Can You Use an Air Fryer Like a Microwave Here Is the Truth

No, you cannot use an air fryer exactly like a microwave—while both appliances heat food, air fryers rely on rapid hot air circulation to crisp and cook, whereas microwaves use radiation to quickly warm moisture inside food. Air fryers excel at browning and crisping but take longer and aren’t ideal for reheating soups or defrosting, making them better suited for cooking than quick reheating tasks.

Key Takeaways

• Air fryers cook slower than microwaves—plan for longer prep times.
• Microwaves reheat faster; use air fryers for crispy, textured results.
• Never use metal in microwaves but it’s safe in most air fryers.
• Air fryers need preheating for best results, unlike microwaves.
• Choose air fryers for browning and microwaves for quick steaming.
• Small batches work best in air fryers to ensure even cooking.

The Great Kitchen Dilemma: Can You Use an Air Fryer Like a Microwave?

Imagine this: It’s a busy Tuesday night. The kids are doing homework, your partner is on a work call, and you’re staring at a frozen dinner, wondering how to make it edible in the next 10 minutes. You’ve got an air fryer on the counter—shiny, new, and promising crispy perfection. But you also remember your trusty microwave, the one that’s saved you from takeout more times than you can count. So, you ask yourself: Can I use my air fryer like a microwave?

It’s a question I’ve asked myself more than once. After all, both appliances promise speed and convenience, right? But here’s the truth: while they share some similarities, air fryers and microwaves work in very different ways. And understanding those differences can save you from soggy fries, unevenly heated leftovers, or worse—wasting your precious time. In this post, we’ll dive deep into how these appliances function, what they’re best for, and when you can (or can’t) swap one for the other. Whether you’re a busy parent, a college student, or just someone who loves kitchen gadgets, this guide will help you make the most of your air fryer—without turning it into a microwave.

How Air Fryers and Microwaves Work: The Science Behind the Heat

Microwaves: The Speed Demons of Heating

Let’s start with the microwave. You probably know it as the appliance that “zaps” food in seconds. But how does it actually work? Microwaves use electromagnetic waves to vibrate water molecules in your food. This rapid movement generates heat, which cooks or reheats the food from the inside out. That’s why your leftovers warm up quickly, and why frozen meals are ready in minutes.

Pros? Speed is the biggest one. A bowl of soup? Two minutes. A frozen burrito? Four. And since it heats water directly, it’s great for liquids and moist foods. But there’s a catch: microwaves don’t brown or crisp food. That’s why your chicken tenders stay soggy and your pizza gets rubbery.

Air Fryers: The Crispy Cousins of Ovens

Now, let’s talk about air fryers. Despite the name, they don’t actually “fry” anything. Instead, they use a rapid circulation of hot air (thanks to a powerful fan and heating element) to create a crispy exterior—similar to deep frying, but with much less oil. Think of it as a mini convection oven with supercharged airflow.

Air fryers are all about texture. They excel at giving frozen fries, chicken wings, or even veggies that golden, crunchy finish you crave. But here’s the trade-off: they’re slower than microwaves. Most air fryer recipes take 10–20 minutes, and some foods (like soups or stews) just don’t work well because they lack the moisture needed for even heating.

Key Differences: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Here’s a quick breakdown of how these appliances differ:

• Heating method: Microwaves use electromagnetic waves; air fryers use hot air circulation.

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• Speed: Microwaves win for quick reheating (1–5 minutes); air fryers take longer (10–20 minutes).
• Texture: Air fryers create crispy, browned results; microwaves leave food soft or soggy.
• Best for: Microwaves = liquids, leftovers, frozen meals. Air fryers = frozen snacks, roasted veggies, proteins.

So, can you use an air fryer like a microwave? Not exactly—but with a few tweaks, you can get close. Let’s explore how.

When You *Can* Use an Air Fryer Like a Microwave (And When You Shouldn’t)

Reheating Leftovers: The Air Fryer Hack

Here’s a game-changer: you can reheat leftovers in an air fryer to avoid the “microwave mush” problem. Ever reheated a slice of pizza in the microwave and ended up with a floppy, rubbery mess? The air fryer fixes that. The hot air crisps the crust and revives the cheese, giving you a result that’s closer to fresh-baked.

How to do it:

• Set your air fryer to 325°F (160°C).
• Place the food in the basket (use foil or parchment if it’s sticky).
• Cook for 3–5 minutes, checking halfway.

