5 Top Air Fryers to Transform Your Christmas Dinner
When you plan a stress-free Christmas dinner, the right air fryer can make a real difference to timing, texture and cleanup. Air fryers speed up cooking, crisp food without excess oil and free up oven space, so you can serve hot sides and roast vegetables alongside your main.
This guide shows five models that suit different needs — from feeding a crowd to saving energy — so you can pick the one that will make your holiday cooking easier and more reliable.
Top Picks
Category |
Product |
Price |
Score |
|---|---|---|---|
🏆 Best for Big Feasts |
£159.99 |
95/100 |
|
🎯 Best All-Rounder |
£119.99 |
92/100 |
|
⭐ Best for Family Meals |
£79.98 |
88/100 |
|
💰 Best Value Capacity |
£63.99 |
85/100 |
|
🔌 Best Energy Saver |
£69.99 |
82/100 |
How We Chose These Air Fryers
You want an air fryer that fits your Christmas menu and kitchen habits. We prioritized capacity and layout (dual drawers or large single baskets), cooking performance (crisping, even heat and useful presets), and features that make holiday cooking simpler: synchronized finish or sync functions, easy-to-clean non-stick baskets, reliable temperature control, and energy efficiency. We also weighed user ratings and value for money so you can match the model to your budget and how often you’ll use it.
⭐ Best for Family Meals
Tefal Easy Fry Dual Zone
Tefal Easy Fry Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer, 2 Drawers, 8.3L, 8in1 — dual-drawer design with programmable presets, dishwasher-safe baskets and up to 6 portions (Grey, EY901HG0).
£79.98
You’ll like how the Dual Zone feels like two air fryers in one compact unit. The two drawers (5.2L and 3.1L) let you heat a single portion or run both at once so a main and side can finish together using the sync feature.
With eight programs — from air fry and extra crisp to roast, bake and dehydrate — it’s versatile enough for quick weeknight meals and also handy for Christmas when you need to free up the oven. It’s designed to be practical: non-stick, dishwasher-safe baskets and preset programmes mean less fuss while you’re juggling sides and timing for the big meal. If you want a flexible option that saves time and energy without sacrificing crispiness, this is a strong pick.
What People Say
Customers commonly praise the twin-basket setup and the sync finish for making meal timing easier, noting you can cook two different foods at once. People also like the presets and that the baskets clean up easily, while a few mention a short learning curve for custom settings and occasional unevenness with very large joints.
Situational Benefits
Situation |
How It Helps |
|---|---|
Cooking for One or Two |
Use the smaller drawer alone to save energy and avoid heating the whole unit — ideal for quick solo dinners or snacks. |
Family Christmas Dinner |
Run both drawers to cook a main and a side simultaneously and use the sync finish so everything is ready at the same time. |
Making Sides While the Oven Is Full |
Free up oven space by roasting veg or crisping potatoes in the air fryer without compromising texture. |
Preparing Snacks and Extras |
Dehydrate fruit or reheat appetisers quickly while keeping things crisp and avoiding sogginess. |
Health Benefits
Benefit |
Description |
|---|---|
Less Added Fat |
Air frying uses hot air circulation to achieve crispiness with far less oil, helping cut calories compared with deep frying. |
Portion-Friendly Cooking |
The separate drawers make it easier to cook smaller portions without wasting energy or overeating. |
Healthier Snack Options |
You can dehydrate fruit or make lighter versions of favourites like chips and halloumi with minimal oil. |
Time-Saving Perks
Cooks up to around 40% faster than a conventional oven for many frozen and fresh foods, and the sync finish removes the need to babysit multiple dishes so you can focus on other prep.
