In the world of kitchen appliances, the debate between air fryer vs microwave continues to heat up. If you’re wondering ‘air fryer or microwave’ which one is better,” you’re not alone.
An air fryer and a microwave for your Indian kitchen, the choice can feel overwhelming. Both appliances offer convenience, but they cater to different cooking needs, especially in the context of Indian cuisine with its diverse recipes like samosas, pakoras, curries, and reheated rotis. article compares air fryers and microwaves based on authentic expert reviews, tailored to Indian households, to help you decide which one to go for in 2025.
If you love crispy Indian snacks like samosas, pakoras, or tandoori dishes and want healthier versions with less oil. Ideal for families who cook from scratch or host gatherings. Top models include Philips Air Fryer HD9252/90 (₹8,999) or Havells Prolife Grande (₹9,500).
If you prioritize speed for reheating leftovers (dal, sabzi, biryani) or steaming idlis and dhoklas. Perfect for small households, students, or busy professionals. Popular options include LG 28L Convection Microwave (₹12,999) or Samsung 23L Solo Microwave (₹6,490).
Consider a microwave-air fryer combo like the IFB 30-litre Convection Microwave with Air Fryer (₹15,000) for versatility in small Indian kitchens.
Understanding Air Fryers and Microwaves: How They Work
Before diving into the air fryer vs microwave debate, let’s understand their functionality in the Indian context.
An air fryer is a compact convection oven that circulates hot air around food using a powerful fan and heating element, mimicking deep frying with minimal oil. This makes it perfect for crispy snacks like aloo tikki or chicken 65. Temperatures can reach up to 200°C (400°F), ideal for achieving that golden, crunchy texture Indian recipes often demand.
A microwave uses electromagnetic waves to heat food by vibrating water molecules, making it great for quick reheating of dal, sabzi, or biryani. It heats from the inside out but doesn’t crisp food, which can be a drawback for dishes like dosa or paratha.
Key Difference: Air fryers excel at frying and baking with less oil, while microwaves are champions of quick reheating and defrosting.
Key Differences: Air Fryer vs Microwave for Indian Cooking
Here’s how air fryers and microwaves stack up for Indian kitchens, based on expert insights:
- Cooking Method: Air fryers use rapid hot air for crispy results; microwaves rely on radiation for fast internal heating, which suits wet dishes like curries but not fried snacks.
- Texture Outcome: Air fryers deliver the crispy texture loved in pakoras, vadas, or tandoori items; microwaves can make these soggy or unevenly heated.
- Oil Usage: Air fryers reduce oil by 70-80%, making healthier versions of fried Indian snacks; microwaves don’t use oil but can’t replicate frying.
- Capacity: Microwaves handle larger vessels (like for reheating family-sized curries); air fryers may need batch cooking for larger Indian families due to smaller baskets.
Pros and Cons of Air Fryers and Microwaves
Based on expert reviews and Indian market insights, here are the pros and cons:
Air Fryer Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- Healthier cooking with less oil, perfect for guilt-free samosas, fries, or tandoori chicken.
- Versatile for baking (naan, cakes), roasting (paneer tikka), and frying (bhajis).
- Great for crispy textures, enhancing Indian snacks and grilled dishes.
- Easy to clean, with dishwasher-safe parts in models like Philips or Havells.
- Cons:
- Longer cooking times (20-30 minutes for most recipes).
- Takes up counter space, a concern in compact Indian kitchens.
- Initial learning curve for Indian recipes (e.g., adjusting times for aloo tikki).
Microwave Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- Lightning-fast reheating (under 5 minutes for dal, rice, or leftovers).
- Ideal for steaming veggies, idlis, or dhoklas without drying them out.
- Affordable and energy-efficient, with models from LG and Samsung starting at ₹5,000.
- Perfect for quick tasks like melting ghee or reheating chai.
- Cons:
- Poor for crisping; rotis or papads can turn rubbery.
- Not suitable for raw meats or achieving tandoori-style flavors.
- Limited to microwave-safe containers, restricting some Indian cookware.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Air Fryer vs Microwave for Indian Homes
Here’s a comparison table tailored to Indian cooking needs, drawn from expert reviews:
| Category | Air Fryer Winner? | Microwave Winner? | Details for Indian Kitchens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking Speed | No | Yes | Microwaves reheat dal or biryani in 2-5 minutes; air fryers take 15-30 minutes for snacks like pakoras but preheat quickly. |
| Health Benefits | Yes | No | Air fryers cut oil use by 70-80%, ideal for healthier Indian fried foods like vadas or cutlets. Microwaves preserve nutrients in steamed dishes but don’t reduce fats. |
| Energy Efficiency | Tie | Slight Edge | Microwaves use ~1,200W/hour (₹1-2 per use); air fryers cost slightly more (~₹3 for 30 mins). Both are cheaper than OTGs or gas stoves. |
| Versatility | Yes | No | Air fryers handle frying (samosas), baking (naan), roasting (tikka); microwaves excel at reheating and steaming (idli, dhokla). |
| Reheating | Yes (for texture) | Yes (for speed) | Air fryers restore crispiness in parathas or pizza; microwaves are faster but may soggy up leftovers like dosa. |
| Cost in India | Tie | Tie | Air fryers (Philips, Havells) start at ₹6,000; microwaves (LG, IFB) at ₹5,000. Premium models reach ₹15,000+. |