An air fryer is a popular kitchen appliance that uses hot air and convection to cook food with little to no oil. Air fryers have gained popularity as a healthier alternative to deep frying. With an air fryer, you can make french fries, chicken wings, fish fillets and more with up to 80% less fat than traditional frying.
Many people wonder if an air fryer can also function as a small oven for baking, roasting, broiling and other oven functions. While air fryers aren’t designed to fully replace a traditional oven, they can be used for some light oven tasks. Here is an in-depth look at using an air fryer as a makeshift oven.
Can You Bake In An Air Fryer?
Baking is one of the most common oven functions. Anything from cakes and cookies to casseroles and savory bakes are traditionally made in the oven. So can you bake in an air fryer?
The short answer is yes, you can bake in an air fryer. The convection heat and circulation will cook batters and dough in a similar way to an oven. However, there are some limitations to baking in an air fryer:
– Size – Air fryer baking pans and racks are much smaller than oven sizes. You can only make small batches of baked goods at a time.
– Temperature – Most air fryers only reach a maximum temperature of 400°F whereas regular ovens can get up to 550°F. Some baking recipes require very high heat.
– Air circulation – Air fryers use a fan to circulate hot air. This can dry out delicate baked goods.
– Results – Items baked in an air fryer will turn out much differently than a traditional oven. You may need to experiment with timing and settings.
So while air fryers can bake foods like cakes, muffins, breads and cookies, the results will be smaller with a different texture. Air fryers excel more at roasting and broiling tasks.
What Can You Roast In An Air Fryer?
Roasting uses dry indirect heat to cook food in the oven. Anything from vegetables to meat roasts can be prepared this way. Luckily, air fryers do an excellent job replicating roasted flavors and textures. Here are some things you can roast in an air fryer:
– Vegetables – Root veggies like potatoes, parsnips, carrots, beets and more will caramelize well with air fryer roasting. Brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, squash and zucchini also taste great roasted this way. Toss veggies in a bit of oil before air frying.
– Meat – Roast chicken, turkey breasts, beef roasts, pork tenderloin and lamb all work well. The convection heat helps crisp and brown the exterior while keeping meat moist. Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness.
– Tofu – For a vegan-friendly roast, you can make crispy tofu in the air fryer. It makes a nice protein to pair with roasted veggies.
– Nuts and seeds – Roast up spiced nuts or seeds for a crunchy snack. Toss in oil and seasonings first.
– Fruits – Slices of stone fruits like nectarines, peaches, plums and apricots develop nice caramelization when roasted in an air fryer. Apples and pears also work.
– Leftovers – You can reheat many leftovers by giving them a quick roast in the air fryer to make them crispy on the outside. Try pizza, french fries, wings, etc.
Roasting food in the air fryer often takes less time than the oven. Keep an eye on food and toss or flip halfway through for even cooking.
What Foods Can You Broil In An Air Fryer?
Broiling uses direct overhead heat to cook food. Traditional broilers are in the top of full size ovens. Some air fryers come with broiling inserts and functions specifically for broiling tasks. Here are some of the foods you can broil in an air fryer:
– Steak and beef – Get steakhouse results by broiling steaks, patties, or kebabs in the air fryer. The high heat chars the surfaces nicely.
– Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs cook up well under air fryer broiling. The heat makes the surface crispy.
– Seafood – Broil fish fillets or shrimp with a simple seasoning until just opaque in the center.
– Vegetables – Try broiling halved tomatoes, mushrooms, squash, eggplant, asparagus and more.
– Cheese – Melt and brown cheese with broiling. Use on burgers, sandwiches, nachos or cheese toast.
– Fruit – Caramelize fruit by broiling slices of pineapple, peaches, bananas and other favorites.
– Open faced sandwiches – Melt sandwich toppings under the broiler. Try broiled open faced tuna melts, reubens, or breakfast sandwiches.
