Do you need an air fryer?
Just check out Instagram or TikTok, and you’ll see that air fryers are the must-have kitchen gadget in the modern kitchen. What could be more appealing than your favorite fried foods made just as crisp and delicious without the mess, stress, and extra calories of deep-frying? Whether it’s wings and poppers for game day, salmon and broccoli for a low-fat dinner, or even apple pie for dessert, recipes abound for preparing them in an air fryer.
But is an air fryer worth it? You already have a full-sized oven that can usually deliver the same results, especially if you’re using quality stainless steel cookware.
The Quick Answer
Here’s the real story: an air fryer is, in essence, just a mini convection oven, usually with a non-stick coating of questionable safety. Let’s see how air fryers measure up when compared to full-size convection ovens.
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Air Fryer |
Convection Oven and Stainless Steel Cookware |
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Crisping Ability |
Food is crisp but may be dried out |
Food crisps up perfectly |
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Batch Size |
You’re limited by the size of the fryer, and will have to cook in small batches |
You can cook large quantities at once on sheet pans |
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Counter Space |
Takes up space on the counter unless you take it in and out of a cupboard every time you use it |
Takes up no counter space at all |
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Coating Safety |
Many air fryers have non-stick coatings that could release toxic chemicals at high temperatures |
Using stainless steel cookware eliminates the risk of contamination of toxic chemicals |
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Lifespan |
Non-stick air fryers should be replaced every 2 to 3 years, or sooner if the coatings degrade |
A good oven should last at least 10-15 years, and quality stainless steel cookware is good for decades |
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Cleanup |
Non-stick air fryer baskets and cooking surfaces must be washed carefully to prevent abrading the coating, as that can cause leaching of toxic chemicals into food |
Stainless steel cookware can be scrubbed clean when necessary without damaging the surface |
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Energy Cost |
$160/300 hours |
So, in the end, an air fryer is just a trendy small convection oven, with some definite disadvantages compared to the real thing!
What an Air Fryer Actually Does (Hint: Your Oven Does It Too)
The convection secret
We’ve told you that an air fryer is really a small convection oven, and the odds are good that if you have a newer oven, it probably has a convection setting, too. So what exactly is convection cooking?
Both air fryers and convection ovens use fans to keep hot air circulating around the food as it cooks. That’s what creates the crispy skins on your chicken wings or golden french fries. But despite all the air fryer hype, you can get the same results in your convection oven without having to spend money on a new gadget!
Side-by-side reality check
You may be tempted by the promise of quicker cooking in an air fryer, but when tested side-by-side, you may only be saving about five minutes in meal prep. Don’t forget that you have to preheat the air fryer just as with a conventional oven — it’s not like a microwave where you can just put the food in and hit the power.
Where the air fryer genuinely wins
That’s not to say that depending on your needs, an air fryer might have a role to play in your kitchen routine. It can produce quick results with very small batches (a meal for one, maybe two people), and it can help keep your kitchen cooler on a hot summer day, as you’re not heating up a large oven. And for people without access to a full kitchen, such as students in a dorm room, an air fryer can be a great way to fix quick meals. Just be sure to find a non-toxic air fryer for PFAS-free cooking.
The Coating Problem Nobody Mentions in the Unboxing Video
One of the key components of an air fryer is the basket, as the open mesh allows the fan-driven hot air to reach all surfaces of the food to produce the desired crispy exterior. Sounds great, as the process eliminates all of the added calories from the oil used in deep frying. However, there’s a catch that can have a negative impact on your family’s health.
Most air fryer baskets have a PTFE coating to prevent food from sticking. It may make clean-up easier, but there is some evidence that these “forever chemicals” can be released into your food as it cooks. In other words, air fryer nonstick coating safety has not been established.
Wear, flaking, and replacement cycles
If you use your air fryer on a regular basis, the basket is going to quickly start to show signs of wear-and-tear which could lead to toxic chemicals leaching into your food. Even when used and cleaned properly, you’re going to soon see scratches, chips and flaking within a year of purchase. And if you want to just replace the basket, that can cost you more than half of the original purchase price.
The overheating risk
Air fryers won’t do their job unless they’re operated at high temperatures, and that’s exactly where problems can start with even an unblemished coating of PFTE. Above 500°F, the coating can start to off-gas. Even if your temperature is set to lower than that, the preheating phase, high-fat drippings, and blocked airflow can cause the temperature to exceed safe levels.
Why uncoated stainless sidesteps all of it
Stainless steel cookware eliminates any risk of contamination from “forever chemicals”. Without a questionable coating to degrade, a T-316 surgical grade steel cooking surface will not only give you the crispy results you crave but also protect you from the toxic chemicals that can have lasting effects on your family’s health!
