What is the difference between an air fryer and an oven air fryer?

Author: Jaquelin Hintz  |  Last update: Tuesday, December 9, 2025

The main differences between a countertop air fryer and an air fryer oven are their sizes and cooking capabilities. An air fryer is compact and can only be used to air fry, while an air fryer oven is a wall oven or range that offers an air fry option in addition to traditional cooking and baking functions.

What's better, an air fryer or an air fryer oven?

Air fryers require significantly less oil than ovens, resulting in fewer calories and fat. Additionally, air fryers are more efficient than ovens, as they cook food faster and more evenly. As such, air fryers are undeniably a healthier option than ovens, and it is highly recommended to use them instead.

What does an air fryer do that an oven doesn't?

Speed: - Air fryers typically cook food faster than traditional ovens due to their smaller size and convection cooking method, which circulates hot air around the food. Crispiness: - Air fryers excel at creating crispy textures on foods, making them ideal for items like fries and chicken wings without needing much oil.

What are the disadvantages of an air fryer oven?

What are Disadvantages of Using an Air Fryer? Air fryers vary in the amount of foods they can hold, but usually do not have a large capacity. Air fryers may not be convenient when cooking for large groups. Foods that are air fried have different sensory characteristics than foods that are deep fried.

What is the difference between bake and air fry on an air fryer?

The air fryer setting is basically just convection which means it blows the hot air around which cooks things more quickly and can get things crispier. The bake setting doesn't use convection so it acts more like a regular oven.

Air Fryers vs Convection Ovens - What's the difference?

Are chicken wings better air fried or baked?

So if you're looking for a healthier way to eat chicken wings, the air fryer method is your best bet. That's because the speed and temperature of the air circulating in the air fryer create very crisp skin that you can't get in an oven. I never cooked chicken wings until I saw my son devour them at a restaurant once.

Can you put tin foil in an air fryer?

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

What is unhealthy about an air fryer?

The two biggest concerns are potential carcinogens called acrylamides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are created in the process of cooking.

Why are people getting rid of 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. Taking to social media to share their opinions, many people have revealed that they reckon halogen ovens are the best option for frugal cooking.

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 replacing air fryers?

Ditch your air fryer and replace it with a countertop oven | CNN.

Can you bake a cake in an air fryer?

Air Fryer cakes are really easy to make and tend to bake a bit faster then the ones done in the oven. Air fryers are cool kitchen tools which are essentially small mini convection ovens.

Is an airfryer just a mini oven?

An air fryer can be thought of as a sort of mini convection oven. Both appliances use a fan to circulate heated air throughout the cooking cavity. However, they are different—a convection oven has a larger capacity and air frying optimizes the cooking environment for crispy fried results.

What is the best oven air fryer?

Now Trending
  • Best Overall. KitchenAid Dual Convection Countertop Oven. Read More. ...
  • Best Budget. Cosori Smart 11-in-1 Air Fryer. ...
  • Best Splurge. GE Profile UltraFast Smart Air Fry Oven. ...
  • Best Large Capacity. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro. ...
  • Best Compact. Our Place Wonder Oven. ...
  • Best Accessories. Kalorik Maxx Digital Air Fryer Oven.

Which style air fryer is the best?

Basket-style air fryers, like the Ninja Max XL, are our favorite at the GH Institute. They're standalone appliances that feature a cooking basket where you place your food to cook. They pull out like a drawer and allow you to easily shake foods to toss them.

Which one is healthier, an oven or an air fryer?

Nutrient-dense foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, fatty fish and lean meats are generally just as nutritious in the air fryer as in the oven. However, the air fryer isn't a "free pass" to eat unlimited amounts of higher-calorie foods just because it's healthier than deep frying.

Why do chefs hate air fryers?

Air Fryers Reduce Taste Quality

Out of the top three reasons restaurants don't use air fryers, the taste is the leading cause. It has numerous benefits and can cook food efficiently. However, the taste can be subpar compared to other cooking methods available at the commercial level.

What are people buying instead of an air fryer?

Toaster ovens: Toaster ovens can bake, broil, roast, and toast. In our tests, they heated food quickly and evenly and were great for leftovers. Toaster ovens are typically more petite than air fryer toaster ovens, making them a good fit for small kitchens.

What to avoid when buying an air fryer?

Air fryer buying mistakes – appliance experts reveal 4 errors to...
  • Going too big or too small.
  • Not prioritizing ease of use.
  • Disregarding cleaning and maintenance.
  • Overlooking multifunctionality.

What is the controversy with air fryers?

Air-frying equipment is not known to cause cancer, but the process of air frying does result in the formation of certain compounds, like acrylamide, that are linked to cancer development. Acrylamide is classified as a probable human carcinogen.

Do all air fryers expose you to acrylamide?

In fact, air fryers typically operate at far lower temperatures than deep frying, for example. So, there is strong evidence suggesting that they can significantly reduce the amount of acrylamides produced during cooking 7.

Why are air fryers bad for your heart?

In one study, air frying of fish raised the amount of a substance called "cholesterol oxidation products" (COPs). COPs form when the cholesterol in meat or fish breaks down during cooking. Studies connect these substances to coronary heart disease, hardening of the arteries, cancer, and other diseases.

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 you do bacon in the airfryer?

Set the air fryer to 200C and cook streaky bacon rashers for 6-10 mins – just-cooked bacon will take 6 mins, but crispier bacon will take 9-10 mins. Cook back bacon rashers for 4-8 mins, depending on your preference.

Is it better to use parchment paper or foil in an air fryer?

It's also a more sustainable option than lining your air fryer with aluminum foil. Lining your air fryer basket with a round of parchment paper is the perfect way to keep your air fryer squeaky clean and slash the time it takes to clean up. It just got a whole lot easier to make air fryer chicken drumsticks!

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