Air fryers are a popular alternative to ovens, especially in the summer when the latter can heat up your entire home. They are also more energy-efficient and faster to preheat. However, if you don't have one, you can still achieve similar results in your oven by using a few simple techniques.
What You'll Learn
Preheat your oven air fryer
Preheating your oven air fryer is a simple process, but it's important to do it right to get the best results. Here's a step-by-step guide to preheating your oven air fryer:
First, check if your oven air fryer has a preheat option. If it does, select that option and set the desired temperature. If your oven air fryer doesn't have a preheat button, don't worry; you can still preheat it manually. Set the temperature to your desired cooking temperature.
Next, leave the basket inside the oven air fryer. This is crucial because you want the basket to get nice and hot so that it can properly toast or sear your food. Then, press the start or preheat button, and let the appliance warm up. Depending on the size of your oven air fryer, this process can take anywhere from two to five minutes or even longer to reach the desired temperature.
While you're waiting, you can prepare your food. Chop up some veggies, season your protein, or get your breading station ready. Just remember not to overcrowd the basket. Leave some space between the food items to allow for even cooking.
Once the oven air fryer has preheated, you can place your food inside and start cooking. The preheating step ensures that your food starts cooking at a higher temperature, resulting in a decreased cooking time and a crispier texture.
However, keep in mind that preheating is not always necessary. For delicate foods like shrimp or dishes that require longer cooking times, such as roasted chicken or baked potatoes, you can skip the preheating step.
Now that you know how to preheat your oven air fryer, you're ready to start cooking! Enjoy the convenience of this versatile appliance and the delicious, crispy results it delivers.
Air-Fryer Rolled Tacos: Quick, Easy, and Delicious!
You may want to see also
Use the right pan/tray
To use your oven as an air fryer, you need to use the right pan/tray. A special air fryer crisper tray is required to truly air fry your food. This is because the air fryer works by circulating hot air around your food. If you use a normal baking sheet, the bottom of your food won't cook as well as the exposed parts. You can get a crisper tray with a baking tray that pairs with it to help with cleanup. Use this tray when cooking things like fries, chicken, or anything else you would put in an air fryer basket.
If you are cooking food with sauce, such as reheating wings, place the food on a normal baking sheet to reduce cleanup. You can also use a perforated tray or basket to allow the hot air to circulate thoroughly on the entire food surface. If you don't have a perforated tray or basket, use a dark or non-stick tray with low sides or an oven-safe cooling rack. Place a cookie sheet with aluminium foil or parchment paper on the lower rack to catch drippings.
Deep Frying Pickles: A Step-by-Step Guide for Crispy Treats
You may want to see also
Cook food in a single layer
When cooking with an air fryer, it is important to cook food in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Lay the food flat on a wire rack or baking sheet. Overcrowding the air fryer will prevent even cooking and may leave you with soggy food.
To cook food in a single layer, place the food in a single, even layer on the air fryer rack or basket. Make sure that there is space around each piece of food so that the hot air can circulate and cook the food evenly. If you are cooking multiple types of food, separate them into different layers to ensure even cooking.
For best results, use an air fryer rack or basket with a perforated bottom to allow airflow under the food. If you don't have a perforated tray or basket, you can use a dark or non-stick tray with low sides or an oven-safe cooling rack. You can also place a cookie sheet with aluminium foil or parchment paper on the lower rack to catch any drippings.
Additionally, you can use a convection oven as an air fryer by creating extra airflow. Place your oven racks in adjacent positions and put a crumb tray on the lower rack. If you're worried about crumbs or drippings falling through, you can place a sheet pan on the lower rack for more coverage.
Air-Fryer Turkey Sandwich: Quick, Easy, and Delicious!
You may want to see also
Turn food halfway through cooking
Turning your food halfway through the cooking process is an important step in air frying. This is because air fryers use the power of hot, circulating air to cook food, and turning your food helps to ensure that it cooks evenly on all sides. This is true whether you are using a basket-style air fryer or an oven with a built-in air fryer setting.
When cooking with an air fryer, it is important not to overcrowd the basket. This is because overcrowding can prevent foods from crisping and browning evenly, and can also make it more difficult to turn your food halfway through cooking. Therefore, it is best to cook foods in a single layer, laying them flat on a wire rack or baking sheet.
When turning your food, it is also a good idea to check if it is starting to brown. If it is, you can turn down the temperature by 20 degrees and continue to cook. You can also spritz your food with oil at this point to help it brown more evenly and prevent it from drying out.
In addition to turning your food, it is also a good idea to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process. This will help to redistribute the ingredients and ensure that they cook evenly.
Air Fryer Soft Pretzels: Frozen to Fresh in Minutes
You may want to see also
Use oil to baste or mist food
Using oil to baste or mist your food is a great way to keep it moist and help it get crispy without drying out. You can use an EVO Oil Sprayer to mist your food with oil. Alternatively, you can toss your food in a few teaspoons of vegetable or olive oil in a bowl before placing it in the air fryer. This method works best for cooking fresh meats and vegetables.
Some people also recommend using a pump spray bottle with oil to mist your food. You can fill it with olive oil, avocado oil, or the oil of your choice. This is a good option if you don't want to buy a specialised oil sprayer.
It's important to note that you should not use cooking sprays with your air fryer, as they can damage the non-stick coating. If you need to use a cooking spray, spray the food directly, not the air fryer basket.
Air-Fryer Tempura: Crispy, Quick, and Easy!
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if your oven has a convection fan, you can use it as an air fryer. You will need a perforated tray or basket, also known as a crisper tray, to allow airflow under the food.
Using an oven with an air fryer setting eliminates the need for another appliance that takes up counter space. It also has more capacity than a typical air fryer, so you can cook larger batches at once.
First, preheat your oven. Then, place your food in a single layer on a perforated tray or basket to ensure even cooking. Make sure to give your food space so that the hot air can circulate and crisp it up. You may need to adjust the cooking times and temperatures as convection ovens tend to cook more slowly than air fryers.