From your friend’s kitchen counter to viral cooking videos, air fryers seem to be everywhere these days. This popular appliance promises tasty fried food, using far less oil. They’re supposed to cook food faster and use less energy than a regular oven. But is an air fryer really better than using your oven or cooker top? Let’s take a look at how air fryers compare with conventional ovens and see if this device is a smart choice for healthier snacks and a more energy-efficient kitchen, or just another gadget.
How air fryers work
Imagine a small oven that sits on your countertop. That’s pretty much what an air fryer is!1 Instead of deep-frying food in a lot of oil, an air fryer uses a special method called convection. It features a heating element that heats the air to 200 degrees Celsius (like a regular oven), and then a powerful fan quickly circulates that hot air around your food.2 The rapid circulation of hot air creates a crispy outside on your food, much like deep-frying, but with less oil. Unlike a big oven, the air fryer’s cooking space is much smaller, so the hot air stays inside, and it cooks food very efficiently.
Is an air fryer the same as an oven?
Almost, but not quite. Air fryers can roast and bake, and some can even grill. It’s often faster and uses less energy because of its compact size. But it’s hard to fit a large turkey, big casseroles or multiple trays, even in the largest air fryers. Food also may not cook as evenly as it would in an oven, especially with large batches. A regular oven is more versatile, especially when cooking for a crowd. Certain foods are also not suitable for cooking in an air fryer, such as:
• Food made with a wet batter 3
• Pasta
• Rice
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Broccoli (can dry out quickly)
• Leafy green veggies (can burn easily) 4
Saving time and energy
One of the biggest reasons people love air fryers is that they cook food fast, preheating much quicker than a traditional oven. An air fryer heats up in less than 5 minutes, whereas a conventional gas or electric oven takes about 13–19 minutes to get to the same temperature. This means you can get a quick meal ready in about half the time it would take in an oven.
Because they cook faster and are smaller, air fryers can be cheaper to run than a standard-sized oven in some cases.4 For example, it can be more efficient if you are just cooking for one or two people. Instead of heating the whole oven, an air fryer lets you cook smaller portions and save money on energy bills.
In 2022, Letterhead Food Research surveyed over 2,000 UK adults and found that more than half of households with an air fryer bought it because it’s cheaper to run than an oven. This factor was especially important to the over-55 age group.5
Size matters
The size of an air fryer plays a big role in its energy efficiency. Extra-large models (10-20 litres) are often branded as air fryer ovens. Most air fryers are smaller (holding about 3–5 litres) and generally require less energy to heat up than a traditional oven. Regular air fryers use about 1,500 watts, making them 50% more efficient than a full-size electric oven, which typically uses between 2,500 and 5,000 watts. 3
But if you are cooking a larger meal for a family, you might need your oven as well. In short, air fryers are fast, energy-saving kitchen helpers for smaller meals, but they’re not always the most practical choice when feeding a crowd.
Health benefits and concerns
Air frying is often praised as a healthier cooking method, but is it as good for us as people say? When compared to deep-frying, air fryers are healthier as they use less oil or, in some cases, no oil at all. This means less saturated fat and calories than traditional deep-fried foods.
But that doesn’t mean that air fryers magically make all food healthier. The quality of the ingredients you put in the air fryer still matters most. If you air-fry unhealthy, highly processed foods, they won’t suddenly become nutritious.6
Cooking homemade chips using real potatoes in your air-fryer is a healthier choice than using frozen, highly processed French fries.
Health concerns about some air fryers
Some air fryers have non-stick coatings, which might contain forever chemicals called PFAS.7
These chemicals have been linked to health issues, especially if the coating gets scratched or overheated.8 Many brands are now using safer materials like ceramic or stainless steel in parts that are in contact with food. If you have an air fryer with a non-stick coating, treat it like you would a Teflon pan. Always use silicone or wooden utensils to prevent scratches.
Air fryers can be a handy tool for making healthier fried food. But as with any device, handle your air fryer with care and cook with fresh, whole ingredients to get the most health benefits.
Environmental impact of an air fryer
Air fryers can be an eco-friendlier cooking device in some ways. And in others, they can be harmful to the planet.
They are great for cutting down on oil, which is kinder to the planet and your health.9 They also cook food quickly, saving energy and reducing emissions. But remember, they’re still an electrical gadget that consumes electricity and will eventually end up as e-waste. Try to choose a sturdy, long-lasting model with a good energy rating to help keep their environmental footprint low.
Cost of an air fryer
Air fryers come in many shapes, sizes and price ranges. You can get simple models or digital devices with multiple functions, such as roasting, baking, grilling, reheating, and even dehydrating!10
A good air fryer can cost anywhere from 70 euros to 200 euros, but prices vary. Large expensive air fryer ovens with extra features can go up to 400 euros.
Did you know?
The rise of air fryers has led to a boom in recipes and specially designed foods. Food brands are even making ultra-processed foods, such as crinkle-cut French fries and frozen sandwiches, specifically for air fryers.10
But it’s best to stick to healthy, whole foods to get the best out of your air fryer. You can find millions of air fryer recipes online for everything from crispy chickpeas to roasted veggies, and even brownies. 11
Sustainability tips for air fryer users
If you already have an air fryer or have just decided to get one, here are some tips to make sustainable and safe choices:
Choose wisely: Look for air fryers that have stainless steel, ceramic, or glass cooking surfaces to avoid forever chemicals (PFAS). Research well before buying and consider your needs. If you are a large family, you might need a larger model to be able to cook more efficiently. If you are a one-person household, a small compact model would work better.
Protect the coating: If your air fryer has a non-stick coating, avoid using metal utensils or wiry sponges that could scratch it. Instead, use wooden or silicone utensils.
Use real ingredients: Try to cook fresh, whole ingredients to avoid unhealthy processed foods and reduce processing and packaging.
Preheat: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cooking and always preheat your appliance to get maximum efficiency from your air fryer.
Clean regularly: Proper and gentle cleaning of your device is important so that it works efficiently and you don’t end up eating burned-on residue from previous cooked food.
Don’t overfill: Place food in a single layer with space for air to circulate for even cooking.
Is an air fryer right for you?
Air fryers are powerful, efficient, and convenient devices. They can make cooking quicker and use less oil than traditional deep-frying. They can help you eat healthier by reducing the amount of saturated fat from deep-fried foods in your diet. They can also be more energy-efficient for smaller households compared to a full oven.
But they do take up counter space. They are not ideal for cooking large quantities of food at once. Using one may require some trial and error to get used to the faster cooking times. In a nutshell, the main benefit of an air fryer is its speed and ability to make foods crispy with less oil.
If you are on the fence and trying to decide if an air fryer is right for you, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
• Can you think of ten or more healthy foods that you would regularly cook in the air fryer?
• Do you enjoy a lot of fried, crispy foods?
• Do you need to cook for more than four people at once?
• Would you use it more than your oven or microwave?
• Do you mind cleaning a tray or basket after each use?
• Do you have space for another gadget on your countertop?
• How often will you realistically use it?
Ultimately, whether an air fryer is a worthwhile investment depends on you, your needs and cooking habits. If you frequently cook small portions, enjoy crispy foods, and want to reduce oil in your diet, an air fryer could be a good addition to your kitchen. But remember, the most important thing for healthy and sustainable eating isn't just the gadget you use, but the food choices you make every day.
