Can an Air Fryer Replace a Microwave? My Take

Let’s be honest—kitchen appliances can either make your life a breeze or crowd your counter with confusion. If you’ve recently jumped on the air fryer trend (like many of us have), you’ve probably wondered: “Can an Air Fryer Replace a Microwave? My Take” might help clear up that debate.

I’ve lived with both in my kitchen and tried using them in place of each other, and while air fryers do shine in certain areas, they’re not built to replace every function of a microwave. In this article, I’ll walk you through my experiences, observations, and where each device stands out or falls short.

Let’s dive deep into what makes an air fryer different from a microwave—because understanding their strengths can help you decide if you really need both or just one.

The Core Difference: Heat Technology and Purpose

Microwaves and air fryers aren’t just shaped differently—they work differently at the core. Microwaves use electromagnetic waves to heat water molecules inside food quickly. That’s why soups, curries, or beverages warm up in seconds. Air fryers, on the other hand, push hot air around food at high speed to crisp it up—think of it as a mini convection oven.

So, “Can an Air Fryer Replace a Microwave? My Take” boils down to understanding your cooking habits. If you mostly reheat leftovers or defrost frozen veggies, the microwave is still king. But if you crave crisp fries or juicy chicken nuggets, the air fryer is your go-to gadget.

This tech difference changes everything—from cooking speed to food texture. It’s like comparing a speedboat to a sailboat. Both float, but one is built for speed, the other for finesse.

Speed: When Time Is the Main Ingredient

Let’s talk real-world scenarios. You’re rushing to work, and you need to reheat last night’s soup. Do you reach for the air fryer? Not unless you enjoy watching your food bubble slowly. Microwaves heat things lightning-fast—especially anything with high water content. It’s their superpower.

In my own trials, reheating rice or dal in the air fryer took about 10-12 minutes, while the microwave did it in less than 2. Big difference, especially on a busy morning.

Here’s a simple comparison:

So if speed is your top priority, especially for reheating, the microwave wins hands-down. That’s why I say an air fryer cannot fully replace a microwave.

Texture: Crispy Wins With the Air Fryer

Now let’s switch gears. Want leftover pizza to feel like it’s straight out of the oven? Microwave it, and it goes soggy. Toss it into the air fryer, and you’ll bite into a crunchy crust with melty cheese. Heaven!

This is where air fryers truly shine. They’re perfect for making or reviving fried foods. I’ve air-fried everything from samosas to chicken wings—and each time, I’ve been blown away by the texture.

So while you can’t use an air fryer to reheat soup, you can make soggy fries crisp again. In fact, in the “Can an Air Fryer Replace a Microwave? My Take Reddit” threads, most users agree that air fryers make leftovers better—at least the crunchy kind.

Best use-cases for an air fryer:

• Reheating fries or nuggets without sogginess

• Cooking frozen snacks (think momos or spring rolls)

• Baking mini cakes or muffins

• Toasting bread or sandwiches

Still, it’s more of a specialist tool than a universal one.

Versatility: The Microwave Still Does More

There’s a reason most homes have a microwave. It’s incredibly versatile. You can melt butter in 10 seconds, warm up a coffee, defrost meat, steam veggies, or cook instant noodles—all in the same appliance.

Try melting chocolate in an air fryer, and you’ll likely burn it. Need to steam broccoli for dinner? The air fryer won’t cut it. This is a key reason why “Can an Air Fryer Replace a Microwave? My Take Without Bias” leans toward “No” for most people.

Here’s a breakdown of tasks:

As you can see, the microwave covers more ground, while the air fryer excels at fewer things—but it does those really well.

Defrosting: Cold Starts Made Easy

One of the most practical uses of a microwave is defrosting frozen foods. Whether it’s chicken breasts, frozen veggies, or a block of cheese, you can thaw them quickly and safely with preset functions.

The air fryer struggles here. I once tried defrosting frozen paneer in my air fryer—it ended up browned and partly cooked before the center was even warm. Not ideal. So if you freeze a lot of food and need quick access to it, you’ll still want a microwave in your corner.

That’s why most people in the “Air Fryer to Microwave Conversion” discussions admit they use the microwave daily for defrosting—and only occasionally rely on the air fryer for small reheats or crispy textures.

Cooking Capacity: Big Batches vs. Small Portions

If you have a family to feed, you’ll quickly realize an air fryer has limits. Most models are perfect for one to two people. My basket-style fryer fits about 6 chicken wings or one sandwich at a time. Cooking in batches is annoying if you’re feeding more than two.

Microwaves come in bigger sizes and heat evenly—regardless of portion size. Plus, you can reheat multiple dishes at once, especially with stackable containers.

So if you’re someone with kids or guests to cook for, air fryers are better suited for snacks and sides—not full meals. This makes the case clearer: “Best Air Fryer to Replace Microwave?” Only if you live solo or love batch cooking.

