Do You Need An Air Fryer To Air Fry? Find Out The Options

You may wonder whether you actually need to invest in an air fryer to enjoy air-fried food. The answer is no, as there are alternative options available.

The range of ovens such as toaster ovens, convection ovens, electric ovens with convection settings can be used for air frying. These appliances use the same technology as countertop air fryers, circulating hot air to cook food.These alternatives can offer larger cooking capacities and save countertop space, making them a viable option for air frying. Read further for more details.

Key Takeaways:

• Air frying can be achieved without a dedicated air fryer using alternative options like range ovens, wall ovens, and toaster ovens with convection settings.
• These alternative appliances use the same technology as air fryers, circulating hot air to cook food.
• Using a convection oven or toaster oven with a convection setting can produce crispy and delicious air-fried results.
• Adjusting cooking times and temperatures, flipping the food, and maximizing surface area are important techniques for air frying without an air fryer.
• Toaster ovens with convection settings offer larger cooking capacities and are more efficient alternatives to countertop air fryers.

Using Ovens For Air Frying

You don’t necessarily need a dedicated air fryer to air fry foods.Convection ovens and toaster ovens with a convection setting can be used as alternative options to achieve crispy and delicious air-fried results. These appliances utilize hot air circulation to mimic the frying effect, making them suitable for air frying without the need for an additional countertop appliance.According to The New York Times’ Wirecutter, and my own testing using multiple appliances, a toaster oven with an air fryer setting can even be considered the best air fryer.By utilizing the convection setting in these ovens, you can achieve the desired crispy texture. To ensure even cooking and browning, it is recommended to use a perforated pan or an oven-safe cooling rack to allow for proper circulation of air.

Cooking Methods For Air Frying Comparison

	Convection Oven	Toaster Oven	Air Fryer
Size	Standard oven size	Compact size	Compact size
Cooking Capacity	Large	Small to medium	Small to medium
Air Circulation	Even circulation with convection setting	Even circulation with convection setting	Specifically designed for air frying
Additional Features	Various oven functions	Additional cooking settings	Dedicated air frying function

• Convection ovens and toaster ovens with convection settings offer larger cooking capacities compared to countertop air fryers.
• This makes them more suitable for cooking larger quantities or for households with more people.
• These ovens often come with additional features, allowing for a wider range of cooking options.
• While having a dedicated air fryer can be convenient and quickly cook up small dishes, utilizing a convection oven or toaster oven with a convection setting can provide alternative ways to air fry.
• By adjusting cooking times and temperatures and using proper techniques, you can achieve the desired crispy and delicious results without the need for an extra appliance.

Air Frying With Convection Setting In The Oven

One of the most common alternatives is using the convection setting in your oven. This setting functions similarly to an air fryer, circulating hot air to create a crispy texture. When using the convection setting, it’s required to make a few adjustments to ensure optimal results.

Adjust Cooking Time And Temperature

• Typically, air fryer recipes call for slightly lower temperatures compared to conventional oven cooking.
• Lowering the temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit can help prevent overcooking and ensure even browning.
• You may need to reduce the cooking time, as the circulating hot air in a convection oven tends to cook food faster than a traditional oven.

Maximize Surface Area For Browning

• To achieve that coveted crispy texture, maximize the surface area of the food being cooked.
• This can be done by using long sticks or cutting the food into small bite-sized pieces.
• By increasing the exposure of the food to the hot air, you’ll enhance the browning and crispiness.
• Make sure not to overcrowd the cooking surface, as this can hinder proper air circulation and result in uneven cooking.

Tips	What to do
Preheat the oven	Before placing your food in the oven, preheat it to the recommended temperature. This will help ensure even cooking and browning.
Use cooking spray or oil	To enhance browning and crispiness, lightly coat your food with cooking spray or a small amount of oil. This will help promote a crispy exterior.
Flip the food	Halfway through the cooking time, flip the food to ensure even browning on both sides.
Experiment with cooking times and temperatures	Every oven is different, so it may take a bit of experiment, trial and error to find the perfect cooking time and temperature for your desired results.

Using Toaster Ovens With Convection Setting For Air Frying

Toaster ovens with a convection setting are a versatile option for air frying without the need for a dedicated air fryer.

• These appliances offer additional features such as heating elements at the top and bottom and more powerful fans, allowing them to multitask as air fryer toaster ovens.
• Not only do they provide the convenience of air frying, but they also offer a larger cooking capacity compared to countertop air fryers.

When using a toaster oven with a convection setting for air frying, note these steps:

• Follow similar tips as mentioned earlier for the convection oven.
• Spread the food in a single layer on a perforated pan or an oven-safe cooling rack to ensure even cooking and browning.
• Preheating the toaster oven and using a cooking spray or oil can enhance the browning and crispiness of the food.
• Flip the food halfway through cooking to ensure even results.

One of the notable advantages of toaster ovens is their efficiency.They heat up faster and use less energy compared to traditional ovens, making them an environmentally friendly choice. Toaster ovens with convection settings are particularly useful for small households or when cooking smaller quantities of food.

Advantages Of Toaster Ovens
1. Larger cooking capacity than an air fryer
2. Versatile multitasking appliance
3. Faster preheating and energy-efficient
4. Suitable for small households or smaller quantities of food

By utilizing a toaster oven with a convection setting, you can enjoy air-fried foods without the need for an additional countertop appliance. Whether you’re air frying chicken wings, french fries, or even vegetables, a toaster oven with convection capabilities can deliver the desired crispy texture and delicious taste.

Can I Use an Air Fryer for Grilling Instead of Traditional Grills?

Yes, you can use an air fryer for grilling, but there are some tips to keep in mind for best results. Make sure to preheat the air fryer, use a grill pan or basket, and adjust the temperature and cooking time accordingly. These grilling in air fryer tips will help you achieve delicious grilled dishes.

Source Links

• https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/cooking-baking/how-to-air-fry-without-an-air-fryer-a3761040766/
• https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-air-fry-without-air-fryer/
• https://www.myrecipes.com/convenience/how-to-air-fry-without-air-fryer