In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleHow a Convection Oven WorksHow an Air Fryer WorksThe Differences Between Ovens and Air FryersWhen to Use the Air Fryer Instead of the OvenWhen to Use the Oven Instead of the Air FryerHow to Convert Oven Temperatures for Convection CookingThe Bottom Line
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
How a Convection Oven Works
How an Air Fryer Works
The Differences Between Ovens and Air Fryers
When to Use the Air Fryer Instead of the Oven
When to Use the Oven Instead of the Air Fryer
How to Convert Oven Temperatures for Convection Cooking
The Bottom Line
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Here are the similarities and differences between convection ovens and air fryers.
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Because of their ability to cook food more evenly and quickly compared to traditional ovens (no rotating required), convection ovens have been staples for chefs, bakers and even serious home cooks for years.
The main difference between these two appliances is their size. A convection oven can cook larger amounts of food at one time than an air fryer, which can only handle smaller portions and often requires cooking in batches. Here are a few more differences to keep in mind:
When it comes down to it, convection ovens and air fryers share more similarities than differences. Both appliances circulate hot air around the meal, resulting in a convection current that evenly cooks or bakes the food.
As air fryers have grown more popular, accessories and add-ons have become available, like liners, racks, doughnut pans and more. But if you’re using your convection oven or the setting on your conventional oven, you likely already have a stash of pans that can be used.
Whether you’re looking to make baked goods, heat up your favorite prepared frozen foods or even reheat leftovers, the air fryer can do pretty much all of it. Air fryers have become popular because they are small but mighty and don’t take up too much space in your kitchen. If you aren’t prepping for a large crowd and are only making small batches of food at a time, the air fryer is the way to go.
“The fan and heating mechanism of the air fryer spins at higher speeds, making the food crispier than [if it were cooked] in a regular convection oven,” explainsRhythm of the Homefounder Stefan Bucur. “You should always use an air fryer for things like fries and wings because they are small enough to fit, and they always taste better with the added crispiness of the air fryer.”
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If you’re cooking multiple items at once, the convection oven is the way to go!Roast trays of your favorite vegetables, bake casseroles, pizzas and, of course, sweets like cakes and cookies.
Since convection cooking is faster than conventional cooking, make sure to properly adjust your temperatures.
Or you could use an air fryer and convection oven in tandem. When dinnertime rolls around, try theseAir-Fryer Salmon Cakesin the air fryer while cooking a medley of delicious veggies roasted on a sheet pan in the convection oven.
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