Can You Replace Your Microwave With An Air Fryer?

As time passes, technology will continue to advance. You'll witness some kitchen appliances come and go. One of them, the air fryer, is rising in popularity. And, with limited space in the kitchen, you might be wondering if you can replace the microwave with an air fryer. For your convenience, we brought you the answer.

The answer depends on several questions you have to ask yourself. How often are you finding yourself reheating food? On the other hand, how often are you preparing foods from scratch? These questions are crucial because both appliances serve different functions. In general, you can't replace the microwave with an air fryer. 

But of course, there's more to the story. You might want to know why an air fryer can't replace a microwave. Additionally, you might be wondering how each appliance functions. If you'd like to find this out and more, keep reading ahead for an in-depth view. 

Should You Replace A Microwave With An Air Fryer? 

Let's first address the elephant in the room. As the answer above states, replacing your microwave with an air fryer depends on the situation. In most cases, you won't be able to replace a microwave without sacrificing some features you might miss. 

To provide more clarity, let's take a look at how both appliances function. 

The Microwave

Microwaves work by targeting water molecules in whatever you're aiming to heat up. Once they come in contact, they excite the particles and produce enough heat to make the food/beverage hot.

In general, many consumers use a microwave for reheating purposes. 

Regarding making a dish from scratch, microwaves do have the ability to cook some foods. Regardless, a microwave is your one-stop ease of use appliance. It's mostly a tool for convenience. 

The Air Fryer

Air fryers are a different case. They don't work through the use of microwaves. Instead, they use a heating coil and a fan to achieve the results that everyone craves.

Depending on the model, the heating coil will usually sit at the bottom of the fryer, and a fan is on top.

It fries food by heating the coil at high temperatures. This process will allow it to produce hot air. Then the fan pushes the hot air around in an enclosed area. 

As some suggest, pushing the hot air towards foods allows it to go through the Maillard reaction. In other words, the foods will begin to brown because you're reducing their sugars and proteins. As a result, the food develops a crust. 

Bringing It All Together

Now we know the purpose that each appliance serves. Microwaves are the ultimate convenience tool for reheating and occasional cooking.

On the other hand, air fryers are also a convenient appliance that are more likely to replace a regular oven or a convection oven. 

So, the answer to the question comes down to your personal preference. If you find yourself no longer needing to reheat foods quickly, you can certainly ditch the microwave and only have an air fryer.

Otherwise, it might be better to have the best of both worlds and own both. 

Is Air Frying Better Than Microwaving?

Choosing between appliances can be a bit tricky. You might want to know if an air fryer lives up to its hype. Can it be better than a microwave? The short answer is no. 

As we mentioned, air fryers serve a different purpose than microwaves. They fry foods through the use of hot air. Additionally, both appliances can perform tasks that the other might not be able to do. 

If we look at how fast they can cook foods, an air fryer is quicker than a regular oven. When you compare it to microwaves cooking times, you'll find that a microwave will serve you better in a rush.

But all in all, they serve different purposes. So, you can't say one is better than the other. 

Can Air Fryers Reheat Food?

After getting to know how an air fryer works, you might be wondering if it can reheat food. After all, they use hot air to fry foods.

Air fryers are capable of reheating food. Though, you'll find that the options you have to reheat are limited. As some say, foods that contain water or sauces tend to come out worse. 

Some of the best foods to reheat in an air fryer include:

• Chinese food
• Pizza
• French fries
• Tater tots
• Chicken wings
• Vegetables
• Onion rings
• Tacos

In general, you want to avoid reheating foods that contain too much moisture. In most cases, it will cause a mess that will become a pain to clean up. 

Is an Air Fryer Really Healthier for You?

One of the more attractive aspects of an air fryer is the claim that it is a healthier option. But defining the term "healthy" can be tricky. The major concern many have about frying is the amount of oil that goes into use. 

In that regard, air frying does make a noticeable difference in your diet. The crucial aspect of deep frying is that it contains a high amount of fat.

Air fryers use hot air to make the foods crisp. As a result, you're likely to consume less fat than you typically would. 

The less fat you consume, the less likely you'll be to go overboard with your calories.

Still, some warn air frying does not give you a free pass to consume more fried foods than you should. You'll still need to be careful about how much you're consuming. 

How Do I Use My Power Air Fryer as a Microwave?

Air fryers work differently than microwaves. So, if you want to use an air fryer as a microwave, the types of foods you can reheat will be limited.

As we mentioned earlier, there are some foods you want to avoid putting in an air fryer. They can make a mess or end up burning inside.

Regardless, you'll probably need some guidance on how to reheat something using an air fryer. Let's go over the steps to do so! Here's how you can use your fryer as a microwave:

1. The first thing you need to do is make sure the food you're reheating is thawed. 
2. Next, you'll need to plug in your air fryer and preheat it. Let it preheat at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for five minutes.
3. Add the food you want to reheat to the air fryer basket. It's important to note that you want to give it adequate space. So, do your best not to jam food inside the basket. 
4. Once you've placed the food on the basket, return it to the air fryer.
5. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Let it sit for three minutes.
6. After three minutes, check on the food. If it's not ready, continue to heat it in one to two-minute intervals. 
7. Once you get your desired results, remove the food from the air fryer basket. 

Is There a Microwave That Is Also an Air Fryer?

What if you could get the best of both worlds? Is there an appliance that has the capabilities of a microwave and an air fryer? Yes, there is! 

There are a lot of microwaves on the market that can function as other appliances too! However, the experience varies from user to user.

Regardless, some microwaves boast the ability to air fry foods too! So, if you've been considering choosing between one, now you can get both in one package! 

Click here to see this 3-in-1 microwave on Amazon.

Can You Heat a Cup of Coffee in an Air Fryer?

As previously stated, the number of things you can heat in an air fryer is limited. While some air fryer baskets can accommodate a coffee cup, it's best to look elsewhere if you want to have a hot cup of coffee.

Microwaves are good at heating a cup of coffee because they target water molecules.

Air fryers, on the other hand, operate through the use of hot air and fans. So, a cup of coffee will heat up on the surface level first. It would take time for the air fryer to heat the whole beverage entirely.

Additionally, with how hot air fryers can get, you might risk melting the cup first! 

In Closing

Sometimes it's tough trying to decide what appliance you're going to settle with. But, with a bit of research, you can narrow down your choices regarding what you want to get out of the appliance.

As a result, you won't end up making the wrong decision! We hope you found the information above helpful! 

Before you go, do you have other air fryer concerns? Are you having trouble choosing an oil to use in one? We can show you some of the best oils to use! If you want to find out more, check out our post here. 

Are you trying to air fry potatoes? We also cover that topic in-depth. If you want to learn more, check out our post here. Until next time!