Experts caution against using air fryers instead of ovens

Experts Caution Against Using Air Fryers Instead of Ovens — Here’s What Home Cooks Should Know

Air fryers have taken over modern kitchens. They’re quick, convenient, and promise crispy “fried” foods with less oil. Many home cooks now reach for their air fryer before even thinking about preheating the oven. But according to cooking professionals and kitchen appliance experts, relying on an air fryer as a full oven replacement can come with drawbacks.

While air fryers are incredibly useful, they aren’t designed to handle every recipe—and understanding their limitations can make you a better, safer cook.

Why Air Fryers Can’t Fully Replace an Oven

Most of the concerns chefs and food scientists raise aren’t about safety hazards—they’re about technique, capacity, and performance.

1. Size Limits What You Can Cook

Air fryers have compact baskets, meaning:

• Foods must be cooked in smaller batches
• Roasts, whole poultry, and large casseroles don’t fit
• Overcrowding leads to uneven results

For recipes that depend on space—like sheet-pan dinners or holiday baking—an oven simply works better.

2. Uneven Cooking Can Be an Issue

Air fryers heat quickly and intensely, which is great for crisping but not always ideal for:

• Thick cuts of meat
• Delicate pastries
• Breads and doughs
• Slow-roasted dishes

An oven’s more even, gentle heat often produces more consistent results.

3. Not All Cookware Is Air-Fryer Safe

Many baking dishes that work beautifully in an oven—glass, ceramic, insulated pans—can crack or overheat in an air fryer due to rapid temperature changes and shorter distance to the heating element.

4. Air Fryers Change Texture and Moisture

The rapid air circulation can dry out certain foods more quickly. Recipes developed for ovens may need adjustments in:

• Time
• Temperature
• Oil content

Without tweaks, you might end up with food that’s too crispy, too dry, or browned before fully cooked.

What Experts Do Love About Air Fryers

Despite the cautions, most professionals agree that air fryers offer real benefits when used appropriately:

• Quick reheating without sogginess
• Crispy vegetables in minutes
• Great results with chicken wings, fries, tofu, and thin cuts of meat
• Less oil needed for browning

The key is viewing an air fryer as a complement, not a replacement.