For best results, keep food 3-4 inches from the broil element and flip food halfway through cooking. Monitor food closely to prevent burning.
Can You Toast Bread In An Air Fryer?
Making toast is one of the most convenient uses for a standard toaster oven. So is it possible to toast bread in an air fryer?
The answer is yes, air fryers can be used to make toasted bread. Simply place slices of bread directly on the air fryer’s mesh basket or rack. Set the temperature to about 350°F and toast for 3-6 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Keep the following tips in mind when toasting bread in an air fryer:
– Use thin sliced bread – Thick bread may not toast evenly and can burn.
– Avoid overcrowding – Only toast 1-2 slices at a time so air can circulate.
– Adjust cooking time – Lighter breads like white may need less time than heavier wheat or grainy bread.
– Add oil or butter – Coating the bread lightly in oil or butter helps it brown evenly.
– Watch closely – Air fryer toasters can burn bread very quickly if not monitored.
– Allow appliance to preheat – Let the air fryer fully preheat before adding bread for toasting.
While not as fast as regular toasters, air fryers can make decent toasted bread in a pinch. Results may not be exactly the same.
What Are The Best Air Fryers For Oven Functions?
Not all air fryers are created equal when it comes to their ability to perform oven-like tasks. Certain features and functions make some models more suitable as oven replacements than others. Here is what to look for in the best air fryer ovens:
– Large capacity – A 5 quart or larger capacity allows you to cook more food at once, like a real oven.
– High maximum temperature – Look for air fryers with maximum temps of 400°F or more to handle baking needs.
– Multiple rack positions – Models with adjustable or multi-level racks give more flexibility.
– Rotisserie option – The rotating action evenly cooks large roasts and chickens.
– Broil function – Having a dedicated broil setting gets you closer to oven performance.
– Dehydrate mode – Allows long, low heating for items like jerky, fruit leathers, etc.
– Pizza stone accessory – Crisps up pizza crusts nicely.
– Oven-style door – Pull down door makes accessing food easier than basket style models.
Some top rated air fryer models known for their oven-like versatility include:
– Cosori Smart WiFi Air Fryer Max XL
– Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 XL Air Fry Oven
– Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven
– Philips Premium Airfryer XXL
– Chefman 26 QT Air Fryer Oven
While no air fryer can fully replace all functions of a full-size oven, the right model can serve as a decent secondary oven when you need extra space.
Tips For Using An Air Fryer As An Oven
Here are some helpful tips for getting the most out of your air fryer when using it for oven cooking tasks:
– Get the right accessories – Invest in a baking pan, pizza stone, oven thermometer, and any other specialty accessories recommended for your model.
– Lower the temperature – Most air fryer recipes call for 25°F lower heat than a regular oven.
– Cook in batches – Don’t overload the small capacity. You’ll have to cook foods in batches.
– Flip and rotate – Frequently flip and rotate food for even browning due to uneven heating zones.
– Reheat leftovers first – Don’t cook frozen foods straight from the freezer. Defrost and reheat leftovers first.
– Mist cakes and breads – Lightly mist batter and dough with oil to prevent drying out from fan circulation.
– Watch cooking time – Start checking food 5-10 minutes before recommended oven cook times.
– Use foil or pans -Cooking tray foods like oven fries or roasting pans help.
– Don’t forget to preheat – Always preheat your air fryer before cooking anything.
– Check internal temperatures – Use a food thermometer to confirm doneness, especially for meats.
Conclusion
While an air fryer can’t fully match all capabilities of a full oven, it can be used to accomplish some baking, roasting and broiling tasks. The small capacity lends itself better to roasting vegetables, proteins and reheating leftovers than baking layered cakes or casseroles. Models with convection fans, high heat levels, broil functions and dehydration modes get closest to real oven performance. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and adjust oven recipes as needed. With some trial and error, an air fryer can serve as a secondary oven suitable for small batches of food.