Is It Worth Getting an Oven with an Air Fryer?
I was standing in the kitchen store last month, staring at all the fancy ovens, when I saw one with “air fryer” written on it. I already had an old oven at home that worked fine, but it didn’t have an air fryer. My friend bought one of these combo ovens last year and wouldn’t stop talking about how great it was. So I started wondering – is an oven with an air fryer really worth it? Or is it just another kitchen gadget that will end up collecting dust? After trying one out and doing lots of research, I’m sharing what I learned to help you decide if it’s right for your kitchen.
What Makes Air Fryer Ovens Special?
How They Work
Air fryer ovens use really fast hot air to cook food. They blow this hot air all around your food, which makes the outside crispy while keeping the inside juicy. Think of it like a super-powered fan that blows hot air. This is different from regular ovens that just heat up the whole space. The special fan in air fryer ovens moves the hot air around much faster, which is why food gets that nice crispy outside.
The Main Differences from Regular Ovens
| Feature | Regular Oven | Air Fryer Oven | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking Speed | Slower (15-30 mins for most foods) | Faster (10-20 mins for most foods) | Air Fryer Oven |
| Crispiness | Less crispy unless broiled | Very crispy results | Air Fryer Oven |
| Space Inside | Larger cooking area | Smaller cooking area in air fryer mode | Regular Oven |
| Oil Needed | More oil for crispy results | Little to no oil needed | Air Fryer Oven |
| Energy Use | Uses more power | Uses less power | Air Fryer Oven |
| Price | $500-$1,000 | $700-$1,500 | Regular Oven |
| Cooking Methods | Baking, broiling, roasting | All regular oven features plus air frying | Air Fryer Oven |
| Learning Curve | Most people already know how to use | Takes time to learn air frying settings | Regular Oven |
Benefits That Might Make You Say “Yes!”
Healthier Cooking Options
One big reason people love air fryer ovens is they need way less oil. You can make crispy french fries with just a tiny bit of oil spray. Regular ovens need much more oil to get that same crunch. In fact, air fryers can cut down the oil you use by up to 80%. Less oil means fewer calories and less fat, which is good news if you’re trying to eat healthier but still want tasty food.
My neighbor Sarah was trying to cut back on fried foods but really missed her crispy chicken wings. After she got an air fryer oven, she makes wings that are almost as crunchy as deep-fried ones, but with just a light coating of oil spray. Her kids can’t even tell the difference!
Time Savings for Busy People
Air fryer ovens cook faster than regular ovens because of how quickly they heat up and how effectively they cook. A regular oven might take 10 minutes just to preheat, while an air fryer oven is ready in about 3 minutes. Plus, the actual cooking time is shorter too.
For example, chicken nuggets that take 20 minutes in a regular oven might be done in 12 minutes in an air fryer oven. If you add up all these time savings across a week of cooking, you could save over an hour! That might not sound like much, but when you’re rushing to get dinner ready after work, those minutes really matter.
Versatility in Your Kitchen
The best thing about these combo ovens is that you’re not losing anything – you’re just adding options. You can still bake cookies, roast chickens, and make casseroles like in a regular oven. But now you can also air fry crispy vegetables, make homemade potato chips, or quickly reheat leftover pizza so it’s crispy again instead of soggy.
Many air fryer ovens also come with extra cooking modes like dehydrating (for making dried fruit or beef jerky) or rotisserie features (for perfect roast chicken). It’s like having several appliances in one, which saves counter space.
Drawbacks to Consider Before Buying
The Price Tag Question
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – air fryer ovens cost more than regular ovens. You might pay anywhere from $150 to $500 more for an oven with air frying features compared to a similar model without them. That’s a big jump in price!
Is it worth it? That depends on how often you’ll use the air fryer function. If you eat lots of foods that would benefit from air frying (like frozen snacks, vegetables, or meats that you want crispy), then you’ll probably get your money’s worth. But if you mostly bake cakes or cook stews, you might not use the air fryer enough to justify the extra cost.
Space Limitations Inside
While air fryer ovens are great for crispy cooking, they have less space inside when using the air fryer mode. Most air fryer ovens come with special baskets or trays that take up some of the oven space. This means you can’t cook as much food at once compared to using the whole oven.
For a family of four or more, this could mean cooking in batches. I visited my sister’s house last month, and she had to make chicken tenders in two batches for her family of five. The first batch was already getting cold by the time the second batch was done. For smaller households of 1-3 people, this probably won’t be an issue.
