Over the last ten years, we’ve seen more than a couple of new kitchen appliances arrive on the market. The arrival of certain appliances has created more hype than others. One of the hype-creating machines was the air fryer, an appliance that offers a healthier way of enjoying fried food.
Today, we’re putting the air fryer up against the pressure cooker to clarify their differences and to find out which one you will benefit from the most.
The main difference between the air fryer and the pressure cooker is that the pressure cooker relies on building up inner-pressure, which raises the boiling point, while the air fryer is more like a convection oven, which circulates heated air. The air fryer makes food crispy and somewhat dry while the pressure cooker makes food juicy and tender. They’re both relatively quick but the pressure cooker is known for reducing cooking times.
It’s imperative to understand that they serve different purposes, therefore, they will not substitute each other. They may, however, complement one another very well.
I have done research both on and -offline to find out more about these two appliances and in what specific situations you may benefit from one, or the other.
If you’re thinking about purchasing either of these, replacing one them, or buying both, then this guide will be full of helpful information and guidance.
What’s The Difference Between An Air Fryer And A Pressure Cooker
To understand their differences we’ll have to take a look at how they work, individually, and the benefits linked to them.
How Does A Pressure Cooker Work
Pressure cookers consist of a container and a lid. When these two components are connected, the pressure cooker is sealed shut. Isolation is actually one of the key mechanics of the pressure cooker.
Here’s why.
The foundation of every meal cooked inside the pressure cooker should always consist of a liquid, such as water or broth. Once the liquid starts to boil, the steam produced inside the sealed container is kept there, which causes the pressure inside the cooker to build up.
As a result of the increased pressure inside the sealed container, the temperature rises. In comparison to, for example, boiling water on a stovetop, the pressure cooker is much faster.
The sealed container forces any liquid placed inside to reach its boiling point much faster than a ventilated container (where steam can escape) would.
In addition to lower boiling points, the heated steam inside the pressure cooker is forced deeper into the food because of the internal pressure of the cooker, which, in turn, makes the food cook faster.
The pressure cooker cannot, unlike the air fryer, be opened halfway through to check on the food. Opening the sealed container would release the build-up, which would render the pressure cooker useless.
Once the pressure cooker is finished, the pressure inside the cooker has to be released before opening the lid. This is often done with the help of a small valve that opens up an output hole.
The output hole will release the steam and the pressure from the container in a safe manner. Opening the lid straight away could, potentially, be dangerous. The pressure inside the cooker could blow the lid straight off the cooker, which, in combination with hot liquids, is quite dangerous.
The most convenient and practical pressure cookers nowadays are electric, they come with timers, digital displays, and built-in heating solutions. The fact that they have their own heating source may not sound like much, but, in comparison to the manual pressure cooker, it’s definitely an upgrade.
Pressure cookers that are operated manually require the user to heat the container using a stovetop or microwave oven. The pressure cooker must then be removed from the heat source if the temperature or pressure must be adjusted.
When cooking in a pressure cooker, place all the ingredients in the container, power the appliance and let it do its magic. Overall, it’s a very simple method of cooking.
The Benefits Of Pressure Cookers
- The pressure cooker can cook larger quantities in one session
- The electric pressure cooker requires little effort or supervision
- They are able to reach high temperatures quickly.
- Pressure cookers can reduce normal cooking times by more than 50%
- Can cook multiple foods simultaneously
- There are both large and small pressure cookers
- Pressure cookers are simple to use
- Pressure cookers
preserve nutrients and kill bacteria.
How Does An Air Fryer Work
Air fryers are equipped with a fan and a heating element. With the help of the convection mechanism, these two components circulate heated air through the chamber of the air fryer at high speed. Whenever food is exposed to the circulating streams of hot air, it cooks.
The rapid air technology gives the food a crispy texture on the outside, while, if cooking times are set accordingly, preserving the juicy interior. While the flavor and texture of the food may be similar to the deep fryer, the air fryer uses up to 80% less oil.
Using less oil means fewer calories, which can aid in both weight loss and adapting to a healthier lifestyle.
The brown surface and flavor of air fried food can be credited to something called the Maillard reaction, a chemical reaction between amino acids and carbohydrates which takes place in the air fryer when cooking.
Because air fryers are rather small in comparison to many other appliances, they need less time to reach the required temperatures. The reduced cooking times of the air fryer make it an attractive choice in today’s stressful environment.
Most air fryers have adjustable timers and temperatures. Cooking in the air fryer is as easy as placing the food in the air fryer’s basket, then either adjust the temperature and time to fit your needs or use the pre-programmed presets.
You may have to shake, stir or flip the food halfway through but other than that, the air fryer pretty much automates the process of cooking food.
The Benefits Of Air Fryers
- Reduced cooking times
- Can replicate the taste, texture, and appearance of deep fried food without using oil.
- A Versatile tool that can be used to bake, grill, roast, toast, fry, dehydrate, reheat and more.
- The air fryer is smaller in size than a conventional oven and can, therefore, be suitable for small areas, campers, dorm rooms, etc.
