Short answer: use the microwave for fast reheating of moist food like dal, curries, rice and milk. Use the air fryer for anything that should be crisp or browned: snacks, tikkas, fries, and reheating pizza, samosas or quiche. They work in completely different ways, so neither fully replaces the other.
How they work
- Microwave: microwaves make the water molecules in food vibrate, heating it from within. That’s fast, but there’s no dry heat on the surface, so nothing browns or crisps.
- Air fryer: a heating element and a powerful fan blow hot, dry air around the food. The surface dries out and browns, which is what gives the “fried” crunch.
Air fryer vs microwave: comparison table
| Air fryer | Microwave | |
|---|---|---|
| Best at | Crisping, browning, roasting, reheating fried food | Reheating moist food, defrosting, steaming |
| Reheating a samosa | 4–5 min: crisp outside, hot inside | 30–60 sec: hot but soft and chewy |
| Reheating dal or curry | Not suitable | 1–3 min, ideal |
| Cooking from raw | Fries, tikkas, cutlets, roasted veg, small cakes | Limited: steamed veg, mug cakes, popcorn bags |
| Containers | Metal, oven-safe glass, silicone, foil | Microwave-safe glass, ceramic, plastic; no metal |
| Typical power | 1,200–1,800 W | 700–1,200 W output |
| Speed | Minutes (plus a short preheat) | Seconds to minutes |
Which is better for reheating?
| Leftover | Best appliance |
|---|---|
| Pizza, samosa, pakoda, cutlet, fries | Air fryer (see reheating pizza) |
| Quiche, pies, puffs | Air fryer (see reheating quiche) |
| Dal, sabzi with gravy, curries | Microwave |
| Rice, biryani | Microwave (sprinkle water and cover) |
| Roti, paratha | Tawa, or the air fryer for 1–2 min if you want crisp |
| Milk, tea | Microwave (see can you microwave milk?) |
Can an air fryer replace a microwave?
Not entirely. It can’t heat liquids or defrost quickly. But if you mostly reheat snacks and fried food, you’ll find yourself reaching for the air fryer more. Read more in can I use an air fryer as a microwave?
What about a convection microwave?
Convection microwaves add a heating element and fan, so they can bake and grill as well as microwave. They can roast and bake, but the larger chamber means they’re generally slower to crisp than a dedicated air fryer. They’re a good all-in-one if counter space is tight.
Container safety
- Air fryer: metal tins, oven-safe glass and food-grade silicone are fine. Never use plastic (why).
- Microwave: no metal or foil. Check that glass and plastic are marked microwave-safe (Pyrex, Tupperware).
Frequently asked questions
Is an air fryer healthier than a microwave?
Neither adds oil to reheated food, so for reheating they’re similar. The air fryer’s advantage is replacing deep or shallow frying when you cook from raw.
Which uses more electricity?
The microwave, for a quick reheat, because it runs for seconds rather than minutes. For cooking crispy food from raw, the air fryer is the efficient choice.
Can I put a microwave container in the air fryer?
Only if it is also oven-safe. Plastic microwave containers will melt.
More: air fryer vs oven · all comparisons