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Discover 20 amazing air fryer alternatives that allow you to enjoy your favorite crunchy, crispy dishes without sacrificing taste or convenience.
Are you tired of using your air fryer for everything? Don’t get us wrong, air fryers are great for making crispy and healthy meals. But sometimes, you just want to switch things up and try something new.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 20 alternative ways to use common kitchen appliances to achieve that same crispy texture without relying solely on your air fryer. From toaster ovens to waffle makers, these ideas will not only save you money but also inspire you to get creative in the kitchen.
So let’s dive in and discover some new ways to cook up a storm!
Convection Oven
A convection oven is a great alternative to an air fryer. It uses a fan to circulate hot air around the food, which results in crispy and evenly cooked dishes.
Convection ovens are available in both countertop and built-in models, making them versatile for any kitchen setup.
To use your convection oven as an air fryer, simply set it to the appropriate temperature (usually between 375-400°F) and place your food on a wire rack or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The circulating hot air will cook your food quickly and evenly without needing much oil.
Some popular foods that can be made using this method include chicken wings, french fries, onion rings, fish sticks or fillets etc. Just keep an eye on the cooking time as it may vary from what you would expect when using traditional methods of cooking like deep frying or baking in regular ovens.
Toaster Oven
It’s an excellent alternative to an air fryer because it can cook food quickly and evenly without the need for oil. To use a toaster oven as an air fryer alternative, simply set the temperature to 400°F (or higher) and let it preheat before adding your food.
You may also want to place your food on a wire rack or in a perforated basket so that hot air circulates around it more efficiently. Some models even come with specific settings designed for “air frying” or “crisping,” making them even more convenient options when you’re looking for healthier ways of cooking crispy foods like chicken wings or French fries at home!
Microwave With Grill Function
It can cook food quickly and efficiently, while also giving it a crispy texture. The grill function allows you to brown and crisp the top of your food, just like an air fryer would do.
You can use it for cooking chicken wings, fish fillets or even vegetables like asparagus or zucchini fries.
To use the microwave with grill function as an air fryer alternative, simply place your food on a microwave-safe plate and select the appropriate setting on your appliance. Make sure to flip halfway through cooking time for even browning.
Stovetop Grilling Pan
These pans come in different shapes and sizes, but they all have ridges that mimic the grill marks on your food. They work by heating up quickly and evenly distributing heat across the surface of the pan.
To use a stovetop grilling pan, preheat it over medium-high heat until it’s hot enough to sear your food. You can brush some oil or marinade onto your meat or vegetables before placing them on the pan.
Cook each side for about 3-5 minutes depending on how thick your food is.
One advantage of using a stovetop grilling pan is that you don’t need any additional equipment besides what you already have in your kitchen. It’s also easy to clean since most models are non-stick and dishwasher safe.
Halogen Oven
It works by circulating hot air around the food, which cooks it from all sides at once. Halogen ovens are great for cooking everything from chicken wings to roasted vegetables and can even be used for baking cakes or bread.
One of the benefits of using a halogen oven as an alternative to an air fryer is that they are typically less expensive than traditional air fryers. They also take up less space on your countertop and use less energy than larger appliances like convection ovens.
To use a halogen oven, simply place your food in the glass bowl provided with the appliance and set the temperature according to your recipe’s instructions. The clear glass bowl allows you to monitor your cooking progress without opening up the lid repeatedly.
Broiling in a Regular Oven
It’s a quick and easy way to cook food, especially when you’re short on time. To broil your food, simply place it on the top rack of your oven and turn the broiler setting on high.
The heat from the top element will cook your food quickly and give it that crispy texture that we all love about air-fried foods.
However, be careful not to overcook or burn your food while broiling as this method can dry out some types of meat or vegetables if left unattended for too long. Keep an eye on what you’re cooking by checking frequently until you get used to how fast things cook under the broiler setting.
Electric Countertop Grill
It can be used for grilling, roasting, and even baking. The best part about using an electric countertop grill is that it doesn’t require any oil or fat to cook food.
This makes it a healthier option than deep-frying in an air fryer.
The grill plates on the electric countertop grill are non-stick which means you don’t have to worry about your food sticking and burning. You can also adjust the temperature of the grill depending on what you’re cooking.
One of the biggest advantages of using an electric countertop grill over other alternatives like convection ovens or toaster ovens is that it cooks food faster due to its direct heat source from both sides simultaneously.
Slow Cooker With Browning Feature
This type of slow cooker allows you to brown meat and vegetables before cooking them slowly, which gives your food that crispy texture similar to what you get from an air fryer. The browning feature works by heating the bottom of the pot at high temperatures, allowing you to sear your ingredients quickly without having to use another pan or stove-top burner.
Once everything is browned, simply switch over into slow-cooking mode and let it cook for hours until tender and juicy! With this method, not only can you achieve a deliciously crispy exterior on meats but also create flavorful stews or soups with ease in one pot!
Steam Cooking and Roasting
Steaming is a healthy way of cooking that preserves the nutrients in food, while roasting gives your meals a crispy texture without using oil. You can steam cook vegetables, fish, chicken breasts or even dumplings by placing them on a steamer basket over boiling water for 10-15 minutes until they’re cooked through.
For roasted dishes like potatoes or chicken wings, you can place them on an oven-safe wire rack and roast at high heat (around 400°F) for about 20-30 minutes until they’re golden brown and crispy. These methods require minimal equipment and are perfect if you don’t have an air fryer but still want to enjoy delicious meals with less oil!
Cast Iron Skillet Frying
Cast iron skillets are versatile and can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, or even over an open flame. They retain heat well and distribute it evenly, making them perfect for frying foods like chicken wings or French fries.
