Air fryer vs convection oven: Which is best for you?

If you’ve recently set up your kitchen, or if you want to add to your appliances to bring a bit of versatility and capabilities to your kitchen space, you might be looking at options such as air fryers and convection ovens. These specialised kitchen appliances work differently from typical stoves and microwave ovens which are the staple of the typical household kitchen, giving users very specific options that can enhance the preparation of certain types of foods by using very distinct methods and processes.

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You might be trying to decide between buying a convection oven or air fryer, but your choice here will depend on various factors including the kind of food you typically prepare, the processes you need help with, and your budget. It’s also worth noting that an air fryer is essentially a type of convection oven itself, as both use fans to spread heat evenly throughout the cooking zone for a more consistent cook.

Here are the key differences between an air fryer and convection oven, to help you choose.

Convection oven vs air fryer: Differences and features compared

Size: The key difference between an air fryer and convection oven is the size. Convection ovens are much larger and will require dedicated shelf or mounting space for installation, while air fryers are smaller and better suited to countertops. This makes air fryers a bit more portable as well, since they can be lifted and moved around as required. However, the cooking areas of the two are commensurate with the size, so a convection oven is better suited to more complex cooking requirements.

Cooking process: Air fryers have a smaller cooking area, which itself allows for faster cooking – similar to the process of frying, but without the use of oil. The heat is quickly circulated in this small cooking zone, which can achieve the same results as traditional oil-based shallow or deep frying in a similar amount of time.

Convection ovens, on the other hand, have a larger cooking area. While the process is similar and uses fans to circulate the heat, it’s a more gradual and measured cooking process that is similar to baking or roasting. The key difference between a convention oven and a regular oven is the use of fans to circulate the heated air evenly all through in a convection oven. In comparison, a regular oven will be considerably warmer near the top as the hot air rises, which has to be factored into the cooking process.

Types of foods: Air fryers are smaller, and the speed of the cooking process and similarity to frying means that they are better suited to cooking or reheating snacks and smaller servings of food. You don’t need to use oil with an air fryer, so the food gets the typical texture and crispiness of fried food, but is arguably healthier given the lack of greasiness.

Convection ovens are larger, and better suited to large and complex cooking requirements which also need a gradual and measured level of cooking. Baking and roasting are best suited to a convection oven, especially if you are preparing large portions of food or various types of food which specifically need to be baked to be prepared, such as cakes and pizzas. The size also means that you may be able to cook multiple dishes at the same time, while air fryers can typically handle just one type of food in small quantities.