What are the Pros and Cons of an Air Fryer? All you need to know!

Here we are going to explain to you the pros and cons of an air fryer, whilst there are many pros, like most other things, air fryers also have some downsides, here is everything you need to know.

Air Fryer Pros

1. Healthier Meals

You don’t have to use a lot of oil (or none at all) in these devices to make the food nice and golden! Most users simply spray a little oil on the item and then proceed with the cooking cycle.

Hot air uses little oil, and excess oil drains away from the food. This makes these devices very suitable for making fresh and frozen chips, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, chicken wings and nuggets. Unlike a conventional oven, food is air-cooked faster and excess oil does not get into the food. So, they claim to use less oil and prepare healthier meals!

2. Quicker, More Efficient Cooking

Air fryers take just minutes to preheat, and most of the warmth stays inside the appliance. Foods cook faster than in an oven or on a stovetop because this heat is not lost to the surrounding air. Even frozen foods are quickly cooked because the effect of the warmth is intensified by the circulating air.

These units are more energy-efficient than ovens. Air frying will not heat your home in the summer, and electricity costs are next to nothing. Because the cooking cycle is also shorter, you may find that you can do most of the cooking faster and more efficiently with an air fryer than with traditional appliances!

3. Versatility

You can use them for frying, heating, grill, broil, roast, stir fry, steam and even rotisserie. In addition to chips and nuggets, you can make sausages, hot dogs, steaks, chicken or thighs, grilled sandwiches, meat, steamed vegetables, all kinds of fish and shrimp, cakes and desserts.

If your appliance is large enough, you can cook a whole chicken or turkey, or cook a beef or pork roast. In fact, they are more than just a fryer!

4. Space-Saving

There are many units the size of a coffee maker. Some models are small and extremely compact, making them very suitable for a small kitchen, large kitchen, bedroom or motor home.

A fryer can take the place of an oven if you don’t have one and is more convenient than a toaster or steamer. If you use it a lot, you may want to have it on your home kitchen counter.

5. Easy to Use

Most air fryers are very easy to use. Simply set the temperature and cooking time, you can put the food in the basket and walk away. Of course, shaking your food once or twice during the cooking cycle will give you better results, especially potatoes, chips, fries and nuggets.

Many fryer enthusiasts even teach their kids to use them for snacks for before or after dinner or for a quick meal!

Air Fryer Cons

1. Quality Issues

Some air fryers are made with cheap plastic and metal parts. They may or may not last for months or years. The heater, control and fan components usually die at some point and if this happens, your device will not be usable.

You can avoid a number of these problems by buying a fryer from a well-established company. Ninja is one of the highest manufacturers of air fryers and is also known for their top quality, long warranties and great customer service.

There are other reliable brands like Instant Pot and COSORI that make less costly but quality units. Every brand has its issues, so you ought to consider purchasing an extended warranty for extra protection.

2. Takes Up Space

They do take up space, either on your counter or when put away in a cabinet. If you use it frequently this might not be a problem…but if you only get it out to make the occasional batch of fries or wings then the loss of space won’t make it worthwhile to you.

It really depends on what you use it for and how much you use it. Some units can actually be fairly heavy as well, and might not be very easy to move around.

3. Not Ideal for Large Families

You’ll see some air fryers being advertised for “big families”, but what does that mean? A large number of fryers are suitable for cooking for 1 to 4 people (depending on their capacity).

Few can cook for more than 4 people and often requires cooking more batches. For large families, an air fryer oven may be a better option. A medium-sized air fryer with a capacity of 3.5 quarts can typically handle a main course for 2 or a main course and a side for 1.

The large 5.8 quarts can hold a main dish like a whole chicken … which is theoretically enough for 4 people as long as you cook the other food in another appliance. So, it’s great for small families or single users, or for dorms or offices for snacks.

4. Learning Curve

They are easy to use, but there is always a learning curve. Each device has its own set of features that you should be aware of. They come with cookbooks and recipes, but there are more suggestions than the set instructions.

It may take a few attempts to achieve the desired results. Fortunately, the internet is full of users sharing their experiences, so it’s easy to get suggestions.

5. Limitations

While air frying has limitations, it is also flexible. You are limited by the dimensions and shape of the basket. Your frozen taquitos may not fit some models, and you may be limited to a 6-inch pie pan in another. Sometimes food gets stuck in the pan, making it harder to clean.

We hope that these pros and cons help you decide whether or not you want one and which one is best for you.