Converting Baking Times for Air Fryer-Oven Appliances: Tips and Tricks

When you own an appliance that combines the functions of both an oven and an air fryer, you might find yourself a bit confused about which baking time to use. Many recipes come with separate instructions for ovens and air fryers, but if your oven has an integrated air fryer, how do you adapt the instructions accordingly?

Understanding Air Fryer Ovens

If your oven has an air fryer function, you can use the air fryer baking time as a guideline. This is because air fryers cook food more quickly due to their convection technology, which circulates hot air around the food. This rapid and efficient cooking method results in a shorter, but definitely not less effective, cooking time.

Temperature Adjustment

When following a recipe that specifies a temperature for the oven and air fryer, it's recommended that you use the air fryer temperature. However, if only an oven temperature is provided, you should reduce it by about 25°F (14°C) for air frying. Adjusting the temperature will help in achieving the desired outcome for air frying.

Baking Time and Checkpoints

When adapting a recipe for air frying, start with the air fryer baking time suggested in the recipe. However, since air fryers can cook food faster, it's a good idea to check for doneness a few minutes earlier than the suggested time. It's important to keep this in mind and be prepared to adjust the time if necessary.

Batch Size Considerations

Keep in mind that air fryers typically have a smaller capacity compared to conventional ovens. As such, you might need to cook in batches if you're preparing a large quantity of food. This is crucial to ensure that all food items are evenly cooked and to avoid any potential overcooking issues.

Trial and Error

Given that every oven-air fryer combination can be different, it might take a couple of attempts to find the perfect time and temperature settings for your specific appliance. Always monitor your food closely to avoid overcooking. Consistency is key in making the best use of your appliance.

Baking with a Fan Oven

Your oven is most likely a fan oven, as the baking instructions often assume a fan oven or a conventional one. In the UK, the baking instructions commonly provided for food usually indicate that a fan oven's temperature is 20°C lower than a conventional oven's. Importantly, the cooking time for both types of ovens is generally the same.

However, from my personal experience, I find that my air fryer works best with the fan oven temperature. Interestingly, a significant portion of the cooking time (around 60%) can be adjusted accordingly. This flexibility helps in achieving the desired results more efficiently.

Always keep an eye on your food while it's cooking, and don't hesitate to adjust the time or temperature if needed. Happy cooking!