Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance in recent years, thanks to their ability to cook crispy, delicious meals using minimal oil. However, many people wonder if they really need to invest in another appliance when they already have a convection oven at home. Can you use a convection oven as an air fryer? The short answer is yes, but it’s not exactly the same thing. In this post, we’ll compare convection ovens and air fryers, and provide tips on using a convection oven as an air fryer.

What is an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is a small, countertop appliance that uses hot air to cook food quickly and evenly. The appliance works by circulating hot air around the food, which creates a crispy exterior and tender interior without the need for a lot of oil. Air fryers are especially popular for cooking frozen foods like chicken wings, french fries, and onion rings.

What is a Convection Oven?

A convection oven is a type of oven that uses a fan to circulate hot air around the food. This helps to cook food more evenly and quickly than a traditional oven. Convection ovens are often used for baking, roasting, and broiling.

Can You Use a Convection Oven as an Air Fryer?

Yes, you can use a convection oven as an air fryer. In fact, many convection ovens have an “air fry” or “air fryer” setting that allows you to cook food using the same hot air method as an air fryer.

If your convection oven doesn’t have an air fry setting, you can still use it to cook crispy, delicious meals by following a few simple tips.

Tips for Using Your Convection Oven as an Air Fryer

1. Use a baking sheet with holes or a wire rack 

When air frying in a convection oven, it’s important to use a baking sheet with holes or a wire rack. This allows the hot air to circulate around the food, which helps to create a crispy exterior. If you don’t have a baking sheet with holes, you can use a regular baking sheet. But make sure to flip the food halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

2. Preheat your convection oven 

Just like an air fryer, it’s important to preheat your convection oven before cooking. This helps to ensure that the food cooks evenly and that the exterior becomes crispy.

3. Use a light coating of oil 

While air fryers don’t require much oil, you may need to use a light coating of oil when air frying in a convection oven. This will help to create a crispy exterior and prevent the food from sticking to the baking sheet.

4. Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet 

When air frying in a convection oven, it’s important not to overcrowd the baking sheet. This can prevent the hot air from circulating around the food, which can result in uneven cooking and a soggy exterior.

5. Adjust the temperature and cooking time 

When using your convection oven as an air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time from what the recipe recommends. This will depend on the size and type of food you’re cooking, as well as the strength of your convection oven.

Similarities and Differences Between Convection Ovens and Air Fryers

While convection ovens and air fryers share some similarities in their cooking method, there are also some notable differences between the two appliances.

1. Size: Air fryers are typically smaller than convection ovens and are designed to fit on a countertop. Convection ovens, on the other hand, are larger and usually installed as a built-in appliance in the kitchen.

2. Capacity: Convection ovens have a larger cooking capacity than air fryers. This means you can cook larger batches of food in a convection oven, making it a better option for feeding a crowd.

3. Cooking time: Air fryers are known for their ability to cook food quickly, with most recipes taking between 10 and 20 minutes. Convection ovens, on the other hand, may take longer to cook food, depending on the recipe and the size of the oven.

4. Oil usage: Air fryers require very little oil to cook food, while convection ovens may require a little more. However, using a baking sheet with holes or a wire rack can help to reduce the amount of oil needed when air frying in a convection oven.

5. Price: Air fryers are generally less expensive than convection ovens, making them a more affordable option for many people.

Should You Buy an Air Fryer or Use Your Convection Oven?

Whether you should buy an air fryer or use your convection oven as an air fryer depends on your cooking needs and preferences. If you have a small kitchen or don’t have much storage space, an air fryer may be a better option for you since it’s smaller and more portable.

If you often cook for a large group or like to roast or bake, a convection oven may be a better investment since it has a larger capacity and can handle a wider range of cooking tasks.

FAQs

1. Can I use any convection oven as an air fryer?

Yes, you can use any convection oven as an air fryer. However, make sure that your oven has a convection setting that circulates hot air evenly throughout the oven to ensure even cooking.

2. Can I cook the same recipes in a convection oven as I would in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook the same recipes in a convection oven as you would in an air fryer. However, keep in mind that convection ovens are larger and may require longer cooking times than air fryers. Adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly to achieve the desired results.

3. Can I use aluminum foil or parchment paper when air frying in a convection oven?

Yes, you can use aluminum foil or parchment paper when air frying in a convection oven. However, make sure to poke holes in the foil or parchment paper to allow air to circulate around the food.

4. Can I cook frozen food in a convection oven as an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen food in a convection oven as an air fryer. However, make sure to preheat the oven and adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly to ensure that the food is cooked evenly.

5. Is it better to buy an air fryer or use a convection oven as an air fryer?

It depends on your cooking needs and preferences. Air fryers are generally smaller, more affordable, and better suited for cooking small batches of food.

Convection ovens, on the other hand, are larger, have a greater cooking capacity, and can handle a wider range of cooking tasks. Consider your cooking habits, kitchen size, and budget to determine which appliance is the best fit for you.

Conclusion

To summarize, use holed sheet, preheat, and avoid overcrowding to use convection oven as air fryer. While similar, convection ovens and air fryers differ in size, capacity, cook time, oil usage, and cost.

Whether you should buy an air fryer or use your convection oven as an air fryer depends on your cooking needs and preferences. Ultimately, both appliances can help you cook delicious, crispy meals with minimal oil, so it’s up to you to decide which one is the best fit for your kitchen.