For decades, the microwave oven has been the undisputed king of kitchen convenience. It reheated leftovers in minutes, defrosted frozen food on demand, and became a permanent fixture on countertops around the world. But quietly—and now unmistakably—that reign is coming to an end.
A new appliance has been moving in, one that many households now reach for instead of the microwave. It cooks faster than traditional ovens, delivers better texture and flavor, and does far more than just reheat food.
That appliance is the air fryer—and for many kitchens, it’s becoming the microwave’s replacement, not just a supplement.
Why the Microwave Is Falling Out of Favor
The microwave isn’t disappearing overnight, but its limitations are becoming harder to ignore.
Despite its convenience, microwaves are notorious for:
- Uneven heating
- Soggy textures
- Rubberized leftovers
- Limited cooking versatility
Reheated pizza becomes limp. Fries turn chewy. Bread hardens or dries out. Even simple meals often need stirring, rotating, or repeated heating cycles to warm evenly.
As people cook more at home and care more about food quality—not just speed—the microwave’s weaknesses are increasingly apparent.
Enter the Air Fryer
The air fryer isn’t new, but its rapid rise has reshaped modern kitchens. What started as a niche gadget has become one of the fastest-growing kitchen appliances worldwide.
At its core, an air fryer is a compact convection oven. It circulates hot air rapidly around food, cooking it evenly and creating a crisp exterior without deep frying.
What surprised many early adopters wasn’t just how well it cooked fresh food—but how effectively it reheated leftovers, a task once dominated by the microwave.
Why People Are Replacing Microwaves With Air Fryers
1. Better Texture, Every Time
The single biggest advantage of an air fryer over a microwave is texture.
Microwaves heat food by exciting water molecules, which often leads to:
- Steam buildup
- Soft or rubbery textures
- Moisture loss in breads and proteins
Air fryers, by contrast, remove excess moisture while heating, restoring crispness rather than destroying it.
Leftover fries come out crunchy. Pizza has a firm crust. Chicken skin crisps up again instead of turning soggy. Even pastries regain flakiness.
For many people, this alone is reason enough to abandon the microwave.
2. More Than Just Reheating
Microwaves are largely single-purpose appliances. Air fryers are not.
An air fryer can:
- Reheat leftovers
- Cook frozen meals
- Roast vegetables
- Bake small batches
- Grill proteins
- Toast bread
- Reheat without splatter
Instead of switching between microwave, oven, and stovetop, many households now rely on a single countertop device for most daily cooking tasks.
That level of versatility makes the microwave feel redundant.
3. Faster Than You Expect
While microwaves are still faster for liquids, air fryers often outperform them for solid foods.
Because air fryers don’t need long preheating times and cook efficiently in a small space, they can:
- Heat leftovers in 3–6 minutes
- Cook frozen foods faster than conventional ovens
- Deliver consistent results without babysitting
For busy households, the difference between 2 minutes and 5 minutes matters less than whether the food is enjoyable when it’s done.
4. Health Perception and Cooking Control
Although the microwave is safe when used properly, many consumers feel uneasy about it—fair or not. Air fryers benefit from a perception of being more “natural” because they mimic oven-style cooking.
Air fryers also:
- Use little to no added oil
- Reduce the need for frying
- Allow better control over doneness
This gives users a sense of intentional cooking, even when preparing quick meals.
What Air Fryers Do Better Than Microwaves
Let’s break it down practically.
Foods That Are Better in an Air Fryer
- Pizza
- French fries
- Fried chicken
- Roasted vegetables
- Sandwiches and wraps
- Leftover meats
- Baked goods
Foods Still Better in a Microwave
- Soups and stews
- Beverages
- Oatmeal
- Soft leftovers that don’t need texture
For many people, those microwave-friendly foods make up a smaller portion of daily meals than they once did.
Why This Shift Is Happening Now
The move away from microwaves isn’t accidental. Several trends are converging:
1. Smaller Kitchens, Smarter Appliances
Modern homes often have less counter space. People prefer appliances that can do more with less space.
2. Rising Energy Awareness
Air fryers use less energy than full-size ovens and often rival microwaves in efficiency for solid foods.
3. Food Quality Over Speed
Consumers increasingly value taste and texture, even for reheated meals.
4. Social Media Influence
Air fryer recipes dominate platforms like TikTok and YouTube, showcasing its versatility and fueling adoption.
The microwave, by comparison, hasn’t evolved much in decades.
What About Safety and Convenience?
Microwaves still win in some areas:
- They don’t get hot on the outside
- They’re safer for children to use unsupervised
- They handle liquids effortlessly
But modern air fryers are increasingly user-friendly, with:
- Auto shut-off features
- Preset programs
- Cool-touch exteriors
- Dishwasher-safe baskets
For many adults, the trade-off feels worthwhile.
Are Microwaves Becoming Obsolete?
Not entirely—but their role is shrinking.
In many homes, the microwave is now:
- A backup appliance
- Used mainly for drinks or soups
- Mounted out of the way
Meanwhile, the air fryer takes center stage for daily cooking and reheating.
Some appliance manufacturers have noticed this shift and are already responding with hybrid devices—air fryer–microwave combos and smart convection units that further blur the line.
Who Benefits Most From Replacing a Microwave?
An air fryer is especially appealing if you:
- Eat leftovers frequently
- Cook for one or two people
- Enjoy crispy textures
- Want fewer appliances
- Use frozen or pre-cooked foods often
Large families or households that rely heavily on soups and liquids may still prefer keeping a microwave—but even then, many are using it less often than before.
The Cost Factor
Air fryers range widely in price, but many quality models are affordable and long-lasting.
When you consider that:
- They can replace multiple appliances
- They reduce oven usage
- They improve food quality
the investment often feels justified.
Microwaves, while still cheaper at the low end, offer fewer benefits in comparison.
Final Thoughts: A Quiet Kitchen Revolution
The microwave isn’t disappearing tomorrow—but it’s no longer untouchable.
The air fryer has earned its place by doing something the microwave never quite mastered: making fast food taste good again.
By combining speed, versatility, and texture, it’s redefining convenience cooking—and for many households, that means the microwave is slowly being phased out.
So if your microwave is gathering dust while your air fryer gets daily use, you’re not alone. Kitchens evolve, habits change, and sometimes even the most iconic appliances have to make room for something better.
And in this case, the replacement isn’t just faster—it’s far more satisfying.
