Air Fryer vs Microwave: Which Should You Use and When?

# Air Fryer vs Microwave: Which Should You Use and When?

Excerpt: Air fryers and microwaves serve very different purposes. Learn when to use each appliance and why most kitchens benefit from having both.

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If you’re standing in the kitchen aisle wondering whether to invest in an air fryer or stick with your trusty microwave — or even if you really need both — you’re not alone. These two appliances look quite different and work in completely different ways, yet they both promise to make cooking easier and faster. Choosing the right one for your needs can save you time, improve your meals, and help you avoid kitchen disasters like soggy chips or unevenly heated leftovers.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how each appliance works, when to use them, and what to expect from their performance in a typical Aussie kitchen. By the end, you’ll be able to decide which appliance suits your lifestyle — or why having both might be the smartest move.

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How They Work: Completely Different Technology

Understanding how each appliance cooks food is the first step to knowing when to use it.

Microwave: Electromagnetic Waves for Fast Heating

A microwave oven uses electromagnetic waves — specifically microwaves — to excite water molecules inside your food. This process generates heat from within, warming your meal quickly and efficiently. Because it heats from the inside out, microwaves are brilliant for warming up liquids like soups and reheating leftovers in minutes.

However, this method also means that food can sometimes become rubbery, soggy, or unevenly heated. This often happens with starchy or breaded foods because the microwave essentially steams the food, trapping moisture rather than evaporating it. For example, reheated chips or fried chicken in a microwave often lose their crunch.

Air Fryer: Circulating Superheated Air for Crispiness

On the other hand, an air fryer is essentially a compact convection oven. It works by rapidly circulating hot air (usually between 160°C and 200°C) around your food, cooking it evenly on all sides. This high-speed airflow crisps up the exterior, mimicking the effect of deep frying but using little to no oil.

This technology is fantastic for creating those golden, crunchy textures on frozen snacks, roasted veggies, or homemade chips without the mess or calories of traditional frying. It also browns and caramelises food, adding flavour and texture that microwaves simply can’t replicate.

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When to Use an Air Fryer

If you care about texture and flavour, the air fryer is your go-to. Here’s when it truly shines:

1. Frozen Foods

Frozen favourites like chips, chicken nuggets, fish fingers, and spring rolls come out crispy and fresh-tasting in an air fryer. Unlike microwaves, which can leave these soggy or rubbery, air fryers remove excess moisture and deliver that satisfying crunch.

• Tip: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C, then cook frozen chips for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking.

2. Reheating Pizza and Fried Foods

Ever noticed how cold pizza or leftovers from the chippy turn limp and sad in the microwave? Air fryers revive these foods by crisping edges and melting cheese without drying out the base.

• Pro tip: Heat pizza at 160°C for 5-7 minutes for perfect reheated slices.

3. Cooking Proteins

From chicken wings and pork chops to salmon fillets, air fryers create a beautiful crust while keeping the inside juicy. The circulating hot air locks in moisture and enhances caramelisation.

• Example: Cook chicken wings at 200°C for 25 minutes, flipping halfway for even browning.

4. Roasting Vegetables

Vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, and potatoes caramelise beautifully in the air fryer, developing sweet, nutty flavours with crispy edges.

• How to: Toss veggies with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast at 190°C for 15-20 minutes.

5. Baking Small Batches

Air fryers double as mini ovens, perfect for baking small quantities of cookies, muffins, or banana bread without heating up the whole kitchen.

• Try: Bake 6-8 cookies at 160°C for 8-10 minutes.

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When to Use a Microwave

Microwaves excel at speed, convenience, and handling liquids. Here’s when the microwave is a better choice:

1. Reheating Soups, Stews and Liquids

Microwaves heat liquids evenly and quickly — no need to wait for an air fryer to warm up or risk uneven cooking.

• Tip: Heat soups on medium power (50-70%) for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway to distribute heat evenly.

2. Steaming Vegetables

Microwaving vegetables retains more nutrients than boiling and is incredibly fast. Simply place chopped veggies in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water and cover loosely.

• Example: Steam broccoli at high power for 3-4 minutes.

3. Defrosting Frozen Foods

The microwave’s defrost function is unmatched for quickly thawing frozen meat, fish, or veggies. It uses low power to gently warm the edges while keeping the centre frozen.

