1. Speed: Air fryers typically preheat much quicker than ovens and can cook food faster due to the smaller space and concentrated heat circulation.
2. Oil Usage: Traditional frying requires submerging food in oil. Even oven baking sometimes necessitates a fair amount of oil to avoid food drying out. With an air fryer, a minimal amount of oil is needed to achieve a similar fried effect.
3. Consistency: Since air fryers use a concentrated heat and rapid air movement, they can often produce more consistently crispy food than an oven, which may have hot spots and uneven heating elements.
What Items Are Air Fryers Good At Cooking?
Air fryers excel at cooking a variety of food items, offering texture and speed that can sometimes surpass a conventional oven. Below are some of the foods that are generally well-suited for air frying:
1. Frozen snacks: Frozen foods like french fries, chicken nuggets, and mozzarella sticks that are meant to be fried come out very well in an air fryer. The hot air gets the outside nice and crispy while cooking the inside thoroughly.
2. Veggies: Vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower can become perfectly charred and tasty in significantly less time than roasting in an oven.
3. Meat: Smaller cuts of meat, such as chicken wings, chicken thighs, or pork chops, can be air fried to get a crispy skin and juicy interior without the need for excessive oil.
4. Reheating: Leftovers, especially those that are typically fried, can be reheated in an air fryer to restore crispiness that a microwave would not achieve and that an oven would take longer to reach.
However, the efficiency and suitability of an air fryer can vary depending on the brand and model, as well as the cook’s personal preferences. Some larger food items like whole chickens or large batches of food may not cook as evenly in an air fryer due to size constraints. On the other hand, conventional ovens are typically better for large-scale and slow cooking endeavors, such as roasting whole turkeys or baking bread.

In conclusion, whether an air fryer cooks “better” than an oven often depends on the specific food being prepared and the desired outcome. For quick, crispy, and smaller portions, air fryers can be a fantastic tool. They offer a healthier option for achieving a fried food texture without the excess oil and also a convenience that an oven may not match in terms of preheat and cook times. Conversely, when it comes to cooking in bulk or preparing items that need a slow, even heat, the traditional oven still holds its own as an indispensable kitchen appliance.