our air fryer vs oven comparison.

Ways to use less energy

Cook in full, but not crowded, batches. Skip preheating when it isn't needed. Keep the unit and heating element clean so it runs efficiently. Use the air fryer instead of the oven for small portions. And choose a size that matches your household, since a very large unit uses more power than you need for one or two people.

A few other tips: use the air fryer in place of a toaster oven or small oven for quick jobs, cook multiple items together when they need the same temperature, and avoid opening the basket repeatedly, since each time you do, heat escapes and the unit has to work to recover. Unplug the appliance when you're done.