To use a cast iron skillet as an air fryer alternative, preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and place your cast-iron skillet inside while it heats up. Once heated up, remove from the oven carefully using mitts or potholders.
Next coat your food with oil of choice then add them into the hot pan without overcrowding so that they cook evenly. Place back in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes until crispy golden brown flipping halfway through cooking time.
Baking On Wire Rack
It allows hot air to circulate around the food, resulting in crispy and evenly cooked dishes. To bake on a wire rack, preheat your oven as usual and place the food directly onto the rack instead of using a baking sheet or pan.
This method works best for foods that are already coated with breadcrumbs or flour, such as chicken tenders or fish fillets. The excess oil drips down through the wires of the rack while cooking, making it healthier than deep-frying without sacrificing taste and texture.
Just be sure to line your oven bottom with foil paper before you start baking because some crumbs may fall off during cooking!
Pressure Cooker Air Fryer Combo
It combines the functions of a pressure cooker and an air fryer, allowing you to cook meals quickly with less oil. The high-pressure environment inside the pot helps to lock in moisture, while the hot circulating air crisps up your food on all sides.
With this appliance, you can make everything from crispy chicken wings to tender beef stew in just one pot. Plus, it’s easy to clean since there are no separate parts or accessories required for frying.
If you’re short on counter space or looking for an all-in-one solution for your cooking needs, consider investing in a pressure cooker air fryer combo.
Cooking On an Outdoor Barbecue
Not only does it give your food that delicious smoky flavor, but it’s also perfect for cooking larger items like whole chickens or racks of ribs. To use your barbecue as an air fryer alternative, simply preheat the grill and place a wire rack over the grates.
This will allow hot air to circulate around your food just like in an air fryer basket. You can even add wood chips or chunks to create smoke and enhance the flavor of your dishes further! Just be sure to keep a close eye on things since cooking times may vary depending on what you’re making and how hot your grill gets.
Roasting in a Dutch Oven
A Dutch oven is a heavy, thick-walled pot with a tight-fitting lid that can be used on the stovetop or in the oven. It’s perfect for roasting meats and vegetables because it retains heat well and distributes it evenly throughout the food.
To roast in a Dutch oven, preheat your regular oven to 375°F (190°C). Season your meat or vegetables with salt, pepper, herbs of choice and place them into the pot.
Cover tightly with its lid then put it into your preheated conventional oven.
Griddler or Panini Press
They work by pressing food between two heated plates, which cooks the food evenly on both sides. This makes them a great alternative to air fryers as they can cook a variety of foods quickly and with less oil.
To use a griddler or panini press, simply preheat it according to the manufacturer’s instructions and place your food between the plates. You can cook anything from vegetables to meats, and even desserts like waffles or French toast.
One advantage of using a griddler over an air fryer is that you don’t need any special equipment like baskets or racks. Plus, most models come with removable plates that make cleaning up easy.
Waffle Maker for Hash Browns
Simply grate the potatoes, season them with salt and pepper, and place them in the preheated waffle maker. Close the lid and cook until golden brown on both sides.
The result is perfectly cooked hash browns that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Plus, using a waffle maker allows you to make multiple servings at once without having to flip each one individually like you would with a stovetop method.
This hack is perfect for those who don’t have an air fryer or want another way of cooking their favorite breakfast dish!
Popcorn Popper for Homemade Chips
Simply slice your potatoes or other vegetables thinly and place them in the popper, which will circulate hot air around them just like an air fryer. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on your specific popcorn popper model, but once you get it right, you’ll have crispy and delicious chips without any added oil.
Plus, using a popcorn maker for this purpose is a fun way to repurpose kitchen gadgets!
Turbo Broiler
They work by circulating hot air around the food, which results in crispy and evenly cooked meals. Turbo broilers come with different settings that allow you to cook various types of dishes such as roasted chicken, fish fillets, and even cakes.
One advantage of using a turbo broiler is that it can accommodate larger portions compared to an air fryer. It also has more cooking options since it can roast or bake aside from frying foods.
To use a turbo broiler, simply place your food on the rack provided and set the temperature according to your recipe’s instructions. You may need to flip or rotate your dish halfway through cooking for even browning.
Double-sided Stovetop Grill
They allow you to cook food on both sides at the same time, which means that your meals will be ready in no time. These grills come in different sizes and shapes, so you can choose one that fits your needs and kitchen space.
One of the advantages of using a double-sided stovetop grill is that it allows you to cook healthy meals without adding any oil or fat. You can grill vegetables, meat, fish or even fruits with ease.
The ridges on the surface of the grill create beautiful sear marks while allowing excess fat to drip away from your food.
Another benefit is its versatility; some models come with interchangeable plates for waffles or paninis making them an excellent addition for breakfasts and lunches too! Double-sided stovetop grills are also easy to clean as most have removable plates which can be washed separately.
Solar-powered Sun Ovens
These ovens use the power of the sun to cook food, making them perfect for outdoor cooking or in areas where electricity is not readily available. Sun ovens work by trapping sunlight inside an insulated box, which heats up and cooks your food without any additional energy source needed.
One of the benefits of using a solar-powered oven is that it can be used for more than just frying foods. You can bake bread, roast vegetables or meats, make stews and soups – all with just the power of sunlight! Plus, since there’s no need for fuel or electricity to operate these devices they’re incredibly cost-effective over time.
While solar-powered sun ovens may take longer than traditional air fryers (or other alternatives) to cook your meals due to their reliance on natural light sources like sunshine rather than artificial heat sources such as gas burners or electric elements; they offer an excellent way for people who want sustainable living options while still enjoying delicious meals cooked at home!.
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