Air Fryer vs. Oven & Other Cooking Methods

Craving crispy, restaurant-style results for your favourite foods at home? The air fryer has emerged as a challenger to the traditional oven, promising to transform vegetables, meats, and even desserts into culinary delights with a satisfyingly crisp exterior and tender interior. 

But is the air fryer truly superior, or does the oven still hold its ground? Learn more about the science of air frying and its benefits and drawbacks compared to using the oven and other cooking methods. This guide will help you decide which method reigns supreme for your air fryer vs. oven debate.

Air Fryer vs. Oven 

Air fryer vs. oven: Compact and mighty, the air fryer uses hot air circulation to create crispy exteriors on smaller portions, perfect for quick snacks. Although its size limits its use to smaller dishes, it can be used to create delicious food for the holidays. 

The traditional full-sized oven, on the other hand, offers more versatility with radiant heat for roasting, baking, and broiling. While achieving even crispness can be trickier and take longer, its spacious interior makes it ideal for family meals. 

✅ Verdict: If you’re looking for something quick and crispy, go with air fryers. If you want something more versatile with a bigger space, go with an oven. 

Air Fryer vs. Convection Oven 

In the convection oven vs. air fryer debate, both use hot air for faster, crispier cooking, but cater to different appetites. The air fryer excels at quick, crispy snacks and meals for one or two with its rapid preheating by circulating air. Think golden fries without the guilt! But because it is small, it can’t cook everything.

Most convection ovens have a roomy interior, making it ideal for family meals. It’s a powerful appliance with many uses. Roasting and dehydrating are just two convection cooking methods made possible by the oven's settings. While preheating the heating element might take a touch longer, the convection oven's size and versatility make it a multi-purpose essential. 

✅ Verdict: Pick air fryers if you want to cook food faster, or convection ovens if you are after more options and larger space.

Source: Canva

Air Fryer vs. Toaster Oven 

As for air fryer vs. toaster oven, both provide countertop convenience but serve different purposes. Most air fryers excel at crispy textures on smaller portions. Its powerful fan and perforated basket make for quick meals with even heating. On the other hand, bigger dishes may be a bit of a challenge due to their compact size.

When it comes to toasting and reheating leftovers, the countertop toaster ovens are unrivalled. Some models even offer broiling and rotisserie functions, making them a good choice as a housewarming gift for a foodie. While it may not achieve the same intense crispness, its versatility makes it a valuable countertop tool. 

✅ Verdict: Choose an air fryer for cooking small dishes. Pick toaster ovens for versatility and reheating bigger dishes quickly.

Air Fryer vs. Deep Fryer 

Health is a key consideration when comparing the air fryer vs. deep fryer. The air fryer uses hot air circulation to achieve crispy textures, mimicking deep-frying results with a fraction of the oil. This translates to guilt-free versions of your favourite fried foods. Its small size, though, makes batch cooking an impossibility.

The deep fryer reigns supreme for large quantities. Its hot oil bath cooks food quickly and evenly, perfect for feeding a crowd. However, excess oil usage means higher calorie content and higher safety and health concerns. 

✅ Verdict: Air fryers are perfect for cooking small batches of fried food with less oil. Deep fryers take the crown for frying large quantities.

Air Fryer vs. Microwave 

Convenience and crispy cravings clash in the showdown between the air fryer vs. microwave. Thanks to its fast air circulation, the air fryer is ideal for making single-serve snacks quickly and with a deliciously crisp exterior on smaller portions. 

On the other hand, the microwave is unparalleled in terms of convenience and speed. Its ability to heat food quickly from the inside out makes it ideal for reheating leftovers or defrosting frozen meals. However, the microwave is known for uneven cooking or heating. 

✅ Verdict: Grab the microwave for its unparalleled reheating capabilities and convenience, or opt for the air fryer for its crispiness, and healthier approach.

Source: Canva

Air Fryer vs. Pressure Cooker 

Your choice between an air fryer vs. a pressure cooker depends on what you’re making—crispy perfection or juicy, tender meals.

For crisping up small bits of food, the air fryer shines best. But it can’t handle bigger dishes or liquids because of its small size.

When it comes to meal preparation and serving size, the pressure cooker is king. It traps steam for fast cooking, tenderizing meat, making hearty stews, and even fluffy rice. While it can crisp some foods, it might need special tools.

✅ Verdict: For a healthier alternative using less oil, go with the air fryer. Choose the pressure cooker for versatility, and tackling larger dishes.

The Kitchen Appliance Expert You Need 

Whichever you choose between air fryer vs. oven and other countertop appliances, we can help you find the perfect kitchen essentials. s.t.o.p. Restaurant Supply offers a huge catalogue of kitchen appliances—from air fryers and ovens to pressure cookers, and more! We have something for every craving—crispy, juicy, or lightning-fast meals. 

Shop our small appliances collection online or in-store and solve your kitchen needs today! If you're unsure about what product would fit your needs, speak to one of our kitchen equipment experts today.