Air Fryer vs. Convection Oven Cook Time

If you’re interested in learning which unit can cook the fastest, we can help. The simple answer? Air fryers cook faster than convection ovens. In order to get the full comparison between air fryers and convection ovens, read on. We’ve broken down the reasons why air fryers tend to be faster, but are they better at cooking foods you love?

Preheating Process

Before you get started with cooking, you need to preheat the oven. All ovens need to be preheated to get up to the correct temperature. Here’s a quick breakdown of this process is an air fryer vs. convection oven:

• Air fryer - These units don’t need to preheat, though some models do have a preheat setting in their programming that only takes, on average, about 4 minutes.
• Convection oven - Convection ovens need around 20 minutes to preheat to 425°F which ensures your dishes are cooked consistently at the same temperature.

Temperature Ranges & Capacity

Temperature range and cook time go hand in hand, especially when what you’re trying to cook needs to be prepared at a specific temperature. The main difference between air fryer and convection oven temperature ranges is that the convection oven can reach higher ranges. Air fryers typically get less hot considering whatever you would cook inside of it weighs less than a larger meal that can be baked in an oven.

Energy Usage

When it comes to how much energy an air fryer and oven use, you’ll want to check with the manuals for specific information. It will depend on the size of your unit. Here are some averages for each type of unit:

• Air fryers use about 1,000-1,200 watts
• Ovens use anywhere from 2,000-5,000 watts

Do You Need an Air Fryer If You Have a Convection Oven?

If you have an oven, chances are you don’t need an air fryer. These types of countertop cooking units do tend to be more convenient, though. While they take up extra counter space, they don’t take any time at all to preheat and your food will be cooked quicker than in the oven. Overall, it’s about preference. Learn more about ovens, air fryers and more with us to find the right oven for you.