Expert consulted: 
You probably regularly use your microwave to reheat leftovers, pop popcorn, and defrost frozen vegetables. But you might be overlooking a feature that makes the microwave one of the kitchen’s most versatile tools: the air fryer setting.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, it's fair to say we know a thing or two about both microwaves and air fryers. We've reviewed over 70 air fryers, 7 of which are air fryer microwaves in recent years. To evaluate each product, we melt cheese, reheat casseroles and meatloaves, test popcorn and defrost presets, and, for combo models, toast bread, bake a cake, and air-fry chicken wings. All along, we’re looking for even, consistent cooking, delicious results, and ease of use.
To better understand how the air fryer setting on a microwave works, I spoke with Harry Hessen, associate vice president of design and product planning at Sharp. Hessen, who’s worked at Sharp for over 30 years, is a microwave pioneer credited with inventing the first drawer-style microwave. He holds three patents for his inventions.
Here’s what you need to know about using the air fryer setting on your microwave, including whether it can replace your air fryer.
How does the air fryer setting on a microwave work?
Microwaves with air fryer settings (also known as combination microwave ovens) have 'a radiant heat source, typically with a fan, to help push hot air around within the unit,' says Hessen. When you use the air fry setting, the microwave functionality turns off, so your food is cooked by the dry, fan-propelled heat. This allows the appliance to bake, roast, and crisp up ingredients like a standalone air fryer.
Microwaving, on the other hand, cooks food by emitting radio waves that cause water molecules to vibrate and heat up.
GHI approved best air fryer microwaves
Score: 90/100
Score: 81/100
Score: 80/100
How does a microwave air fryer compare to a standalone air fryer?
Microwaves and air fryers use the same basic cooking method, but their different designs can affect how food cooks.
The most noticeable differences are the control panel and the overall appliance design. Microwaves are rectangular boxes with a door and a wide cooking chamber. Air fryers often have food baskets, with the fan and heat source above the food rather than behind it.
Hessen points out that 'With a standalone air fryer, you may need to shake or rearrange your food during the cooking process,' which helps ensure even cooking. Most microwaves have rotating carousels that eliminate the need to rearrange the food.
Microwaves with air fryer settings usually come with one or more metal inserts that sit on the carousel and hold your food while it air-fries. They have holes for air to circulate, evenly crisping your ingredients.
Don’t worry about putting the metal in your microwave; the pieces that come with your microwave are perfectly safe! Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and use only the accessories that came with your microwave.
If you’re used to cooking in an air fryer or are following an air fryer recipe, you may need to adjust the cooking time in the microwave. 'Microwave ovens have a larger interior, meaning that it will take longer to heat the air within the oven and cook the food,' says Hessen.
Is it worth it?
After testing the air fryer setting on several microwave ovens, we’ve had pretty good results with certain foods. Ingredients like frozen chips and mozzarella sticks don’t come out quite as crispy in the microwave compared with a dedicated air fryer, but we’ve made many batches of juicy, tender chicken wings using the air fryer setting on a microwave.
We appreciate that the microwave has fewer pieces to clean; the air-frying basket or tray is often dishwasher-safe or easy to hand-wash. Plus, it frees up valuable space in your kitchen.
Tips for using the microwave air fryer setting
Follow our air fryer best practices and keep these cooking tips in mind:
- Arrange food in a single layer in the basket or tray for even cooking.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket; leave room for airflow.
- Add more time if necessary; the larger cooking space can take longer to cook.
- Use the included accessories only.
- Coat food in a thin layer of oil for crispiness.
Bottom line
The air fryer setting on your microwave is a convenient feature that reduces the number of appliances in your kitchen and does a great job with proteins like chicken. However, it won’t necessarily replace a standalone air fryer if you want the crispiest results.
GHI approved best air fryers
95/100
Score: 95/100
Nicole (she/her) is the senior director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She oversees all content and testing related to kitchen products, food, and recipes. She has worked at GH since 2019, and is a trained cook, published recipe developer, and seasoned product tester with nearly 15 years of experience. She has worked in test kitchens for national magazines and kitchen appliances brands, where she also helped develop products for the home cook. She earned a degree in journalism from SUNY New Paltz, graduated with a Grand Diplome in Classic Culinary Arts from the French Culinary Institute, and studied culinary nutrition at the Natural Gourmet Institute (both now part of the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.)
