Oven Vs Air Fryer: Can Ovens Fry Too?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance that people use to cook food without using much oil. They work by combining high heat with fast-moving air. However, they can be bulky and take up a lot of counter space. If you're looking to save some space in your kitchen, you might be wondering if you can use your oven as an air fryer. The short answer is yes, but only if your oven has a convection fan.

A convection fan circulates hot air very quickly around the food, creating a crispy, golden crust. Most modern ovens have built-in convection fans, so they can function as air fryers too. You'll also need a perforated crisper tray or basket to allow the hot air to circulate under and around the food. With the right tools and some simple adjustments, you can use your oven to air fry your favourite foods!

Air frying in a convection oven

Air fryers function similarly to a convection oven. If you own a convection oven, you may not need a standalone air fryer to get the crispy results that these countertop appliances are known for. A convection oven can help crisp up foods, but you’ll need a dedicated air fry function for the best results.

How to air fry in a convection oven

Step 1: Prep your food for air frying

Depending on what you’re trying to air fry, you’ll want to prep the food to help ensure a crispy and golden exterior. Foods like veggies and potatoes work better when they are cut into smaller bite-sized pieces, so to give them that nice crunchy exterior cut them into spears, medallions or cubes and lightly coat them in oil to encourage browning.

Step 2: Use the right air frying cookware

Part of what makes countertop air fryers so efficient at crisping up your food has to do with the perforated basket or pan that is designed for air frying. To ensure that you achieve similar levels of crispiness as you would with an air fryer, 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 nonstick 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.

Step 3: Give your food space

Avoid overcrowding so that the hot air can cook/crisp your food evenly and thoroughly. The hot air that the convection fan circulates around the oven cavity will need to reach the entire surface of your food in order to help create a golden crust. Overcrowding will prevent proper crisping and may instead leave you with a less appetizing soggy exterior.

Step 4: Be mindful of air frying times and temperatures

Convection ovens typically don’t cook as fast as countertop air fryers, so you’ll most likely have to adjust the cooking times. Countertop air fryers tend to use higher temperatures as well, which you’ll have to account for when finding the right cooking times. Generally, you can expect to air fry in a convection oven at temperatures between 350-400°F, but it will vary from recipe to recipe.

Step 5: Flip halfway through

As you would with a countertop air fryer, you may want to flip or shake your food to improve air distribution to food surfaces during cooking, but flipping should only be done if the food requires it to avoid any heat loss in the oven. Spray or rub with a little extra oil or cooking spray to promote crisping.

Benefits of using your convection oven to air fry

• Convenience: Using a convection oven or an oven with air frying capabilities eliminates the need for another appliance that takes up counter space.
• Easy to clean up: Air fryers typically require cleaning the basket as well as the pullout compartment that the food goes in after every use, as opposed to a convection oven, which doesn’t usually need cleaning after every use.
• Crispy results: Especially if using dark cookware or a perforated basket, air frying in your convection oven will give you satisfyingly crispy food.
• Cook larger batches at once: Since most air fryers don’t have the same capacity as convection ovens, you’ll be able to cook more food at once than with a countertop air fryer, where you might have to cook in batches depending on the number of servings.

Air fryer vs. convection oven

Air fryers and convection ovens use fans to circulate hot air around food, creating a crispy exterior without the need for deep frying in oil.

Size and Capacity

Air fryers are smaller than convection ovens and typically only cook about one or two servings at a time. Convection ovens have a larger capacity and can cook more food at once.

Cooking Times and Temperatures

Air fryers and convection ovens may have similar cooking times and temperatures, but air fryers often preheat faster due to their smaller size. Convection ovens may take longer to reach higher temperatures.

Heating Elements

Many air fryers cook from the top down and do not have a bottom heating element, while convection ovens use the main oven heating element and may have an additional heating element in True Convection models.

Cleanup

Air fryers have more parts to clean, including a perforated basket and bucket, which can be time-consuming, especially when cooking foods with a lot of drippings. Convection ovens typically only require cleaning the pan.

Cost

Air fryers are more expensive than comparable convection ovens.

Space

Air fryers are countertop appliances and can be stored away when not in use, while convection ovens take up more space and usually remain on the countertop.

Versatility

Convection ovens offer more capabilities and can be used for a wider variety of cooking tasks, such as roasting and baking, in addition to air frying.

Both air fryers and convection ovens have their advantages and disadvantages. If you're looking for a standalone appliance with a variety of cooking functions and the ability to cook larger quantities of food, a convection oven might be the better choice. On the other hand, if you want a compact, portable option for making crispy fried foods without using a lot of oil, an air fryer could be the way to go.

