Air fryers and ovens are both cooking appliances, but they work differently and are better suited for different types of food and cooking scenarios.

An air fryer uses hot air to circulate around the food, cooking it quickly and evenly. It works by using a heating element and a fan to circulate hot air around the food. The hot air creates a crispy, browned exterior on the food, similar to deep-frying, but with less oil. Air fryers are ideal for cooking frozen foods, such as french fries or chicken nuggets, as well as fresh foods like chicken breasts, fish, or vegetables. Air fryers are also generally smaller in size and more energy-efficient than ovens.

An oven, on the other hand, uses both dry heat and hot air to cook food. It typically has two heating elements, one on top and one on bottom, and can also have a fan to circulate the hot air. Ovens are better suited for baking and roasting, such as making cakes, bread, or roasting a turkey. Ovens are also typically larger in size and can accommodate larger quantities of food than air fryers.

In summary, air fryers are ideal for quick, crispy cooking of smaller quantities of food, especially frozen foods, while ovens are better suited for larger quantities of food and for baking and roasting. When deciding which appliance to use, consider the type of food you want to cook and the quantity you need to cook.