When you buy an air fryer, a countertop appliance that uses hot air to cook food with little to no oil. Also known as hot air fryer, it’s meant to give you crispy food without the grease—but it doesn’t deliver on every promise. Many people think it’s a magic box that replaces your oven, toaster, and deep fryer. The truth? It’s a narrow tool with serious air fryer limits.
One big problem is capacity, the amount of food an air fryer can hold at once. Most models fit a pound of fries or two chicken breasts. If you cook for a family, you’re running multiple batches. That’s not faster—it’s just more work. Then there’s cleanup, the time and effort needed to wash greasy baskets and trays after every use. Unlike a microwave, you can’t just zap and walk away. The nonstick surfaces scratch easily, and grease gets stuck in corners. For people who hate dish duty, this isn’t a feature—it’s a dealbreaker.
Another hidden issue is versatility, how many types of food an appliance can handle well. Air fryers struggle with anything wet, saucy, or large. You can’t bake a cake, roast a whole chicken, or even reheat pizza without it turning soggy. Compare that to a convection oven, a full-size oven with a fan that circulates hot air, which does all of that better—and holds twice as much food. That’s why so many air fryers end up gathering dust. People buy them hoping for convenience, but end up using their oven or stovetop more often.
If you’re wondering whether an air fryer is worth it, ask yourself: Do you really need another appliance that only does one thing well? Or would you rather have something that handles more meals with less effort? The posts below dig into the real reasons people stop using air fryers, what alternatives actually work better, and how to decide if your kitchen needs something different.
Air fryers are great for crispy snacks and quick meals, but they can't handle wet batters, soups, large roasts, or cheese-heavy dishes. Learn what not to cook in an air fryer to avoid messes and ruined food.