It’s wild to think how fast air fryers went from “weird As Seen On TV” gadgets to basically living on every kitchen counter. Seriously, I have friends who act insulted if you don’t offer up air-fried snacks at game night. But have you ever stopped and thought, is there actually something better than an air fryer out there?
I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with new kitchen gear. Between the kids begging for homemade fries and my own laziness about cleaning up oil splatters, the air fryer felt like my savior—for a month or two. But after a while, it hit me: this thing takes up space, struggles with anything that’s not frozen appetizers, and sometimes leaves stuff, well, kind of dry. So, are there options that solve more problems and actually make life easier? Turns out, yes—and some of these will surprise you.
- Why Air Fryers Have Taken Over
- What Outperforms an Air Fryer?
- Unexpected Downsides—When Air Fryers Fall Short
- Choosing What Works for Your Family
Why Air Fryers Have Taken Over
It's not just about less oil—air fryers really did change weeknight dinner routines for millions of families. Back in 2020, when everyone suddenly cared way more about home cooking, air fryer sales in the U.S. jumped by almost 80% according to the NPD Group. People wanted something quick and healthier than traditional frying, without the mess and greasy smell.
The real draw? Convenience. Pop in frozen chicken nuggets, press a button, and ten minutes later you’re the hero of the evening. Unlike ovens, you don’t wait for ages to preheat or deal with fiddly temperature settings. And unlike deep frying, you don’t wind up scrubbing oil off your backsplash for three days.
Here’s why these gadgets became a must-have:
- Speed: Most models cook up fries, wings, or fish sticks in about half the time of an oven.
- Less mess: No oil splattering across the stove or countertop—just toss the basket in the dishwasher.
- Health angle: They use up to 80% less oil compared to deep fryers.
- User-friendly: One dial (or button) handles most meals. Even my eight-year-old can use ours without an issue.
“The air fryer’s popularity is a rare example of a kitchen gadget becoming a staple, not just a trend,” says Consumer Reports’ James Dickerson. “People find real value in the combination of speed, health, and, frankly, less hassle.”
All that hype shows up in the numbers. Check out this quick stat rundown:
| Year | Estimated U.S. Households Owning Air Fryers |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 million |
| 2020 | 17 million |
| 2023 | 25 million+ |
With all this fanfare, it’s easy to call the air fryer the king of 21st-century kitchen gadgets. But hang on—does it keep its crown once you start looking at what else is out there?
What Outperforms an Air Fryer?
Let’s get real: everyone talks about air fryers like they’re the best thing since sliced bread. But once you start using other gear, you realize the air fryer has some serious competition—especially if you want better results, bigger batches, or more creativity in the kitchen. Here are the real standouts:
- Convection Ovens: These are basically big air fryers hiding in plain sight. They use a fan to blow hot air around, just like an air fryer, but with a lot more space. If you’re cooking for a family or want leftovers, a convection oven doesn’t force you to do three or four batches. It also handles casseroles and sheet-pan dinners, not just frozen snacks.
- Instant Pot and Multi-Cookers: If you want one tool that does more, multi-cookers crush it. You can sauté, pressure cook, slow-cook, and even air fry (if you get a model with the right lid). They’re a lifesaver when you’re juggling homework, sports, and dinner at the same time.
- Toaster Ovens with Air Fry Functions: Newer toaster ovens are stealing air fryer thunder. They crisp fries, bake cookies, and reheat pizza way better than a basic air fryer basket. Plus, most models hold more food at once, so no one’s standing there waiting while you batch cook chicken nuggets for the kids.
- Traditional Deep Fryers: Sometimes, oil just wins. If you want that classic texture—think donuts or really crunchy fries—nothing beats real frying. It’s messy, but for certain things, the taste is unbeatable.
Check out this quick comparison if you’re weighing your options:
| Gadget | Best For | Batch Size | Cleanup | Versatility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Fryer | Frozen snacks, quick meals | 2-4 servings | Pretty easy | Moderate |
| Convection Oven | Meals, batch cooking | 4-8 servings | Easy to moderate | High |
| Multi-Cooker | One-pot meals, time saving | 4-6 servings | Easy | Very high |
| Toaster Oven with Air Fry | Reheating, crisp results | 3-5 servings | Easy | High |
| Deep Fryer | Classic fried foods | Varies | Messy | Low |
The bottom line? If you’re after more space, more options, or tastier fried food, these gadgets can easily outshine a air fryer in your kitchen. It really comes down to what you cook most and how much effort you want to put in.
