Microwave air fryer combo ovens have quickly become one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years. This innovative all-in-one appliance combines the quick cooking functionality of a microwave with the crisp, delicious results of an air fryer.
With a microwave air fryer, you can cook foods quickly and evenly using the microwaves. Then, with just a push of a button, you can switch over to air fryer mode to get that sought-after crispy, golden exterior on foods like fries, chicken, or fish without having to fry deep or use loads of oil.
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The main benefits of these combo ovens include:
- Versatility – able to microwave, air fry, bake, broil, roast, grill, and more all in one device.
- Faster cooking times than a standard oven.
- Healthier cooking method vs deep frying with oil. Uses little to no oil for crispy results.
- Compact, space-saving design, often with multiple rack levels.
- User-friendly presets and functions for easy, convenient cooking.
- Less messy than deep frying.
With the benefits of quick microwave cooking combined with the tastiness of air-fried foods, microwave air fryer combos offer the best of both worlds for home cooks. This article will explore what is the best microwave air fryer combo available and provide tips on how to get the most out of using one.
What Is The Best Microwave Air Fryer Combo?
In selecting the top microwave air fryer combos available in 2023, we considered the following key features:
| Size and capacity | Having a large interior for microwave cooking and air frying; looking for models capable of fitting a whole chicken or 12-inch pizza. |
| Power and performance | How many watts are in the microwave for fast cooking and reheating? And how effectively does the air fryer create crispy, “fried” results with little or no oil? |
| Features and settings | The best models offer convenient features like touchpad controls, pre-programmed settings, built-in sensors, etc. |
| Price | Microwave air fryer combos range from $200 to $500 for the most part, though you can find some cheaper options for under $300. We aimed to find top picks at various price points. |
| Ratings | Positive reviews from users on retail sites like Amazon, as well as recommendations from experts or users for quality and reliability. |
| Brand reputation | Trusted brands that are recognized for quality and performance in kitchen appliances. |
We ended up with three top microwave air fryer models that we believe offer the best value and functionality. Keep reading to find out more about our top picks and to read more detailed microwave air fryer reviews.
- Ninja Foodi Digital Microwave Air Fryer Oven
Looking for one of the best microwave air fryer combo appliances for 2024? If this is a description of the type of microwave you can get on board; the Ninja Foodi Digital Microwave Air Fryer Oven may be the perfect countertop oven for you. This microwave air fryer combo provides a convenient countertop oven that takes the technologies of a traditional microwave and wraps it into one design with a built-in air fryer.
| Key Factors | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| 10 Auto-Cook Programs | Comes with preset options for air frying, roasting, broiling, and more. Simply select your desired cooking method and food type for effortless one-touch cooking. |
| Microwave Power | Offers fast and even cooking with 1800 watts of microwave power. Quickly reheat or cook microwave meals in minutes. |
| Smart Finish Frozen Meal Setting | Automatically switches from microwave to air fry to perfectly finish frozen foods with crispy textures. |
| Air Fry Capacity | The spacious 9.5 quart interior allows you to air fry up to 4 pounds of food at once. You can also fit a 9 x 13 pan inside to bake cakes or roast vegetables. |
| Display | The easy-to-use digital control panel makes selecting cook times and power levels simple. The bright LCD display is easy to read. |
| Multi-Layer Rack | Comes with a multi-layer rack to maximize interior space and cook on multiple levels. |
| Size | In terms of size, the Ninja Foodi measures 20.5 x 17.5 x 14 inches, making it a great built-in or countertop appliance. |
| Price | It’s available at most major retailers for $199-$229, putting it at a very reasonable price point given all of its capabilities. |
Overall, the Ninja Foodi Digital Microwave Air Fryer Oven offers top performance and versatility for the price.
