Yes, air fryers cook faster than ovens. That's because an air fryer is a compact chamber, and the heat remains confined to a smaller area.
Air fryers also don't need any preheating and can get to high temperatures within a few minutes, which makes the cooking start soon. Air fryers have inbuilt fans, which have more powerful speed than the conventional oven, resulting in faster food cooking. Â Other features of air fryers contribute to their faster cooking.
Why do Air Fryers Cook Faster Than Ovens?
Here are some of the main reasons why air fryers cook quickly:
- Compact Built
The air fryer has a compact build which makes heat circulate and absorb fast for faster cooking. Also, air fryer heat comes from the top of the air fryer. The heating element heats the food directly with the help of the fan.
The distance of the heating element is also closer to the raw food than the oven. The oven is bigger and takes more time to become hot.
- Shorter Waiting Time
While the oven requires longer preheating, before cooking the air fryer requires just two to three minutes. In most recipes, Air fryers do not need preheating as the air fryer gets hot fast. This is because the convection mechanism makes it easy to blow hot air directly into the food in seconds.
Even in cases where the air fryer recipe requires preheating, preheating can take as little as 2 minutes. Unlike the oven, which takes 10 to 15 minutes.
- Minimal to No Oil
Due to the high heat and blasting technique, the air fryer cooks food from the inside out. So, you don't need to marinate or add lots of oil to get a crispy fry. Even if some recipes need oil, you will require just a little or no oil at all.
For ovens, most require prior margination and oil before cooking.
- Speed and Size of Fan
An air fryer has a high-speed fan inside, at the top close to the heating element. This position makes heat distribution fast and reduces cooking time.
The quick heat distribution is due to the high rotational speed of the fan. The Air fryer's fan speed is 30 to 35 percent higher than that of the convection oven.
A convection oven has a low-speed fan. The quantity may be one or two depending on the model. The size of the fan embedded inside the oven is also small.
- Cooking Speed
An average air fryer takes about three minutes to reach 325-350° F. The circulating heat is similar to hot steam.
It will take about 15 minutes for an oven to reach this temperature. A toaster oven is slightly faster as it might take up to 6 to u minutes to reach that temperature.
Advantages of Air Frying
Air fryers can cook with little to no oil, which gives a great frying result.
It can easily reach high temperatures of 350-400F quickly.
Since the air fryer does not require oil to cook, it protects the heart from inflammation and disease. This makes it a healthier alternative to deep fryers and other traditional cookers.
You Should Read: How to clean deep fryers basket
Air fryers also make it easier to control the number of fats and calories you consume. It is great for cutting down weight.
An air fryer helps to reduce toxicity from a deep fryer which results in the production of harmful compounds. The compound is called acrylamides which affects the human body and results in cancer.
What Food Can I Cook with an Air Fryer?
Some examples of food you can cook in an air fryer include:
- Pizza
- Nuggets
- Donuts
- Cookies
- French fries
- Wings
- Vegetables
- Fish
- Steak, etc.
Air Fryers vs Convection OvensÂ
Wrap Up!
In summary, air fryers cook faster than the oven. That's due to its small build, compact design, top location of heating element, fan size, and speed.
Its preheating time is also largely reduced to only about two minutes because the temperature rises quickly inside an air fryer, within minutes.
These are all great contributors to why air fryers cook faster than the oven.
