Experts Caution Against Using Air Fryers Instead of Ovens: What You Should Know

Air fryers have become popular because they can cook food quickly with little or no added oil. However, experts generally do not suggest replacing your oven entirely. An air fryer is a useful kitchen appliance, but it has limitations.

1. Air Fryers Are Not Suitable for Every Food

Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food, making them excellent for:

Roasted vegetables
Chicken pieces
Fish
Frozen foods
Small portions of baked goods

However, some foods may cook poorly because of the limited space and airflow, such as:

Large roasts
Big casseroles
Large cakes
Multiple trays of food

An oven is usually better for cooking larger meals evenly.

2. Portion Size Can Be a Problem

Air fryers have smaller baskets than ovens. Cooking for a family may require:

Multiple batches
Longer preparation time
More monitoring

For large meals, a conventional oven may be more practical.

3. “Healthier” Depends on What You Cook

Air frying can reduce the amount of oil needed compared with traditional deep frying, but it does not automatically make every food healthy.

For example:

Air-fried vegetables can be a nutritious choice.
Air-fried processed foods (such as chips, nuggets, or pastries) are still processed foods.

The overall diet matters more than the appliance.

4. Cleaning and Maintenance Matter

Food residue and grease can build up if the basket and heating area are not cleaned regularly.

Good habits include:

Cleaning the basket after use.
Removing grease buildup.
Following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Avoiding overfilling the basket.

5. High-Temperature Cooking Requires Care

Like ovens and other cooking methods, air fryers can produce compounds such as acrylamide when certain starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures until very browned.

To reduce this risk: