2023-10-28 20:00:11
Both the air fryer and the microwave have advantages when it comes to preparing and heating food. Which one should you choose?
Last update: October 28, 2023
When equipping the kitchen, choosing appliances that offer comfort, efficiency and practicality can not only help you save time, but implement a healthier lifestyle. In this sense, the air fryer and the microwave oven have gained popularity. But what is the best option?
Both tools have revolutionized the way we heat food., since they provide faster cooking times and make it possible to prepare dishes with fewer calories. Even so, they have different functionalities that make them better or not at certain tasks.
Air fryer vs. microwave oven: features and differences
The air fryer and microwave oven emerged as quick and efficient alternatives to conventional ovens. Both devices optimize food preparation time and They offer a healthier cooking method compared to typical frying.
But is one better than the other? To resolve this question, it is necessary to briefly review how they work and what technology they use.
An air fryer, also called air fryeris a kitchen device that subjects food to very hot air which circulates constantly, thanks to the action of an electric heat source and a fan.
In this way, it offers cooking with characteristics similar to those of traditional frying, but with a lower number of calories, since it requires a minimum of fat. Because of this, it has become one of the favorite options for making crispy, golden and healthy preparations.
For their part, microwave ovens They generate heat through electromagnetic waves that agitate the water molecules of the food, to enable rapid cooking or heating.
They do not require any fat, but they hardly allow you to obtain crunchy textures. On the contrary, these tend to be soft. They are often used to defrost food, reheat food, and make vegetable preparations.
Other differences between the air fryer and the microwave
Beyond the technology used by each of these appliances, and their respective functionalities, there are other differences that are worth taking into account when choosing one or the other. We detail the most important ones below:
Cooking different types of food: While an air fryer is ideal for making crispy potatoes, chicken wings, breading, baking and roasting, the microwave is best for defrosting produce, reheating leftovers, cooking vegetables and warming drinks.
Energy consumption: the air fryer It consumes more energy than a microwave – although this depends on the model and its power – due to its heaters and fans.
Ability: both appliances come in different sizes; However, the microwave usually has a larger capacity compared to deep fryers.
Cleaning: The fryer has removable elements (baskets or trays) that are easy to clean in the dishwasher. The microwave oven requires careful internal cleaning, especially if there are spills.
Healthier foods: the air fryer It is suitable for making a wide variety of conventional dishes in a healthier and lower calorie way. It requires little or no fat to achieve crunchy textures and intense flavors. You can also cook some dishes in the microwave, but the final texture is soft, so it may not be as pleasant. Even so, it is also a good option, since it does not need any additional fat for cooking.
Which is best for heating food?
When it comes to heating food, both appliances work well. Even so, Consider that in the microwave the process is faster and it is suitable for introducing liquids. Its disadvantage? Some ingredients tend to soften after being subjected to the high temperatures of the appliance.
In the air fryer you can heat pizza, leftover meals, empanadas, fried chicken, and the like. It usually preserves textures well, but requires more time.
In the latter case, you must be careful with the types of foods you want to introduce; These should not contain liquids, because if they leak through their grilles they can cause a short circuit.
Is an air fryer better than a microwave?
The air fryer is the “fashionable appliance” when talking about healthy eating; Hence many consider it to be a better option than the microwave. However, as long as they are used appropriately, both are useful for making lighter and healthier meals. So which one to choose?
The choice depends largely on what you usually consume. If you like batter, French fries and other crunchy preparations, the air fryer It will be your best ally in the kitchen. You can make healthier versions of these meals, with minimal fat and fewer calories.
In fact, you can also use it to bake and roast. Foods such as chicken, meat, fish, vegetables, cereals and others are suitable for cooking in this appliance.
However, If what you want is to save cooking time, or if you usually prepare your dishes in advance and then reheat them, the microwave is more suitable. There you can also introduce drinks, broths and pre-cooked foods that you cannot cook in the air fryer.
In short, if you have the opportunity to get both appliances, that is the best option. Their functions are different, but both help make your preparations more practical and healthy. If you can only choose one, then opt for the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
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