Air Fryer Recipes: Convection Oven Alternatives

Air fryers are countertop appliances that use fans to circulate heat and create crispy, fried food without deep frying. Convection ovens, on the other hand, are larger and have built-in fans that circulate hot air around the food, resulting in a similar golden crust. So, can you use your convection oven as an air fryer?

Air fryer vs. convection oven

Air fryers and convection ovens both use fans to circulate heat and create crispy, fried food without deep frying. However, there are some differences between the two appliances. Here is a detailed comparison between air fryers and convection ovens:

Size and Capacity: Countertop air fryers have smaller compartments than convection ovens, allowing food to cook faster. However, convection ovens offer more capacity, enabling you to cook larger batches at once. Convection ovens are ideal for cooking multiple servings, while air fryers may cap out at two servings, requiring you to cook in batches.

Cooking Time and Temperature: Due to their smaller size, air fryers typically cook food at higher temperatures and faster than convection ovens. Air fryer recipes usually recommend a temperature 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit lower than conventional ovens. Convection ovens may take longer to cook, and you might need to adjust the cooking times accordingly.

Convenience and Counter Space: Convection ovens eliminate the need for an additional appliance, saving counter space. They are more versatile and can be used for various cooking methods, such as toasting, broiling, and baking, in addition to air frying. On the other hand, air fryers are more compact and convenient for quick meals or snacks, but they take up counter space and are often limited to air frying.

Cleanliness: Air fryers require cleaning the basket and the pullout compartment after each use. In contrast, convection ovens may not need cleaning after every use, as the mess is minimised due to the use of baking dishes and sheet pans.

Cost: Air fryers are typically cheaper to operate than convection ovens. A recent Nasdaq report suggests that operating an electric oven costs about 50 cents per hour, while using an air fryer is half the cost.

Results: Both air fryers and convection ovens can deliver crispy results. However, air fryers are designed to optimise temperature and air circulation for air frying, resulting in a crisp, golden crust. Convection ovens may require additional adjustments, such as using a crisper tray or basket, to achieve similar outcomes.

In summary, if you already own a convection oven, investing in a crisper basket or tray can help you achieve similar results to an air fryer. However, if counter space is not a concern, and you prioritise expediency and specialised functions, an air fryer might be a worthwhile addition to your kitchen.

How does an air fryer oven work?

An air fryer oven combines rapid airflow and intense heat to create a crispy, "fried" exterior. Similar to a convection oven, a fan blows heated air around the oven, but at a speed and temperature that helps crisp food with little to no oil. Select wall oven models feature Air Fry Mode, which uses triple heating elements and a fan to circulate hot air around food, so it crisps and browns with less oil.

Air fryer ovens feature optimized settings for true air-fried results and typically come with the cookware you need. Some air fryer ovens also feature a dishwasher-safe air fry basket, which allows air to circulate around the food as it cooks for crisping, browning, and easy cleanup.

Air fryer ovens work by utilizing convection fans to circulate hot air very quickly around the surface of the food. This will crisp the food, giving it a perfectly golden crust.

How to air fry in a convection oven

If you want to air fry in a convection oven, you'll need to make a few adjustments to get the same results as a standalone air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare your food

The way you prep your food will depend on what you're cooking. For vegetables and potatoes, cut them into bite-sized pieces or spears to increase the surface area. Lightly coat them in oil to encourage browning. For meat or fish, pat the surface dry and lightly coat with oil or cooking spray. If using a breading, go for a dry coating like panko or breadcrumbs rather than a wet batter.

Step 2: Choose the right cookware

Use a perforated tray or basket to allow hot air to circulate around the food. If you don't have one, a dark or non-stick tray with low sides or an oven-safe cooling rack will also work. Place a baking sheet or aluminium foil on the rack below to catch any drippings.

Step 3: Give your food space

Avoid overcrowding your cookware so that hot air can circulate and cook your food evenly. This will help create a golden, crispy crust.

Step 4: Adjust times and temperatures

Convection ovens generally cook at a lower temperature and slower speed than air fryers, so you'll need to adjust the cooking times and temperatures in your recipe. Air frying typically occurs between 350-400°F, but this will vary depending on your recipe. If your recipe only provides the time for a conventional oven, refer to your oven manufacturer's instructions for the correct cook times and temperatures.