Ease Of Use
Feature |
Ease Level |
|---|---|
Preset Programmes |
Easy |
Sync Finish Function |
Easy |
Non-Stick, Dishwasher-Safe Baskets |
Easy |
Manual Custom Settings |
Moderate |
Key Benefits
- Dual-drawer design for flexible cooking (single or double use)
- Feeds up to 6–8 portions with combined 8.3 L capacity
- Eight preset programmes remove guesswork
- Dishwasher-safe, non-stick baskets for easy cleanup
- Energy and time savings compared to a conventional oven
Current Price: £79.98
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (total: 2,961+)
🎯 Best All-Rounder
Ninja Foodi Dual Zone
Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer, 2 drawers, 7.6 L total, 6‑in‑1 (Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate), cooks 4–6 portions, non‑stick dishwasher‑safe drawers, Black AF300UK.
£119.99
You’ll appreciate the Dual Zone because it feels like two compact air fryers in one. The two independent 3.8 L drawers let you cook different dishes at different temps and finish them together using the sync feature, which is brilliant when you’ve got a lot on the go.
It’s great for everyday dinners — crisping fries or baking a tray of veg quickly — and equally useful at Christmas when the oven’s full: roast a small joint in one drawer and crisp potatoes in the other. The unit cleans up easily thanks to non‑stick, dishwasher‑safe drawers, and the variety of cooking modes gives you real flexibility without fuss.
If you want something that saves time, energy and countertop space while still handling family-sized portions, this is a dependable pick.
What People Say
Buyers often highlight the dual-drawer setup and how helpful the sync finish is for timing mains and sides together. People also praise the crisping performance, roomy capacity for family meals, and the easy-to-clean drawers. A handful mention a short learning curve for timings and that controls can feel a touch fiddly at first.
Situational Benefits
Situation |
How It Helps |
|---|---|
Cooking for Two |
Run a single drawer for small meals to save energy and avoid heating the whole appliance. |
Christmas Dinner |
Use both drawers to roast a joint and crisp spuds at the same time, then sync the finish so everything is ready together. |
Oven Is Full |
Free up oven space by roasting vegetables or reheating sides without losing crunch. |
Making Snacks and Treats |
Dehydrate fruit, reheat pastries or crisp finger foods quickly while keeping them crisp. |
Health Benefits
Benefit |
Description |
|---|---|
Less Added Fat |
Air frying achieves a crispy finish with little or no oil, cutting calories compared with deep frying. |
Smaller, Controlled Portions |
The dual drawers make it easy to cook the right amount without heating a large oven, which helps avoid overeating. |
Gentler Cooking Options |
Modes like roast and dehydrate let you prepare snacks and veg in ways that preserve texture without excess oil. |
Time-Saving Perks
Heats and cooks faster than a conventional oven for many foods, and the ability to run two dishes at once — plus the sync finish — means less waiting and fewer dishes to babysit.
Ease Of Use
Feature |
Ease Level |
|---|---|
Preset Programmes |
Easy |
Sync Finish Function |
Easy |
Non-Stick, Dishwasher-Safe Drawers |
Easy |
Manual Temperature/Time Settings |
Moderate |
Key Benefits
- Two independent drawers let you cook different foods at once
- 7.6 L combined capacity serves 4–6 portions
- Six cooking functions for everything from Max Crisp to Dehydrate
- Non-stick, dishwasher-safe drawers for quick cleanup
- Cooks faster and uses less energy than a full-size oven for many dishes
Current Price: £119.99
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (total: 42,048+)
🏆 Best for Big Feasts
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer, Amazon Exclusive, 2 drawers, 9.5 L total, 6‑in‑1 (Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate), Copper/Black AF400UKCP.
£159.99
You’ll notice straight away this is built for feeding a crowd. The 9.5 L MAX capacity (two 4.75 L drawers) handles up to eight portions so you can roast a joint and crisp spuds without juggling batches.
The two independent zones — with a sync finish option — mean you can cook different dishes at different temperatures and still have them ready together, which is a lifesaver at Christmas. It’s energy-efficient, cleans up easily thanks to non-stick dishwasher-safe drawers, and the variety of cooking modes gives you real flexibility for everyday dinners and holiday feasts alike.
