Baking with an oven vs. an airfryer: what’s the difference?
If you love baking but don’t have access to a traditional oven, we’ve got good news: you can still bake delicious treats using an airfryer and our baking mixes. Airfryers have quickly become a kitchen essential, they’re compact, energy-efficient, and heat up in no time. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key differences between baking with an oven and an airfryer, and show you how to get the best results with an airfryer!
Heat distribution
Even heat distribution is crucial when baking items like cakes and cupcakes. Ovens are designed to circulate air gently, allowing your batter to rise evenly and bake through properly. Airfryers, on the other hand, use a more intense airflow, which can cause the outside to brown faster while the inside continues to bake. But don’t worry! With just a few simple adjustments in temperature and baking time, the airfryer can be surprisingly effective for baking.
Bakeware
Because airfryers are more compact, not all bakeware will fit. However, smaller tins such as cupcake liners, mini springforms or small square pans work perfectly! A 15 cm (6 inch) round tin usually fits in most airfryers, and it’s also the perfect size for trendy bento cakes. In the oven, of course, you have more space, so nearly all sizes of bakeware will fit. But with the airfryer you can bake the cutest mini cakes!
Time and temperature
Airfryers preheat much faster than ovens. It takes only about 2-3 minutes to preheat, while an oven can take up to 10 minutes. Baking times are usually shorter in the airfryer as well. But how do you know what time and temperature to use if it’s not listed on the package? To convert oven instructions for airfryer use, reduce the recommended temperature by approximately 15-30 degrees (25-50 F) and shorten the baking time by about 20%. Keep in mind that these are general guidelines. The exact time and temperature can vary depending on your airfryer model, size or type of mix you are using. So be sure to monitor your bake and use a toothpick to check for doneness. For the most consistent results, the oven remains the most reliable choice.
Now that we’ve told you the differences, it’s time to bake! The FunCakes Mix for Cupcakes, Mix for Fudge Brownies and Mix for Cookies are great options for baking in an airfryer. While lager, fluffy cakes are best baked in the oven for optimal texture, the airfryer is ideal for quick bakes with a slightly denser crumb that still tastes amazing. So, no oven at home? No problem, the airfryer is your new best baking buddy!