Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer Taste Comparison

Air Fryer vs Deep Fryer – Who Wins the Taste Test?


Traditionally deep fat fried foods have a unique taste, texture and crunch! It’s typically very consistent no matter where you get the deep fried food from, whether it’s  from a restaurant, the fairgrounds, the ballpark or your home!

Philips introduced the air fryer in 2010 with the hope of being at to replicate those same tastes, textures and characteristics of deep fried foods from the convenience of your very own home brings feelings of hope, joy.. and doubt!

So, when doing an air fryer vs deep fryer taste comparison, which is better? Will foods made with an air fryer mimic those made with a deep fryer?

Please read on to learn what we think!


Don’t care if air fried food tastes like deep fat fried food or not? Check out our top 5 air fryers under $100!


Deep Fat Frying Food


Deep frying is the process of submerging food in very hot cooking oil. Since the food is quickly submerged into the cooking oil, any liquid batter or coating on the food is quickly heated and it hardens to the point that it sticks to the food. The food doesn’t need to have a batter on it, but the batter is what hardens and adds a lot of the flavor, crunch, and of course, fat and calories!

This video shows how battered dipped fish is deep fried in oil.

You can deep fry all kinds of things with a batter or coating on it.  Here’s just a short list, but check out this article that lists 75 different things you can deep fry!

  • Chicken
  • Fish
  • Burritos
  • Funnel cakes
  • Donuts
  • Snickers
  • Oreos
  • Pickles
  • Mac and Cheese
  • Mozzarella sticks
  • Mushrooms
  • Twinkies

You can even fry some more exotic things like grasshoppers, beetles, and even tarantulas!

deep fryer donuts
Mini donuts made in a deep fryer

Air Frying Food


As the name implies, an air fryer uses air, really hot air, to cook the food. Along with little to no oil, the fast flowing hot air quickly removes the moisture from the outside of the food and starting the chemical process known as the Maillard reaction, which gives that fried effect on the outside.

This is great for people looking for fried food without all of the oil, fat and calories, and the mess and dangers of using a deep fryer! You sacrifice the ability to use wet batters when using an air fryer, but the pros outweigh the cons when you compare an air fryer and deep fryer side-by-side.

Check out this great video by hunchovb on Youtube of her air frying some tilapia!

With a dry rub or coating on food, you can air fryer just about anything!

While you can’t do everything that a deep fat fryer can do with an air fryer, you can cook all kinds of things in one still!

air fryer apple slices
Apple slices made in an air fryer

Comparing Deep Frying vs Air Frying


While taste is important, there are many other factors to consider when thinking about either getting an air fryer or a deep fat fryer to cook fried food at home!

 

 


 

So Which Tastes Better? Air Fried or Deep Fried Food?


When it comes down to a side-by-side comparison, and all you care about is taste, then the deep fat fried food is going to taste better, and it’s really what we are all accustomed to from restaurant, fair and ballpark food.

The added fat and calories from the oil makes the food have more flavor, and it makes the food crispier and more crunchy.

However, if you more interested in healthier food, but still has some of the deep fried characteristics, then the air fryer is the appliance for you!

Of course, there are all kinds of great reason why you would want to own and use an air fryer, such as cost, easy to clean and safe to use!


Best Air Fryer Reviews


With so many options, features, sizes and prices to consider, it can be overwhelming when trying to determine the best air fryer for you and your family.

If you’re on a budget, and just want to get “starter” air fryer, then we would highly recommend you read our article on the best air fryers under $100 to help give you an idea of what you can get for less than $100!

If you’re looking for a larger air fryer for a family of 3-6 people, then you might want to check out the best large capacity air fryer reviews!


Recommended Reading


The Pros and Cons of Air Fryers <– CLICK TO READ

Do Air Fryers Really Work? <– CLICK TO READ

What Can You Cook in an Air Fryer? <– CLICK TO READ

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