What People Say
Customers repeatedly praise the roomy dual-drawer setup and how reliably it crisps skin and fries. People appreciate the time and energy savings compared with a full oven and like that the drawers are dishwasher safe.
A few users note a slight learning curve for timings and occasional fiddliness with controls, but most say the versatility makes it worth learning.
Situational Benefits
Situation |
How It Helps |
|---|---|
Cooking for Two |
Use a single drawer to save energy and avoid heating the whole appliance while still getting a quick, crispy meal. |
Christmas Dinner |
Roast a small joint in one drawer and crisp roast potatoes in the other, then sync to finish them together so everything’s hot at once. |
Oven Is Full |
Free up oven space by roasting veg, reheating sides or finishing small joints without swapping trays. |
Meal Prep and Snacks |
Dehydrate fruit, reheat leftovers or crisp appetizers quickly while keeping them crunchy, thanks to targeted airflow and separate zones. |
Health Benefits
Benefit |
Description |
|---|---|
Less Added Fat |
Air frying gives a crispy finish with little or no oil, cutting calories compared with deep frying. |
Controlled Portions |
The drawer sizes make it easy to cook just what you need so you’re less likely to overcook or waste food. |
Gentler Cooking Modes |
Roast and dehydrate options let you prepare veg and snacks in ways that preserve texture without extra oil. |
Time-Saving Perks
Heats and cooks faster than a conventional oven for many dishes, and the two drawers plus sync finish mean you can run mains and sides at once with less babysitting.
Ease Of Use
Feature |
Ease Level |
|---|---|
Preset programmes |
Easy |
Sync finish |
Easy |
Non-stick, dishwasher-safe drawers |
Easy |
Manual temperature/time settings |
Moderate |
Drawer insertion / sealing |
Moderate |
Key Benefits
- Extra-large 9.5 L total capacity fits up to 8 portions
- Two independent drawers let you cook different dishes at once
- Sync finish so mains and sides can be ready together
- Six cooking functions including Max Crisp for roast-worthy skin
- Non-stick, dishwasher-safe drawers and included tongs for easy cleanup
Current Price: £159.99
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (total: 42,048+)
💰 Best Value Capacity
Tefal Easy Fry Mega
Tefal Easy Fry Mega Air Fryer, 7.5 L capacity (serves up to 8), 8 preset programmes, compact design, energy-efficient, dishwasher-safe basket, EY8558G0 - Black.
£63.99
If you want an air fryer that actually holds enough for a family roast without taking over your counter, this Tefal fits the bill. The 7.5 L capacity means you can roast a small joint or fit a whole chicken while still having room for roast potatoes, and the body stays fairly compact so it won’t dominate your kitchen.
There are eight presets plus a manual dial so you can quickly pick a mode or tweak time and temperature (80°C–200°C) for favourites. It’s designed to be energy-efficient — Tefal’s tests show big savings on power and speed for some frozen foods — and the dishwasher-safe basket makes cleanup painless after a busy meal. For everyday dinners or a Christmas spread where you need extra oven space, it’s a practical, budget-friendly option you can rely on.
What People Say
Shoppers tend to highlight the roomy interior and how easy it is to clean — the removable basket is a common plus. Many say it cooks evenly and handles a whole chicken or large portions well, and people appreciate the presets for quick cooking.
A handful of users recommend adjusting presets manually for best results, but overall it’s seen as good value and reliable.
Situational Benefits
Situation |
How It Helps |
|---|---|
Christmas Dinner |
Roast a small joint or whole chicken and crisp potatoes without taking up the main oven, freeing space for other dishes. |
Weeknight Family Meals |
Cook generous portions quickly — the large capacity means you can make a full meal in one go, reducing batch cooking. |
Small Kitchens |
Despite its size, the compact design saves counter space while still delivering family-sized portions. |
Meal Prep |
Batch-cook proteins or sides and reheat portions easily, with presets and manual control to suit different recipes. |
Health Benefits
Benefit |
Description |
|---|---|
Less Added Fat |
Air frying gives a crispy finish with little or no oil, cutting calories compared with deep frying. |
Retains Texture |
Fast hot-air cooking crisps surfaces while keeping insides moist, so you get satisfying texture without extra fat. |
Controlled Portions |
The large basket but single-chamber design helps you cook measured amounts, which can reduce overeating and waste. |
Time-Saving Perks
Cooks faster than many conventional ovens for smaller roasts and sides, and the presets plus precise temperature control reduce guesswork and babysitting during busy meals.