Crispy Results With Stainless Cookware: How It's Done
Now that you know that using a convection oven is a viable (and usually healthier) alternative to cooking in an air fryer, let’s look at how to use your oven with stainless steel cookware to get the crispy results you’re craving!
Roasted "fries" and crispy vegetables
The keys to getting the crispiest oven-roasted vegetables, including of course french fries, but also yummy roasted broccoli, cauliflower, or brussels sprouts, is twofold: high heat and no crowding!
You need to start with a hot pan before adding any food. This is where quality stainless steel pans from 360 Cookware really shine. Our jelly roll pan is safe to 500°F, so you can put it in the stove to preheat without worrying about any off-gassing from questionable coatings. Contrast that with an air fryer with a recommended maximum temperature of 400-450°F. And our 3-layer construction, with a sheet of aluminum sandwiched between layers of stainless steel, will resist the warping that a cheaper pan will experience at high heat.
- Place your empty cooking sheet in the oven and heat to 450°F
- When heated, drizzle the pan with an oil with a high smoke point, such as safflower or avocado oil
- Toss the vegetables in a small amount of oil and spread out on the sheet. Don’t crowd the pan! When there’s no room between the pieces, they’ll steam rather than fry, with soggy results.
- Stir them once in a while, and when they’re irresistibly golden and crisp, it’s time to dig in!
Chicken wings and "fried" chicken
Chicken wings are one of the big selling points for air fryers, but unless you’re fixing a dinner for two, you’re going to end up running multiple batches before you’ve got enough to feed a crowd. It’s much less trouble to cook up a big batch of crispy wings in your oven using this simple technique:
- Preheat the oven on the convection setting to 450°F
- Pat the wings dry and season with salt and pepper, and arrange them on a stainless steel baking sheet. Don’t line the sheet with parchment paper! That will steam them, leading to flaccid soggy skin. Also, space them out so they’re not touching for better air circulation
- Once the oven has heated up, cook the wings for 45 minutes until they’re golden and crispy
- Toss them with your favorite sauce and serve.
- It’s also easy to get crispy breaded fried chicken in your convection oven:
- Heat a stainless steel roasting pan pan in the oven set to 410°F
- Coat the chicken pieces in seasoned flour
- Dip the chicken pieces in eggs beaten with buttermilk
- Roll them in a mixture of flour, breadcrumbs, and seasonings until well covered
- Once the oven has heated up, remove the pan, pour in a thin coating of high smoke point oil, and place the chicken pieces evenly without crowding
- Return to the oven and cook for 10-12 minutes, then flip them over and continue cooking until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F
- Remove to a rack and serve after 5 minutes resting time
Reheating pizza and leftovers
You already know that reheating pizza in the microwave is less than ideal, as the crust gets soggy. But you don’t need an air fryer to heat up your pizza: instead, use your stovetop and a stainless steel pan with a cover:
- Heat up the pan over medium-low heat
- Drizzle a little oil on the hot surface
- Add your pizza slices and let them crisp up for a few minutes
- Place the cover on the pan to let the toppings and cheese fully heat up
- Enjoy!
Capacity, Clutter, and Cost Over Time
The batch-size ceiling
Air fryers are best for fixing a snack or simple meal for one or two people, but if you’re feeding a larger crowd, it saves time and energy to simply use your convection oven rather than running multiple batches through a small air fryer.
Counter space and the appliance graveyard
If you add an air fryer to your kitchen, you have a choice between giving it a permanent spot on your countertop, or finding room for it in a cupboard or pantry. Either way, you’re giving up valuable kitchen real estate when you already have an oven that can do the same cooking task.
Cost per year of ownership
Air fryers aren’t made to last more than a few years, and once the non-stick coating starts to wear off the basket, you have to replace it at increased expense. On the other hand, you can buy quality stainless steel cookware once and use it for decades.
The Verdict: One Oven, One Great Pan, Zero Coatings
Here’s the deal: your convection oven is already a large and powerful air fryer. There’s no need to clutter your kitchen with another appliance when all you need is non-toxic cookware that can handle the heat. Check out 360 Cookware for heirloom-quality stainless steel pans that will deliver the crispiest results!
FAQ
Is an air fryer just a convection oven?
Yes, an air fryer is just a very small convection oven.
Are air fryer baskets toxic?
While there are some brands that use uncoated stainless steel, any air fryer that is advertised as “non-stick” will have a coating that may release toxic chemicals when heated, or when the surface becomes scratched or worn.
Can stainless steel pans go in the oven?
360 Cookware stainless steel pans are oven-safe to 500˚F, and because of their heavy 3-ply construction will withstand warping.
What can I use instead of an air fryer?
You can use the convection setting on your oven to produce the same results as an air fryer.
How do you get crispy food in the oven without an air fryer?
Use high heat on the convection setting with a minimal amount of oil. Avoid crowding food in the pan and don’t use parchment paper, as you want contact with the steel surface to get the crispiest results.
