With air fryers growing in popularity for their ability to make crispy foods like french fries, chicken wings, and more using little to no oil, many home cooks wonder if they still need specialty cookware like a grill pan. Here’s a look at what grill pans are, what air fryers can do, and whether you need both appliances in your kitchen.
What is a Grill Pan?
A grill pan is a type of pan specifically designed to impart grill marks and flavor to meats, vegetables, and other foods. Here are some key features of grill pans:
- Ridged or gridded surface – The ridges are intended to mimic a grilling grate and create those coveted char lines.
- Slots or holes – Some grill pans have slots or holes to allow fat and juices to drain away from the food as it cooks.
- Thick, heavy material – Grill pans are usually made from cast iron, stainless steel, or aluminum. Thick, heavy materials hold heat well to get a good sear.
- Long handle – To keep hands away from the heat source, grill pans have an elongated handle.
When food is cooked in a grill pan, the ridges put charred grill marks on steaks, chops, burgers, and more. The hot ridges sear and caramelize the meat while the slots allow any rendered fat to drip away. Using a grill pan on the stovetop gives food a grilled flavor indoors.
What Does an Air Fryer Do?
An air fryer is a popular kitchen appliance that uses hot air and a convection fan to cook food crispy, similar to deep frying but with little or no oil. Here are some key functions of air fryers:
- Rapidly circulates hot air – A heating element and fan quickly blow hot air around food to cook it fast.
- Creates a crispy exterior – The hot turbulent air promotes browning and crisping of the outer surface.
- Produces little smoke – Since air fryers use little oil, there’s less chance of smoking up the kitchen.
- Makes food tender inside – While the exterior gets crispy, the inside cooks through moist and tender.
- Requires minimal oil – Only a small amount of oil is needed to coat foods before air frying.
- Allows for batch cooking – Most air fryers have a large basket to cook multiple servings at once.
With these functions, air fryers can produce crispy fried foods like french fries, chicken wings and nuggets, and breaded veggies without all the oil of deep frying. The convection heat also allows air fryers to roast meats and veggies, bake goods, and more.
Comparing Grill Pans and Air Fryers
Here’s a comparison of some of the key differences between using a grill pan on the stovetop and using an air fryer:
| Grill Pan | Air Fryer |
|---|---|
| Imparts visible grill marks and char lines | Typically doesn’t leave grill marks |
| Good for relatively thin, smaller pieces of meat, fish, veggies | Accommodates thicker, larger pieces of food |
| Requires more attention while cooking – must flip food | Minimal flipping required – hot air circulates all around |
| Can only cook one batch at a time | Basket design cooks multiple servings at once |
| Gets very hot directly under ridges | Air fryer basket doesn’t get as hot to touch |
| Preheats and cooks quickly | Takes 15-20 minutes to fully preheat |
While both appliances can produce delicious crispy results, they work quite differently. Grill pans excel at getting sear marks on meats and veggies. Air fryers don’t brand food with stripes, but their circulating air makes the whole surface browned and crispy. An air fryer’s chamber is better suited for cooking larger batches, while grill pans typically only have space for a single serving. Air fryers take longer to preheat but require less monitoring during cooking.
Should I Use a Grill Pan or Air Fryer for These Foods?
Whether a grill pan or air fryer works better depends somewhat on what you’re cooking. Here’s a comparison of how suitable each appliance is for certain foods:
Steaks, chops, burgers
A grill pan is better for getting sear marks on steaks, pork chops, lamb chops, burgers, and other thinner cuts of meat. The raised ridges brand the meat with classic grill lines. Just rub meat with a little oil before grilling in a hot grill pan for a few minutes per side. An air fryer can cook meat too but won’t leave marks.
Chicken pieces
Air fryers excel at making crispy chicken wings, drumsticks, thighs, and boneless breasts or tenders. The circulating hot air crisps up and browns all sides. A grill pan will also cook chicken but only marks the side touching the ridges. Flip chicken in an air fryer once or twice during cooking.
Whole chickens and roasts
For larger cuts like whole chickens or roasts, an air fryer is the better cooking vessel. There’s more room in the basket for these bigger meats vs the smaller surface of a grill pan. Air frying makes the skin wonderfully crispy.
Kabobs or skewers
Both grill pans and air fryers can handle meat, veggie, or fruit kabobs. The ridges of a grill pan will impart some char lines while the air fryer cooks kabobs evenly on all sides. So either option would work well here.
Fish fillets or steaks
Delicate fish fillets and steaks do very well in a grill pan where they can get nice sear marks without overcooking. Brush fish with oil and grill for just a few minutes per side. Air fryers can also cook fish but may dry it out quickly.
Shrimp
For tender shrimp, a grill pan is ideal. The raised ridges add pretty char lines while letting any water drain away so shrimp gets a nice caramelized exterior without overcooking. Air fryer baskets don’t drain quite as well.
Vegetables
Try slicing vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, asparagus, and carrots into 1/2 inch thick pieces or spears. Toss with a little oil and grill in a hot pan for nice char marks. Many veggies also air fry well tossed in oil, especially for crisping up exterior without steaming inside.
French fries
For crispy oven-baked french fries, an air fryer can’t be beat. The hot swirling air makes fries nice and crispy on the outside while tender inside. A grill pan could work but won’t circulate heat as efficiently.
Do I Need Both a Grill Pan and an Air Fryer?
For crispy, browned foods like steaks, chops, chicken pieces, shrimp, vegetables, and fries, either a grill pan or air fryer can produce delicious results. You don’t necessarily need both. Here are some factors to help decide which is better for your needs:
- Cooking for 1-2 people – A grill pan takes up less space and is sufficient.
- Cooking for a crowd – An air fryer’s larger capacity makes it better for batch cooking.
- Wanting grill marks – A grill pan brands food with iconic char lines.
- Making fries and wings – Air fryers excel at these finger foods.
- Prefer hands-off cooking – Air frying requires less monitoring.
- Mind flipping food – Don’t mind the active involvement of stove top grilling.
While both appliances can make food crispy, an air fryer’s ability to cook a larger quantity of food at once with less oil usually makes it more versatile. But grill pans still have their place for quickly searing thinner meats and veggies.
Tips for Using a Grill Pan or Air Fryer
Here are some tips to get the best results when cooking in a grill pan or air fryer:
Grill Pan Tips
- Use a little oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make sure the ridges heat up well before adding food.
- Cook over medium-high heat for good searing.
- Flip food halfway through cooking for crosshatched marks.
- Let meat and veggies rest after grilling before cutting.
Air Fryer Tips
- Preheat fully – this takes 15-20 minutes.
- Toss or brush foods with a little oil before air frying.
- Don’t overcrowd – leave space for air flow.
- Flip or shake foods midway through cooking.
- Spritz vegetables with oil if not crisping up enough.
Conclusion
While grill pans and air fryers take different approaches, they both can achieve delicious crispy textures. Grill pans are ideal for getting sear marks on meats and veggies. Air fryers excel at cooking food evenly and feeding a crowd. Consider your typical cooking needs and preferences. For most home cooks, an air fryer may provide more versatility. But a grill pan still has its place for quick stove top grilling. Just know you don’t necessarily need both appliances to enjoy popular crispy treats.