Tiffany Haney
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, but air fryers or ovens with air fry settings are better suited to get the fried exterior you desire.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Fryer vs Convection Oven | Air fryers and convection ovens both use fans to circulate heat and create crispy food without deep frying. 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. |
| 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. |
| How to air fry in a convection oven | For the best results, use an oven with an air fry setting. If your convection oven doesn’t have an air fry setting, you can still get deliciously crispy results with a few adjustments. If you have one, use a convection oven with an air fry basket or a pan with low sides to help ensure air circulates around food while it cooks. |
| Step 1: Prepare the oven | Food air fries most evenly in the center of the oven, so make any necessary readjustments to rack placement before you start preheating. Then, if you’re hoping to catch crumbs or drips, line a pan with parchment paper or foil and place it on the rack below the food. Avoid putting anything on the bottom of the oven that may interfere with airflow, and preheat the oven to your desired temperature. |
| Step 2: Find the right cookware | A perforated air fry basket allows hot air to circulate across every surface of your food, making it easier for food like vegetable fritters or chicken katsu to achieve a crispy and browned exterior. If you don’t have an air fry basket, you can try using an oven-safe dark or non-stick tray with low sides or an oven-safe cooling rack that supports your food. |
| Step 3: Prepare food | Maximize the surface area of food like veggies by cutting them into cubes, spears or medallions so more of your food comes into contact with circulating hot air. Lightly coat air-fried foods with oil to help promote browning. Prepare meat or fish by patting the surface dry before applying a light coat of oil, and always opt for breading—rather than wet batter—to coat foods like fried chicken. Arrange food in your air fry basket or pan with plenty of room for even air circulation, as overcrowding can prevent even crisping and lead to soggy spots. |
| Step 4: Set time and temperature | 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. You can reference your oven’s manual for cook times and temperatures for air frying. If your manual has no instructions or you can’t access it, follow your recipe’s cooking time and temperature and keep an eye out for doneness as your food cooks. |
| Step 5: Flip halfway through | Like you would with a countertop air fryer, you should flip or shake your food to improve air distribution to food surfaces. You should only flip food if necessary, though, as doing so could result in heat loss in the oven. Spray a little cooking spray or rub a bit of extra oil to promote crisping. |
| Benefits of using a convection oven to air fry | Convenience, as you don't need to buy another appliance; cook larger batches at once; crispy results; easy to clean. |
What You'll Learn
Air fryers are small, powerful convection ovens
Air fryers are designed to cook food faster and more efficiently than traditional convection ovens. Their compact size allows them to heat up quickly, reducing the time required for preheating. The intense airflow and heat generated by the air fryer's fan work together to produce a crispy exterior on food. This combination of rapid airflow and high temperatures is particularly effective for cooking frozen foods, proteins, and breaded items.
While air fryers and convection ovens share some similarities, there are several key differences to consider. Firstly, air fryers have smaller compartments, which means they can cook smaller portions and may require cooking in batches. Secondly, air fryers often require higher temperatures than convection ovens. Lastly, air fryers may have specialized accessories, such as perforated baskets or trays, that optimize airflow and enhance the crispy texture of the food.
To use a convection oven as an air fryer, follow these steps:
- Prep your food: Cut vegetables and potatoes into bite-sized pieces. For proteins like meat or fish, pat the surface dry and coat with oil or cooking spray. Use breading or dry toppings instead of wet batter for a crispier exterior.
- Use the right cookware: A perforated basket or tray allows for optimal airflow. If you don't have a perforated option, use a dark or non-stick tray with low sides or an oven-safe cooling rack.
- Give your food space: Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking and crisping.
- Adjust temperatures and times: Convection ovens may require longer cooking times and lower temperatures than air fryers. Refer to your oven's manual or recipe instructions, and monitor your food during cooking.
- Flip food halfway through: Flip or shake your food to improve airflow distribution, but only if necessary, as flipping can result in heat loss.
By following these steps and understanding the similarities and differences between air fryers and convection ovens, you can achieve similar crispy results with your convection oven. However, keep in mind that air fryers are designed for convenience, speed, and optimal crisping, so they may produce slightly different outcomes.
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Air fryers cook food faster
Air fryers also don't require any preheating time, which makes them even more efficient. The average full-size oven takes at least 10 minutes to preheat, whereas an air fryer only takes around 1-3 minutes. This means you can start cooking your food sooner and achieve the same results in half the time.
