Not exactly — the NuWave Oven is a countertop infrared/convection oven, not a dedicated air fryer. That said, it uses circulating hot air and can crisp and roast like an air fryer for many foods, so it can act as a functional substitute in lots of home cooking situations.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Quick Answer Box (short recap)
- What the NuWave Oven Actually Is & How It Works
- Ways the NuWave Oven Overlaps with an Air Fryer
- Key Differences Between the NuWave Oven and a True Air Fryer
- Can the NuWave Oven Replace an Air Fryer? (When yes / when no)
- Best Use Cases & Practical Tips for the NuWave Oven
- Alternatives & Comparison Table
- Recommendations (affiliate-friendly)
- Final Verdict
- FAQ Section
Introduction
You might be wondering whether the NuWave Oven does the same job as an air fryer — and whether you really need both. This article explains what the NuWave Oven is, how it cooks, where it behaves like an air fryer, and when it doesn’t. I’ll also show practical use cases, comparison points, and a few recommended models so you can pick the right appliance for your kitchen.
Quick Answer Box (recap)
Short version: No — the NuWave Oven isn’t strictly an air fryer, but it can deliver similar crispy results because it heats with circulating hot air (and often infrared elements). For many home cooks the NuWave Oven can replace an air fryer, but there are trade-offs in footprint, speed, and crisping style.
What the NuWave Oven Actually Is & How It Works
The NuWave Oven is a countertop countertop cooking appliance that generally uses a combination of infrared heating elements and convection (rapid hot-air circulation) to cook food. Rather than deep-frying in oil, it heats the food surface quickly so moisture evaporates and the exterior browns. Key points:
- Primary methods: infrared heat + convection fan (varies by NuWave model).
- Function set: roasting, baking, broiling, reheating, and crisping — similar tasks to a small convection oven or an air-fryer-oven hybrid.
- Design: usually a box-shaped chamber with a tray/rack; larger footprint than most basket-style air fryers.
Ways the NuWave Oven Overlaps with an Air Fryer
The NuWave Oven can behave like an air fryer in these ways:
- Uses hot air circulation to brown and crisp food (similar mechanism to an air fryer).
- Requires little or no added oil to produce a crisp exterior on items like fries, wings, and veggies.
- Multifunctional — you can roast, bake, and reheat in one device, same as many air-fryer-oven combos.
- Faster preheat and cook times vs. a full-size oven for small-to-medium batches.
Key Differences Between the NuWave Oven and a True Air Fryer
There are practical and technical differences that matter depending on what you cook and how:
- Heating technology:
- NuWave: often uses infrared elements plus convection. Infrared can sear quickly and penetrate surface heat differently than pure convection.
- Typical air fryer: primarily rapid hot-air circulation (convection) in a compact chamber.
- Chamber shape & airflow:
- Air fryers have a compact basket design and highly focused airflow, which helps very even crisping.
- NuWave ovens have a larger cavity and different airflow patterns; results can vary by rack placement.
- Capacity & size:
- NuWave ovens generally offer larger cooking capacity (good for a roast or family meal) but take more counter space.
- Basket air fryers are smaller and better for quick single-batch crisping.
- Crispiness & texture:
- A dedicated basket-style air fryer often produces a faster, more uniform crisp on small items.
- NuWave can crisp well but may require rack arrangement or flipping for even results.
- Controls & presets:
- Many air fryers include presets for fries, wings, etc.; some NuWave models focus on broader cooking presets and may lack tiny preset granularity.
- Energy & speed:
- Both are faster and usually more energy-efficient than a conventional oven for small batches; exact energy use depends on model wattage and cook time.
Can the NuWave Oven Replace an Air Fryer? (When yes / when no)
When the NuWave Oven can replace an air fryer
- You want a single, versatile countertop appliance that roasts, bakes, and crisps.
- You cook family-size meals (NuWave’s larger cavity is helpful).
- You don’t need the fastest, tiniest crisp for snacks — you’re fine flipping or rearranging food once during the cook.
When the NuWave Oven cannot fully replace an air fryer
- You want the crispiest, most uniform results for small frozen snacks or single-batch fries with minimal fiddling. Basket-style air fryers typically excel here.
- You need a compact unit for small counters or dorms.
- You prefer a very short cook time for tiny batches — basket air fryers can sometimes be quicker.
User scenarios
- Single cook / small kitchen: a compact air fryer might be better.
- Family who wants one appliance for many tasks: NuWave Oven is an excellent all-rounder.