- Toshiba Microwave Air Fryer Combo
For something mid-range and all-in-one, take a look at the Toshiba Microwave Air Fryer Combo. This model weighs in at 1.2 cubic feet, which is a good size for most families.
| Key Factors | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| 10 Auto-Cook Programs | Offers a variety of cooking options with preset settings for air frying, grilling, baking, and more. |
| Microwave Power | Provides fast cooking and reheating with 900 watts of microwave power. |
| Convection Cooking | Utilizes convection cooking to circulate hot air and achieve a nice crisp texture in your dishes. |
| Air Fryer Temperature Range | Wide temperature range of 180-400°F for versatile cooking, from frozen foods to crispy fries and chicken wings. |
| Display | Intuitive and easy-to-use interface featuring an LED touch control panel with a dial knob. |
| Multi-Layer Rack | Includes a grill plate for making panini, quesadillas, and more. |
| Size | A good mid-size option at 0.9 cubic feet, suitable for cooking for 3-4 people without taking up too much counter space. |
| Price | Normally retails for around $199, offering great value and functionality at a reasonable price point. |
Overall, the Toshiba is a great choice for families looking for an all-in-one countertop appliance.
- COSORI Smart Microwave Air Fryer Combo
With the COSORI Smart 12-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo, your possibilities in the kitchen are endless. Not only is this oven capable of making what you need, but it is also capable of making what you want. The oven is well equipped with features such as a 30-recipe trial and limitless recipes by Cosori chefs; the oven’s nonstick interior makes cleanup easy and effortless. Everything you could want, and more in an oven, is now at your fingertips.
| Key Factors | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Auto-Cook Programs | 12 unique cooking functions to satisfy any craving at any time. |
| Microwave Power | Provides fast cooking and reheating with 1800 watts of power. |
| Cooking Options | 12 unique cooking functions including air fry, bake, broil, roast, toast, bagel, pizza, cookies, ferment, dehydrate, rotisserie, and keep warm |
| Air Fryer Temperature Range | High-speed convection fan to cook with no or less oil, making it a healthier alternative to deep-frying. |
| Display | Digital LED display and smart control make it easy to customize and save your preferred temperature and time settings for each of the 12 cooking functions. |
| Multi-Layer Rack | Includes two racks and a crumb tray. |
| Size | Extra-large 26-quart capacity that can fit up to 4 slices of toast, a 5-pound chicken, or a 12-inch pizza. |
| Price | Priced at $149.99 and backed by a 2-Year Limited Warranty and a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee |
Overall, the COSORI Smart Microwave Air Fryer Combo is a great choice for families looking for more features at a reasonable price countertop appliance.
Microwave Air Fryer Buying Considerations
We have discussed above on what is the best microwave air fryer combo in 2024. When buying a microwave air fryer blend, you should consider some factors like the size, wattage, and features such as microwave, air fryer, design and your budget.
| Key Factors | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Size | Think about counter space and storage. Microwave air fryer combos range from compact countertop models under 1 cubic foot to larger over-the-range models. Consider capacity based on your cooking needs. |
| Wattage | Higher wattage means faster cooking times. Most models range from 900-1800 watts. Higher wattage is better for air frying crispy foods. |
| Features | Many combos offer preset cooking modes for easy air frying, baking, broiling, roasting and more. Consider convection technology for fast, even cooking. Digital controls with cooking presets provide convenience. |
| Microwave Function | Ensure the microwave function is sufficient for your needs with features like sensors for automatic cooking, defrosting and popcorn. |
| Air Fryer Function | Look for rapid Air Fry technology that crisps foods using less or no oil. Consider capacity, temperature range and any presets. |
| Design | Look for an intuitive, user-friendly interface and controls. Make sure it fits your kitchen’s décor. Stainless steel resists fingerprints. |
| Budget | Microwave air fryer combos range widely in price from affordable to high-end. Determine how much you want to spend and which features are must-haves. |
When looking up microwave air fryer combo, it will be important to consider what you are planning on cooking, how big your kitchen is, and how much you can spend on an air fryer. In order to find the best microwave air fryer combo for you, you should try to find the best balance of how big you want it to be, how powerful you want it to be, how well it works, and how much you will spend on it.
Using Your Microwave Air Fryer
Here are a few tips and tricks to get the most out of your microwave air fryer.
Cooking Tips
- Things cook fast when you use the air fry function because the fan circulates the hot air around quickly. Check food earlier than recipe cooking times.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fry basket. Leave space for the air to flow around the food.
- Flip or shake food occasionally for even browning and crispness.