For example, chicken nuggets will cook in about 15 minutes in an air fryer but take 20-25 minutes in a conventional oven. Similarly, French fries will cook in about 15-20 minutes in an air fryer compared to 25-30 minutes in an oven.
The wattage of an air fryer also contributes to its faster cooking time. A standard 4-quart air fryer uses about 1,500 watts, which is half the wattage pull of the average full-size oven. This means that air fryers use less energy and are more cost-efficient to run.
However, it's important to note that air fryers typically have a smaller capacity than ovens, so you may need to cook in batches or purchase a larger air fryer if you're cooking for a larger group.
In summary, air fryers cook food faster than conventional ovens due to their combination of high heat, fast-moving air, efficient design, and lack of required preheating time.
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Air fryers require less oil
Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep fryers as they require less oil. While deep fryers can easily hold a full container of vegetable oil, air fryers use much less oil, and it can take weeks or months to go through the same amount. Air fryers can use a variety of oils, including vegetable oil, olive oil, coconut oil, and canola oil.
When using an air fryer, you put the oil on the food, not in the basket. The amount of oil used depends on the type of food being cooked. For example, frozen foods such as dumplings and fresh vegetables require a little oil when cooking in an air fryer, otherwise, they will become dry. Meats, on the other hand, typically do not need oil, unless it is necessary when cooking in an oven.
While air fryers do require less oil than deep fryers, it is important to note that some oil is still necessary to keep food moist and provide a golden brown colour. A small amount of oil can be added to the food before placing it in the air fryer, or brushed onto the food with a pastry brush for recipes that call for butter.
In addition to using less oil, air fryers also offer other benefits such as convenience, easy cleanup, and the ability to cook larger batches of food at once compared to countertop air fryers.
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Convection ovens have more capacity
Convection ovens have a larger capacity than air fryers, which typically have smaller compartments. This means you can cook more food at once in a convection oven, making it a more efficient option if you're cooking for a larger group or want to prepare multiple dishes at the same time.
The larger capacity of convection ovens also means you won't have to cook in multiple batches as you might with an air fryer. This saves time and effort, especially when preparing meals for a larger group.
In addition to their larger capacity, convection ovens offer other benefits over air fryers. They are more convenient as they eliminate the need for an additional appliance, taking up less counter space in your kitchen. Convection ovens are also easier to clean, as you can use baking dishes and sheet pans instead of having to clean a pull-out compartment after each use.
Overall, if you're looking for a cooking option that offers more capacity and convenience, a convection oven is a better choice than an air fryer. It's a versatile and efficient option for preparing larger meals or cooking for a bigger group.
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Convection ovens are more convenient
Secondly, convection ovens offer more cooking capacity, allowing you to cook larger batches of food at once, as compared to air fryers, which often have a cap of two servings. This is ideal for cooking for more than one or two people, or when you want to cook a variety of foods at the same time.
Thirdly, convection ovens are easier to clean than air fryers. Air fryers typically require cleaning the basket and the pull-out compartment after each use. In contrast, convection ovens usually only require cleaning the baking dishes or sheet pans, resulting in less mess and hassle.
Additionally, convection ovens provide the convenience of faster cooking times. While both appliances use fans to circulate heat, the smaller size of air fryer compartments means that food often cooks quicker in air fryers. However, this advantage may not always be significant, as some users have reported similar cooking times between the two appliances.
Lastly, convection ovens are more versatile than air fryers. They can be used for a wider range of cooking tasks, such as baking cakes and desserts, which are not as suitable for air fryers.
In summary, convection ovens offer advantages in terms of space-saving, batch cooking, ease of cleaning, cooking times, and versatility, making them a more convenient option for many cooks.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use your convection oven instructions for an air fryer, but you may need to make some adjustments. Air fryers are basically small convection ovens, but there is a lot of variance in what will work. You may need to experiment with cooking times and temperatures.
Using a convection oven as an air fryer is convenient because it saves counter space and eliminates the need for another appliance. Convection ovens also have a larger capacity than air fryers, so you can cook larger batches of food at once.
Convection ovens may cook more slowly than compact basket-style air fryers, and they require more power. They also don't have the same intense air circulation as a basket air fryer due to their larger size.
To use your convection oven as an air fryer, you may need to invest in an air fryer basket or tray to ensure proper airflow and crispy results. You should also avoid overcrowding the oven to allow for even cooking and crisping. Finally, you may need to adjust the cooking times and temperatures, as convection ovens typically cook more slowly than air fryers.
