Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: How are They Different?

The way air fryer and deep fryer works, their differences, and ways to use them.
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Last updated: August 07, 2023
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Many people have a guilty fondness for fried meals. They have a lovely crispy outside and a soft interior. What could be disliked about fried food? One good point might be the unhealthiness of using too much oil to fry them.

What are your choices, therefore, if you enjoy fried food but don’t want it in the unhealthy way it is often prepared? You may reduce your consumption. Or the manufacturers of air fryers claim that you may achieve the deep-fried flavor of fried meals without using an excessive quantity of cooking oil.

This article will compare air fryers vs deep fryer, their differences, how they work, which is better, and so on. However, choosing between an air fryer and a deep fryer might be difficult. You need what will best meet all your expectations. This article will help you make a more informed decision.

How an Air Fryer Works

Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: How are They Different?

Kitchen appliances like air fryers are very popular today and are often used to prepare fried foods like pastries, potato chips, and meat.

Like conventional ovens, air fryers use Rapid Air Technology to make meals. The fryer’s top fan circulates hot air all around the food. The food is cooked evenly from all angles by the hot air the fan releases, producing a crunchy outside and a juicy inside. An air fryer’s capacity to cook with little or no oil is a plus. Reviews show that one of the choicest air fryers must be Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, as it has some cool functionality, such as a crisper plate, basket, and multi-tiered rack, which are all simple to clean.

If you love this article, you should check out this list of our best air fryers!

How a Deep Fryer Works

Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: How are They Different?

Many different dishes may be prepared in deep fryers. They may be used to prepare small foods like crisps or french fries and bigger foods like chicken wings. Even a full turkey may be cooked in certain deep fryers.

Thy function by frying food quickly in hot oil. The meal is often put in a basket, plunged into a pool of hot oil, and then thoroughly drowned.

Because the food is immersed and the heated oil is such a great conductor of heat, cooking occurs simultaneously on all sides. This reduces the time it takes to prepare the food, unlike using pan frying, which only lets you cook one side of a meal per time.

Air Fryer vs. Deep Fryer

So what makes an air fryer different from a deep fryer? The two are different due to several factors. Let’s discuss them, shall we?

Deep-frying is more unhealthy than air-frying, which uses less oil and is the fundamental difference between these two fryers. Air fryers do a poorer job of cooking food than deep fryers do. Although less oil makes air fryers a better cooking alternative, they don’t have the same flavor and tastiness as deep fryers.

Food Taste

Both fryers can produce food that is crunchy, crispy, and golden brown. When comparing air fryer vs deep fryer taste, the one you consider best depends on your preference. Many people like fat because it has a distinct taste character that often lends depth to a meal. The problem is that air frying lacks the fatty taste profile of conventional deep-fried meals.

You generally wouldn’t think that food that has been air-fried tastes as delicious as food that has been deep-fried if you enjoy the buttery, almost creamy flavor of oil. On the contrary, if you detest fatty foods, you probably would love air fryers.

Odor

For those who live in tiny areas or dislike the smell of cooking in their home, oil-free cooking is considerably more convenient. This is one benefit of air frying, which produces far less smell than deep-frying in oil.

Oil Usage

Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: How are They Different?

Since the food must be completely immersed in the oil when using a deep fryer, much oil is needed. For a standard power deep fryer, you’ll require between 6 and 19 cups.

On the contrary, air fryers may be used without any oil. Although you don’t require a lot of oil to get a crispy texture, you still need to dip food in oil before air frying.

Health

An air fryer may be a healthier option for more health-conscious people. For people looking to lose weight, air frying can assist in lower calorie consumption since it doesn’t require any oil.

Oils may also include greater levels of trans fats and saturated fats associated with cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. These unhealthy fats are cooked into the meal during deep frying.

Food that has been fried has more calories and fat, and potentially harmful substances like acrylamide.

When meals with a high carbohydrate content are cooked at high heat, such as when frying, a chemical called acrylamide is produced.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has designated acrylamide as a “possible human carcinogen,” which means that acrylamide may be related to cancer development.

Your food’s acrylamide content may be reduced if you air fry it rather than deep fry it. A previous study indicated that, when compared to conventional deep-frying, air-frying significantly reduced the amount of acrylamide.

