Turn Your Convection Oven Into An Air Fryer

how to make your convection oven an air fryer

Air fryers and convection ovens both use fans to circulate heat and create crispy, fried food without deep frying. However, air fryer compartments are much smaller than an oven cavity, so food typically cooks faster. Convection ovens, on the other hand, have more capacity, allowing you to cook larger batches at once. If you want to use your convection oven as an air fryer, you can follow a few simple steps to achieve similar results. First, prep your food by cutting ingredients into small, bite-sized pieces and patting dry any wet pieces of meat or fish. Next, use the right cookware – a perforated tray or basket is best, but if you don't have one, a dark or non-stick tray with low sides or an oven-safe cooling rack will also work. Give your food space to cook by avoiding overcrowding the oven cavity, and adjust the cooking times and temperatures as needed, as convection ovens tend to cook slower than air fryers. Finally, flip your food halfway through the cooking process to improve air distribution and promote crisping.

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Invest in an air fryer basket or tray

Investing in an air fryer basket or tray is a crucial step in turning your convection oven into an air fryer. Here are some reasons why:

Enhanced Air Circulation

Perforated air fryer baskets or trays are designed to allow hot air to circulate evenly around your food. This even circulation of hot air is what gives your food that desirable crispy texture. The holes in the basket or tray enable the hot air to reach all surfaces of the food, resulting in a uniform golden crust. If you don't have a perforated basket or tray, a dark or non-stick tray with low sides or an oven-safe cooling rack can be used as an alternative.

Easy Cleanup

Using a dedicated air fryer basket or tray makes cleanup a breeze. After cooking, simply remove the basket or tray from the oven and let it cool down before cleaning. This is much easier than cleaning the interior of an oven, which may require more effort and time.

Optimal Crispy Results

Air fryer baskets or trays, particularly those made of dark-coloured or non-stick materials, promote even browning and crisping of your food. The design of the basket or tray, combined with the hot air circulation, ensures that your food reaches the desired level of crispiness.

Cooking Large Batches

Convection ovens typically have larger capacities than air fryers, allowing you to cook larger batches of food at once. With an air fryer basket or tray, you can take full advantage of this extra capacity. You won't have to cook in multiple batches as you might with a countertop air fryer, which often have smaller baskets or trays.

Cost-Effective

Purchasing an air fryer basket or tray is a cost-effective alternative to buying a standalone air fryer appliance. It eliminates the need to spend extra money on a separate appliance, saving you money and valuable counter space in your kitchen.

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Use a perforated tray or basket

Using a perforated tray or basket is an essential step in making your convection oven function like an air fryer. This is because the holes in the tray or basket allow hot air to circulate across the entire surface of your food, making it crisp and brown. This is similar to how a dedicated air fryer works, and it is the reason why air-fried food turns out crispy.

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. However, if you use a perforated tray or basket, it is recommended to place a cookie sheet covered with aluminium foil or parchment paper on the lower rack to catch any drippings.

It is also important to avoid overcrowding the oven cavity, as this can reduce airflow and lead to soggy results. Make sure that the hot air can reach the entire surface of your food to create a golden crusty exterior.

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Cut food into small pieces

When preparing vegetables and potatoes, it is best to cut them into bite-sized pieces. This will increase the surface area of the food, allowing more of it to come into contact with the circulating hot air and resulting in a crispier texture. Cut them into cubes, spears, or medallions.

For meat or fish, ensure the surface is dry by patting it with a paper towel. A dry surface will help the skin crisp up. Lightly coat the surface with oil or cooking spray, and opt for a dry coating like panko, shredded cheese, or breadcrumbs instead of a wet batter.

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Use a nonstick pan with low sides

Using a nonstick pan with low sides is a great alternative if you don't have a perforated tray or basket. This type of pan allows hot air to circulate over the entire surface of the food, creating a crispy, golden crust.

If you're using a nonstick pan with low sides, be sure to place an additional baking tray on the rack below your food to catch any crumbs or drippings. This will help minimize the mess and make cleanup easier.

It's important to note that using a nonstick pan with low sides may not give you the same level of crispiness as a perforated tray or basket. For optimal results, it's recommended to invest in cookware specifically designed for air frying, such as a perforated basket or tray.

Additionally, when using a nonstick pan with low sides, make sure to follow the other steps for using your convection oven as an air fryer. This includes prepping your food properly, giving your food enough space to cook, adjusting cooking times and temperatures, and flipping your food halfway through the cooking process.

By following these tips and using the right cookware, you can achieve delicious, crispy results in your convection oven without needing a separate air fryer appliance.

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Preheat the crisper basket

Preheating your crisper basket is an important step in the air-frying process, and it's something you should do whether you're using a dedicated air fryer or a convection oven. Here are some detailed tips to help you master this step and get perfectly crispy results:

Benefits of Preheating the Crisper Basket

Preheating the crisper basket helps to ensure that the parts of your food that come into contact with the basket get nice and crispy. This is especially important if you're cooking items that benefit from a crunchy texture, like chicken wings, french fries, or vegetable fritters. By preheating the basket, you create a hot surface that immediately starts the crisping process as soon as your food makes contact.

Adjusting to Your Convection Oven

Convection ovens typically take longer to preheat than standalone air fryers, so you'll need to factor this into your cooking time. If you're used to air frying with a countertop model, you may be accustomed to faster preheating times. However, the good news is that many modern convection ovens have dedicated air fry settings, which can help streamline the process.

Temperature Considerations

When preheating your crisper basket in a convection oven, pay close attention to the temperature settings. Convection ovens often cook at lower temperatures than standalone air fryers. While air fryers may reach temperatures of 400°F or higher, you'll typically be air frying in a convection oven at temperatures between 350°F and 400°F. Refer to your oven's manual for specific instructions.

Placement of the Crisper Basket

To get the best results, make sure your crisper basket is placed in the centre of the oven. This ensures that your food cooks evenly on all sides. If you're using multiple racks, adjust the placement of the racks so that the crisper basket is in the centre, allowing for optimal airflow. Additionally, consider placing a baking tray on a lower rack to catch any crumbs or drippings.

Combining with Other Techniques

Preheating the crisper basket works best when combined with other air frying techniques. For example, make sure to prepare your food appropriately by cutting ingredients into bite-sized pieces and patting them dry before coating them with oil. Use the right cookware, such as a perforated tray or basket, to allow for proper airflow. Finally, avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking and crisping.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you will need a basket, sometimes called a crisper tray, which can be purchased for around $25. The basket will need to be perforated to allow hot air to circulate around the food.

Cut your food into small, bite-sized pieces to maximise the surface area exposed to the hot air. Lightly coat the food in oil to help promote browning. If cooking meat or fish, pat the surface dry and apply a light coat of oil or cooking spray.

Convection ovens typically cook at temperatures between 350-400°F when air frying. However, you should refer to your oven manufacturer's instructions for the most accurate temperature and timing information.

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