Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years.
Since the air fryer was invented, they have evolved from small appliances used for not much more than chips or chicken wings to larger models with abilities to cook and perform many functions.
But how does an air fryer stack up against an oven?
Is it really quicker to cook in an air fryer? How about the cost of running an air fryer vs an oven?
Read on to discover how an air fryer compares to an oven.
What Is An Air Fryer?
An air fryer is similar to a small countertop convection oven. Convection ovens circulate hot air around food to cook it evenly, and air fryers use the same principle.
The main difference is that air fryers have a special fan that blows the hot air directly over the food. This design helps to quickly crisp and brown food without adding oil. As a result, air-fried foods are often healthier than their deep-fried counterparts.
Air fryers come in different shapes and sizes, but most have a basket inside where the food is placed.
Some air fryers have additional features such as a rotisserie function or the ability to cook multiple foods simultaneously.
Related: Air Fryer Buying Guide (UK)
Does An Air Fryer Cook More Quickly Than An Oven?
One key difference between air fryers and ovens is the cooking speed.
Most air fryers run on a lower wattage than ovens and are much smaller in size. This means they can heat up much quicker than an oven and cook food in a shorter time.
So if you’re looking for an appliance to help you get dinner on the table more quickly, an air fryer is a good option.
Related:
Air Fryer vs Oven: Which Is More Energy Efficient?
Air fryers are more energy efficient than ovens.
Air fryers heat up quicker than ovens; therefore, they use less electricity to reach the required cooking temperature.
Air fryers cook quicker than ovens.
Most air fryers run on 1400 watts to 2000 watts, whereas ovens are more around 2500 watts and above.
Air Fryer Size vs Oven Size
An oven generally has more capacity to cook than an air fryer, so if you are cooking for a large group or need to make multiple dishes at once, using an oven might be the better option.
Although the first air fryers on the market were small and generally only catered for cooking enough for 2 or 3 people at a time, they have evolved and grown in size.
For example, if you need an air fryer for a larger family, models such as the Ninja Dual Air Fryer have capacities of 7.5L and 9.5L, suitable for serving 6 to 8 people.
If we are talking about the footprint of an air fryer, it needs to sit on a countertop, whereas an oven is typically integrated within units or sits under the countertop.
Cleaning An Air Fryer Vs Cleaning An Oven
Nobody likes cleaning an oven; it’s one of those jobs we put off until the task becomes so big we dread it even more!
The good news is cleaning an air fryer is pretty straightforward; in fact, many air fryer baskets are dishwasher safe, making cleaning them even easier.
Summary Air Fryer Vs Oven
- An air fryer heats up faster than an oven.
- An air fryer cooks quicker than an oven.
- An air fryer is more energy efficient than an oven.
- An oven can cook more dishes at once than an air fryer.
- Ovens tend to have more capacity than air fryers (although larger air fryers are now on the market).
- Air fryers take up countertop space, whereas ovens are already built under the counter or integrated within units.
- Air fryers are easier to clean than most ovens.