Step 5: Flip halfway through

Flip or shake your food halfway through the cooking process to improve air distribution and promote even browning. Only flip if necessary, as this can cause heat loss in the oven. Spray with a little extra oil or cooking spray to enhance crisping.

Pros and cons of air fryers

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance, but they may not be for everyone. Here are some pros and cons to help you decide if an air fryer is right for you:

Pros:

• Fast and convenient cooking: Air fryers heat up and cook food much faster than a standard oven, making them ideal for quick snacks or family meals.
• Evenly cooked food: The convection mechanism in air fryers circulates hot air to cook food evenly on all sides, resulting in a perfect crisp and flavour that rivals deep-fried recipes.
• Less oil required: Air fryers use little to no oil, making them a healthier and more cost-effective alternative to deep frying.
• Safer to use: Air fryers are safer than handling a vat of hot oil, reducing the risk of hot oil splashes, especially in households with children or pets.
• Easy to clean: Air fryers are generally easier to clean than traditional frying methods, as there is no need to dispose of large amounts of cooking oil.
• Cheaper to run: Air fryers are typically cheaper to run than a standard oven, resulting in lower utility bills.

Cons:

• Limited capacity: Air fryers have smaller capacities than standard ovens, making them less ideal for larger households or cooking for big groups.
• Not suitable for all foods: Some foods, like leafy green vegetables, may not cook well in an air fryer due to their moisture content or texture.
• Overcooking: Due to their fast heating and high-temperature retention, air fryers can easily overcook or burn food, especially if left unattended.
• Counter space: Air fryers are bulky appliances that require a significant amount of counter space, which may not be available in smaller kitchens.
• Noise: Air fryers can be noisy, especially when compared to other cooking methods like microwaves.
• Batch cooking: Air fryers may require cooking in multiple batches due to their limited capacity, which can be time-consuming.

Air fryer recipes

Air fryers and convection ovens both use fans to circulate heat and create crispy, fried food without deep frying. However, there are some differences between the two appliances. Countertop air fryer compartments are much smaller than an oven cavity, so food typically cooks faster. Air fryers also use optimized heat and airflow for a "fried" result.

Convection ovens have enough capacity to brown several servings at once, so you can make more to share. However, air fryers or ovens with air fry settings are better suited to getting the fried exterior you desire.

• Use a perforated air fry basket or a pan with low sides to help ensure air circulates around the food while it cooks.
• Prepare the oven by lining a pan with parchment paper or foil and placing it on the rack below the food to catch any drips or crumbs.
• Maximize the surface area of the food by cutting it into bite-sized pieces so that more of it comes into contact with the circulating hot air.
• Lightly coat the food with oil to help promote browning.
• Arrange the food in the air fry basket or pan with plenty of room for even air circulation, as overcrowding can prevent even crisping and lead to soggy spots.
• Cooking time and temperature vary by recipe, but expect air frying in a convection oven to take a bit longer than it would in a countertop air fryer.

• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: Marinate the chicken thighs, make the breading, bread the chicken, and lightly spritz it with oil before placing it in the air fry basket and popping it into the oven.
• Convection Oven Air Fryer French Fries: Thinly slice russet or Yukon gold potatoes and experiment with various oils like olive, peanut, grapeseed, or canola oil as you air fry French fries in a convection oven.
• Air Fryer Vegetables: Use seasoning, a light coat of oil, and an air fry basket to make this delicious side dish.
• Air Fryer Salmon: Prepare the salmon in even slices, pat it dry, add your desired seasoning, and lightly coat it with oil before placing it in the oven in an air fryer basket.
• Air Fryer Steak: Lightly brush a 1-inch slice of your preferred cut of steak with oil, flavor it with your favorite seasonings, and place it in an air fry basket to cook in your convection oven.
• Twice Baked Potatoes: Air frying creates a crowd-pleasing dish that combines fluffy potatoes and a rich, creamy filling with a delicately crisped potato skin.

So, if you're looking to make air fryer recipes in your convection oven, give these tips and recipes a try!

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