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The Rise of the Air Fryer: Why It’s Replacing Microwaves and Ovens in Modern Kitchens
What defines the essential kitchen appliance list today? An electric cooktop, a refrigerator, and… an air fryer. While a large oven is still included out of habit, the microwave seems to be the biggest casualty of this technological shift. For many furnishing a new home, the microwave is often the first item to be crossed off the shopping list.
Why Choose an Air Fryer Over a Microwave and Oven?
The first microwave arrived in my home around 2007. It was an affordable model that quickly became the hub for quick dinners and a newfound sense of convenience. Quick meals like hot dogs with cheese, homemade burgers, or reheated soups often saved the day when my parents were busy with work. However, as years passed, regular cooking naturally shifted to the stovetop.
Twenty years later, I still have a microwave, but it seems I’m in the minority. Recently, at a friend’s housewarming, we were admiring their kitchen and a particular brand of air fryer. It was then that a thought struck me: just a few years ago, a microwave would have occupied that exact spot. Towards the end of last year, I visited another friend for a few days. We ordered pizza one evening, and the next morning, when it was time to reheat, I was told without hesitation, “Just put it in the air fryer.” The conventional oven was available but seemed to serve purely as decoration. Our team of reviewers has also embraced air fryers, sidelining their microwaves.
I long debated whether I needed a microwave in my kitchen. Space was an issue, so my oven somewhat took over its functions—that is, until an air fryer appeared on my countertop. I had read and heard rave reviews about these devices but remained skeptical.
However, it turned out to be perfect for my needs, and it occupies less space than a microwave. An air fryer also heats up several times faster than an oven; I can’t even recall the last time I used my oven.
Bartosz Szczygielski, Tech Reviewer
Reflecting now, I personally wouldn’t buy a new microwave. Yet, some of my colleagues have come to the defense of the older technology.
Air Fryer vs. Microwave and Oven: Advantages and Drawbacks
“An air fryer won’t defrost food as effectively as a microwave,” noted Jolanta Szczepaniak, another appliance tester. Others also appreciate the aesthetic aspect of a microwave oven.
The microwave has become a secondary appliance for me. Still, I do use it occasionally. The air fryer, however, undeniably delivers superior results—warm and crispy food, not rubbery.
The downside? It’s another gadget on the countertop. If air fryers could be seamlessly integrated into kitchen cabinetry, I would discard my microwave instantly. So far, I haven’t found a built-in option.
Kamil Marek, Tech Reviewer
Regardless of how it sounds, the air fryer generally gets better reviews than the microwave. While the miniature convection oven gives fries a characteristic golden crispness without excessive oil, a microwave would simply steam them soft.
On the other hand, reheating soups in a microwave is undeniably safer and less messy. Nevertheless, for this specific task, a simple pot on the stove works just as well.
Krzysztof Sobiepan, an editor and author, also points out that both appliances can coexist peacefully in the kitchen.
- “The microwave excels, especially when reheating prepared meals. For example, leftover spaghetti—just put everything on one plate, and it’s ready in two minutes. I’m not sure how I’d tackle that in an air fryer. I’d expect dried-out pasta and sauce that has evaporated, or even burned.”
- “The microwave is also excellent for other small tasks, such as minor baking needs. Sometimes a recipe requires lukewarm milk for dough—30 seconds in the microwave is enough. If butter needs to be at room temperature but I have a ‘butter-brick’ from the fridge? The microwave saves the day again.”
- “Both appliances have created a symbiosis in my kitchen. On Monday, chicken drumsticks go into the air fryer, fresh rice into the rice cooker, and in the meantime, I prepare a salad. A great dinner is on the table in 30 minutes. On Tuesday, I can simply plate the leftover rice and chicken, maybe add something from the fridge, and that goes into the microwave.”
To summarize: if you want crispy, use the air fryer. If you want warm, use the microwave.
Krzysztof Sobiepan, Tech Reviewer
Suddenly, it becomes much harder to defend the necessity of a full-sized oven. It makes the most sense if you plan to do more than just reheat frozen pizza. It’s ideal for baking homemade cakes or muffins.
However, we must ask ourselves if we really intend to bake frequently enough to justify installing an oven in our home. A new passion might emerge five years down the line, and by then, reconfiguring a kitchen is not so straightforward.
The air fryer has the advantage of not needing constant supervision. You set the timer according to the recipe, and the appliance stops automatically, loudly signaling completion. A conventional oven, by contrast, always puts me in a heightened state of alert. I regularly check if the oven has finally preheated and intensely remember to set a timer on my smartphone. For me, at least, turning on the oven is always a minor event.
What Do the Data Say About Kitchen Appliance Popularity?
Fortune Business Insights indicates that the global air fryer market value is projected to grow to USD 10.54 billion by 2026. This means it is already surpassing the much older microwave market, estimated at USD 10.44 billion this year.
This high figure can be attributed to the intensive production of these appliances in China (70.30% of global exports in 2022) as well as significant imports to the United States (30% in 2022).
However, the dynamic growth in air fryer popularity is primarily driven by Asian markets. China, India, Japan, and South Korea accounted for 46.35% of global demand in 2025. Interestingly, consumers most often opt for medium-capacity models, ranging from 3 to 5 liters (43.34%).
How about you? Do you firmly stand by your microwave or oven, or have you swapped them for an air fryer in your daily cooking?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can an air fryer completely replace a microwave for all tasks?
While air fryers excel at making food crispy and warm, they are less effective for tasks like quickly defrosting items or reheating liquid-based meals like soups without making a mess. Microwaves generally handle these specific tasks more efficiently and safely.
Is an air fryer a good substitute for a conventional oven?
For many everyday cooking and reheating tasks, an air fryer can be a convenient and faster alternative to a conventional oven, especially for smaller portions. It heats up much quicker and can achieve a crispy texture that ovens often struggle with for certain foods. However, a full-sized oven remains essential for baking large items, elaborate meals, or when cooking for many people.
Do air fryers take up a lot of kitchen counter space?
Most air fryers are countertop appliances, similar in size to a small microwave or a large toaster oven. While convenient, this does mean they occupy valuable counter space. Currently, built-in air fryer options that seamlessly integrate into kitchen cabinetry are less common.
What are the main advantages of an air fryer over traditional cooking methods?
Air fryers cook food by circulating hot air, often resulting in a crispy exterior with less oil than deep frying. They heat up quickly, cook faster than traditional ovens for smaller items, and often include timers for convenience, reducing the need for constant supervision.
Is a full-sized oven still necessary in an air fryer-dominated kitchen?
A full-sized oven still holds significant value for specific culinary tasks, particularly for baking large batches of cookies, cakes, roasting big cuts of meat, or preparing complex dishes that require precise temperature control over a larger area. While an air fryer is excellent for daily convenience and smaller portions, it cannot fully replicate the capacity or some specialized functions of a conventional oven, making the oven a worthwhile investment for serious bakers or large family cooking.
Source: Original article content. Opening photo: Alina / Adobe Stock
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