Air Fryer vs Microwave Oven (Comparisons)
- Better Appliances
- 13 hours ago
- 5 min read
Kitchen appliances like Air fryers and microwave ovens offer cooking faster, simpler, and healthier meals in today's busy lifestyles.
The two devices are present in every home and are both extremely beneficial. But what if you could choose just one?
Are you deciding if both are necessary?
We understand it can be challenging to decide between two popular Kitchen appliances that each promise convenience, speed, and delicious results.
Although these restaurants share similar concepts, their operating styles and cuisine options vary dramatically.
Let's compare both appliances to help you decide which is the right choice for you, or if both happen might meet your needs.
What is the Difference Air Fryer vs Microwave Oven?
Air fryers and microwaves cook food in different ways.
Air fryers use hot air to make food crispy, kind of like frying, but with less oil.
Microwaves use waves to heat food quickly.
Air fryers are great for making food crunchy, while microwaves are better for quickly warming up or defrosting food.
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a small, efficient appliance that is placed on the counter in your kitchen. While it's often referred to as "fryer," the fact is that it's a fryer," it doesn't require a lot of oil.
Instead of cooking food involves blowing hot air all over it quickly. This makes food crispy and hot, just like it was deep-fried, but using less oil.
If you're looking to enjoy delicious foods such as nuggets, fries, or roasted vegetables, without the use of too much oil, then an air fryer is the best option.
It's a miniature oven, which cooks quicker and helps cook food more evenly.
What is a Microwave Oven?
A microwave oven is something most of us already know. It heats up food super-fast using special waves (called microwaves).
These waves make the water inside your food heat up. That’s why it’s great for reheating leftovers, warming drinks, or cooking things quickly like popcorn or instant noodles.
If you're looking for an efficient and reliable microwave, the Better Orion Microwave Oven from Better Appliances is a perfect choice. Its sleek design and advanced features make it easy to reheat, cook with ease
The microwave is great when you’re in a rush or don’t want to do much cooking. Just press a few buttons, and boom, your food is ready in seconds.
How Do Air Fryers and Microwaves Work?
We believe understanding how an appliance works helps you use it better. Here’s how these two machines differ under the hood:
Air Fryer: Uses convection heat. Hot air flows rapidly around the food, giving it a crispy texture like it was fried, but with little to no oil.
Microwave Oven: Uses microwave radiation to heat water molecules in food. This cooks the food fast but doesn’t provide any crisp or browning.
These methods produce very different results, and that’s why they each shine in different situations.
Air Fryer vs Microwave – What's the Difference?
Let’s get practical. At Better Appliances, we always ask: “What can this appliance actually do for you in everyday life?”
Air Fryer is best for:
French fries, onion rings, and sweet potato fries
Chicken wings, nuggets, and drumsticks
Roasted vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli
Cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, and wraps
Homemade chips
Baking cookies, brownies, or mini cakes
Microwave Oven is best for:
Reheating leftovers like pasta, curry, or rice
Defrosting frozen meats and veggies
Making popcorn or instant noodles
Heating up soup, milk, or coffee
Cooking soft foods like porridge or oatmeal
As you can see, the air fryer is your crispy, crunchy friend, while the microwave is your fast and soft-food helper.
Air Fryer or Microwave is Better for Healthy Eating
We’re all about smart, healthy choices, and the air fryer wins in this category.
Air fryers use up to 80% less oil than deep fryers, which means fewer calories and less grease in your meals.
You can still enjoy your favorite “fried” foods with way less guilt.
Microwaves are also healthy in their own way. They don’t need oil to cook food and are great for steaming vegetables or reheating without added fats.
However, they can’t give you the crispy texture that the air fryer can. So, if you're aiming for healthy and tasty, the air fryer offers a more exciting range of guilt-free meals.
What About Cooking Time?
Time is money and, in the kitchen, it's also about hunger and convenience. Here’s what we’ve found at Better Appliances after testing both:
Microwave ovens are faster. Reheating or cooking soft foods takes 1–3 minutes.
Air fryers take longer, usually between 10–25 minutes, depending on the food.
So, if you’re starving and want to heat something quickly, the microwave is unbeatable.
But if you have a bit more time and want better texture and taste, the air fryer is totally worth it.
Cleaning and Maintenance
No one likes cleanup duty, and both these appliances do well in this area.
Air fryers usually come with non-stick baskets or trays that are removable and dishwasher safe.
Cleaning is quick and easy, especially if you line the basket with baking paper or foil (make sure to check your model’s safety guide first).
Microwave ovens are also easy to clean, just wipe the inside with a damp cloth or heat a bowl of water and lemon juice to loosen any messes.
However, they can get a little messy if food spills or explodes (looking at you, tomato sauce).
What should you choose Microwave or an Air fryer?
Here’s our expert recommendation from the Better Appliances team:
Busy students or office workers: A microwave is perfect for quick meals and reheating.
Health-conscious home cooks: An air fryer will let you enjoy crunchy snacks with less oil.
Families: Both can be useful a microwave for fast breakfast prep, an air fryer for healthy dinners or snacks.
Cooking enthusiasts: An air fryer offers more versatility and fun for creative cooking.
Space-savers: Consider a combo model if you’re tight on counter space.
Safety First
Both appliances are safe if used properly. Just keep these tips in mind:
Don’t put metal or foil in the microwave.
Don’t overfill the air fryer basket.
Use microwave-safe containers for heating.
Always let hot food cool slightly before serving.
At Better Appliances, we always recommend reading the user manual, yes, even if it’s boring, so you can use your appliance safely and make it last longer.
Conclusion
Choosing between an air fryer and a microwave doesn’t have to be hard. Think about your eating habits, kitchen space, and daily routine.
Whether you pick one or both, you're making a smart choice to make cooking easier, healthier, and more fun.
We hope this guide helps you pick the perfect appliance for your home.
Looking for top-rated air fryers or microwave ovens?
Until next time, happy cooking, and don’t forget to unplug after use.
FAQ
Can an air fryer replace a microwave?
Not really. An air fryer is great for crispy food, but a microwave is faster for heating liquids and leftovers.
Which one is faster: an air fryer or a microwave?
The microwave is faster, heating food in 1–3 minutes, while an air fryer takes 10–20 minutes.
Is food from an air fryer healthier?
Yes, it’s healthier as it uses little or no oil, reducing fat and calories compared to deep frying.
Can I cook everything in an air fryer?
No, it's best for solid foods like fries and veggies, but not for liquids or reheating drinks.
Can I heat up drinks or soup in an air fryer?
No, air fryers are for solid foods only. Use a microwave or stove for liquids.
Which one is better for a small kitchen, an air fryer or a Microwave Oven?
Both are compact, but a microwave is more versatile for quick meals. An air fryer is great for snacks. Combo models are also available.
If you are confused about finding one with quality and affordability, don’t forget to check the microwave from Better Appliances, which will match your needs and requirements.
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