Imagine this: You crave crispy, golden-brown fries, but the thought of messy deep-frying or waiting ages for a regular oven to heat up makes you sigh. Sound familiar? In today’s busy world, we all want delicious food fast, and that’s where the magical world of Microwave Air Fryers comes in.
These gadgets promise the best of both worlds: the speed of a microwave and the crispiness of an air fryer. But stepping into the market can feel overwhelming. Which one actually delivers on its promises? Should you prioritize size, power, or extra features? Choosing the wrong model means wasted counter space and disappointing meals.
Don’t worry! This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what you need to look for to find the perfect Microwave Air Fryer that fits your kitchen and your lifestyle. Get ready to say goodbye to soggy leftovers and hello to quick, crunchy perfection.
Top Microwave Air Fryer Recommendations
- Two-Step Child Lock: This mandatory safety feature for microwaves helps prevent unintended use by younger family members, plesase open the machine according to the steps shown in the figure.
- 8-in-1 Multifuntional Microwave One microwave with multi-functions of microwave, air fry, bake(convection), broil (grill), combi., low temp., odor removal, defrost can fulfill more usages.
- Healthy Air Fryer Microwave Combo: Enjoy your wholesome fried food with original taste but less fat with healthy air fry.
- Microwave output power 1000 watts, input power 1600 watts. External dimension (WxDxH): 20.6*18.0*11.8 inches, internal dimension (WxDxH):14.0*13.2*9.5 inches, 12.4-inch position memory turntable
- Compact Size but Large Capacity & Powerful: Small Footprint as Kitchen Essential, 12.4inch removable turntable can fit a whole roasted chicken, 12 inch pizza and 8*4 inch casserole, offers the perfect balance of size and convenience.
- 5-in-1 Microwave Oven: Use this essential countertop appliance for cooking in five functions: microwave, air fryer, combi (grill/convection), bake, and roast for all of your culinary needs.
- 10 Cooking Levels: Featuring a 900-watt output, this compact microwave has 7 auto menus, including settings for Beverage, Fresh/Frozen Vegetables, Oatmeal, Potato, Popcorn, and Frozen Pizza.
- Air Fry Presets: This small-but-mighty microwave has 11 preset air fry menus, including for cooking frozen French fries, steak fries, squid rings, chicken nuggets/wings/legs, fish sticks/fillets, cheese sticks, vegetables, and spring rolls with an easy-to-use operation.
- Speedy Cooking: Directly press the start button to cook food at 100% power for 30 seconds and press again for an additional 30 seconds.
- Child-Lock Setting: Press the stop button for 3 seconds to lock the control panel to keep little hands from clicking buttons on the appliance.
- Multi functionality: BAKE, ROAST, MICROWAVE, CONVECTION OVEN
- 5 ONE TOUCH COOK MENUS: POTATO, POPCORN, BEVERAGE, REHEAT, FROZEN DINNER
- Air fryer: Up to 70% less fat than traditional frying methods
- SPECIAL PROGRAM: DEFROST/TIME/WEIGHT; 1000W power
- 10 POWER LEVELS
- COMPACT YET POWERFUL: This 1,050-watt & 1.0 CU FT. compact microwave offers the perfect balance of size and convenience, designed to fit perfectly in dorm rooms, offices and kitchens alike
- AIR FRY MODE: Enjoy healthier, crispier versions of your favorite foods with the built-in air fryer that delivers fast, perfectly browned results
- CONVECTION MODE: Enjoy perfectly even browning using convection technology and an elevated rack that lets hot air flow around your food for consistent results
- BROIL MODE: Built-in broiler radiates high heat to sear, caramelize, and finish foods just like a traditional grill rack
- PRESET CONTROLS: Use microwave preset controls like Fries and Nuggets to make operation quick and easy, while ensuring precisely cooked results
- 4-in-1 Multifuntional Countertop Microwave One microwave with multi-functions of microwave, air fry, convection, combination cooking (microwave plus convection) can fulfill more usages
- Healthy Air Fryer Combo Enjoy your wholesome fried food with original taste but less fat with healthy air fry
- One Kitchen Appliance, Better Texture Combines microwave and convection cooking in one appliance, with auto bake, defrosting and auto roast menus. Also with pre-programmed sensor menu for optimum result of popular foods like frozen pizza, vegetables and more
- Large Capacity for a Family Size 13.6inch removable turntable can fit a whole roasted chicken, 12-inch pizza
- Stylish Appearance: Stainless steel finish (color of door frame is stainless steel, enclosure is black) with easy to clean stainless steel interior
- 4-in-1 Multifuntional Countertop Microwave One microwave with multi-functions of microwave, air fry, convection, combination cooking (microwave plus convection) can fulfill more usages.
- Healthy Air Fryer Combo Enjoy your wholesome fried food with original taste but less fat with healthy air fry
- One Kitchen Appliance, Better Texture Combines microwave and convection cooking in one appliance; with auto bake, defrosting and auto roast menus; Also with pre-programmed sensor menu for optimum result of popular foods like frozen pizza, vegetables and more.
- Large Capacity for a Family Size 13.6inch removable turntable can fit a whole roasted chicken, 12-inch pizza
- Stylish Appearance: Black Stainless steel finish with easy to clean stainless steel interior.
