CAN YOU AIR FRY IN AN OVEN?

HOW DOES AN AIR FRYER OVEN WORK?

Ovens with an air fry setting use a fan that circulates heat rapidly within the oven cavity. A perforated air fry basket allows the heat to envelop the food from all angles. When air frying food, this combination creates a crispy exterior while only using a fraction of the oil you would usually use with deep frying.

Air Fry and Bake differ in how heat is applied to cook your food. Air Fry uses intense, circulating heat to crisp your food, and is best suited for classic fried foods. Baking, on the other hand, offers a dry heat at lower temperatures, slowly cooking food. This is best suited for recipes that need even cooking or rising, like cakes or bread.

CAN YOU AIR FRY IN A REGULAR OVEN?

You can't truly air fry in a traditional, conventional oven unless it has a specialized air fry setting. However, there are a few adjustments you can make to promote crisping and browning in a conventional oven. You’ll want to use a perforated tray and spread the food evenly.

Additionally, smaller pieces have more exposed surface area, which can help speed up browning. Aim for bite-sized morsels, and flip or shake halfway through, depending on your recipe. Learn more about the different types of ovens and different oven settings to find out which one is best for you.

CAN YOU AIR FRY IN A CONVECTION OVEN?

While both air fryers and convection ovens operate on a similar principle of circulating hot air around food items, you’ll only achieve true air fried results with an oven that has an air fry setting. Air fry settings are designed to run at a hotter offset than a regular oven.

If you’re trying to recreate similar results in your convection oven, you can use a convect roast setting to create a similar environment. Convection ovens typically feature a built-in fan to circulate hot air and help reduce moisture within the oven cavity. Select ovens may also offer an additional heating element to promote the browning of meats, caramelized roast vegetables and flaky baked goods.

Read more about the differences between air fryers and convection ovens.

It is strongly recommended to use proper cookware when using your convection oven to mimic air fry. In order to get the desired crispy results, the circulating heat will need to reach all surfaces of the food. Additionally, temperature and cooking times may need to be adjusted, so always read the recipe instructions and keep a close eye on the food as it cooks. Learn more about how to air fry in a convection oven.

ARE RANGES WITH AIR FRYER SETTINGS AVAILABLE?

Ranges with specialized air fry settings are widely available. Air fry settings typically circulate hot air throughout the oven cavity at temperatures ideal for achieving crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside taste using little to no additional oil.

HOW DO YOU USE AN AIR FRYER OVEN?

Using an air fryer oven can be as simple as pushing a button, selecting your heat and time settings, placing your food in the center of the oven, using specialized cookware and keeping space around your food for proper circulation. Check your oven’s user manual for exact details on how to use your oven’s air fry settings. Keep reading for more tips on how to air fry in your oven.

• While it may vary slightly by model, ovens with air fry generally allow you to select the air fry setting at the push of a button. 

• If possible, adjust the temperature and timing to suit your air fry oven recipe.

• Try to place your food in the center of the oven, as food air fries most evenly in the center. If you place a pan lined with parchment paper or foil to catch any stray crumbs, be sure to place it on the rack directly below your food. Avoid putting any items on the bottom of the oven that may interfere with air flow.

• Use the right cookware, such as a perforated air fry basket, an oven-safe dark or nonstick tray with low sides or an oven-safe cooling rack. This can help hot air circulate across every surface of your food. Select ovens come with a Dishwasher-Safe Air Fry Basket, like this wall oven from Maytag brand.

• While the oven is preheating, load up your air fryer basket, making sure to keep some space around your food items. This will allow hot air to circulate in between, which helps create the crispy, golden results you’re looking for.

• Some recipes require you to shake the basket halfway through. Because air frying in your oven rapidly circulates hot air, it may pause whenever you open the oven door. For the best results, try to avoid interrupting the air fry cycle more than necessary. 

• Once your air fry cycle is finished, remove the air fry basket to prevent drying out.

• Then simply serve the food alongside your favorite dipping sauces or sides and enjoy the irresistible fried flavors prepared in your own oven with a fraction of the oil.

RANGES WITH AIR FRY FAQS

Get answers to commonly asked questions about how to air fry in your oven.

DO YOU NEED SPECIAL COOKWARE TO AIR FRY IN AN OVEN?

Whichever type of oven you’re working with, make sure to use a perforated tray or basket. If you're in a pinch, you can also use a pan with low sides. Keep a baking tray on the bottom of the oven to catch any crumbs or drippings, making sure to leave space for air between the crumb and baking trays for the best results. You can also use parchment paper or aluminum foil in your air frying oven to help minimize mess while cooking.

DO YOU NEED TO PREHEAT AN OVEN BEFORE USING AIR FRY?

You may have to preheat your oven before using air fry, but it depends on what kind of model you have. Check your product guide for more specific instructions before air frying in your oven. 

Select ranges come with No-Preheat Air Fry, like this one from Maytag brand. These models eliminate the preheating process and start air frying at the touch of a button.

DO AIR FRY OVEN COOK TIMES MATCH A COUNTERTOP AIR FRYER?

Countertop air fryers are typically much smaller than air fry ovens. This small size allows countertop air fryers to cook food faster than air fry ovens. However, air fry ovens can cook larger amounts of food due to their large capacity.