Air fryer vs deep fryer – one uses a lot of oil to fry meals while the other uses far less oil for food. Find out which one is best for your home in this article.
Back in the days, the only way to get that crispy delicacy of your family’s favourite fried meals was to use a deep fryer—but air fryers have stood out as a reliable frying alternative!
Whether it’s a nifty gadget on your kitchen surface or a built-in feature in your oven, air fryers offer a fantastic option for whipping up delectable meals for your loved ones.
Keep reading this guide to grasp the distinctions between air fryers and deep fryers, helping you choose the perfect kitchen companion.
Difference between an air fryer and a deep fryer?
Basically, what makes an air fryer different from a deep fryer lies in their frying process. Deep fryers dunk food in a hot oil bath to fry them while air fryers use a very small (or sometimes zero) amount of oil to fry meals.
The air frying process depends on an internal heating element and airflow that blasts food with hot air, making it crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, all with just a smidge of oil to create a scrumptious meal.
What is Deep Frying?
Deep frying involves immersing food in hot oil to fry. The oil is heated to a minimum boiling point of 163°C (325°F), ensuring the food gets cooked thoroughly on all sides upon immersion. This process produces the classic golden-brown crust characteristic of deep-fried delicacies.
What is Air Frying?
Air frying is a cooking method where food goes into an air fryer – a device equipped with a heating element (to warm the air) and a fan (to circulate the heated air inside the appliance) for frying the food.
Things You’ll Need for Air Frying vs. Deep Frying
For air frying, what you’ll need is a countertop air fryer. Just plug it in, add a light coating of oil, set the timer, and let your food cook.
Deep frying, on the other hand, demands not just a deep-frying device such as a large pot but also two cups to 2 litres of oil per cooking session. While buying oil in bulk is an option, deep fryers call for a substantial amount of oil every single time.
Cooking with an Air Fryer vs. Deep Fryer: Which Option Uses Less Oil?
Deep frying demands a hefty amount of oil, reaching close to 2 litres in certain instances.
On the flip side, air frying uses just a fraction of the oil compared to deep frying, with some recipes suggesting a mere light spritz or approximately one tablespoon in total.
This amounts to over 100 times less oil than the most elaborate deep-frying methods.
Which Cooks Faster Between an Air Fryer and a Deep Fryer?
In terms of actual cooking duration, air fryers typically take an extra 10-15 minutes compared to deep fryers.
Nevertheless, when considering the overall time invested in a meal, air fryers hold a distinct advantage over deep fryers in terms of preparation, setup, and cleanup.
Deep frying often involves coating each piece of food in wet batter before immersion, adding to the time and effort.
Furthermore, not only do you need to clean the preparation tools, but also the deep-frying device itself.
So, even though the cooking time is extended, opting for the set-and-forget approach with your air fryer can save you time both before and after your meal.
Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: Do their Meals Taste Different?
The distinction in taste between air frying and deep frying ultimately hinges on personal preference.
Deep frying, owing to its generous oil use, imparts the flavour of the oil throughout the entire dish.
Here, air frying has its merits, as employing a modest amount of oil allows the natural flavours of the food to shine.
Considering the taste difference between air frying and deep frying also involves contemplating the cooking method.
Some may favour the substantial crust achieved through deep frying, while others may relish the delicately crispy outer texture characteristic of air-fried meals.
Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: Whis is Best for Home Use?
Choosing between an air fryer and a deep fryer for your home boils down to your family’s preferences. If you crave the taste of deep-fried delicacies, a deep fryer might be the way to go.
On the other hand, if you relish spending quality time with your family while still whipping up delectable meals, an air fryer could be the ideal choice.