Works great for:

• Pizza slices
• Fried chicken
• French fries or tater tots
• Burritos or empanadas

But avoid:

• Soups or stews (they’ll dry out)
• Leafy greens (they’ll wilt)
• Foods with high moisture content (like steamed veggies)

Frozen Meals: A Mixed Bag

Can you cook a frozen meal in an air fryer? Sometimes. Many frozen snacks (like chicken nuggets, mozzarella sticks, or taquitos) are designed for air fryers and come with instructions. But here’s the catch: air fryers can’t handle the same volume as microwaves. You’ll need to cook in smaller batches, which takes more time.

Example: A frozen lasagna. In a microwave, it’s ready in 5 minutes. In an air fryer? You’d need to break it into smaller pieces, cook in batches, and wait 15–20 minutes total. Not ideal for a quick dinner.

Defrosting: A No-Go Zone

Microwaves have a “defrost” setting that gently thaws food without cooking it. Air fryers? Not so much. The hot air will start to cook the outer layers of your food while the inside is still frozen. That’s a recipe for uneven results (and potential food safety issues).

Bottom line: Use your microwave for defrosting. Save the air fryer for cooking.

Quick Snacks: Air Fryer to the Rescue

Here’s where the air fryer shines as a microwave alternative: quick, crispy snacks. Think of it as your go-to for foods that need texture, not just heat.

Try these:

• Frozen spring rolls (5–7 minutes at 375°F)
• Popcorn (yes, really! Use an air fryer popcorn maker)
• Toasted nuts or seeds (3–4 minutes at 350°F)
• Mini quiches or egg cups (10–12 minutes at 325°F)

These take longer than a microwave, but the payoff is worth it: crunchy, golden, and delicious.

Foods That *Don’t* Work in an Air Fryer (Microwave Wins Here)

Liquids and Saucy Dishes

Remember the soup experiment? Don’t do it. Air fryers aren’t designed for liquids. The fan will blow the liquid around, creating a mess and uneven heating. Even saucy foods (like mac and cheese or stir-fries) can dry out or splatter.

Microwave wins for:

• Soups, stews, and broths
• Oatmeal or porridge
• Saucy leftovers (like spaghetti or curry)
• Foods that need gentle, even heating

Large Quantities or Dense Foods

Air fryers have limited space. Trying to cook a large casserole or a whole chicken? Good luck. The hot air needs to circulate around each piece of food to crisp it. If you overcrowd the basket, you’ll get uneven results—some parts burnt, others undercooked.

Microwave wins for:

• Large casseroles or lasagnas
• Whole chickens or turkeys
• Foods that need to steam (like steamed buns or dumplings)

Delicate Foods That Need Gentle Heat

Air fryers blast food with hot air, which can be too intense for delicate items. Think of foods that need a slow, gentle heat to cook through without drying out or falling apart.

Microwave wins for:

• Steamed veggies (they’ll stay tender, not crispy)
• Fish (it can dry out in an air fryer)
• Eggs (scrambled or poached)
• Bread (it’ll harden, not toast evenly)

The Exception: “Microwave-Style” Air Fryer Hacks

That said, there are some workarounds. For example:

• Use a microwave-safe container: Place a microwave-safe bowl or dish in your air fryer (with a trivet or foil to elevate it). This can help steam foods gently. But it’s a hack, not a reliable method.
• Preheat for speed: Preheating your air fryer can cut down on cooking time, making it feel a bit more “microwave-like.”
• Cover with foil: For saucy foods, cover the top with foil to trap moisture while the bottom crisps.

But honestly? These tricks are hit-or-miss. For most of these foods, your microwave is still the better choice.

Time, Energy, and Cost: Which Appliance Is More Efficient?

Cooking Time: The Microwave’s Biggest Advantage

Let’s be real: microwaves are faster. Here’s a rough comparison for common tasks:

Task	Microwave Time	Air Fryer Time
Reheat pizza slice	1–2 minutes	3–5 minutes
Cook frozen fries	5–6 minutes (microwave-safe tray)	10–12 minutes
Defrost chicken breast	5–7 minutes	Not recommended
Warm soup	2–3 minutes	Not recommended
Cook frozen nuggets	4–5 minutes	8–10 minutes

As you can see, the air fryer almost always takes longer. But remember: it’s about more than just time. The texture and quality of the food matter too.

Energy Use: Air Fryers Are More Efficient Than Ovens (But Not Microwaves)

Here’s a surprise: air fryers are more energy-efficient than conventional ovens. They preheat faster and cook in smaller spaces, which means less energy is wasted. But compared to microwaves? Microwaves still win.

Microwaves convert about 60–70% of their energy into heat, while air fryers (like ovens) convert about 40–50%. That means more energy is lost as heat in the air fryer. So if you’re reheating a single serving, the microwave is the greener choice.