When an Air Fryer Actually Wins

Now, this article isn’t to bash air fryers. I love mine. It has a permanent place in my kitchen. But it’s not a microwave killer. That said, here are the times when I’ll reach for it first:

• Leftover fries from takeout? Air fryer, always.

• Mini samosas before tea guests arrive? Air fryer.

• Frozen spring rolls or cheese balls? Air fryer, for sure.

• Craving brownies at midnight? My air fryer has saved me from turning on the oven.

These situations prove that while the air fryer and microwave are both heroes, they wear different capes.

Exploring the Middle Ground: Hybrid Appliances and Smart Solutions

As much as I love both appliances, I sometimes wonder: is there a better solution that brings together the best of both worlds? That’s when I stumbled upon hybrid appliances like convection microwaves and air fryer microwave combos. If you’ve heard of the Ninja Foodi, you probably know where I’m going.

These gadgets combine microwave speed with air frying crispiness, making them a dream for small kitchens. In fact, when researching “Can an Air Fryer Replace a Microwave? My Take Ninja”, I found that many users loved the Ninja Foodi’s versatility. It lets you microwave your lasagna and then crisp the cheese layer with the air fry function—all without changing pans.

Here’s what these hybrids offer:

• Microwave + convection oven + air fry functions in one

• Save counter space and money

• One-stop solution for reheating, baking, crisping, and more

But be warned—they’re bulkier and often cost more. Also, mastering all those functions takes time. Still, for people living in apartments or tiny homes, this can be a total game-changer.

My Real-World Take: What I Use and When

Let me paint a typical evening at my place. I get home late, and I’m starving. If I want to reheat curry and rice, I use the microwave. Takes 3 minutes. If I’m in the mood for crispy leftover fries from lunch? Straight into the air fryer.

On weekends, when I want to experiment, I’ll bake small muffins in the air fryer or toast garlic bread to golden perfection. But if I need to steam veggies, defrost meat, or heat up coffee, it’s the microwave again.

So, when people ask me “Can I use an air fryer to reheat food?”, I say it depends:

• Want fast and moist? Microwave.

• Want crispy and golden? Air fryer.

The beauty lies in using both wisely, knowing their strengths instead of expecting one to replace the other.

Emotional Insight: Why We Want Simpler Kitchens

Let’s get a bit deeper. I think this whole question—“Can an Air Fryer Replace a Microwave? My Take”—goes beyond tech. It’s really about simplicity. We want fewer appliances, less clutter, and more room for creativity.

We’re all busy. We want tools that work fast, help us eat better, and don’t take up half the kitchen. That’s why air fryers exploded in popularity. They’re healthier than deep fryers, easier than ovens, and don’t heat up the whole house. But they’re not a miracle device.

It’s okay to want one appliance that does everything. But until that exists, we need to be realistic. I’ve learned it’s not about ditching the microwave or replacing it, but rather pairing smartly for a fuller cooking experience.

Final Thoughts: Making the Choice That Fits Your Life

So, after weeks of testing, comparing, and real-world cooking, here’s my honest take:

Can an Air Fryer Replace a Microwave? My Take is this—not completely. It shines in certain areas but falls short in others. Here’s a recap to help you decide based on your needs:

When You’ll Love an Air Fryer:

• You crave crispy textures.

• You reheat fried food often.

• You want to cook small snacks and side dishes.

• You live solo or in a small household.

When You Still Need a Microwave:

• You reheat soups, rice, or pasta regularly.

• You melt, steam, or defrost ingredients.

• You prepare meals for a family or in large batches.

• You value speed over texture.

The best air fryer to replace microwave needs? Probably a hybrid like a convection microwave with air fry mode or a Ninja air fryer microwave combo—but only if you’re ready for the learning curve.

In short, the air fryer is the specialist—the sprinter. The microwave is the all-rounder—the marathon runner. One doesn’t replace the other. They complement each other.

Bonus Tip: My Daily Appliance Routine (Simple, Effective)

To end on a practical note, here’s what I personally use in my daily kitchen routine:

• Morning: Microwave for tea and oatmeal

• Lunch: Microwave for quick reheating; air fryer for crispy toast or nuggets

• Evening: Air fryer for snacks, roasted veggies, and baked treats

• Weekend batch cooking: Both appliances used based on what’s on the menu

Keeping both allows me flexibility, better textures, faster prep—and way fewer food disappointments.

Final Word

I hope my journey and reflections on “Can an Air Fryer Replace a Microwave? My Take” helped you think about your own kitchen setup. Don’t just follow trends. Look at how you cook, what you love eating, and how you live.

And remember, every tool has its moment. Choose what fits your lifestyle—not just what’s trending on social media.