Air fryer instead of microwave?

[Therealmetherealme]

I'm resisting an air fryer, as I just don't want another gadget on the counter or in a cupboard, but I'm tempted by a small one to cook my lunches, things like chicken breast. We only use our microwave to defrost, heat up baked beans and cook veggies. I know an air fryer could cope with the veggies but what about defrosting or beaked beans?

I don't think an airfryrr can defrost or warm beans

Just look at an airfryer as a compact version of your oven.

Microwave is much quicker at defrosting and quickly reheating things.

I would have both - honestly, it's worth the space.

I love my air fryer, but for a chicken breast- possibly not. Do you mean with skin on? Without skin it would dry badly. I would think a sandwich grill would do better.

Air fryer is great for chips/pies/potato croquettes/anything that you’d deep fry. Less good for baking as it’s hard to judge temp and time for say a cake.

It’s a fierce mini oven, basically.

Have you looked at combi microwaves? I bought one for Christmas, and did the turkey on the convection oven settings, then used it to microwave the veg.

Why don't you get an airfryer microwave oven. I have a double air fryer but needed a new microwave so got something similar to this https://direct.asda.com/george/electricals/kitchen-appliances/microwaves/salter-ek5654-20l-air-fryer-microwave-oven/060055055,default,pd.html same brand just a different model.

That's what I was thinking g, but couldn't find one at a reasonable price. Sadly your link didn't work but I'll check out Asda.

Ah sorry the link didn't work. If you Google Salter Microwave Ovens, a fair few come up.

I’ve not had a microwave for about 6 years.
I couldn’t be without my air fryer though.

Microwave and air fryer combo sounds genuis. I wouldn't want to be without either one but together... nice.

Took the plunge and ordered a Phillips air fryer, microwaves relegated to a cupboard for now. Now I'm searching for recipes.

I have to disagree about the chicken breast - I usually cook them in my air fryer, and they come out perfectly cooked, juicy and not dry at all. I just cover them in foil for the first while, and then leave them uncovered for the last few minutes.

It takes about half the time it would in the oven.

I've got a Phillips, their app is useful.
When I bought mine, 8-9 years ago, there were no recipe books, so 've always adapted ordinary recipes

Ah, ok. I don’t use foil. I wouldn’t cook a skinless chicken breast in the oven either. Well, only in a lidded dish, or maybe covered in something- bacon and cheese, tomato passata or something.

I tend to use the air fryer for dry crispy foods. Home made chips, browning sausage before using in a casserole, bacon etc.

@Therealmetherealme - how are you getting on? I did a quick search on "air fryer defrosting" as basically we only use our microwave for defrosting but I definitely don't have work surface space for both.

Hi,

We put the air fryer in the worktop (a Phillips dual basket) and we use it a lot. My husband loves it!

We put the microwave in a cupboard for now and it does get used occasionally. If I planned better and thought to just use the hob, we could probably do without it. Our oven has a defrost mode, it heats to around 40 •c , but it's not great.