commercial kitchen showcasing a commercial air fryer crisping fries and chicken beside an oven baking bread and vegetables, highlighting speed and texture differences

February 20, 2025 Lisa Santorelli

Air Frying vs Baking: The Healthier Cooking Showdown

Torn between air frying and baking? Short answer: air frying is crispier and faster, while baking is better for larger meals. A commercial air fryer cuts oil and cooking time, making it a healthier, efficient option. Want to know which method best suits your kitchen? Keep reading for the full breakdown.

side-by-side comparison of a commercial air fryer and a commercial oven in a professional kitchen, with a digital clock highlighting the difference in cooking times as fries and chicken cook in the air fryer while bread and vegetables bake in the oven

Air Frying Advantages

Faster Cooking Times

Air frying cuts down cooking time significantly compared to traditional baking. The high-powered fan circulates hot air, cooking food quickly and evenly. Unlike ovens, which often require preheating, air fryers heat up almost instantly. This is a game-changer for busy kitchens where speed matters. A commercial air fryer can have crispy fries and golden chicken wings ready in minutes, making it ideal for fast-paced food service.

Healthier Cooking

One of the biggest reasons people choose air frying is its ability to deliver crispy food with little to no oil. Traditional frying submerges food in oil, adding unnecessary fat and calories. Read more about how air frying impacts calorie count in "Does Using a Commercial Air Fryer Add Calories to Your Food?" Air fryers use rapid air circulation to achieve a crunchy texture without excess grease. For restaurants looking to offer healthier menu options, a commercial air fryer is a smart investment. Customers appreciate meals that taste indulgent but don’t leave them feeling guilty.

Crispy Results

Air frying is perfect for anyone who loves the crunch of deep-fried food but wants a healthier alternative. The circulating hot air creates a golden, crispy exterior without the heavy oil. This method works well for fries, nuggets, and even roasted vegetables. Unlike baking, which can leave food feeling dry, air frying locks in moisture while still delivering crunch. It’s the best of both worlds—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.

Baking Advantages

Larger Capacity

Baking is the better option when cooking for a crowd. Ovens offer more space, allowing multiple trays of food to cook at once. This makes baking ideal for bakeries, catering services, and restaurants that need to prepare large batches. Even though commercial air fryers come in various sizes, they still can’t match the capacity of a traditional oven. If efficiency and volume are priorities, baking is the way to go.

Even Cooking

Ovens use steady heat to cook food evenly, which is important for baking bread, roasting meats, and making casseroles. Unlike air fryers, which rely on rapid air circulation, ovens maintain a constant temperature for thorough, even cooking. Baking doesn’t require shaking or rotating food like an air fryer often does. This makes it the go-to method for dishes that need a slow, steady heat.

Versatility

Baking offers a wider range of cooking possibilities. While air fryers excel at crisping, they can’t replace an oven for baking bread, cookies, or cakes. Ovens allow for roasting, broiling, and slow-cooking, making them a kitchen essential. If your menu includes a variety of dishes, from desserts to roasts, baking provides the flexibility needed. An oven is a must-have for any commercial kitchen looking for diverse cooking options.

Comparing Cooking Results

Texture and Browning

Air fryers create a crispy, golden crust that closely mimics deep frying. The rapid air circulation gives food a crunchy exterior, making it perfect for fried favourites. Baking, on the other hand, produces a softer texture, which works well for pastries, bread, and casseroles. If you’re after a crisp, fried-like texture, air frying is the better choice. But if you want soft, fluffy, or chewy textures, baking is the way to go.

Moisture Retention

Baking helps retain moisture, especially for meats, casseroles, and baked goods. The controlled heat allows food to cook slowly, preventing excessive moisture loss. Air frying, while great for crispiness, can dry out food if not monitored carefully. If keeping food juicy and tender is the priority, baking is the better method. That being said, properly timing and seasoning air-fried food can help it retain moisture as well.

commercial air fryer in a vibrant, colourful professional kitchen, cooking crispy, golden fries and crunchy chicken, with chefs actively preparing meals in a lively, well-lit setting

Choosing the Right Method

Type of Food

The choice between air frying and baking depends largely on what’s being cooked. Air frying is best for foods that need a crispy finish, such as fries, chicken, and battered items. Baking is better for bread, pastries, and large roasts that need steady heat. Many commercial kitchens benefit from using both methods depending on their menu. Picking the right technique ensures the best flavour and texture for each dish.

Time Constraints

If speed is important, air frying is the winner. It heats up quickly, cooks food faster, and doesn’t require much monitoring. This makes it an excellent choice for fast food businesses and busy home kitchens. Baking takes longer but allows for bulk cooking, making it ideal for meal prep and large gatherings. If time is tight, an air fryer is the better option. If cooking large meals, an oven remains the top choice.

Both air frying and baking have unique advantages. The right method depends on the type of food, cooking goals, and kitchen needs. Whether it’s the crispiness of an air fryer or the versatility of an oven, understanding the benefits of each helps in making the best choice for any kitchen.