From delicious chicken nuggets to mouthwatering wings, frying is one of the most popular cooking methods. You can use different appliances, and two of the most popular are air fryer and deep fryer. Which one should you choose?
Read this quick comparison of air fryer vs deep fryer and we’ll let you know their similarities and differences. By the time you are done reading, we hope that it is easier for you to make the right choice.
Air Fryer Overview
Frying has long had a bad reputation because of how unhealthy it is. With this, an air fryer provides a better alternative if you want to enjoy fried food without it drowning in oil. It is a convenient and multifunctional appliance that is sure to elevate your kitchen.
With an air fryer, the food will be crispy and brown on the outside while being juicy on the inside. The best thing is that you use no or minimal oil. It is also versatile. Nonetheless, it can take a while to cook.
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Deep Fryer Overview
Traditionally, a deep fryer is one of the most common kitchen appliances used for frying. It is like frying in a traditional fan, except that it is more innovative. It is electric and has a rack wherein you will put the food as it is submerged in oil.
Depending on the brand and model, deep fryers are available in different types. For instance, it can be tube-style, which has a cluster of tubes across a heating tank. Meanwhile, an open-pot deep fryer uses either gas or electric heating element for frying. You will also find flat-bottom deep fryers.
Mini Deep Fryer
A Quick Comparison of Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer
Let’s get into the specifics and look at the different factors that make the two different.
1. Frying Mechanism
Among others, one of the biggest differences between the two is the way they fry. It impacts the overall results, and hence, often the basis of the decision when it comes to what to buy.
An air fryer works like a convection oven. It uses rapid air technology for cooking food. It has a component that heats and circulates hot air, which is what cooks the food. There is a fan on the top, which blows hot air in the frying basket.
On the other hand, a deep fryer bathes your food in oil. It is like deep frying in a pan. You first fill the container with oil until the recommended level. Meanwhile, there is a mesh basket where you will put the food and it is later on submerged in oil and cooked.
So, in a nutshell, the main difference is that an air fryer cooks in hot air while a deep fryer cooks in hot oil.
2. Healthiness
A lot of people hate frying food because of the liberal amount of oil that it uses. This can be a significant health issue, especially if you do it often.
If you are looking for a healthy way to cook food like nuggets, wings, and fries, then it is hard to go wrong with an air fryer. It uses up to 80% less oil. This is a great way to minimize the calories and grease that get in your food.
With a deep fryer, however, you will use a lot of oil. You will submerge the food in oil to fry it, which will be evident in the result and becomes greasy.
3. Versatility
Today, many kitchen appliances are versatile, which will let you save countertop space. It does not make sense investing in an appliance that can do only one thing when you can pick one that delivers multiple functions.
With a deep fryer, you have limited application. It is only for deep frying, and hence, it might not be good for small kitchens. It is more common in commercial establishments, such as food trucks and restaurants.
If you are looking for a versatile kitchen appliance, then you should have an air fryer. Depending on the brand and model, it has many uses beyond frying. Some have pre-programmed buttons, so you can use it for baking, steaming, broiling, roasting, and reheating, among others.
4. Cooking Time
A lot of you are probably impatient in cooking, so it is important to consider how long will both appliances take before your food is ready. The deep fryer is the winner here. This is because once the oil is hot enough, it will only take a few minutes before it can cook.
On the other hand, an air fryer is typically slower. It can be fast, but it depends on its technical specifications. It needs to circulate hot air to cook food, which can take a few minutes.
5. Taste
Between the two, the deep fryer can make better tasting food. This is because it is submerged in oil. The oil itself imparts robust flavors in whatever you are cooking. Not to mention, even the grease can make the taste stand out.
Meanwhile, an air fryer also makes delicious food, but the biggest difference is that it does not have the oil or grease that you will typically have in an air fryer. The upside of this, however, is that it is healthier.
6. Safety
One of the biggest concerns about a deep fryer is its safety, especially because it typically has an open pot. This means that you will be exposed to hot oil. The evaporation of hot air and oil can be a hazard, especially in small kitchens.
On the other hand, an air fryer is usually safer. It has many safety features that can provide you with peace pf mind. It is covered and uses no or minimal oil.
Deep Fried vs. Air Fried Taste Test
So, Which One is Better?
It all boils down to a matter of personal preference. If we must choose, however, an air fryer is better. It is a healthier way to cook food compared to being submerged in hot oil. Plus, it is multifunctional since it often has more functions. Not to mention, it is also safer.
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