- Consider swapping spray oil for brushing a thin layer of oil on food to make it crispy.
- Reheating fried food won’t be as crispy as cooking from raw.
- When using the air fry function, pat wet ingredients dry—the drier, the better. For crispy exteriors.
- Cut ingredients to similar sizes so they cook evenly.
- Use proper microwave accessories to increase the durability of your microwave air fryer combo appliance.
Common Mistakes
- If you forget to preheat your air fryer before cooking, the hot air will not activate instantaneously when you turn on the machine and start cooking your food. It takes about 3-5 minutes for your air fryer to preheat to the correct temperature for the food you’re cooking. If you do not preheat your air fryer, your food will come out unevenly cooked.
- Also, be careful not to overload the basket of the air fryer. When hot, air needs to flow in and around the basket in order to cook the food properly. If the basket is too full, the air won’t be able to flow as well. Overloading the basket will lead to food that doesn’t cook evenly. For the crispiest results, fill the basket only half full.
- If you skip the oil, you may end up with dry results. Like oven baking, a similar result occurs in frying in the air. Just like in the oven, if you skip the oil, you can dry out your food. Although, you don’t want to add too much oil because that can make your food greasy.
- If you don’t check your food about halfway into the cooking time to toss it and make sure it’s cooking evenly, your food may end up not crisp and browned properly. Most people post the time they cooked air fryer recipes on various groups on Facebook. But everyone’s air fryer brand is different. It’s always good to check your food and cook longer if it’s not as crisp brown as you like.
- If you have the wet batter (breaded or battered coating that is wet), it may not come out crispy after cooking it in the air fryer. The wet coat does not turn out crispy as the coat is only a breadcrumb coat. Wet coats will have a soggy texture after being air-fried.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning and taking care of your microwave air fryer is important to look after the appliance and ensure safe use. Here are some tips on how to clean and take care of your microwave air fryer.
- It is essential that the appliance is unplugged and fully cooled before cleaning.
- To loosen stubborn grime from grease, microwave oven cleaners work very well, as do baking soda pastes. Allow it to stay on the grease for a few minutes before wiping it clean.
- Many of the parts are dishwasher safe. The crumb tray, air fryer basket, and other items are easy to wash out that way. Hand washing with mild soap and water is also an option. Just make sure all parts are dry before you use them again.
- The exterior is mostly stainless steel, which can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Avoid submerging the body of the microwave air fryer in water.
- DO NOT use metal scouring pads or other abrasive cleaning agents, or the surface may be permanently damaged. The use of harsh chemicals, including gas, alcohol, or solvents, can damage the plastic parts.
- Steam a cup of water with either lemon juice or vinegar in the microwave for two or three minutes. This will help with stubborn odors.
- DO NOT use the microwave air fryer overly wet.
- There is a charcoal filter that can be replaced to absorb odors that may occur from frequent use of the air fryer. The filter should be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. If the seal is cracked, worn, or has excess food deposits built up, then it needs to be replaced. Contact your manufacturer for more information.
- Make sure to keep the glass turntable plate intact while cleaning.
- Do not operate the microwave air fryer if the turntable plate or turntable support is damaged or missing or if the door is not properly in place.
Refer to your user manual for full manufacturer’s care and maintenance for your microwave air fryer. Care and cleaning should be done regularly to keep the microwave air fryer in safe and efficient working order. Take care when cleaning the appliance to avoid the risk of an electric shock and damage to the appliance.
Conclusion
My top pick is the Ninja Foodi Digital Microwave Air Fryer Oven, as it has a large capacity, convection fan, and is very versatile. If you don’t want to spend a lot, get the Toshiba Microwave Air Fryer Combo for its more compact and good-looking design. Another option is the COSORI Smart Microwave Air Fryer Combo, for its good price point and the extra space. Make sure to consider size, power levels, cooking modes/presets, ease of use, and affordability. These appliances don’t function quite like a deep fryer, but they let you air fry food with zero or little oil, making a healthier alternative to standard deep fryers. While you might have to adjust, air frying pre-packaged and fresh cook able microwave foods are a snap. These appliances let you bake, toast, microwave, and air fry in a single appliance, simplifying tasks in the kitchen.