- You can find an air fryer for as little as $50.
- More expensive air fryers tend to come with more features, cooking space, and accessories.
- Reduces calories in fried food by up to 80%.
Key Differences Between Air Fryers And Pressure Cookers
- Air fryers circulate dry heat to create crisp on the surface of the, whereas pressure cookers use moist heat, which keeps the foods juicy and tender.
- Air fryers can be opened when cooking to check on, stir or flip the food. Opening a pressure cook releases the pressure.
- Air fryers are more portable than pressure cookers
- Air fryers are usually smaller than pressure cookers, and therefore, easier to clean.
- Pressure cookers can make soups while the air fryer does not handle liquids very well.
- Air fryers are better used for anything that you would otherwise deep fry, fry in a pan, cook in the oven or grill. Pressure cookers can be used for anything that you can steam, boil or cook on a stovetop.
Can You Air Fry In A Pressure Cooker
No, you can’t air fry in a pressure cooker, sadly. The pressure cooker and air fryer use different principles when cooking food. The air fryer circulates dry heat which produces a crispy outer layer while preserving as much of the juicy interior as possible. The texture and surface of air fried food is the result of a reaction called “The Maillard Reaction”
In a pressure cooker, food is cooked when water boils, producing hot steam, which is moist. The Maillard reaction cannot happen in moist heat. Therefore, the pressure cooker cannot replicate the air fryer.
Is An Air Fryer Better Than A Pressure Cooker
If one is better than the other depends on what you are looking for and how you intend to use the appliance. In some ways, the pressure cooker is better than the air fryer, but, at the same time, the air fryer is better than the pressure cooker. In order to understand which purchase would benefit you the most, we need to compare the air fryer to the pressure cooker.
Size & Capacity
Both the air fryer and pressure cooker come in various sizes. The smallest air fryers are measured to be 1-2 quart, which equals a cooking capacity of 0.94L. An air fryer of that caliber can only handle 1-2 chicken breasts or enough french fries to satisfy 2 people max.
However, the largest air fryers are capable of cooking enough food to feed a large family or gathering. Air fryers sized 5.3 quarts and over are big enough to cook a whole chicken. The largest air fryer available is a monstrous 16-quart piece of cookware called Big Boss.
Pressure cookers also come in a broad selection of sizes. Sizes range from small 1-quart models all the way up to 35-40 quarts pressure cookers, then there’s everything in between.
Conclusion: Both air fryers and pressure cookers come in many sizes. Pressure cookers are generally, larger than air fryers, which makes them more suitable for restaurants. Overall, they both provide more than enough alternatives for regular customers who plan on using the appliance at home.
Performance
Air fryers come with various functions and features, some models have more than others. The basic air fryer can air fry, grill, roast, and bake. Some models come with dehydration and rotisserie functions.
Moreover, the air fryer takes less time to heat than many other methods of cooking, reducing cooking times by up to 20%.
In addition to the basic set of tools that come with the air fryer, there are a bunch of accessories online. However, the basic set should provide everything you need to achieve greatness in both flavor and texture. Accessories can, however, be worth the money if you wish to experiment further.
Pressure cookers can cook everything that cooks well in liquids, and it does so much faster than any other appliance. The pressure cooker can also cook all of your ingredients at once, whereas the air fryer handles one or two ingredients best.
There is a slight learning curve to the pressure cooker, thankfully, the internet is full of recipes that will guide you through your first times using the pressure cooker to ensure the best results.
While air fryers are faster than conventional ovens, they are not as speedy as pressure cookers.
All in all, the pressure cooker can produce great results if cooking times are set accordingly, but it cannot replicate the texture, appearance or flavor of air-fried food.
Conclusion: Both are versatile tools capable of producing great results in less time than many other appliances. Air fryers are fast but pressure cookers are even faster. If you wish to replicate the results achieved in a deep fryer, go for the air fryer. If you don’t plan on frying much at all, go for a pressure cooker.
Price
You can find good-quality air fryers and pressure cookers for affordable prices online. When it comes to price, they seem to be pretty similar.
Both appliances start at about $50-60 dollars for the cheapest models. Pressure cookers can cost anywhere from $60 up to 250 but most models are in the $100-150 range.
While there are plenty of air fryers available for less than $100, many models tend to fall in the $100-200 category.
The larger air fryers with more features and functions can cost even more.
Conclusion: While air fryers stretch a bit higher on the high end of prices, there are inexpensive alternatives available for both the air fryer and the pressure cookers. When it comes to price, there seems to be more than enough options for both appliances. To justify the price, the customer has to look at the functions, features, and possibilities provided by the specific model.
Maintenance & Ease Of Use
The pressure cooker may have a slight learning curve in order for the user to get the cooking times just right. But, as I mentioned earlier, there are more than enough recipes online.
Experimenting with the pressure cooker is not as forgiving as it is with the air fryer, mainly because experimenting is much easier if you can check on food halfway through, which is not an option with the pressure cooker’s sealed container.