Air frying in a conventional oven

Air fryers are similar to convection ovens but with a built-in air-frying feature that optimises temperature and air circulation. If you own a convection oven, you may not need a standalone air fryer to achieve the crispy results of a countertop appliance.

How to air fry in a conventional oven

• Use a perforated tray or basket to allow hot air to circulate on the entire food surface. If you don't have a perforated tray, 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.
• Avoid overcrowding so the hot air can cook and crisp your food evenly.
• Convection ovens don't cook as fast as countertop air fryers, so you'll need to adjust the cooking times.
• Air fryers tend to use higher temperatures, so you'll need to account for this when finding the right cooking times.
• Flip or shake your food to improve air distribution, but only if the food requires it to avoid heat loss.
• Spray or rub with a little extra oil or cooking spray to promote crisping.

Drawbacks of air frying in a conventional oven

• Full-size convection ovens may cook more slowly than compact, basket-style air fryers.
• Full-size ranges, especially those with convection fans, require more power than a countertop multi-oven or basket-style air fryer.
• Air frying in a conventional oven may not deliver true air-fried results.

Air fryer oven vs. countertop air fryer

Air frying is a method of cooking that delivers the flavor and crunch of deep-fried food without using much oil. Air fryer ovens and countertop air fryers are two kitchen appliances that can be used to air fry food. But what's the difference between the two, and which one is best for you?

Air Fryer Oven

An air fryer oven is a full-sized oven that features an air fry cooking mode. It uses a high-powered fan to circulate hot air around the food at high speed, cooking it to a crispy finish. Air fryer ovens offer the convenience of air frying technology with the extra space of a traditional oven. They are often faster than a conventional oven, making them ideal for quick weeknight dinners. They also provide additional oven space for sides and desserts when hosting or during holidays.

Some benefits of an air fryer oven include:

• More capacity, allowing you to cook larger quantities of food at once
• No need for extra appliances, saving counter space
• Multi-functionality, with features like even baking, steam cleaning, and smudge-proof surfaces

Countertop Air Fryer

A countertop air fryer is a smaller, portable appliance with a fryer-style basket that circulates hot air around the food. They typically range from 3 to 5 quarts and are suitable for serving 1 to 2 people. Countertop air fryers are budget-friendly and can be easily stored away when not in use. They are ideal for those with plenty of counter and storage space and who regularly air fry foods in smaller batches.

Some advantages of a countertop air fryer include:

• Compact size, taking up less counter space
• Budget-friendly, with a variety of price points to choose from
• Faster cooking of smaller batches of food

Both air fryer ovens and countertop air fryers offer the benefits of air frying, but the best option for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a versatile appliance with more capacity and additional features, an air fryer oven is a great choice. On the other hand, if you have limited counter space and only need to cook for a few people, a countertop air fryer might be more suitable.

Air fryer cookware

Types of Cookware

• Perforated Trays or Baskets: These allow hot air to circulate around the food efficiently, creating a crispy exterior. They are typically made of metal and may be square, rectangular, or round. Some baskets are elevated to further improve airflow.
• Dark or Non-stick Trays: If you don't have a perforated tray, a dark or non-stick tray with low sides can be used. This option may be more suitable for certain types of food.
• Oven-safe Cooling Rack: This type of rack can be placed inside an air fryer to elevate the food and improve airflow, similar to a perforated basket.
• Parchment Paper or Aluminium Foil: Placing a sheet of parchment paper or aluminium foil on the lower rack of your oven can catch any drippings or crumbs, making cleanup easier.
• Pans and Moulds: Various pans and moulds are available for air fryers, such as grill pans, muffin pans, cupcake moulds, and pizza pans. These can be made of metal or silicone.
• Accessory Kits: You can also purchase accessory kits that include a variety of pans, racks, and silicone moulds specifically designed for air fryers.

Factors to Consider

• Size and Fit: Ensure that your cookware fits snugly inside your air fryer to maximise airflow and cooking efficiency.
• Ease of Cleaning: Look for cookware that is non-stick or has non-stick coatings, as this will make cleanup easier.
• Material: Silicone and heat-resistant metals are good choices for air fryer cookware as they are easy to clean and can withstand high temperatures. Avoid using plastic or materials that cannot withstand temperatures above 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Specialised Accessories: Depending on what you like to cook, you may want to invest in specialised accessories like skewers, tongs, or an oil sprayer.

Frequently asked questions