Although their modus operandi is very similar, the way in which they are used to cook influences how much they will cost on our electricity bill.
In just a few years, the air fryer has become the trendy appliance in our kitchens, replacing not only the old oil fryer, but also the oven. And although we have christened it the ‘oil-free fryer’, the truth is that it is much closer to being a miniature oven than a real fryer.
It uses a relatively small compartment through which hot air circulates at high speed, cooking food quickly and evenly. Its operation is more similar to that of a fan oven than a traditional deep fryer, which leads us to ask a very reasonable question: which consumes more electricity, a conventional oven or an air fryer?
What is clear is that many factors must be taken into account, including the age of the appliance and its energy rating, as well as one important factor: size.
Conventional ovens have much more capacity than any type of air fryer, and this will also have an impact on your electricity bill. However, the oven is not the appliance that consumes the most electricity in our homes each year.
Similarly, we must not forget a recurring reality in kitchens: the ambient temperature. This factor is particularly relevant if we are going to prepare certain dishes at certain times of the year, such as in winter, when it is easier for heat to escape from the oven if we open it prematurely.
How much does an air fryer consume?
To answer that question, we first need to know the average consumption of each appliance. Medium-sized air fryers usually have a power rating of between 1,000 and 1,800 watts, as explained by Endesa. This translates into electricity consumption of between 0.8 and 1.5 kilowatt hours (kWh), depending on the model and how long it is used.
In general, these fryers do not take long to heat up and usually cook food in less time than an oven, which also influences their energy efficiency.
How much energy does an oven consume?
In contrast, a conventional oven, also of average size, usually has a power rating of between 2,000 and 3,000 watts, so it is important to know how much your oven consumes, as explained by Naturgy.
Depending on the recipe and cooking time, its electricity consumption can range from 1.0 to 1.5 kWh, although in some cases it can be higher. In addition, unlike an air fryer, an oven needs to be preheated, which means additional energy consumption even before you start cooking.
A practical test makes this clear: when cooking a portion of chicken wings, an air fryer can consume between 0.2 and 0.3 kWh, while an oven needs around 1.0 to 1.2 kWh to prepare the same dish.
This difference is mainly due to the shorter cooking time and the smaller space in the fryer, which retains heat better and distributes it more efficiently.
The key question: what do you want to cook?
However, you also need to consider the volume of food you want to prepare. The air fryer is designed to cook small or medium quantities, so if you want to cook for a lot of people, you will probably have to repeat the process several times, which could increase your total consumption.
In contrast, the oven allows you to cook several trays at the same time, making it more practical for family gatherings or larger meals. In this case, the oven’s energy consumption, although higher in absolute terms, could be more efficient if distributed over more portions.
Another aspect to consider is the type of dish you are going to prepare. Air fryers work very well for products such as chips, nuggets, vegetables, wings or pasties.
But for recipes that require slower cooking or greater capacity, the oven remains irreplaceable. Therefore, although the air fryer clearly wins in terms of energy efficiency for everyday meals and small portions, the oven retains its place as a versatile and robust tool in the kitchen.
The conclusion is clear: in most everyday cases, the air fryer consumes less electricity than a conventional oven. This difference is due both to its lower power consumption and the fact that it cooks faster and without the need for preheating. Therefore, for those looking to reduce their electricity bill without sacrificing crispy, well-cooked dishes, the air fryer appears to be a more economical and efficient option.