It’s crucial to remember that other dangerous substances too could still be produced during the air-frying process.

Calories

Health is typically a worry when it comes to fried foods since consuming too much oil may harm our well-being. Because frying food in a deep fryer requires completely submerging the food in oil, there is always too much oil used, adding excess calories to the diet. However, the air fryer uses far less oil than a deep fryer, often between 70 and 80 percent less.

In a nutshell, when comparing air fryer vs deep fryer calories, you must understand that air-fried foods contain fewer calories than deep-fried foods.

Versatility

Fried crispy food may be cooked in both a deep fryer and an air fryer. The air fryer can do several other tasks besides air frying food, including baking, roasting, and grilling. The air fryer may prepare a wide range of foods, including potato wedges, steak, banana bread, etc.

However, you can only cook food in a deep fryer if you want it to have a crunchy, deep-fried texture.

Cooking Time

What’s the difference between air fryer vs deep fryer cooking time? Well, due to the high temperatures involved, deep fryers will cook food very quickly. However, it does not save much time when employing the double fry technique.

Noise level

Since deep fryers lack strong fans that quickly convey hot air in a compact area, they are often a little calmer than air fryers. The fan in air fryers makes a little bit more noise, but not enough to be distracting or bothersome.

Cleaning

Deep fryers need a more thorough cleaning. You’ll likely have oily towels to throw away and extra oil still in the appliance that has to be used up. Even though you can reserve the oil in certain deep fryers for future usage, you’ll still have to drain the oil to clean it.

More splashes and splatters could occur, and cleaning them up and removing the oil might be a nuisance. Oil should never be poured down the drain.

For simple cleanup, you can usually place the air fryer pan in the dishwasher. It is also much simpler to clean if no oil is required. Moreover, they have a non-stick covering, making cleanup easier.

Safety

To reduce the chance of burning yourself or starting a fire while cooking with a deep fryer, you must maintain a safe range from the hot oil and pot. Contrarily, because the food in air fryer cookers is covered while cooking, they are way safer to use.

Convenience

On convenience, the air fryer outperforms the deep fryer. Like a conventional oven, an air fryer’s frying chamber is heated by an electrical coil, and hot air is circulated to the food by a fan. This effective cooking method minimizes using a lot of cooking oil, typically requiring just one tablespoon or only a sprinkle of cooking oil.

Cost

Deep fryers cost more on average than air fryers. An air fryer might be rather expensive if you’re searching for equipment that is of a commercial caliber. The ultimate price of the air fryer is determined by the same technology it employs rather than by its size.

For quicker and more effective cooking, most more costly models have Rapid Air technology and use less oil. Additionally, they come with many essential features that most customers find appealing, such as customizable settings, odor control, and brilliantly lighted display interfaces with countdown clocks and alarms.

Ways to Use Air Fryers

All types of food may be cooked in air fryers. Some of the ideal methods for using an air fryer are as follows:

1. Cook Chicken Wings

The traditional air fryer cuisine is chicken wings. They cook quickly and consistently turn out crispy.

2. Make French Fries

Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: How are They Different?

Another preferred air-frying meal is french fries. They are quick and simple to prepare and always turn out crispy. You should check our list for the best air fryer for chips if you are fond of fries and chips.

3. Roast Vegetables

Roasting veggies in air fryers is a fantastic idea. They keep them mushy on the inside while giving them a lovely crispy outside.

4. Make Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: How are They Different?

Making grilled cheese sandwiches in an air fryer is quick and simple.

5. Cook Frozen Food

Food that has been frozen can be cooked in air fryers. They don’t need to thaw it first, allowing them to cook it swiftly and evenly.

Ways to Use Deep Fryers

All types of food can be cooked in deep fryers. Some of the ideal methods for using your deep fryer are as follows:

1. Fried Chicken

Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: How are They Different?

The finest way to prepare fried chicken, a traditional Southern dish, is by using a deep fryer.

2. Fish and Chips

A deep fryer can be used to quickly prepare a traditional British dish known as fish and chips.

3. Make Donuts

Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: How are They Different?

Donuts are best prepared in deep fryers. They keep them mushy on the inside while giving them a lovely crispy outside.