- Frequent entertainer who crisps many small batches: consider a basket air fryer or dual-basket model.
Best Use Cases & Practical Tips
Best dishes for NuWave Oven
- Whole roasted chicken or large cuts of meat
- Sheet-pan dinners and roasted vegetables
- Baking small casseroles and reheating leftovers with decent crisp
Practical tips to maximize crisping
- Use a rack to allow hot air underneath foods for more even browning.
- Pat foods dry (especially frozen items) before cooking to avoid steaming.
- Lightly spray or toss with a teaspoon of oil for better color and crunch.
- Flip or rotate halfway through the cook when crisping thicker items.
- Don’t overcrowd the tray — leaving space improves airflow and crisping.
- Clean regularly: remove crumbs and grease to maintain airflow and prevent smoke.
Alternatives & Comparison Table
| Appliance | Typical Method | Best At | Capacity | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NuWave Oven | Infrared + convection | Roasts, family meals, multi-tasking | Medium–Large (tray/rack) | $80–$250 |
| Basket Air Fryer (e.g., 5–6 qt) | Rapid hot-air convection | Fast, uniform crisping of small items | Small–Medium | $50–$200 |
| Convection Toaster Oven | Convection heating | Baking, toasting, medium meals | Medium | $60–$300 |
Which suits which user?
- Choose NuWave Oven if you want a versatile countertop oven that handles larger family meals and crisping without a separate oven.
- Choose a basket air fryer if you mainly cook single-batch crispy snacks and need a compact appliance.
- Choose a convection toaster oven if you want traditional oven-like baking with occasional crisping.
Recommendations (Affiliate-friendly)
Below are 4 models to consider — mix of NuWave and air-fryer-style units depending on your needs. Use the placeholders to insert your affiliate links.
- NuWave Oven (standard / countertop infrared model) — Large cavity, great for whole chickens and sheet-pan meals. Best for families who want a multi-use cooker.
- NuWave Brio / Pro (if available) — Enhanced controls and presets for multi-function cooking. Best for cooks who want more precision.
- Ninja Foodi 6.5-qt — Air fryer + pressure cooker/air-fryer-oven combos available; excels at crispy small-batch food. Best for users wanting crisp + versatility.
- COSORI 5.8-qt Air Fryer — Classic basket-style model with consistent crisping and easy cleaning. Best for singles/couples or snack-focused cooks.
(Replace placeholders with your actual affiliate links and optional up-to-date model names you promote.)
Final Verdict
Not exactly — the NuWave Oven is not a dedicated air fryer, but it can function as a practical air-fryer substitute for many cooks thanks to its infrared + convection heating. If you want one appliance that roasts, bakes, and crisps for family meals, the NuWave Oven is a solid choice. If your priority is ultra-fast, ultra-uniform crisping for small snacks or minimal counter space, a dedicated basket-style air fryer is likely a better fit.
FAQ Section
Q1: Will the NuWave Oven give the same crisp as an air fryer?
A: Often yes for many foods, but a basket air fryer usually creates a slightly faster, more uniform crisp on small items due to its concentrated airflow.
Q2: Is the NuWave Oven healthier than deep frying?
A: Yes — like air fryers, NuWave cooks with little or no oil, reducing added fat compared to deep frying.
Q3: Does the NuWave Oven use infrared?
A: Many NuWave models combine infrared heating with a convection fan; that hybrid is part of what helps sear and brown food quickly.
Q4: Can I cook a whole chicken in the NuWave Oven?
A: Yes — NuWave’s larger cavity is well suited for whole chickens and family-sized roasts that won’t fit in small basket fryers.
Q5: Do NuWave Ovens take more counter space than air fryers?
A: Generally yes — NuWave ovens are box-style and usually larger than compact basket-style air fryers.
Q6: Are NuWave Ovens easy to clean?
A: Most models have removable trays/racks that are easy to wipe or put in the dishwasher, though crumb buildup should be cleaned regularly.
Q7: Which is more energy-efficient, NuWave or a conventional oven?
A: Both NuWave ovens and basket air fryers are typically more energy-efficient than heating a full-size conventional oven for small-to-medium meals.
Q8: Is it worth owning both a NuWave Oven and an air fryer?
A: For many households, one versatile appliance (NuWave or a large air-fryer-oven combo) is enough. Owning both makes sense if you frequently cook large family meals and want the ultra-fast crisping of a compact air fryer for snacks.