Buy 2 Major Appliances, Save 5% | Buy 3 or More, Save 10%^♦ See Details

Order Status

Find a Store

Help

Person removing food from air fry basket with tongs

What is a microwave with air fry?

Air fryer microwaves don't just handle basics like reheating, defrosting or steaming—they also give you the power to air fry your favorite foods, all in one appliance. Combining these powerhouse appliances helps you save counter space while offering the ultimate flexibility in the kitchen. With air frying, you can achieve a crispy, golden finish similar to deep frying without the oil, mess or hassle.

How does a microwave with air fry work?

When you switch your microwave to Air Fry Mode, it fires up a heating element and uses a fan to circulate hot air around your food, giving it a satisfying, crispy texture. When it’s not in Air Fry Mode, it works like a regular microwave, using electromagnetic waves to heat your food.

Air fry microwaves typically require cooking in a perforated basket that allows hot air to circulate over, under and around foods. Some models—like select Whirlpool^® microwaves with Air Fry—come with an Air Fry Basket so you can start cooking right away.

Benefits of air fry microwaves

Air fry microwaves add flexibility to your kitchen and cooking routines, making it easier to prepare meals so everything's ready when your family meets at the dinner table. Air fry microwaves help you:

Save space: Combine the functionality of a microwave and an air fryer so you don’t have to manage extra appliances crowding your countertop.
Use less oil: You can achieve a crispy, fried texture on traditionally fried foods without the excessive oil of deep frying, making meals healthier.
Cook faster: Crisping food on Air Fry Mode in your microwave can be quicker than using a traditional oven, in part because the microwave cavity heats up faster than its larger oven counterpart.

Shop Whirlpool^® Microwaves with Air Fry Mode

How to use Air Fry Mode on a microwave

Using the Air Fry Mode on a microwave is simple: prep your food, place it in the air fry basket and follow the prompts for the ideal temperature and time settings. Discover more details in the four steps below and check your owner’s manual for more details.

1. Place air fry basket in the microwave

Pop open the feet of the air fry basket, load it with your food and place it in the center of the microwave turntable. If you're cooking juicy meats or vegetables, slip a microwave-safe dish underneath to catch any drips, then close the door.

2. Select air fry settings

Press the “Air Fry” button, then use the on-screen prompts to choose a preset like French Fries, Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Potatoes or Chicken Nuggets. Enter the weight or number of servings, then press "Select" to confirm.

For custom recipes, select “Manual Air Fry” from the list of presets, enter the temperature with the number pads and set the cooking time by choosing "Time/Power."

3. Select “Start”

Once you’ve set your custom settings or chosen a preset, hit “Start” to begin cooking. If you picked a preset, flip the food when prompted. For manual settings, follow your recipe's timing for flipping.

4. Remove with oven mitts

When the microwave is done cooking, the air fry basket and the microwave interior will be hot, so use oven mitts to carefully remove the basket. Grip the tray, not the foldable feet, and watch out for any drips to avoid messes or burns.

When to use the Air Fry setting on a microwave

The Air Fry setting isn’t just for French fries, chicken wings or potatoes—you can also use it for food like chicken, salmon, shrimp or even steak. To prepare roasted vegetables, try choosing firm veggies like cauliflower or zucchini. Keep in mind that a light layer of oil helps things crisp up, but be sure to avoid recipes using wet batters, as they’ll just make a mess.

Explore Whirlpool^® Microwaves

Whirlpool^® Microwaves offer the settings you need to cook everything from steamed salmon to cinnamon rolls. Select models feature Air Fry Mode to crisp up fried foods like chicken nuggets and fries, and Grill Mode, which utilizes the Air Fry Basket to help sear meat or vegetables. Plus, with Fan Convection Cooking on some models, you can use your microwave as a second oven with multiple convection cycles.