4. Make Tempura

To prepare the Japanese cuisine known as tempura, veggies or seafood are battered and deep-fried. It is quick, simple, and delectable.

5. Make Fritter

Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: How are They Different?

Small fried cakes, known as fritters, can be prepared from a wide range of different ingredients. They are ideal for a quick lunch or snack.

What to Take Into Account When Purchasing a Deep Fryer

You must pay particular interest to the following important factors when buying a deep fryer:

1. Capacity

Deep fryers are available in a range of sizes, from small to big. Choose a larger, more effective deep fryer if you plan to deep fry full chickens and other large foods for a family event.

2. Specified Use Case

Another crucial factor to consider is the purpose for which you intend to use the fryer. For instance, a gas fryer is better suited for cooking larger meals like a family vacation turkey, whereas a smaller electrical fryer can be suited to cook foods like French fries and fried pickles.

3. Safety

4. Cost

Your budget will determine how much you will spend on buying a fryer. Generally speaking, larger electric deep fryers cost more than smaller ones. According to reviews, Hamilton Beach Deep Fryer with 2 Frying Baskets must be the most affordable option for those who love the deep fryer’s multi-functionality and don’t want to break the bank.

What to Take Into Account When Purchasing an Air Fryer

Finding a nice air fryer is not too difficult. It would be best if you based your choice on the following considerations:

1. Wattage

Nowadays, most air fryers are powered by between 700 and 1500 watts.

2. Capacity

Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer: How are They Different?

The quantity of food you intend to cook will determine the size of the air fryer to purchase. Most air fryers are made to prepare dishes weighing between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds.

3. Flexible Cooking Settings

The air fryer’s cooking settings are created to facilitate wise decision-making. The settings can greatly influence the taste and quality of the cooking.

4. The Fryer’s Size

When it comes to size, you must consider the size of your family and how much food you consume to get an appropriate size reading.

5. Cooking Method

This is possibly the most significant factor when purchasing an air fryer. An air fryer is unquestionably a wonderful option if you love fried food and want something that can cook quickly without making a lot of mess.

If you’re gunning for air fryers and are fond of this appliance, you should check our list for the best Philips air fryers.

Final Thoughts

Both have advantages and disadvantages when comparing air fryers vs deep fryers. You have versatility when using the air fryer for cooking. When on a diet, you can decide to prepare extra fruits and vegetables. When you want to indulge on a cheat day, you can savor the seductive smell of your crunchy fried chicken. The air fryer is handy and easy to use.

Although they require more oil, deep fryers may cook food more quickly. Air fryers cook food more slowly yet use less oil. Which is better, then? Your particular tastes will determine this.

References

  1. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/types-of-fat/
  2. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000786.htm
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30907623/
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25872656/
  5. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/advanced-glycation-end-products

References

1.
Types of Fat | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Unsaturated fats, which are liquid at room temperature, are considered beneficial fats because they can improve blood cholesterol levels, ease inflammation, stabilize heart rhythms, and play a number of other beneficial roles. Unsaturated fats are predominantly found in foods from plants, such as vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds.
2.
Facts about trans fats: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Trans fat is a type of dietary fat. Of all the fats, trans fat is the worst for your health. Too much trans fat in your diet increases your risk for heart disease and other health problems.
3.
Acrylamide in human diet, its metabolism, toxicity, inactivation and the associated European Union legal regulations in food industry - PubMed
Nowadays acrylamide is known not only as synthetic material used in industry, but also as carcinogenic, cyto- and genotoxic compound which forms during heat-induced process (due to Maillard reaction) mostly in foodstuff such as potato, bakery, plant derivatives products and coffee.
4.
Effect of pretreatments and air-frying, a novel technology, on acrylamide generation in fried potatoes - PubMed
This paper investigated the effect of air-frying technology, in combination with a pretreatment based of soaking the samples in different chemical agent solutions (citric acid, glycine, calcium lactate, sodium chloride, or nicotinic acid [vitamin B3]), on the generation of acrylamide in fried potatoes.
5.
Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs): A Complete Overview
Growing evidence suggests that AGEs, a type of chemical compound in the body, contribute to the development of many different diseases. This article reviews the research.

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