Have you just decided to switch to healthy eating? Chances are, you must have heard of the two famous healthy alternatives to traditional cooking – Air Fryer and Steam Fryer.
While both appliances can largely reduce the oil usage in foods, they work and taste differently. So what should you opt for if you wish to enjoy a variety of foods without feeling guilty or bloated?
The main difference between an air fryer and a steam fryer is that a steam fryer is just another air fryer with a steam setting. This way, you can both air fry and steam food in your steam fryer.
What is the difference between an Air Fryer and a Steam Fryer?
The primary difference between an air fryer and a steam fryer is the cooking process itself; circulation of hot air vs. circulation of steam.
As the name suggests, an air fryer cooks the food by circulating hot air across the chamber. The hot air traps the moisture within most foods to cook them without losing any flavor.
A steam fryer, on the other hand, is basically an air fryer that uses a built-in steam generator to steam the food, which results in a crisp outside with a moist inside. It also doesn’t dry out the food.
What is an Air Fryer, and how does it work?
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that can be extremely useful for people wanting to make their diet healthier. The appliance uses minimal oil and hot air to cook the food. The hot air flows through and around the food allowing it to be thoroughly and evenly cooked.
Some air fryers also come with features such as timers, temperature controls, and cooking pre-sets for different foods.
What is a Steam Fryer, and how does it work?
A steam fryer or a steam air fryer is an excellent alternative to conventional deep frying and uses steam to cook the food.
Unlike air frying, which uses little oil, no oil is used in the steaming. Instead, a steam air fryer uses a built-in steam generator to steam food without it losing its moisture. The high temperature of the steam cooks the food and also gives it a slightly crisp texture similar to deep frying.
The main differences between an Air Fryer and a Steam Fryer
We have enlisted the differences between the two appliances below for you to have a better understanding of them:
| Air fryer | Steam fryer |
| Working mechanism | |
| Air fryers use hot air to circulate around the food, which results in a crispy texture similar to deep-frying, but with much less oil. | Steam air fryers use a steam generator that releases steam to cook food, which is a healthier method than deep-frying or even air frying, since it doesn’t use any oil. |
| Caloric count | |
| If you prefer crispy, fried-style foods and don’t mind using a little bit of oil, an air fryer might be a good choice. | If you want a healthier cooking method that’s great for vegetables and delicate foods, a steam fryer could be the way to go. |
| Uses | |
| Air fryers are great for cooking foods like French fries, chicken wings, and fish fillets. Air fryers are also generally quicker than traditional ovens. | Steam frying is great for cooking vegetables, fish, and other delicate foods since it cooks them gently and preserves their nutrients. |
Air fryer vs. Steam Fryer: Which one to choose?
Before deciding on which appliance to choose, there are several factors to keep in mind before settling on either an air fryer or the steam fryer. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Health
Both appliances are extremely healthy alternatives to traditional deep-frying. But since steam fryers do not use any oil in the steaming process, steam fryers can be considered healthier.
Taste
Taste-wise, an air fryer is clearly a winner as it retains the flavor and the texture of the food quite well during the cooking process. A steam air fryer using a steam function will make the food taste similar to boiled food and may dull out the flavors.
Cost
Air fryers are more widely available than steam air fryers rendering a large variety of models available at different price points.
Steam air fryers, on the other hand, are less popular than normal air fryers and may cost more. As they are air fryers that come with a built-in steam generator, they will obviously add more to the cost.
Cooking time
While the cooking time mainly depends upon the type of food being cooked, the air fryer is generally known to have shorter cooking times than steam fryers, as an air fryer uses a high-powered fan to regulate and thoroughly cook the food.
Steam fryers, on the other hand, use steam that can take longer to penetrate the food and cook it.
Safety
Both appliances are quite safe for daily use and come with features such as cool-touch handles and automatic shut-off in addition to safety features. Make sure you handle both devices with care, as both devices come with the risk of burns.
Maintenance
Both the air fryer and steam fryer are considered easier to maintain as they come in several parts that can be removed for a thorough cleaning. Moreover, their surface is non-stick, making them easier to wash and clean.
Versatility
A steam air fryer is definitely more versatile than an air fryer as it gives you two different options to cook your food.
You can use the air fryer function when you want to achieve a deep frying touch on your food, or you can simply use the steam air frying option to steam your food. The taste and texture of the foods will vary depending on the cooking method you use.
Final verdict on Air Fryer vs. Steam Fryer
Both an air fryer and a steam fryer are healthier alternatives to deep-frying and conventional cooking. While an air fryer may be used to cook a variety of foods with a crisper texture and a flavorful taste, a steam fryer is the healthier option as steaming uses no oil.
Buying a steam air fryer gives you the best of both worlds, as you can use two different cooking methods in the same appliance.
Ultimately, the choice between an air fryer and a steam fryer depends upon your personal preferences and the types of foods you wish to cook.