• Safety tip: Always cook defrosted meat immediately to avoid bacterial growth.

4. Heating Beverages

Whether it’s morning coffee, tea, or a mug of milk, microwaves heat liquids in seconds.

• Pro tip: Heat in 30-second bursts and stir to avoid overheating or spills.

5. Softening Butter or Melting Chocolate

Microwaves allow you to soften butter or melt chocolate in controlled increments without burning — perfect for baking prep.

• How to: Use 20-30 second intervals at low power, stirring in between.

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Air Fryer vs Microwave: Head-to-Head Comparison

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with these appliances, it’s easy to make errors that ruin your meal or waste time.

• Overcrowding the air fryer basket: This blocks airflow, leading to uneven cooking and soggy food. Cook in batches if needed.
• Using metal containers in microwaves: Only use microwave-safe dishes to avoid sparks and damage.
• Not preheating the air fryer: Preheating for 3-5 minutes ensures even cooking and crispiness.
• Reheating large portions in the microwave without stirring: This causes cold spots and uneven heating.
• Ignoring manufacturer instructions: Different models have varying power levels and features—always read the manual.
• Forgetting to pierce food with skins (like potatoes) before microwaving: This can cause steam buildup and explosions.
• Using too much oil in the air fryer: A light spray or brush is enough; excess oil creates smoke and greasy results.

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Pro Tips for Getting the Best from Your Air Fryer and Microwave

1. Use parchment paper or silicone liners in the air fryer to reduce cleaning time, but make sure they don’t block air circulation.
2. For best reheating results, finish microwaved fried foods in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to regain crispiness.
3. Shake or turn food halfway through air frying to promote even browning.
4. Cover liquids loosely when microwaving to prevent splatters but allow steam to escape.
5. Use microwave-safe lids or wraps to trap moisture when reheating rice or pasta, avoiding dryness.
6. Experiment with temperature and time settings on your air fryer to perfect cooking times for different foods — every model is slightly different.
7. Clean your microwave and air fryer regularly to avoid residual smells and improve performance.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I cook raw meat in an air fryer?

Yes! Air fryers are excellent for cooking raw chicken, pork, beef, and fish. Just make sure to cook at the correct temperature (usually 180-200°C) and check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer — chicken should reach 75°C, beef medium rare 63°C.

Will my microwave ruin the texture of fried foods?

If you reheat fried foods like chips or schnitzel in the microwave, they usually turn soggy because the microwave traps moisture. To restore crispiness, reheat fried foods in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 180°C after microwaving.

Can I defrost meat in the air fryer?

No, air fryers aren’t designed for defrosting. The high heat can start cooking the outside while the inside remains frozen. Use the microwave’s defrost function or thaw meat overnight in the fridge.

How much electricity does an air fryer use compared to a microwave?

Microwaves generally use less electricity per cooking session because they cook faster (usually 1-5 minutes), while air fryers take longer (10-30 minutes). However, air fryers often cook without preheating large ovens, so they can be more efficient for small batches.

Is it safe to leave the air fryer or microwave unattended?

Yes, but always follow safety guidelines. Don’t operate either appliance near flammable materials, avoid using metal in microwaves, and never leave air fryer baskets overloaded or greasy to prevent smoke.

Can I bake a cake in an air fryer?

Absolutely! Air fryers work like small convection ovens and can bake cakes, muffins, and other treats. Use oven-safe pans that fit your air fryer basket and adjust temperature to around 160°C for cakes.

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Conclusion: Why Your Kitchen Needs Both an Air Fryer and a Microwave

Both air fryers and microwaves bring unique strengths to the kitchen. The microwave is unbeatable for speed, convenience, and handling liquids or defrosting, while the air fryer is your secret weapon for crispy, golden textures and healthier “fried” meals without the oil.

If your budget or bench space allows, having both appliances will cover nearly every cooking scenario, saving you time and improving meal quality. For many Australians juggling busy lifestyles, that combo means more delicious dinners with less fuss.

Ready to upgrade your kitchen? Check out our detailed air fryer reviews and microwave buying guides to find the best models available at Kmart, Harvey Norman, or Amazon Australia. And for perfect cooking results every time, don’t forget to explore our air fryer cooking times cheat sheet and our guide to air fryer safety.

Happy cooking, mates!