However, both appliances come with pre-programmed options for specific foods. It’s as easy as selecting a suitable preset, placing the food in the appliance and starting it. The more expensive models come with more options but even the basic models tend to have at least a few presets.
Because air fryers are smaller than pressure cookers, they are a bit easier to clean. The air fryer’s components are removable and can be placed in the dishwasher or a bath of soap and water after each use. The air fryer’s chamber is easily cleaned with a rag or piece of wet cloth.
Cleaning a pressure cooker is more time-consuming than cleaning an air fryer is. Pressure cookers are larger, have more parts and need to be able to seal shut.
Conclusion: Both are easy to use, especially with the tremendous amount of guidance provided by different communities online. When it comes to cleaning, the air fryer is a less time-consuming option than the pressure cooker.
Air Fryer And Pressure Cooker: Frequently Asked Questions
Do air fryers need oil? No, air fryers do not need oil in order to crisp food. However, adding just a little bit of oil improves the crisp. It comes down to personal preference.
What size air fryer do I need for a family? Depending on the size of the family, of course, but I would not go purchase anything smaller than 3-quarts for a small family. For larger families, an air fryer sized at 5-6 quarts may be a suitable option.
Are air fryers cost-effective? Yes, air fryers are cost-effective. While the air fryer itself doesn’t run on less wattage than other kitchen appliances, it cooks faster than most, which means it runs for less time, and therefore, uses less power.
Can you cook frozen food in an air fryer? Yes, you can food frozen food in an air fryer. Here’s an article that covers the subject, plus, I’ve included a cooking chart for more information on cooking times.
Are air fryers healthy? Air fryers reduce the fat content of fried foods by up to 80%. The reduced caloric intake may aid in weight loss. In that aspect, air fryers are a very healthy option, especially in comparison to the regular deep fryer.
Are pressure cookers safe? Yes, pressure cookers manufactured for home use come with 1, 2 or even 3 safety features to keep the user from harm. Pressure cooking involves high temperatures, high pressure, and steam, the combination is quite dangerous and manufacturers must do their uttermost to prevent anyone from taking damage.
What’s the difference between a pressure cooker and a slow cooker? Both the pressure cooker and the slow cooker are convenient in their way of cooking, the main difference between them is that the pressure cooker is quick while the slow cooker is, as the name implies, slow.
Should I buy an electric or a manual pressure cooker? Electric pressure cookers are much easier and convenient than their manual counterparts. With an electric pressure cooker, you don’t risk burning food. The manual one is placed on a heat source which can (if not taken care of properly) lead to burned food.
Can a pressure cooker be used as an air fryer? No, they cannot. The texture and appearance of air-fried food is a result of the dry heat circulating the air fryer. The same effect does not take place in a pressure cooker where moist heat cooks the food.
Air Fryer And Pressure Cooker In One Appliance
If you can’t decide on which one you want to purchase, why not get both?
There’s something called a Multicooker or Multi-Pressure Cooker which comes with a bunch of different functions. It’s an appliance with a 2-in-1 solution.
Here’s the one I like the most. It’s called the Ninja
The Ninja Foodi can both
The technique used by the F
Place french fries, chicken breasts or nuggets in the Ninja
The Ninja Foodi is incredibly versatile, however, if you specifically want an air fryer and you don’t care about pressure cooking, then I would opt for an appliance that was made for air frying and air frying only.
But, if you like both and want to broaden your options in the kitchen without breaking your bank, then surely, you will be pleased.
Should You Buy An Air Fryer Or A Pressure Cooker
Which appliance will do the most for you depends on what you plan to cook, but also, how you want the food to taste.
The dry crisp produced in the air fryer aims to replicate the texture of deep fried food. Therefore, the air fryer is suitable for meats, snacks, vegetables, toasts, sandwiches, desserts, cakes and other baked goods. An air fryer will do great things with foods that can be baked, roasted, grilled or fried.
The health advantages of the air fryer come in the form of reduced calories. As we know by now, the air fryer imitates the texture and taste of fried food without using oil, instead, it relies on a chemical reaction which creates the brown, crispy surface of fried food.
This means that you can enjoy the taste and texture that we all love without risking your own health. The reduction of calories may also aid in weight loss.
The pressure cooker, on the other hand, works much better with stews and soups, which the air fryer cannot handle. It can also be used with meats, poultry, porridge, rice, beans, vegetables or anything else that you would otherwise prepare on a stovetop, boil, or steam.
With a Multicooker, you’ll broaden the arsenal even more. The additional functions that come with a multicooker may even include air frying. The versatility and performance of the pressure cooker make it a great choice when cooking food that requires hours to cook. In the pressure cooker, the time is reduced by 70%.
Which one would I pick?
If I only had money to spend one of these, I would pick the pressure cooker. It’s faster, it’s more convenient, it requires less supervision, and it provides a solution that few other appliances can.
With that said, I do have both and I love using them in combination. So, if you have the money to spend on both, expect magic in the kitchen.