Learning New Cooking Methods
Any new appliance means learning how to use it, and air fryer ovens are no different. You’ll need to learn new cooking times and temperatures, which can lead to some trial and error at first. Foods cook faster in air fryer mode, so your favorite recipes will need adjusting.
My friend Mark burned his first few batches of air-fried vegetables because he used the same cooking time as his regular oven. After some practice (and a few smoky kitchen incidents), he got the hang of it. Most people say it takes about 5-10 uses before they feel comfortable with their air fryer oven settings.
Real Talk: Who Actually Needs One?
Perfect For These Households
Air fryer ovens make the most sense for certain people:
- Busy families who need quick weeknight meals
- People trying to eat healthier but who still love crispy foods
- Those who often cook frozen foods like fries, chicken nuggets, or fish sticks
- Anyone who currently has both an oven and a separate air fryer taking up counter space
- People who cook a lot of vegetables and want them crispy and delicious
I have a friend who works late and has two hungry teenagers. Her air fryer oven has been a lifesaver because her kids can safely reheat meals or cook simple foods like chicken tenders without waiting for the big oven to preheat. Dinner gets on the table faster, which means less hangry teenagers!
Maybe Skip It If…
You might want to stick with a regular oven if:
- You rarely eat foods that need to be crispy
- You cook for large groups regularly and need maximum oven space
- You’re on a tight budget and your current oven works fine
- You already have a countertop air fryer you’re happy with
- You don’t cook much at home in general
My aunt Martha mostly makes soups, stews, and casseroles. She tried an air fryer oven at her daughter’s house and decided it wasn’t worth the upgrade for her cooking style. The regular oven she’s had for years does everything she needs.
Making the Right Choice for Your Kitchen
Questions to Ask Yourself
Before you buy, ask yourself:
- How often would I use the air fryer function? Be honest!
- Do I have room in my budget for the extra cost?
- Am I willing to learn new cooking methods?
- Would the health benefits of using less oil be important to me?
- Would saving 10-15 minutes on cooking time make a difference in my daily life?
If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, an air fryer oven could be a great addition to your kitchen.
Popular Models Worth Looking At
While I can’t recommend specific brands, look for these features in whatever model you consider:
- At least 1 cubic foot of space in air fryer mode
- Easy-to-clean interior (some have self-cleaning features)
- Digital controls that are simple to understand
- Multiple rack positions for different types of cooking
- Good warranty coverage (at least 2 years)
When I was shopping, I found that reading customer reviews helped a lot. Look for reviews from people who have similar cooking habits to yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really make crispy food with little to no oil?
Yes! That’s the magic of air fryer ovens. The super-fast hot air circulation creates crispiness without needing much oil. You’ll get the best results with just a light spray of oil on most foods. Some naturally fatty foods like chicken wings don’t need any added oil at all.
How much longer do air fryer ovens last compared to regular ovens?
There’s no clear evidence that air fryer ovens last longer or shorter than regular ovens. Most good ovens of either type should last 10-15 years with proper care. The fan in air fryer ovens is an extra part that could potentially break, but most manufacturers use high-quality fans designed to last the life of the oven.
Will my electric bill go up with an air fryer oven?
Actually, it might go down! Air fryer ovens typically use less electricity than conventional ovens because they cook faster and don’t need to heat as large a space. The energy savings aren’t huge – maybe $2-5 per month depending on how often you cook – but every little bit helps.
Can I use regular oven recipes in air fryer mode?
You can use regular recipes, but you’ll need to adjust them. As a general rule, reduce the cooking temperature by about 25°F and check the food much earlier than the recipe suggests. For example, if a recipe calls for baking at 350°F for 30 minutes, try air frying at 325°F and check at 18-20 minutes.
Are air fryer ovens hard to clean?
Most air fryer ovens are designed to be easy to clean. The air fryer baskets and trays are usually dishwasher safe. The inside of the oven might need a bit more attention because of the fan, but many models have self-cleaning features. Overall, they’re about the same amount of work to clean as a regular oven.
Do air fryer ovens make a lot of noise?
They are slightly noisier than regular ovens because of the fan. Think of it as similar to the sound of a microwave running – you can hear it, but it’s not loud enough to interrupt a conversation in the kitchen. Most people get used to the sound quickly and hardly notice it after a while.
