Oven-Fried Crispy Foods: Secrets To Perfect Crunch

Achieving the perfect level of crispiness when cooking in an oven or air fryer can be a challenge. Whether you're making fries, chicken, or another delicious treat, there are several tips and tricks to ensure your food comes out crispy. One key factor is managing moisture – when baking, moisture from the food can get trapped in the oven, reducing crispness. Using a perforated sheet tray or a wire rack can help to mitigate this by improving airflow and allowing moisture to escape. It's also important to avoid overcrowding your oven or fryer, as this can reduce air circulation and increase humidity. Preheating your oven or fryer is another crucial step, as this will help you reach the optimal cooking temperature faster. Finally, when frying, be sure to use the right oil temperature – if it's too hot, your food will burn; if it's too cold, your food will absorb too much oil.

Use a wire rack and baking sheet to keep food crispy

Using a wire rack and baking sheet is a great way to keep your fried foods crispy. This setup is often used in restaurants to keep deep-fried foods like chicken wings crispy, and it can easily be replicated at home.

The wire rack is placed inside a rimmed baking sheet, creating a platform that allows excess oil to drip off the food while still providing enough air circulation to prevent the bottom from becoming soggy. This method is far superior to simply placing fried foods on paper towels, brown paper bags, or newspaper, as the food remains crispy and there is no risk of it becoming soggy.

This setup is also ideal for roasting meats and vegetables, as it allows fat and moisture to drain away during cooking. It can also be used to hold breaded foods before frying and to drain excess grease after frying.

Additionally, the wire rack and baking sheet can be used independently for regular roasting and cooling. The wire rack is particularly useful for cooling baked goods, such as cookies and muffins, as it allows steam to escape, preventing them from becoming soggy.

To make cleanup easier when using the wire rack and baking sheet together, you can spritz the rack with vegetable oil spray before placing food on it. This will help to prevent food from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

Use a perforated sheet tray for better airflow

Using a perforated sheet tray is a great way to ensure your food gets crispy in the oven or air fryer. By using a perforated sheet tray, you allow hot air to circulate all around the food, including underneath it. This is especially important if you're using the \"air fry\" mode on your oven, as simply placing food on a regular baking sheet will only give you the baking effect of a conventional oven, with the hot air unable to reach the underside of your food.

There are a few ways to achieve this. One way is to use a wire cooling rack placed on top of a regular baking sheet. This setup allows excess oil to drip off the food, while still providing enough airflow to prevent the underside from becoming soggy. You can also buy specially designed perforated sheet pans, which come in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit different air fryers and ovens. These perforated sheet pans are usually made of metal and have an elevated mesh or wire basket that sits on top of a flat pan, allowing hot air to circulate underneath the food.

If you don't want to buy a special pan, you can try using parchment paper with holes punched in it, or even aluminium foil with holes punched in it, placed on top of a regular baking sheet. This DIY method will provide more airflow to the bottom of your food, helping to crisp it up. However, be careful not to preheat your oven or air fryer with just the parchment paper or foil, as it may blow around and burn.

Using a perforated sheet tray or one of these alternative methods will help you achieve crispy, fried food without the need for a pot of hot oil. So, if you're looking for that crunchy texture and golden colour, give one of these methods a try!

Don't overcrowd the fryer/oven

When cooking, it's important not to overcrowd the fryer or oven. This is a common mistake when cooking in large quantities, but it can lead to unsatisfactory results and a longer cooking time. Overcrowding the pan with food lowers the temperature in the pan and prevents hot air from circulating. This leads to a build-up of liquid in the pan, which can cause food to stew or become soggy and prevents the browning process from starting.

To avoid overcrowding, use a larger pan or cook food in batches. For smaller foods, only add enough to cover the bottom of the pan in a single layer. For larger foods, such as chicken pieces or steak, leave an inch or two between them so they don't touch. If you're cooking in batches, you can keep the first batch warm in a low oven while you cook the rest.

Another way to prevent overcrowding is to choose the right-sized pan for the amount of food you're cooking. The pan should be large enough to accommodate the ingredients with enough space for steam to evaporate. If you're deep-frying, you can also use a cooling rack set over a baking sheet to allow excess oil to drip off and prevent the bottoms of the food from becoming soggy.

Use the right oil temperature

Achieving the perfect crispiness when cooking fried foods can be tricky. One of the most important factors in getting it right is using the right oil temperature. Here are some tips to help you master the art of crispy fried foods:

• Ideal Temperature Range: Deep frying is typically done at high temperatures, usually in the range of 350°F to 375°F (176-190°C). This temperature range is crucial as it ensures that the surface of the food cooks almost instantly, forming a seal that prevents the oil from penetrating.
• Oil Temperature Too Low: If the oil temperature is too low, the oil will seep into the food, making it greasy and unappealing. This can also result in a longer cooking time, affecting the taste and texture of your food.
• Oil Temperature Too High: On the other hand, if the oil is too hot, it can dry out the food and even oxidize the oil, impacting the flavour and quality. It is important to strike a balance to achieve the desired crispiness without burning the food.
• Choose the Right Oil: Select oils with a high smoke point, such as safflower oil, rice bran oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, or canola oil. These oils can withstand higher temperatures without smoking or turning acrid. Additionally, oils with neutral flavours are generally preferred for deep frying.
• Use a Thermometer: To accurately measure the oil temperature, use a long-stem fry thermometer. Place it in the pan, heat the oil to medium-high, and wait for it to reach the desired temperature. Then, adjust the heat as needed.
• Fry in Batches: Remember to fry in batches to maintain the oil temperature. Adding too much food at once can cause the temperature to drop, resulting in greasy or undercooked food.
• Keep Oil Clean: Regularly remove any burnt bits and debris from the oil to ensure optimal cooking conditions.
• Dispose of Oil Properly: When discarding used oil, let it cool completely, then strain it into a jar or bottle for recycling. Do not pour it down the drain as it can clog pipes.
• Experiment with Techniques: Try different techniques, such as boiling potatoes in salted, acidulated water before baking or using a cornstarch slurry for a crispy coating.

By following these tips and maintaining the right oil temperature, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, crispy fried foods that everyone will love!

Use the right pan/tray

Using the right pan or tray is essential for achieving crispy food in an oven fryer. Here are some tips to help you get the best results:

Firstly, if you're using an oven with a built-in air fryer, it's important to note that most of these ovens do not come with the necessary crisper air fryer tray. This tray is crucial for air frying as it allows hot air to circulate around your food. Therefore, investing in a good-quality air fryer crisper tray is highly recommended. You can also get a crisper tray with a baking tray underneath to help with cleanup. This setup is ideal for cooking foods like fries, chicken, or anything else you would typically cook in an air fryer basket.

When cooking saucy foods, such as wings, it's best to use a normal baking sheet to reduce cleanup. A dark, non-stick baking sheet with low sides is recommended for air frying. For quicker and crispier results, you can try using a specialised air fryer tray, which allows air to circulate around each piece of food, ensuring even cooking and crunchiness.

If you're cooking multiple batches, placing the setup in a low oven can help keep everything warm while you continue frying and adding to the rack. Additionally, cooling racks are useful for preventing steam from collecting underneath, which can make the food soggy. They also allow excess oil to drip off while maintaining air circulation, preventing the bottoms from getting soggy.

It's important to avoid overcrowding the pan or tray when cooking. This ensures even cooking and allows the hot air to circulate properly. Turning your food halfway through the cooking process can also help achieve even browning and crispiness.

Frequently asked questions