Ease Of Use
Feature |
Ease Level |
|---|---|
Preset programmes |
Easy |
Rotary temperature/time knob |
Easy |
Dishwasher-safe basket |
Easy |
Manual temperature/time control |
Moderate |
Fitting large items (whole chicken) |
Moderate |
Key Benefits
- Large 7.5 L capacity serves up to eight people
- Surprisingly compact footprint for its size
- Eight presets plus manual temperature and time control
- Energy saving and faster cooking for many dishes
- Dishwasher-safe basket and long-term repairability
Current Price: £63.99
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (total: 477+)
🔌 Best Energy Saver
Tower Vortx 9L Dual Basket
9L dual-basket air fryer with two 4.5 L drawers, Smart Finish and Match Cook, 10 one-touch presets, energy-saving design (saves up to 70% vs ovens) and a 3-year guarantee.
£69.99
If you want a no-fuss way to free up oven space at Christmas without hiking your energy bills, this Tower is a solid pick. The two 4.5 L baskets let you cook different sides or mains at once, and Smart Finish makes them come out together so you’re not fretting over timings. There are plenty of presets for quick meals and the unit heats up fast, so it’s useful for everyday dinners as well as holiday feasts.
I’d recommend it if you need capacity for a family and like the idea of cutting cooking time and energy use.
What People Say
Buyers commonly praise the dual-basket setup for feeding families and the energy savings — many notice lower running costs compared with their oven. People also like the Match Cook/Smart Finish features and the range of presets for hassle-free cooking.
A few users mention the controls take a little getting used to and that very high‑temp crisping can be limited compared with some premium models.
Situational Benefits
Situation |
How It Helps |
|---|---|
Christmas Dinner |
Cook roast veg in one basket and crispy potatoes in the other, then use Smart Finish so both are ready at the same time without juggling oven trays. |
Weeknight Family Meals |
Make mains and sides simultaneously to get dinner on the table faster, with presets taking the guesswork out of timing. |
Entertaining |
Prep snacks and appetizers in batches while guests arrive — the dual baskets let you offer two hot options without crowding the oven. |
Lowering Energy Bills |
Runs smaller, faster cycles than a full-size oven, so you can cook common dishes using less power during busy winter months. |
Health Benefits
Benefit |
Description |
|---|---|
Less Added Fat |
Crisps food with little or no oil, so you can enjoy traditionally fried textures with fewer calories. |
Retains Moisture |
Hot-air circulation crisps exteriors while keeping interiors juicy, so meats and veg don’t dry out as quickly. |
Smaller Portions, Better Control |
Cooking in drawers helps portion food and avoid overcooking large batches, which can reduce waste and overeating. |
Time-Saving Perks
Heats and cooks faster than a conventional oven for most sides and small roasts; presets plus Match Cook/Smart Finish reduce babysitting and help different dishes finish together.
Ease Of Use
Feature |
Ease Level |
|---|---|
Preset programmes |
Easy |
Smart Finish / Match Cook |
Easy |
Dual drawers |
Moderate |
Digital controls |
Moderate |
Removable baskets (cleaning) |
Easy |
Key Benefits
- Two 4.5 L baskets (9 L total) — cook different dishes simultaneously
- Smart Finish and Match Cook sync cooking so everything ends together
- Ten one-touch presets for less guesswork
- Designed to use significantly less energy than a conventional oven
- Generous warranty for peace of mind (3 years with registration)
Current Price: £69.99
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (total: 9,519+)
FAQ
What Should You Consider When Choosing An Air Fryer For Christmas Dinner?
