AIR FRY VS. BAKE: WHICH SETTING SHOULD YOU USE?
When it comes to creating a new dish, choosing the right cooking method can make all the difference in achieving the best results. Learning the differences between air frying and baking can help you understand when to use each method in the kitchen. Use this guide to compare air fry vs. bake settings so you can optimize your creativity when deciding which technique to use for each of your recipes.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AIR FRYING AND BAKING?
Air frying uses rapid hot air circulation and minimal oil to cook food, creating a crispy exterior. Baking cooks food by using still, hot air. Air frying is ideal for creating recipes like French fries, crispy vegetable side dishes or fried chicken, while baking better suits recipes like cakes and bread.
These methods differ in how heat is applied to cook your recipes. The intense, circulating heat of an air fryer creates a crispy texture similar to deep-frying but with less oil, making it the perfect option for recipes that resemble classic fried fare. Baking, on the other hand, provides dry heat at lower temperatures to slowly cook food. This makes it better suited for dishes that require even cooking or rising, like delicate pastries.
AIR FRY VS. BAKE VS. AIR FRYER BAKE SETTINGS
Air frying uses high heat and rapid air circulation for crispy results, while baking offers dry heat at lower temperatures that helps maintain moisture in delicate recipes. Some air fryers offer a bake setting that’s similar to convection baking in that it circulates heated air throughout the cooking cavity. When baking in an air fryer you can often use slightly lower temperatures to cook your food.
| SETTING | COOK TEMPERATURES | BEST USED FOR |
|---|---|---|
| AIR FRY | High heat (typically 350-400°F) | Air fried vegetable recipes, meats, fish |
| OVEN BAKE | Moderate heat (usually 300-375°F) | Cakes, delicate pastries, bread |
| AIR FRY BAKE SETTINGS | Low heat (usually 280-350°F) | Baked potatoes, banana bread, fruit pies |
WHAT DOES THE BAKE SETTING DO ON AN AIR FRYER?
The bake setting on an air fryer typically lowers the temperature inside the appliance from the typical air fry heat levels. Depending on the model of your air fryer, the bake setting may also eliminate the fan function or alternate between heating elements throughout the cook time.
DOES THE AIR FRYER BAKE SETTING COOK FASTER THAN THE OVEN?
Because the bake setting on an air fryer functions slightly differently from an oven, and since air fryers are much smaller than full-size ovens, the bake times are often shorter. These appliances also typically heat up more quickly than a standard oven, so preheating may also take less time, if any at all.
WHEN TO USE THE BAKE SETTING ON AN AIR FRYER
Air fryers are typically smaller than ovens, making them ideal for baking smaller portions of your favorite recipes, especially on warmer days when you don't want to heat up the kitchen. They're also great for reheating some kinds of leftovers without drying them out.
WHAT TO BAKE IN AN AIR FRYER?
Baking in your air fryer is a simple alternative for recipes that might dry out under the intense heat of the standard air fry setting. This setting works well with recipes that have higher fat and moisture contents, like fruit-filled cakes or creamy casseroles. You can also use your air fryer’s bake setting to create baked potatoes that have a delicious, crispy skin on the outside and are light and fluffy on the inside, or bake marinated salmon bites that have a subtle crunch to complement the flaky interior. The bake setting can also help you elevate the texture of your tried-and-true banana bread recipe by creating a crisp outer crust while maintaining a moist and tender center. If you have a late-night sweet tooth, you can even bake small batches of cookies or a single-serve cheesecake in your air fryer.
