How Much Electricity Does an Air Fryer Use? (Cost Calculator)

The simple formula

Electricity is billed in kilowatt-hours (kWh). To estimate how much an air fryer uses, multiply its wattage by the time it runs, then divide by 1,000:

kWh = watts × hours ÷ 1,000. Cost = kWh × your price per kWh.

So a 1,500-watt air fryer running for a full hour at maximum power uses about 1.5 kWh. Most air fryers sit between roughly 1,000 and 2,000 watts. The wattage is printed on the label under the unit and in the manual; the Ninja AF101, for example, is rated at 1,550 watts in its Amazon listing.

Air fryer cost calculator

Pick a model or enter your own wattage, then set how long you cook and your electricity price. The default price is close to the U.S. average residential rate the EIA projects for 2026 (about 18 cents per kWh), but rates vary a lot by state, so use the number on your own bill if you can.

Why real use is usually lower

The calculator shows a worst case: the heating element running flat out the whole time. In practice, an air fryer's thermostat switches the element on and off once it reaches the set temperature, while the fan keeps running. That means the real energy use over a typical cook is usually below the full-power estimate.

Your result also depends on the electricity price. EIA data shows big gaps between states: New York's average residential price, for example, has been around 30 cents per kWh, far above the national average. If you live in a high-rate state, your numbers will be higher.

Air fryer vs. oven

For small and medium batches, an air fryer usually uses less energy than a full-size electric oven. The cooking chamber is much smaller, so there's less air to heat, and many models need little or no preheating. Cooks are often shorter too.

The advantage shrinks when you cook a lot of food. If you'd need three rounds in a small air fryer, one round in the oven may come out even. That's another reason to pick the right size for your household.

Easy ways to use less

• Cook in a single layer and avoid overfilling, so food cooks faster and evenly.
• Only preheat if your manual or recipe calls for it, and keep it short.
• Batch cook back to back while the air fryer is already hot.
• Keep the basket and crisper plate clean; baked-on grease can smoke and slow things down.
• Choose a size that matches your household. A huge basket for one person heats air you don't need.

Bottom line

For everyday cooking, an air fryer is one of the more efficient ways to make a small hot meal. Use the calculator with your own rate to see what it means for you, and see our best air fryers of 2026 if you're still choosing.