Air Fryer vs. Convection Oven

Air fryers and convection ovens are, at the most basic level, the same technology. Both use a fan to circulate heated air, cooking foods evenly from all sides. But there are some key differences that separate air fryer vs. convection oven devices.

Air fryers:

• Fan is inside of the unit at the top.
• Heating element is also at the top of the unit.
• Comparing air fryer vs. conventional oven appliances, air fryers have only one heating element.

Convection ovens:

• Fan is inside of the oven at the back.
• Contains at least two heating elements inside. One is on the top, and one is on the bottom, just like conventional ovens.
• A third heating element is sometimes located inside at the back.

Just like convection ovens, using a fan to circulate heated air is the main difference with air fryer vs. conventional oven cooking. While air fryers are similar to convection ovens, there are many reasons for choosing whether or not to cook with them.

Pros:

• Their smaller size allows them to be stored on countertops.
• Because they are small, air fryers cook faster when comparing air fryer vs. convection oven times.
• They are better suited for mimicking frying, so food is crunchier and crisper than convection oven foods.
• Preheating is faster.

Cons:

• The smaller capacity limits how much food can be cooked. One or two servings of food is the most they can handle.
• Food that needs to be roasted or baked doesn’t turn out as well in an air fryer vs. convection oven.

Note: Even though there is a difference between air fryer and convection oven units, some regular-sized ovens feature an air frying mode. Explore options like wall ovens and electric ranges with an air fry feature. However, dedicated air fryers are small enough to fit on countertops.

Convection ovens are a great addition to household kitchens. They have features that make them both better and less suitable than air fryers.

Pros:

• If your meal requires baking or roasting, convection ovens are the better option.
• The larger capacity allows you to cook more servings than you can with an air fryer.
• Convection ovens often have multiple features, allowing them to be used for convection cooking, air frying and conventional baking or roasting. Some even have stovetop cooking capabilities.

Cons:

• Many convection ovens are large since they can double as conventional ovens, so you need extra floor space if you're adding it to your kitchen.
• Cooking time is generally longer than in air fryers because of the larger size.

Note: There are exceptions to the rules. Some convection oven models are small enough to fit on countertops, though they’re usually still larger than countertop air fryers.

When choosing your primary cooking device, consider your overall cooking needs and limitations.

• Is your cooking preference baking and roasting or frying and crisping?
• Do you have limited or ample available counter space?
• How many people are usually served meals in your home?
• Do you prefer to spend a lot of time cooking, or do you want to be finished more quickly?
• Would you like an all-in-one unit that can cook with a variety of methods, or do you prefer several units with each one dedicated to one method?