- Advanced User Interface: Equipped with a 2.4-inch colorful screen with an intuitive user interface that is highly responsive and easy to operate, making complex cooking tasks simple and more accessible.
- ChefFry Plus: Features a top fan and heating element that replicates an air fryer oven, allowing for healthier cooking options.
- Intuitive Humidity Sensor: Built-in sensor ensures even heating and retains moisture for perfectly cooked dishes every time.
- Origin Inverter: Ensures even cooking, precise temperature control, better textures, juicier meats, and enhanced flavor preservation. It also reduces cooking time and energy consumption to get your meals on the dinner table more quickly.
- Dimensions: This 1.3 cubic foot microwave easily accommodates a 13-inch pizza or a whole chicken. Overall measurements (W x D x H): 21.8 x 19.4 x 12.8 inches; cavity dimensions (W x D x H): 14.5 x 16.4 x 9.3 inches. Delivers 1100W of output power, 1250 input power.
- 1.3 cu. ft. capacity microwave with 1000 watts of power
- 4-in-1 functionality: Microwave, Air Fry, Convection, and Microwave + Convection modes
- Microwave Auto Cook presets: Popcorn, Potato, Beverage, Frozen Dinner, and Reheat
- Auto Defrost Options: Defrost by time or weight for precise thawing
- Child Safety Lock for added security
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Your Microwave Air Fryer Adventure
A microwave air fryer combo is a kitchen superstar. It cooks fast like a microwave but makes food crispy like an air fryer. Choosing the right one takes a little know-how. Use this guide to find the best machine for your kitchen.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look closely at what the machine can actually do. These features make a big difference in your cooking:
- Dual Cooking Modes: Make sure it truly offers both microwave power and air frying heat. Some models only offer one or the other strongly.
- Capacity (Size): How much food can it hold? A small family needs a different size than a large group. Measure your counter space first!
- Power Levels: Look for flexible microwave wattage (usually 800W to 1200W) and adjustable air fry temperatures.
- Pre-set Programs: Handy buttons for popcorn, pizza, or frozen fries save you time guessing the right settings.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The insides and outsides matter for safety and cleaning.
Exterior and Interior
Most units have a stainless steel interior. Stainless steel cleans easily and handles high heat well. The outside casing should feel sturdy, usually made of durable plastic or metal.
Cooking Accessories
Check what trays come included. You need a sturdy air fry basket or rack that allows hot air to circulate underneath your food. Plastic parts should be clearly marked as BPA-free and dishwasher safe.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all combo units perform equally. Certain design choices boost performance, while others cause headaches.
Quality Boosters
- Inverter Technology: This technology delivers steady, even microwave power, preventing hot spots in your leftovers. This is a big quality sign.
- Good Ventilation: Air fryers need to move a lot of hot air. Units with well-placed vents cook more evenly and last longer.
- Easy-to-Clean Surfaces: Non-stick coatings inside the air fry basket reduce scrubbing time significantly.
Quality Reducers
Be wary of models with very small control panels. If the buttons are too close together or the screen is hard to read, using the machine becomes frustrating. Also, avoid models where the air fry basket feels flimsy; it will warp under heat.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use this appliance every day. A good microwave air fryer should simplify your cooking, not complicate it.
Daily Use Scenarios
- Quick Reheating: Use the microwave function for speedy warming of drinks or soup.
- Healthy Snacking: Use the air fry function to crisp up chicken nuggets or make homemade sweet potato fries without much oil.
- Full Meals: Some advanced models allow you to microwave the inside of a dish while air frying the top layer for a perfectly cooked casserole. This saves tons of time!
If you often cook for one or two people, a smaller 0.9 cubic foot model might be perfect. If you host large gatherings, look for 1.2 cubic feet or larger.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Microwave Air Fryers
Q: Can I use metal pans inside this appliance?
A: Never put metal inside the microwave function. However, you usually use metal racks or trays specifically designed for the air frying function. Always check the user manual first!
Q: How long does it take to clean these units?
A: Cleaning is generally fast. The microwave interior can be wiped down quickly. The air fry basket often needs a quick scrub or can go in the dishwasher.
Q: Does the food taste like microwave food when air fried?
A: No. When you use the air fry mode, the food tastes like it came from a regular air fryer—crispy and brown. The functions work separately.
Q: Is a microwave air fryer bigger than a regular microwave?
A: Yes, they are usually a bit deeper or taller because they have extra heating elements and fans for the air frying.
Q: What is the main benefit of this combo unit?
A: The main benefit is saving counter space! You get two powerful appliances in the footprint of one.
Q: Do I need to preheat the air fryer function?
A: Most air fryer modes require a short preheat time, usually 3 to 5 minutes, for the best crispy results.
Q: Are these machines energy efficient?
A: They are often more efficient than using a large, conventional oven for small jobs, especially the microwave function.
Q: What is “convection” in this context?
A: Convection is how air fryers work. The machine circulates very hot air all around the food, which makes it cook fast and evenly.
Q: Can I air fry frozen french fries in this?
A: Absolutely! Frozen foods are one of the best things to cook in the air fry setting. They come out much crispier than in a microwave.
Q: What wattage should I look for in a good model?
A: For fast cooking, look for a microwave wattage of at least 1000W and an air fry wattage of 1500W or higher.