Almost everyone has an oven in their home, which is great for cooking, baking, and broiling many different foods. However, in recent years, air fryers have also become increasingly popular for their ability to make fried foods with less oil. That is why many people wonder whether they can convert their conventional oven to an air fryer.
No, a conventional oven can’t function fully as an air fryer. However, you can modify some settings in an oven to create a crispy outer layer. As for converting a conventional oven recipe to an air fryer recipe, reduce the time by 20% and lower the temperature by 25°F to 50°F.
Converting a conventional oven recipe to an air fryer recipe
Although both oven and air fryer work on a similar mechanism, the heat in an air fryer is more intense than in a conventional oven. That’s why, if you are air frying an oven, you would need to adjust the temperature and time settings accordingly.
So, reduce the cooking temperature by 25°F to 50°F and the cooking time by about 20%. These settings may need to be adjusted further, so keep checking on the food as it cooks.
How to air fry in a conventional oven
As previously mentioned, it is not possible for a conventional oven to fully replicate the functions of an air fryer. However, there are certain guidelines and tips you can follow to achieve similar results when air frying in an oven.
For detailed tips, check out our article on this specific topic.
Perforated tray: Use a perforated tray to allow for maximum airflow and circulation of heat. Use a pan with low sides if you don’t have a perforated tray.
Spread the food evenly: Make sure the food is spread out evenly on the tray or pan. The items should not be stacked on top of each other, or else it will result in uneven cooking.
Small pieces: Cut the food into small, ideally bite-sized pieces, as this increases the surface area exposed to the heat, which allows for faster crisping and browning.
Flip the food: You should flip the food halfway through the cooking time to ensure that it cooks evenly on both sides.
Roast or air fryer setting: If your oven has an air fryer setting, use it. Otherwise, the roast setting will work as well.
The right cookware: Using proper cookware when air frying in an oven is recommended to ensure that the heat reaches evenly to all parts of the food.
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Conclusion
While it is not possible to completely convert a conventional oven into an air fryer, you can still replicate the effect by following certain techniques. It may take a bit of trial and error to get the temperature and timing right, but with practice, you can achieve your desired results.