Air fryer microwaves have become increasingly popular in recent years as a multifunctional appliance that can air fry, bake, broil, and microwave all in one device. But are air fryer microwaves actually worth the investment or just another kitchen gadget that will sit collecting dust? Let’s take a detailed look at the pros and cons to find out if an air fryer microwave is worth the cost.
What is an Air Fryer Microwave?
An air fryer microwave is essentially a combination appliance that integrates air frying technology into a traditional microwave. It allows you to not only microwave foods for quick cooking, but also air fry foods like french fries, chicken wings, and more with little to no oil.
Air fryer microwaves work by rapidly circulating hot air around the food to mimic deep frying results. The convection heat creates a crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Many models also include additional cooking functions like broiling, baking, roasting, grilling, and dehydrating.
Benefits of an Air Fryer Microwave
There are several notable benefits that an air fryer microwave offers over a standard microwave oven:
Healthier Cooking
One of the biggest advantages of air fryer microwaves is the ability to cook fried favorites like fries, nuggets, and fried chicken in a much healthier way. The air frying technology allows you to use little to no oil to achieve crispy “fried” foods, reducing the amount of fat, calories, and cholesterol compared to deep frying.
Versatility
Air fryer microwaves are extremely versatile small appliances. Their multiple functions act as a convection oven, microwave, air fryer, and broiler all in one. You can bake cinnamon rolls, roast vegetables, broil steaks, reheat leftovers, or air fry chicken wings all in the same device.
Faster Cooking
The combination of microwave and air frying technologies allows for lighting fast cooking times. Microwaving first helps food cook quickly from the inside out. The air fryer feature then makes the outside crispy fast compared to waiting for a traditional oven to preheat.
Easy to Use
Air fryer microwaves are designed to be user-friendly, especially if you are already familiar with using a microwave. Preset buttons for common dishes make cooking one-touch simple. There is also less mess since you aren’t dealing with pans of hot oil.
Space Saving
An air fryer microwave consolidates multiple appliances into one convenient unit. You don’t need a separate microwave, air fryer, oven, etc. This makes it ideal for smaller kitchens where counter and storage space may be limited.
Disadvantages of an Air Fryer Microwave
While air fryer microwaves do have some compelling benefits, there are also a few downsides to consider:
Smaller Capacity
The capacities of air fryer microwaves are typically smaller than full size ovens and air fryers. If you need to cook large batches of food, you may find the interior cavity too small to meet your needs.
Learning Curve
There can be a bit of a learning curve when first using an air fryer microwave if you aren’t familiar with air fryer cooking. It may take some trial and error to get used to timing and settings for certain foods.
More Cleaning
Since air fryer microwaves circulate air rapidly, oil splatter can be an issue causing more cleaning of the interior. The crumb tray where grease accumulates will also need frequent cleaning.
Price
Air fryer microwaves come at a higher price point than a basic microwave. Quality models can cost over $200, so they represent a significant investment.
Limited Functionality
While air fryer microwaves can mimic convection and air frying, the small cavity size does limit their ability to fully perform all the functions of a full oven. Results using multiple cooking modes may be inconsistent.
Top Features to Look for in an Air Fryer Microwave
If you decide an air fryer microwave is right for your needs, here are some key features to look for when comparing models:
- Wattage – Higher wattage around 1,000-1,200W means faster microwave cooking
- Capacity – Look for at least 1 cubic foot interior capacity for flexibility
- Temperature Range – Broader temp range like 150-400°F allows more cooking options
- Presets – Preset cook times for common dishes like pizza, potato, frozen foods, etc
- Digital Display – Clear display for programming cook times and settings
- Interior Light – Allows monitoring cooking progress without opening door
- Removable Plate – Rotating plates are easier to clean
Cost Comparison: Air Fryer Microwave vs Separate Appliances
One question many people have is whether an air fryer microwave provides enough value and performance to justify the cost over purchasing separate countertop appliances like a microwave and air fryer. Here is a cost comparison:
| Appliance | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|
| Air fryer microwave (1.1 cubic ft) | $200 |
| Countertop microwave (1.1 cubic ft) | $100 |
| 5.3 Quart air fryer | $120 |
| Total for separate appliances: | $220 |
As you can see, purchasing an air fryer microwave costs approximately $20 less than buying an equivalent microwave and air fryer separately. The main savings come from the consolidation into a single appliance rather than needing two appliances taking up space.
Popular Air Fryer Microwave Models
Here is an overview of some of the top rated and best selling air fryer microwave models currently available:
Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Oven
- 1,500W high power microwave
- 10 cooking functions including air fry, bake, broil, etc.
- 1.5 cubic ft capacity
- Temperature range 105-450°F
- 60+ preset cook programs
- Price: $$$
Cuisinart Airfryer Toaster Oven
- 1,800W power
- 0.6 cubic ft capacity
- 7 functions: air fry, convection bake, broil, etc.
- Adjustable temperature 80-450°F
- Interior light and nonstick interior
- Price: $$
Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven
- 1,500W power
- 10-in-1 functionality
- 6 quart capacity
- 95-400°F temperature range
- Rotisserie function
- Price: $$$
Ninja Foodi Grill AG301
- 5-in-1 indoor grill and air fryer
- 1,560W high power
- 5qt cooking capacity
- Temp range 105-500°F
- Cyclonic grilling technology
- Price: $$
FAQs about Air Fryer Microwaves
Are air fryer microwaves healthier than regular deep frying?
Yes, air fryer microwaves use little to no oil to air fry foods so they are generally much healthier than traditional deep frying which submerges foods in oil. The air frying process significantly reduces calories from fat.
What kinds of foods can you cook in an air fryer microwave?
You can cook just about anything in an air fryer microwave that you would cook in a regular microwave, oven, or air fryer. Popular foods include frozen snacks like pizza rolls or french fries, fresh or frozen chicken wings, fish fillets, roasted vegetables, small cuts of meat, bacon, muffins, cookies, and more.
Do you need special cookware for an air fryer microwave?
Air fryer safe cookware is recommended, but not necessarily required. Metal and aluminum pans may cause arcing. Air fryer mesh baskets, silicone pans, oven-safe ceramics, and high heat plastics are ideal.
How big of a turkey can you cook in an air fryer microwave?
Most air fryer microwaves max out at around a 5 pound turkey or small chicken. Larger turkeys or roasts likely won’t fit. You can cook smaller cornish hens, turkey breasts, or other poultry pieces.
Is it worth getting an extended warranty on an air fryer microwave?
Extended warranties are optional, but can provide peace of mind for an investment appliance. Make sure to check what exactly is covered though. The manufacturer’s included 1 year limited warranty typically covers defects.
Conclusion
In the end, whether or not an air fryer microwave is worth purchasing depends on your cooking needs and preferences. The main benefits are the consolidated functionality allowing you to air fry, bake, microwave, and more in one multi-tasking appliance. This can provide great convenience and space savings for many consumers. However, the smaller capacity and steeper price point may make a separate microwave and air fryer a better option for some households.
If your kitchen is tight on space though and you love gadgets that make cooking faster and easier, then an air fryer microwave can be a handy all-in-one cooking solution. Leading brands like Ninja, Instant, and Cuisinart have delivered high performing models that can handle the majority of everyday cooking tasks. Just be prepared for a learning curve as you get used to the integrated technologies and functions.