Air fry vs. bake: What’s the difference?

What's the difference between air frying and baking?

You may have heard that air frying and baking are the same, but there are some major differences between the two. Air frying uses intense heat and a fan that rapidly circulates air, helping to remove moisture from the exterior of foods for a crispy finish. Baking uses still air and heat from top and bottom heating elements. It’s often best for liquid batters and foods meant to retain moisture throughout, like cakes, or that need to rise, like yeasted bread.

Is air frying better than baking?

Whether baking vs. air frying is better really depends on your dish and your desired outcome. Air fryers are great for quick, crispy results, while ovens remain essential for baking soft, delicate cakes, souffles and yeasted breads. 

For example, chocolate chip cookies can be air fried for a crispy, crunchy exterior that gives way to a warm, gooey center. However, that same crunchy texture on a cake? Not quite as tempting. Opting for a traditional bake setting vs. air frying is better for certain recipes. When comparing air frying to baking, there are pros and cons to each method:

Air frying advantages:

• Produces crispy results with little to no oil, often making it a healthier alternative to deep frying

• Cooks most foods faster than traditional ovens due to rapid air circulation

• Ideal for quickly cooking smaller portions or reheating leftovers

• Great for foods that benefit from a crispy exterior like fries, chicken wings, skin-on roasts and cookies

Baking advantages:

• More suitable for delicate foods or dishes with runny batters

• Provides a still environment with less intense heat

• Lack of blowing air is ideal for items that need to rise, like yeasted breads

• Preferred for items like thin filets, cakes and other delicate baked goods

Whether air frying is better than baking depends on what you're cooking and your goals:

• For crispy, fried-like results or a crusty exterior with soft or juicy insides, air frying excels

• For baking cakes, yeasted breads and delicate ingredients, traditional baking is a great go-to

Air fry vs. bake setting

Bake uses lower heat for a longer time and relies on heating elements on the top and bottom of the oven. Air fry in a full-size oven very often uses higher heat for a shorter time and turns on the interior fan—plus any extra heating elements—to create more intense, circulating heat.

In full-sized ovens without presets, the bake setting keeps the air still, while the air fry setting activates the fan, and you set the time and temperature for both.

Best foods to air fry or bake

Choosing between bake and air fry comes down to how each method handles heat and airflow, which ultimately affects the texture and finish of different foods. Get a quick glance at some dishes that may be ideal for baking over air frying and vice versa below:

When to use the air fry setting

Air frying recipes that are usually baked can yield some delicious results. Try air frying casseroles, pizzas or other cheese-topped dishes for a golden-brown finish. Air frying baked shrimp, salmon, chicken or other meats also helps create a crispy exterior that locks in juices. Potato recipes shine in an air fryer with recipes like crispy French fries, baked potatoes and tater tots. Don’t forget dessert with air fried cookies, hand pies and non-yeasted quick breads.

When to use the bake setting on an air fryer

Use the bake setting on your air fryer when you are cooking liquid batters like cakes and quiche, or something that needs to rise like bread or souffles. Baking in a countertop air fryer is also a great choice when you’re baking a single dish and don’t want to heat the entire oven. A countertop air fryer will usually preheat faster than an oven, saving a bit of time as well.

If your air fryer doesn’t have a bake setting, try covering dishes loosely with aluminum foil to help prevent scorched surfaces from the intense heat. You’ll also want to lower the temperature by about 25°F and cook for about 20% less time. Learn more air fryer tips and hacks with this guide.

When you’re baking large portions, like dozens of cupcakes, a traditional, full-sized oven is usually the best option. Select models of Whirlpool^® Ranges and Wall Ovens feature air fry capabilities alongside bake, broil, roast and other standard oven settings. This allows you to bake or air fry your family’s favorites in the same large capacity appliance.

Shop Whirlpool^® Ranges with Air Cooking Technology

Select Whirlpool^® Ranges include an Air Fry Mode so you can choose to bake or air fry all in the same large appliance. Six Cooking Modes on select Whirlpool^® Ranges let you take your favorite meals from fresh, fridge or freezer to fabulous with No Preheat Air Fry Mode, Air Baking, No Preheat Mode, Bake, Broil and Keep Warm.

Temperature difference between an air fryer and an oven

The intense heat and rapidly moving air inside an air fryer tends to bake dishes faster than a conventional oven. You may be able to modify some recipes to bake in your air fryer using the general guidelines below, though specific instructions can vary by recipe.

• To bake in an air fryer, reduce the temperature of your recipe by 25°F and reduce the cook time by 20%.

• For example, cookies baked at 375°F for 10 minutes would be baked in an air fryer at 350°F for 8 minutes.

• 425°F in an oven would be 400°F in an air fryer, and so on. Every model varies, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific model of air fryer.

Some full-sized ovens, including select models from Whirlpool brand, offer an Air Fry Mode. Find out whether an air fryer oven or a countertop air fryer is right for you.

Air frying vs. other cooking methods

Air frying has gained immense popularity as a healthier alternative to traditional frying, but how does air frying compare to convection baking, roasting and grilling? Learn the pros and cons of each cooking method compared to air frying below.

Convection bake vs. air fryer

When comparing air fryer vs. convection bake, the primary difference lies in the heat intensity and speed of air circulation. Though both methods use a fan and sometimes an extra heating element, air fryers generally operate at higher temperatures and use faster fan speeds than convection ovens.

Roasting vs. air frying

Roasting and air frying both use higher temperatures vs. baking. The main difference is that air frying adds rapidly circulating air to the mix. The airflow helps remove excess moisture from the exterior of your roast, helping to crisp up skins and add a caramelized finish to veggies, potatoes and more. Next time a roast is on the menu, try cooking it in your air fryer or your Whirlpool^® Range with Air Fry Mode.

Grilling vs. air frying

Grilling and air frying both create a crispy exterior that locks in moisture by applying intense heat to the exterior of food. Grilling uses flames or radiant charcoal heat that imparts a smoky taste, while air frying uses rapid air circulation and high oven heat.

Although grilling enhances the flavor of meats and vegetables, the heat level can be harder to control, making results more varied. Air frying generally offers a shorter cook time and a more controlled environment.

Air frying vs. baking in an air fryer

Some air fryers offer both air fry and bake settings. The air fry setting usually uses higher heat and faster fan speeds for crispier results, while the bake setting provides more gentle, even heat distribution similar to a traditional oven.

You can also try baking in your air fryer without a bake setting, sometimes known as “air baking.” When using the air-bake vs. bake technique, lower the recommended temperature by 25°F and reduce the cook time by 20%. Recipes like baked chicken breasts, cornbread and casseroles often do well baked in an air fryer.

Shop Whirlpool^® Wall Ovens with Air Cooking Technology

Prepare any dish your family is craving with the versatility of a Whirlpool® Wall Oven. Select Whirlpool^® Wall Ovens include Air Fry Mode When Connected, letting you air fry chicken nuggets, wings, fries and more to get crispy results right in your oven when your appliance is connected.¹ Some Whirlpool^® Wall Ovens also give you instant access to the settings you use most with a full-color Touchscreen display.