Is an air fryer cheaper than using an oven?

Usually, yes—an air fryer is cheaper to run than a full-size oven for small to medium portions because it heats a much smaller space and typically cooks faster. The savings are biggest for foods like fries, chicken pieces, vegetables, reheating leftovers, or cooking for 1–3 people.

A full-size oven can be cheaper or comparable when you’re cooking a large batch, using multiple trays, or already heating the oven for several dishes at once.

Rule of thumb: use the air fryer for quick, small meals; use the oven for big meals, baking, or anything that needs lots of flat tray space.