Key Takeaways
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Full-size ovens with air fryer settings can handle larger batches than countertop models.
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Switching to an oven air fryer setting saves counter space and reduces clutter.
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The right pan helps deliver crispy results similar to a countertop air fryer.
When air fryers first became popular, they were a revelation. It was so fun figuring out what was possible in them. Effortless dinner rolls! Juicy, no-mess hamburgers! They were countertop appliances exclusively, an efficient alternative to big ovens.
Now, many years later, appliance manufacturers are making conventional ovens that have an air fryer setting. It’s confusing! Wasn’t the whole point of a freestanding air fryer that it wasn’t a regular oven? Can a big oven pull off the same crispy, golden-brown results you’ve come to expect with your air fryer?
First, How an Air Fryer Works
An air fryer blows hot air around to create even heat that cooks things fast and creates a crispy crust. While convection ovens also use fans to blow air around, an air fryer’s fans direct the air to mimic the way a deep fryer distributes heat. The flow of heat is very specific to air frying. An oven’s convection setting is similar, but not identical.
That’s why there’s an actual point to having an air fryer setting on an oven that has a convection setting, too. You’ll get different results.
What’s the Advantage of an Oven With an Air Fryer Setting?
The big drawback with countertop air fryers is their size. If you’re making hot wings for a party or you have a large family, the smaller capacity of a countertop air fryer means that you have to cook food in batches. With a regular-size oven, you don’t need to worry about that. No one will have to stand around awkwardly waiting for wings.
The other advantage? Simplicity. No one wants an extra appliance hogging up counter or cupboard space.
What You Need To Do Differently With an Air Fryer Setting
If your oven has an air fryer setting and you’re anxious about switching over from your countertop air fryer, it’ll help to know a few things.
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Expect longer preheating times. My countertop air fryer heats up so quickly that I usually don’t bother preheating it. If that’s you, too, don’t assume a full-size oven will do the same. “Depending on the model, some convection ovens with an air fryer setting may take longer than a countertop air fryer to heat up,” says Mandy Kahne, Integrated Brand Manager, Whirlpool Brand. “Countertop air fryers usually heat up faster due to their smaller size.” Kahne says that some full-size ovens with air fryer settings don’t need to be preheated. Whirlpool offers a range with a ‘No Preheat Air Fry’ mode. So it’ll all depend on your particular oven’s features.
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Use the right pan. Countertop air fryers with a drawer have a rack in the bottom that ensures hot air will flow under the food; meanwhile, the larger air fryers that look like toaster ovens have a special pan with a rack to allow for the same kind of airflow. To get the most out of your full-size oven’s air fryer setting, you’ll need a similar pan. If you dump those frozen french fries directly onto a sheet pan, the bottoms of the fries won’t crisp up as they would in a countertop air fryer. Some appliance manufacturers have special pans that you can order for their air fryer settings, or you can just buy a metal cooling rack to put over a sheet pan and use it only for air frying.
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Use the suggested rack position. For an air fryer setting, it’s probably going to be somewhere in the middle, but check the owner’s manual to make sure.
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Be prepared for longer cook times. A compact countertop air fryer circulates hot air faster than a full-size oven. Less rapid airflow means that food may not air fry as quickly as you’re used to. Keep a close eye on the cook time.
Will You Still Need Your Old Air Fryer if Your Oven Has an Air Fryer Setting?
That’ll be up to you. If you like making small batches of food in your countertop air fryer, it might still be convenient to keep it around.
Experiment with your oven’s air fryer setting, making your favorite air fryer recipes and comparing the results before you give away your countertop air fryer. If you’re lucky, you may be able to offload an appliance.
Read the original article on Simply Recipes