An air fryer and a microwave do different jobs, so one cannot fully replace the other

An air fryer heats food by circulating hot air at high speed, which crisps the outside while cooking the inside. A microwave uses radiation to agitate water molecules inside food, heating it from the inside out. Because they work in opposite ways, they excel at different tasks. An air fryer will never reheat coffee the way a microwave does, and a microwave will never crisp frozen fries. You can use an air fryer for some jobs a microwave handles—reheating pizza or chicken, for example—but not all of them, and not always as fast.

The real question is whether an air fryer can handle enough of what your microwave does to make the microwave unnecessary in your kitchen. For many home cooks, the answer is yes. For others, it depends on what you actually use your microwave for right now.

Key Takeaways

  • An air fryer reheats solid foods (pizza, fried chicken, leftovers) better than a microwave because it crisps instead of steaming, but takes 5 to 10 minutes instead of 2 to 3.
  • A microwave is faster for heating liquids like coffee, tea, and soup, and an air fryer cannot do this job at all.
  • An air fryer works well for cooking frozen foods from scratch (fries, nuggets, vegetables) where a microwave produces soggy results.
  • If your microwave use is mostly reheating solid leftovers and cooking frozen items, an air fryer can replace it; if you heat liquids daily, you will want both.
  • Air fryers take up counter or cabinet space and cost $40 to $200, so the trade-off depends on your kitchen layout and budget.

What a microwave does that an air fryer cannot

A microwave is the only appliance that heats liquids quickly and evenly. If you drink coffee, tea, or soup, or if you warm milk for cooking, a microwave does this in 1 to 3 minutes with almost no cleanup. An air fryer cannot heat liquids at all—the liquid would straightforward sit in the basket while the heating element burns it or leaves it cold. This is the single biggest reason to keep a microwave even if you buy an air fryer.

Microwaves are also faster for reheating small portions. A single slice of pizza takes 30 seconds in a microwave and 3 to 5 minutes in an air fryer. If you are reheating one or two items regularly, the microwave wins on speed. An air fryer makes sense when you are reheating a full basket of food at once.

What an air fryer does better than a microwave

An air fryer produces crispy, browned food. A microwave steams. If you reheat fried chicken, pizza, or french fries in a microwave, the outside becomes soft and the texture suffers. An air fryer restores crispness because the circulating hot air removes moisture from the surface instead of trapping it. The same applies to baked goods—a croissant or piece of toast reheated in an air fryer tastes fresh, while a microwave makes it rubbery.

An air fryer also cooks frozen foods from scratch better than a microwave. Frozen french fries, chicken nuggets, and vegetables come out crispy and evenly cooked in an air fryer. A microwave produces soggy, unevenly heated results because the outside thaws and cooks before the inside is warm. If frozen food is a regular part of your diet, an air fryer is the better tool.

Speed and timing: when the microwave still wins

Microwaves are faster for small jobs. Reheating a single cup of coffee takes 90 seconds in a microwave and cannot be done in an air fryer at all. Warming a plate of leftovers takes 2 to 3 minutes in a microwave and 5 to 10 minutes in an air fryer, depending on what you are heating and how much.

An air fryer does win on batch size. If you are reheating dinner for four people, an air fryer basket holds more than a microwave plate and heats more evenly. The time difference shrinks when you are cooking larger amounts, and the quality difference grows—the air fryer will crisp everything while a microwave leaves it steamed.

Preheat time also matters. An air fryer needs 3 to 5 minutes to reach temperature before you can cook. A microwave is ready when ready. For quick jobs, this tips the balance toward the microwave.

Deciding whether to replace your microwave

Keep your microwave if you heat liquids (coffee, tea, soup, milk) more than once a week. This is the one job an air fryer straightforward cannot do. If your microwave sits unused for weeks, or if you use it only to reheat solid foods and cook frozen items, an air fryer can handle those tasks and do them better.

Consider your kitchen space and budget. An air fryer takes up counter or cabinet room. If your kitchen is small or your counter is already crowded, the space cost may outweigh the benefit. Air fryers range from $40 for a basic model to $200 for a larger or fancier one. If you already own a working microwave, the question is whether the improvement in food quality is worth the money and space.

The most practical setup for most home cooks is to keep both. Use the microwave for liquids and quick reheats of single items. Use the air fryer for reheating larger portions, cooking frozen foods from scratch, and any time you want crispy results. This gives you the speed of a microwave and the quality of an air fryer, with no compromises.

Common mistakes when trying to replace a microwave with an air fryer

The biggest mistake is attempting to heat liquids in an air fryer. Coffee, tea, soup, and any other liquid will not heat evenly and can damage the appliance. Do not try this.

Another common error is underestimating preheat time. An air fryer needs 3 to 5 minutes to reach temperature. If you are in a hurry, the microwave is faster even for foods the air fryer would cook better. Plan ahead if you want to use the air fryer.

Overcrowding the basket is also a mistake. An air fryer works by circulating hot air around food. If you pack it too full, the air cannot reach everything and some food will cook unevenly or stay cold in the middle. Reheat in batches if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an air fryer to heat up coffee or tea?

No. An air fryer cannot heat liquids. The liquid will not warm evenly, and it can damage the heating element. Use a microwave or stovetop for any beverage or liquid food.

How long does it take to reheat pizza in an air fryer versus a microwave?

A microwave reheats a slice of pizza in 30 seconds to 1 minute, but the crust becomes soft. An air fryer takes 3 to 5 minutes but restores crispness. For multiple slices, the time difference shrinks and the quality difference grows.

Will an air fryer crisp up microwave leftovers?

Yes. If you have already reheated food in a microwave and it came out soft, you can crisp it in an air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes. This works well for fried chicken, pizza, and baked goods.

Do I need both an air fryer and a microwave?

For most households, yes. A microwave is faster for liquids and single-item reheats. An air fryer produces better results for larger portions and frozen foods. Keeping both gives you the best of each appliance without compromise.

What size air fryer do I need if I want to replace my microwave?

A 4 to 6 quart air fryer handles most reheating and cooking tasks for a family of four. Smaller models (2 to 3 quarts) work for one or two people. Larger models (8+ quarts) are useful if you cook for groups regularly, but take up more space.