I know, I know. You’re thinking, “Really? Another air fryer review?” But trust me, this is worth your time. After all, if you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for ways to make cooking easier and faster. And that’s exactly what air fryers promise to do. Here’s a breakdown of how air fryers and ovens compare in terms of cooking time, versatility, and calories. By the end of this post, you’ll hopefully have a little more clarity on which appliance is right for you!
What is an air fryer and how does it work?
An air fryer is a counter-top electrical appliance that cooks food by circulating hot air around it at high speeds. Because the process uses little to no cooking oil, the food tends to have a crispier texture than when cooked in an oven. You can find all kinds of recipes online or through various apps to use with your air fryer.
What is an oven and how does it work?
An oven is a counter-top electrical appliance that cooks food by heating it with hot air. Because the process uses little to no water, the food tends to have a crispier texture than when cooked in a microwave. Ovens tend to heat up faster than microwaves, but they’re also bigger and take up more counter space than the average microwave.
What are the similarities between air fryers and ovens?
Both appliances:
-Cook food quickly: Air fryers cook food fast because they use hot air to cook your food, which is about 70% as hot as a standard oven. Ovens can cook food in a fraction of the time, since the heat comes from all around your food.
-Are usually counter-top appliances: Both air fryers and ovens are generally counter top appliances, but there are some brands that make wall-mounted ovens.
-Can cook a wide variety of foods: You can cook just about anything in an oven or air fryer.
-Use electricity to power up: You’ll obviously need to plug these appliances into a standard household outlet to get them powered up, so keep that in mind!
What are the main differences between air fryers and ovens?
Size & Power: Air fryers vary in size and power, but many of them are around 11” tall and 8” wide. Oven sizes vary depending on the appliance you buy, but most ovens measure in at around 24” tall and 24” wide.
Cooking Time: Since air fryers cook food with hot air and generally at a lower temperature than ovens, cooking time is much efficient.
Versatility: Air fryers are more versatile than ovens since you can cook a wider range of foods in them, including snacks like french fries and mozzarella sticks or frozen dinners like pot pie or chicken nuggets. Ovens on the other hand, are generally used to bake, broil, and roast.
Calories: Since air fryers cook food with just a little bit of oil, your food won’t absorb as many calories or fat when cooking with an air fryer compared to using a regular oven. Food cooked in an oven can soak up to 25 percent of its calories from the oil used.
Tips for using an air fryer :
-Don’t over-stuff the basket: Place food in the fryer basket without overcrowding it or you risk getting under-cooked food. You can always cook your food in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding!
-Cut down on cooking time by prepping your ingredients properly, especially veggies: If you’re cooking vegetables like broccoli, cut it into smaller pieces to shorten the cooking time.
-Make sure you’re using enough oil: It’s easy to not use enough oil when cooking with an air fryer, since many recipes only call for a tablespoon or two of oil. But your food won’t cook properly if you don’t use enough oil, so be sure to use the right amount!
-Don’t leave your food in too long: Leaving your food in an air fryer for more than a few minutes at a time could lead to overcooking. We suggest cooking most foods for a maximum of 10 minutes for a crispy texture. If you’re baking a cake or dessert, you should follow the instructions for your particular product.
Tips for using an ovens
-Preheat your oven: To get the best cooking results, preheat your oven for a few minutes before placing your food inside.
-Line baking sheets with parchment paper or foil: This ensures that food won’t stick to the pan as it cooks and makes clean up easier.
-Don’t open the door until the end: Opening the oven door too often while your food cooks will cause the temperature to drop, which could lead to drier or under cooked food. Cooking times are usually pretty accurate on most cooking products, but you can always check with a meat thermometer just to be safe!
-Let baked goods cool before removing them from the pan: Give baked goods a little bit of time to cool before removing them from their baking pans. This will prevent overcooking or burning your fingers on hot food!
-Use oven mitts when handling hot dishes: We’re sure you already knew this but it’s worth mentioning anyway. Using oven mitts when removing hot dishes from the oven is a good way to avoid getting burned.
Differences in food cooked using air fryers and ovens
With an oven you can bake, roast, and broil a wide variety of foods including meat, vegetables, potatoes, or anything that can withstand high heat. An air fryer uses a hot air method to cook food quickly, resulting in a crispy exterior and moist interior. An air fryer can also be used for baking or broiling foods, but may not produce the same results as a regular oven.
Now you have all the facts, so which appliance is right for you?
If you’re looking for an easy way to cook a wide variety of foods, then an air fryer might be your best bet. Air fryers are widely available for purchase, and can cook a variety of different foods.
If you’re looking for something with higher power that cooks more quickly, then go for an oven. Ovens are bigger so they can fit larger dishes or multiple baking sheets at the same time, but if your kitchen counter space is limited an oven might not be the best choice for you. Ovens can also cook thicker and heavier foods like roasts or whole chickens, which air fryers cannot do as efficiently.
In conclusion, ovens and air fryers both have their pros and cons. If you’re looking for a more versatile appliance with a wide range of cooking capabilities, then an air fryer is the way to go. However some dishes turn out to be far more superior when cooked in an oven.
Now you have the knowledge to make an educated decision on whether or not an air fryer is right for you! Good luck in your future culinary adventures.
If you found this useful, check out My Kitchen Armory where you can get up to date reviews and tips about kitchen products.
FAQ
Do air fryers cook food more evenly than ovens?
Although air fryers cook food more quickly, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they cook food more evenly. Air fryers are best for foods with a crispy exterior and moist interior. Still, if you want an even cooking experience, an oven might be the better option.
Would you say that air fryers are good for baking as well as frying?
Yes! It can use an air fryer for baking and broiling, and frying. Air fryers cook food quickly with hot air, so the exterior turns crispy, and the interior stays moist.
Are there any recipes that are better suited for air fryers than ovens?
Yes. If you want an even cooking experience, an oven might be the better option. Air fryers are best for foods with a crispy exterior and moist interior.
What are some of the best recipes to cook in an air fryer?
Aside from the typical fried foods like french fries or tater tots, air fryers are great for cooking meat like chicken wings and drumsticks. Air fryers can also be used for baking, making them ideal for making desserts like cookies or cakes!