You should pick an air fryer based on capacity, flexibility and how you plan to cook on the day. For a large family dinner you’ll want at least 7–9 litres or a dual‑drawer model so you can cook multiple dishes at once; for example the Tefal Easy Fry Dual Zone (8.3 L, serves ~6) is offered at £79.98 and the Ninja MAX Dual Zone (9.5 L, serves ~8) is offered at £159.99.
Check power/wattage (higher wattage heats faster), available cooking functions (air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate), whether baskets are dishwasher-safe, and whether the unit has features like a removable divider or dual zone control so you can cook different foods simultaneously. Also consider footprint and ventilation space for your countertop, ease of cleaning, warranty and realistic user reviews—presets are handy but you should expect to tweak times and temperatures for the best results.
How Can You Use Dual-Drawer Air Fryers To Coordinate A Multi-Course Christmas Dinner?
You can time courses by using each drawer for different items and the sync or match‑finish features when available so both drawers finish together. Preheat both cavities if your model recommends it, and avoid overcrowding so hot air can circulate; remove the divider to roast a large joint or use the full capacity for big batches. Use the higher drawer for items needing a crisp finish and the lower for slower roasts, or set shorter, higher‑temperature cycles for sides while your main cooks at a lower temperature and then blast it with a short high‑heat finish for crisp skin.
Always check internal temperatures with a thermometer for large cuts and rest meats before carving; if a joint seems underdone in the centre, cut it into larger pieces and return them to the fryer to finish. Use liners or silicone accessories to speed cleanup and shake or turn items halfway through when a recipe suggests it to get even browning.
Are Air Fryers Healthy, Energy Efficient, And Easy To Maintain For Holiday Use?
You’ll reduce oil use compared with deep frying, which can make many dishes lower in fat, and because fryers heat a smaller space they usually cook faster and can save energy versus a full oven. To get the best results and safety, dry foods before cooking and use a light oil spray when you want extra crispiness; for potatoes rinse off excess starch and pat dry before cooking to improve browning.
For maintenance, choose models with nonstick, dishwasher-safe baskets or use purpose-made liners to make post‑meal cleanup quicker, and avoid waxed or ordinary paper that can fly up in the airflow or catch fire. Common issues like uneven cooking or steam escaping are often solved by not overfilling baskets and ensuring pans/drawers are correctly seated. Finally, presets are a useful starting point but you should test and adjust times/temperatures for your preferred doneness, especially when converting traditional oven recipes for an air fryer.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the right air fryer for your Christmas dinner comes down to two things: how many people you feed and how you like to cook. If you need maximum capacity and reliable timing for large roasts, the Ninja Max is the top pick.
If you want flexibility and a proven all-round performer, the Ninja Dual Zone balances power and features. For dependable family meals on a budget, the Tefal Dual Zone and Tefal Mega both offer good capacity and easy cleanup.
If you care most about saving energy without sacrificing versatility, the Tower Vortx is the sensible choice. Use these recommendations to match the model to your menu: larger drawers for joints and trays, dual zones for simultaneous sides, and dishwasher-safe parts to cut post-meal work so you can focus on enjoying the holiday with your guests.
| Product | Image | Rating | Capacity | Power / Wattage | Special Highlights | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tefal Easy Fry Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer |  |
4.5/5 (2,961 reviews) | 8.3 litres | 2700 watts |
|
£79.98 |
| Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer |  |
4.8/5 (42,048 reviews) | 7.6 litres | 2400 watts |
|
£119.99 |
| Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer |  |
4.8/5 (42,048 reviews) | 9.5 litres | 2470 watts |
|
£159.99 |
| Tefal Easy Fry Mega Air Fryer |  |
4.7/5 (477 reviews) | 7.5 litres | 2020 watts |
|
£63.99 |
| Tower T17088 Vortx Dual Basket Air Fryer |  |
4.6/5 (9,519 reviews) | 9 litres | 2600 watts |
|
£69.99 |
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