Cost of Ownership

Let’s talk money. Air fryers are pricier upfront ($50–$200), while microwaves are cheaper ($30–$100). But here’s the thing: air fryers are more versatile. They can replace your toaster, oven, and even your grill (for smaller batches). Microwaves? They’re great for speed, but they can’t do much beyond reheating and cooking frozen meals.

So if you’re choosing between the two, ask yourself: Do I value speed or versatility?

Practical Tips for Getting the Best of Both Worlds

Combine the Two for Faster, Crispier Results

Want the best of both appliances? Use them together! This is my favorite kitchen hack for busy nights.

Example: Crispy chicken tenders in 10 minutes

• Step 1: Microwave frozen tenders for 2 minutes (to defrost and partially cook them).
• Step 2: Transfer to the air fryer and cook at 375°F for 6–8 minutes (for crispiness).
• Result: Tenders that are hot inside and crispy outside—without waiting 20+ minutes.

This works for:

• Frozen veggies (microwave 1 minute, air fry 5 minutes)
• Reheating fries (microwave 1 minute, air fry 3 minutes)
• Frozen dumplings (microwave 2 minutes, air fry 6 minutes)

Know When to Use Each Appliance

Here’s a simple rule of thumb:

• Use the microwave for:
  • Speed (under 5 minutes)
  • Liquids, soups, and saucy foods
  • Defrosting
  • Large portions
• Use the air fryer for:
  • Crispy, golden results
  • Small batches of frozen snacks
  • Reheating foods that need texture (like pizza or chicken)
  • Roasting veggies or proteins

Maintain Both Appliances

To keep both working well:

• Microwave: Clean spills immediately (use a microwave-safe bowl of water + lemon to deodorize).
• Air fryer: Wash the basket after every use (use a non-abrasive sponge to avoid scratching the non-stick coating).

The Verdict: Air Fryer vs. Microwave—Which Should You Use?

So, can you use an air fryer like a microwave? The short answer is: not really—but you can get similar results with some adjustments. The air fryer is all about texture, while the microwave is all about speed. They’re not interchangeable, but they’re complementary.

Think of it like this: the microwave is your “fast food” appliance. It’s perfect when you’re in a rush, need to defrost, or want to reheat a bowl of soup. The air fryer is your “crispy upgrade” appliance. It’s ideal when you want golden, crunchy results—or when you’re willing to wait a little longer for better texture.

And here’s the best part: you don’t have to choose. Most kitchens can (and should!) have both. Use the microwave for quick tasks and the air fryer for foods that need that extra crunch. Together, they cover almost every cooking need—from defrosting to crisping to reheating.

So the next time you’re staring at that frozen dinner, ask yourself: Do I want speed or satisfaction? If it’s speed, reach for the microwave. If it’s that perfect crispy bite? Fire up the air fryer. Either way, you’ve got options—and that’s the truth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use an air fryer like a microwave for reheating leftovers?

Yes, you can reheat leftovers in an air fryer, but it works differently than a microwave. The air fryer uses hot air circulation, which gives food a crisp texture, while a microwave heats food quickly with steam. It may take longer than a microwave, but it’s great for reviving crispy foods like fries or pizza.

Is it safe to use an air fryer like a microwave for defrosting food?

No, an air fryer isn’t ideal for defrosting like a microwave, as it’s designed for cooking, not gentle thawing. Using low heat for defrosting may unevenly cook the outer layers while the inside remains frozen. Always defrost in the fridge or microwave for best results.

Can an air fryer replace a microwave for quick meals?

An air fryer can cook or reheat meals quickly, but it lacks the speed and convenience of a microwave for certain tasks like boiling water or steaming veggies. For crispy or fried foods, the air fryer excels, but for rapid, even heating, a microwave is still better.

What are the key differences between an air fryer and a microwave?

The main difference is cooking method: an air fryer uses rapid hot air to crisp food, while a microwave uses electromagnetic waves to heat moisture. The air fryer gives a crispy finish, while the microwave is faster but can make food soggy.

Can you use an air fryer like a microwave to cook frozen meals?

Yes, but frozen meals designed for microwaves may need adjustments in time and temperature. Air fryers work best for frozen foods like nuggets or fries, but meals with sauces or liquids may require extra care to avoid drying out.

Does using an air fryer like a microwave save energy?

Air fryers are generally more energy-efficient than ovens but may use more power than a microwave for small tasks. For large batches or crispy results, the air fryer is efficient, but for quick heating, a microwave is still the energy-saving choice.