Can I use an air fryer like a microwave?

Author: Bria Welch  |  Last update: Saturday, June 21, 2025

One common misconception is that air fryers and microwaves are interchangeable. They are not. While both appliances are used for cooking and heating food, they use different methods to do so. For example, air fryers use hot air to cook food, while microwaves use electromagnetic radiation to heat food.

Can an air fryer replace a microwave?

Whether an air fryer can replace your microwave depends on your needs and cooking style. If you want crispy textures and healthy frying, an air fryer might be a great option. But if you need speed and use your microwave for reheating, you might want to keep both appliances.

Can an air fryer heat food like a microwave?

No. Microwave and air fryer are different things entirely and heat food completely differently.

Can I reheat food in an air fryer?

Yes, air fryers are excellent for reheating food. They can help to keep food crispy and warm without drying it out, making them a great option for reheating pizza, fries, chicken nuggets, and more.

Is an air fryer equivalent to a microwave?

Both microwaves and air fryers are meant to cook and heat food, however, each device does so through unique methods. Put simply, an air fryer heats food from outside-in, while a microwave heats food from inside-out.

Air Fryer vs Microwave for Reheating Food | Ninja Air Fryer

What are the negatives of cooking in an air fryer?

Drawbacks of Air Fryers
  • Limited Cooking Capacity: While air fryers are convenient for small households or individuals, their cooking capacity can be a drawback for larger families or gatherings. ...
  • Uneven Cooking: ...
  • Limited Food Options: ...
  • Initial Cost and Counter Space:

Should I get a microwave with an air fryer?

Microwave Air Fryer Combos Offer Multiple Cooking Methods

Whether you're an adventurous cook or prefer simple meals, versatile kitchen tools make meal preparation easier. A microwave with an air fry feature adds a variety of cooking options without the need for additional appliances.

Can I put aluminum foil in an air fryer?

However, it's pretty tempting to throw aluminum foil in there to catch any drips and make clean-up even easier, but is that allowed? The short answer is yes, you can put aluminum foil in the air fryer.

Can I warm up pasta in an air fryer?

To reheat pasta in the air fryer, preheat it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the pasta on aluminum foil to prevent it from drying up. Sprinkle a small amount of water onto the pasta to keep it from drying up. After around 5 to 10 minutes, the pasta should be thoroughly heated.

Do air fryers dry out meat?

An air fryer's fast-moving convection heat can cause meat and certain vegetables to dry out. Leafy greens, lean meats and certain seafoods, for instance, are no longer welcome in my air fryer. Here are eight foods I recommend cooking somewhere else.

Can you use an air fryer for microwave meals?

Most ready meals that can be heated in an oven or microwave can also be cooked in an air fryer. Meals with crispy components like breaded items, fries, or even samosas tend to do particularly well in air fryers.

What appliance can replace a microwave?

Steam and speed ovens are two alternatives that provide many of the same functions as microwaves at a higher quality. There also is a growing preference for the appliance to be hidden. For most other homeowners, microwaves remain an essential element of the kitchen.

What are the side effects of an air fryer?

High-temperature air frying can lead to acrylamide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in certain foods, which may pose health risks.

Why are people ditching air fryers?

While air fryers are popular, the most expensive models can start to get a little pricey, which could undermine their status as a budget item. Many people came out for halogen ovens as the better option. One person said: "I treated myself to a halogen oven to help with Christmas; I only have one shelf in my oven.

Can air fryer heat food like microwave?

Air Fryer: Air fryers can reach higher temperatures than microwave ovens, usually up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). This range allows for efficient cooking and browning of various foods. Microwave Oven: Can heat food quickly but generally do not reach high temperatures like air fryers.

Can you pop popcorn in an air fryer?

Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it warm up for about 2-3 minutes. Cook the Popcorn: Spread the kernels evenly on the foil-lined basket. Cook for approximately 4-6 minutes, or until the popping slows down to a few seconds between pops.

Is it better to reheat in an air fryer or microwave?

Air fryers – the kitchen gadget of the moment and going nowhere soon – are great for cooking food, from chicken to cakes. But their hidden hack is their ability to reheat foods that a microwave would turn unpleasantly soggy and flabby.

Can I put glass in an air fryer?

Thick, tempered glass is always the best choice because it's durable and specially designed for heat-resistance. If your glass mug or dish has survived in the microwave or oven before, it likely won't break in the air fryer.

Can I heat soup in an air fryer?

Air fryers can cook food quickly, but heating soup too fast can lead to splattering and uneven heating. Start with a lower temperature, around 250°F (121°C), and allow the soup to warm up gradually. If needed, you can increase the temperature in the last few minutes, but avoid going too high.

What cannot be cooked in an air fryer?

Grace Forell - What You Shouldn't Put in an Air Fryer
  1. Broccoli. This vegetable in particular isn't great because it's so easy to get wrong. ...
  2. Pasta. ...
  3. Popcorn. ...
  4. Wet Batter. ...
  5. Rice.

What is the best thing to put on the bottom of an air fryer?

A slice of bread in the bottom of your air fryer can help collect grease without making a mess.

Can I put a paper towel in an air fryer?

Airflow is essential to the machine, so while a paper towel is useful for cleaning, it should not be used while cooking food in the air fryer. It can restrict the airflow of the machine and even catch fire. It's important to remember that the air inside the air fryer can get very hot.

Can an air fryer replace my microwave?

One common misconception is that air fryers and microwaves are interchangeable. They are not. While both appliances are used for cooking and heating food, they use different methods to do so. For example, air fryers use hot air to cook food, while microwaves use electromagnetic radiation to heat food.

Can you cook rice in an air fryer?

Boil the kettle and set the air fryer to preheat at 200°C for a few minutes. Once your rice is sufficiently strained (and the water is clear), pop it into the cake tin and add your boiled water and salt. Tightly cover the dish with aluminium foil, stick it in the air fryer and cook for 25 minutes.

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