Air Fryer Vs. Convection Oven

The main difference between an air fryer vs convection oven is the size and a fan. An air fryer is a limited, more compact variant of a convection oven.

Air fryers employ a high-powered fan to distribute hot air like a convection oven, which supports food to cook rapidly and uniformly with extremely little oil.

If you want to cook fried foods more healthily, air fryers and convection ovens are excellent choices.

Each appliance employs a similar technology to rapidly circulate hot air, producing crispy, satisfying snacks and meals without using unhealthy oil like a traditional deep fryer.

So, Air Fryer Vs. Convection Oven, which is the better option?

Your unique requirements and the features that best suit your daily routine will determine the best option. We’ve given you the lowdown on both products so you can make an informed decision — and get cooking.

A convection oven is a high-powered countertop oven with a powerful fan that constantly circulates hot air. As a result, food is cooked more evenly than in a traditional oven, which heats only from the bottom to the top.

The fan’s force quickly wicks steam away from the food, resulting in a crispy exterior and moist interior. A perforated sheet pan includes many convection ovens, allowing more airflow and crispier food.

Most modern full-sized ovens have a convection setting that performs similarly to a countertop convection oven, though it may take longer to preheat and cook the food due to its larger size.

The models below primarily apply to countertop convection ovens.

Amazon has Breville BOV845BKS Smart Oven Pro, Countertop Convection Oven

This oven has a three-tier baking rack that allows you to cook multiple foods at once, uniform heat distribution, multiple cooking functions, a large interior capacity, and a large interior capacity.

Toshiba AC25CEW-SS Digital Toaster Oven with Convection Cooking

A budget-friendly model with several cooking functions and a reasonably large interior. Because it cooks quickly, it’s a good option for on-the-go meals and snacks. It is, however, not as consistent as more expensive models.

Amazon has the F.BLUMLEIN Steam Convection Oven.

This premium convection oven is more expensive but packed with features. It’s best for home cooks who plan to use it frequently and enjoy the versatility of the steam function. Its extra-large capacity is ideal for large families who cook large amounts of food at once.

Air Fryers Selection

Air fryers have larger fans than conventional fryers, allowing them to preheat and cook foods faster.

The heating element and fan are also located at the top of the air fry (rather than the back), allowing for faster cooking but requiring you to shake the basket occasionally to ensure an even cook.

Philips Premium (4.4lb/7.3qt) Airfryer XXL with Fat Removal Technology

This machine is known for its high-quality construction, simple operation, and extra-crispy results. You will make delicious chicken wings and perfect french fries in no time.

It has a dual rack for busy home cooks that doubles the cooking capacity and an auto-shutoff. It does, however, assume a portion of counter space.

Amazon has the CHEFMAN Small, Compact Air Fryer.

It is a cost-effective option for singles or small families who only use it occasionally. It’s simple to operate, clean, and doesn’t take up a lot of counter space.

Con: It can only cook 1-2 servings at a time, so it’s not ideal for larger families.

Amazon Ninja Foodi Pro 5-in-1 Indoor Integrated Smart Probe

With a ceramic-coated crisper plate for an extra-crispy texture, the Ninja packs a punch that cooks food quickly and evenly. It also has a four-quart capacity, allowing it to cook three pounds of food simultaneously. It may also be used as a food dehydrator.

Air fryers and convection ovens are similar in that they produce tasty, crispy food without using much oil.

If you want a versatile and durable product that cooks more significant portions at a lower price point, go with a convection oven; if you want to save space in your kitchen, an air fryer is a great kitchen appliance runner-up.

Final Word On Air Fryer Vs Convection Oven

There are several differences between an air fryer and a convection oven. Both cook foods at a higher temperature than a conventional oven.

Because of this difference, air fryers are not suitable for large families. However, some air fryer manufacturers are creating larger models to address this problem.

So, which is better for you? What are the pros and cons of each appliance? 

When compared, an air fryer is considerably smaller than a convection oven. However, its cooking surface is close to the heat source, making the food much faster.

Compared to a conventional oven, air fryers are more prone to achieve a crispy exterior. But, this small size means that you can only prepare a small amount of food at a time. Because of this, it is essential to avoid overloading the unit.

While both ovens cook food at a high temperature, air fryers use little to no oil. The high-powered fan in an air fryer circulates hot air around the food, giving it a crispy exterior.

However, unlike a conventional oven, an air fryer uses less oil and a lower temperature, so the food cooks more evenly. The result is crisper, more flavorful food.

The main difference between an air fryer and a convection oven is in the fan. The air fryer fan sits directly under the heating element.

Meanwhile, the convection oven fan is located in the back. The air fryer circulates hot air instantly upon powering on, whereas the convection oven must wait a few minutes before the hot air reaches the fan.

Because of this difference, it is essential to understand each unit’s functions before choosing a new one for your kitchen.