Air Fryer vs. Deep Fryer: Which Is Best for You?

If you enjoy making crispy food at home, it is likely you'll want a kitchen appliance that can give you that delicious texture without too much hassle. Both the air fryer and deep fryer create crunchy meals, but using very different techniques. If you are unsure which to invest in, read on to learn more about air fryers vs. deep fryers.

In This Guide
What Is an Air Fryer?
What Is a Deep Fryer?
Air Fryer vs. Deep Fryer Comparison

What Is an Air Fryer?

Air fryers have become extremely popular in the more recent years for a number of reasons. The number one reason being that they can fry food with little to no oil – an important factor to consider when comparing air fryers vs. deep fryers. This is thanks to Rapid Air Technology, which uses a convection fan that circulates hot air onto your food, cooks it from all sides simultaneously, and results in air fried food that has a crisp exterior and a moist, tender interior. Air fryers are simple and straightforward to use and offer crunchy meals with fewer calories. These handy appliances are also able to perform a number of other cooking functions such as roasting, grilling, baking, and then some, depending on which air fryer you choose. To learn more about air fryers, read our guide How Does an Air Fryer Work?

What Is a Deep Fryer?

Deep fryers have been around for much longer than air fryers, and use a more straightforward method of cooking food through submersion in a bath of hot oil. Deep fryers are standalone appliances that function via a heating coil that heats up oil to a preset temperature. You then use the removable steel wire basket to hold your food to fully immerse it in the boiling oil to deep fry it – resulting in a crispy exterior and a tender interior. It is worthwhile noting that deep fryers require the use of large amounts of oil to cook food that is usually battered in order to get to that brown and crunchy texture. To find the right deep fryer for your needs, read The Best Deep Fryers for Restaurant-Quality Food.

Air Fryer vs. Deep Fryer Comparison

When comparing air fryers vs. deep fryers, you will find they both have a place in the kitchen, though one might work better for your needs than the other as they do have quite different jobs. Below are a few comparative differences to help you make your choice.

• Versatility:Thanks to their design, air fryers can perform a number of functions ranging from frying to baking. For this reason, they're ideal as multi-use appliances, particularly in smaller kitchens short on space. Deep fryers are only able to deep fry food with oil. They are a large single-use appliance that will likely not be used every day, and thus take up counter space when not in use.
• Cook Time:Air fryers can take between 10-20 minutes to fully cook foods because they use hot air. It is also possible to dry out food if you cook it for too long. Deep fryers take only 3-5 minutes because the hot oil is able to cook at a rapid rate.
• Taste: Although air fryers are able to create a crunchy texture with a soft interior, the food will not have the same rich and crispy taste created by deep frying food. However, it is entirely possible to season your food in a variety of ways – especially with the different cooking modes available with an air fryer. Deep frying provides a distinct and rich flavor and taste that air fryers cannot match.
• Health:Since air fryers use hot air to convection cook your food, they require small amounts of oil to attain the crispy texture – making them a healthier option. Deep fryers, on the other hand, require large amounts of cooking oil to fill their vat and fully submerge the food items to cook them – leaving excess oil and additional calories. When comparing air fryers vs. deep fryers, you should keep in mind that air fryers use around 70-80% less oil than deep fryers.
• Ease of Use: Air fryers only really need you to prepare your food before placing it in the appliance. From there you can choose from one of the many different cooking modes and it will notify you when it is done. Deep fryers require a great deal of oil per every single use, which you then need to wait until cool to dispose of. This can be quite inconvenient as oil cannot be thrown down the drain.
• Safety:As they only use convection, air fryers are much safer and will do all the hard work for you. Although you can still burn yourself on the appliance, this risk is significantly low. Deep fryers however, come with some safety hazards due to the fact they require the use of hot oil which is dangerous to handle, especially around children.
• Cleaning:Most air fryers come with a non-stick basket and a stainless steel interior. You would do well to put some parchment paper or tin foil down in the basket to catch any excess oil and fat, but even if you don't, it can easily be removed and washed – some even in the dishwasher. Deep fryers require more effort to clean because of the hot oil, which you need to be change and thoroughly clean out to maintain hygiene. Hot oil can also spill onto the counter or nearby surfaces making for extra cleanup.

• Cost: Due to their impressive amount of features, air fryers are usually more expensive, ranging from around $70 – $200 or more. Deep fryers are far more straightforward and can start from as little as $30.

Although both appliances have their strengths and weaknesses, when it comes to air fryers vs. deep fryers, you can make a clear choice between which will work best for your household.