Unexpected Downsides—When Air Fryers Fall Short
Air fryers usually get praise for their quick cooking, crispy fries, and “healthy” vibes. But if you really use one daily, you start to spot some weak spots. The hype doesn’t always match reality, especially if you love variety in your meals. Let’s get real about what these machines can’t do well.
First up—size. Most air fryers aren’t built for a hungry family. If you want to make wings for four or roasted veggies for everyone, you’re stuck cooking in rounds. That means more waiting, or cold second helpings. My kids, Soren and Annelise, have no patience for that. A sheet pan in the oven does it all in one go—no juggling batches or timing stress.
Next, texture doesn’t always live up to the “fried” promise. Air fryers use hot air, not oil baths. Think drier chicken, uneven results in thick foods, and the occasional chewy crumb. If you want that super crunchy, deep-fried bite, honestly, nothing replaces an actual deep fryer for that classic taste and snap. Some foods, like battered fish, can turn into a disaster—broken coating, soggy results, and a mess to pull out of the basket.
Cleanup is another letdown for a lot of people. Yes, you dodge oil splatters, but most air fryer baskets need scrubbing after any cheesy, sticky, or saucy foods. Some models promise dishwasher-safe parts, but not every basket survives that without flaking or warping. The kid in me wants easy—toss it in the sink and forget. With the air fryer, you often end up pulling bits of burned breadcrumbs out of tiny holes in a mesh tray.
Then there’s the noise factor. Fans can get loud, especially in smaller kitchens. For something supposedly “set and forget,” it’s a bummer when you have to talk over the cyclonic blast to have a conversation. If you’re someone who enjoys background peace or a smooth-running kitchen, this can get on your nerves fast.
The last hiccup? Smell. While air fryers limit greasy odors, they don’t erase them. Strong-smelling foods—think salmon—can leave the basket reeking for days unless you deep clean it. That’s a headache if you switch between sweet and savory recipes or don’t want your apple chips tasting like leftover fish sticks.
- Batches are small, slowing down meal prep for families
- Texture often isn’t as crispy as true frying
- Basket cleanup can be a pain, especially with sticky foods
- Noise gets in the way in smaller kitchens
- Smells can linger unless cleaned really well
An air fryer still has its place, but it’s far from perfect. Knowing these downsides helps you decide if you need a different gadget, an upgrade, or just a better way to use what you’ve got.
Choosing What Works for Your Family
If you're feeling bombarded by kitchen gadget ads, you’re not alone. It’s easy to get pulled in by the newest thing, but the real trick is figuring out what actually fits your family’s needs—not just what looks cool on TikTok or sits at the top of Amazon searches. Before buying, step back and think about what you really cook, and how often you use each tool. If you’ve got a family like mine, you know anything that shaves even ten minutes off dinner is worth a try.
Let’s break it down with a few key questions:
- How many people are you feeding? Air fryers are great, but cramming in four chicken breasts means half end up undercooked. If you’ve got a big crew or always host friends, something like a convection oven might be less stressful.
- Do you want to cook whole meals or just sides and snacks? If you love crispy fries but don’t worry about roasting a full chicken, a smaller gadget is fine. But for “one and done” meals, check multi-cookers or countertop ovens—they handle more at once.
- How much patience do you have for cleaning? Trust me, this matters. Some air fryers have baskets that survive anything. Others mean scraping off stubborn gunk every night. Read reviews about cleaning before you regret it.
- Is counter space tight? If you live in an apartment or just hate clutter, you’ll want something multipurpose—multi-cookers and toaster ovens can sub in for at least three other gadgets.
Sometimes, it helps to list out your top kitchen annoyances. For me, it was soggy leftovers from the microwave and greasy pans from frying. The air fryer fixed most of that, but then we hit the limit with batch size, so I looked at a countertop convection oven and haven’t looked back. My neighbor, though, swears by her multi-cooker because it can steam, pressure cook, and even bake—in one pot.
If you’re on a budget, keep an eye on deals for certified refurbished models. These often score way cheaper and work just as well out of the box. And if you really hate the first gadget you buy? Pass it to a friend or hit up a buy-nothing group online—someone’s always looking to try one without buying new.
Even though every family cooks differently, the key is finding a gadget—or combo of gadgets—that knocks out the most annoying parts of daily meals, without making your kitchen burst at the seams. Your needs will change over time too. What works for you today might not be the answer next year, especially if your kids move out, or you suddenly start meal-prepping lunches every Sunday.