convection oven Archives - Family Dinners

The Difference Between Convection Oven vs. Conventional Oven

Andrea + Stef — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 22:19:03 +0000

In this article you will learn the benefits of convection ovens vs. conventional oven. We’ll cover the pros and cons and main difference convection cooking and cooking in a traditional oven. Knowing the basic facts about convection cooking will give you an idea if it fits your cooking style and needs. Learn the main difference and how to convert recipes for regular convection ovens.

How Does A Convection Oven Work?

A convection oven has 2-3 heating elements, one on the top, one on the bottom and in certain cases an additional one in the back. A convection oven with 2 heating elements is often called a traditional convection oven or American convection oven. While a convection oven with a third heating element is known as a true convection ovens or European convection oven. What makes a convection oven different from a traditional oven is the fan and exhaust system. The fan circulates the hot air throughout the cooking process and the exhaust valve vents moisture to keep a dry atmosphere within the oven cavity.

Stef says….

I absolutely love roasting chickens in the convection oven. Not only do they cook a lot quicker, the crispy skin and the juicy meat are just to die for. But even after the yummy meat is eaten you can still make the most flavorful Homemade Chicken Stock using the leftover bones.

Different Types of Convection Ovens

There are many different kinds of convection appliances to choose from. If you already have a traditional built-in oven in your kitchen (wall ovens or range ovens), you may want to buy a countertop convection oven. Otherwise you can choose from free standing convection ovens, built-in models as well as convection oven and range combinations. You can either pick a true convection oven or a 2-in-1 combination of a convection and regular oven. The latter has both, a regular oven as well as a convection setting.

Pros and Cons of a Convection Oven

PROS:

Cooking Multiple Dishes At Once: The convection oven fan makes it possible to evenly cook multiple dishes on different racks at the same time. This way you can use the entire oven space and not worry about oven rack placement. This is great for cooking a Thanksgiving meal all in one oven. It’s great to be able to use the entire space!
No Need To Rotate Baking Dishes: The air circulation cooks food evenly. So you can cook multiple dishes on different shelves at the same time. Food cooks evenly in any part of the oven with even heat distribution.
Creates Crispy Outside: The hot air sears the outside of meat, keeping juices on the inside and creating a crispy outside.
Less Cooking Time: Convection ovens cook food about 25-30% faster than regular ovens.
Quick Preheating: The built in fan helps heat the oven up quicker. Plus convection ovens cook food at lower temperatures.
More Efficient: Lower temperature and shorter cooking times guarantee less use of energy.

CONS:

Cost: Convection ovens are more expensive than regular ovens.
Most Recipes Need Adjusting: The majority of recipes, especially family recipes that have been passed down from generations, need some adjusting to work properly. This mostly concerns baking temperature and length of cooking time.
Overcrowding Reduces Functionality: Cooking too many dishes at once may cause longer baking times and uneven cooking because you have to cook everything at the same temperature.
Works Best With Specific Bakeware: A lot of manufacturers recommend using rimless or low rim baking dishes. This special bakeware lets the hot air circulate better. The low sides allow the air to swirl around the food easier.
Maintenance: With additional heating elements and fan(s) a convection oven has more parts that might break down and therefore might cause higher maintenance fees.
Learning Curve: There’s a bit of a learning curve to understand how to cook your favorite dishes on convection roast or convection bake.

Best Things To Cook In A Convection Oven

The hot air circulation works great for roasting meats and vegetables.

Roasts and Poultry: The circulating hot air sears the outside of meat, therefore locking in the juices and creating a crispy outside with tender and juicy meat inside. Try our convection oven turkey or convection oven roast chicken.
Bakes and Casseroles: They bake more evenly.
Potatoes and Vegetables: Similar to meat, vegetables become slightly crispy on the outside, while being soft and perfectly cooked in the middle. We love making baked potatoes in the convection oven.
Cookies and Traybakes: They bake more evenly without the need to rotate the baking sheet. You can also bake your favorite cookie recipe, brownies or pie crust. Convection ovens are great for baked goods.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love crispy and delicious roast chicken, then you’ll love our amazing Convection Oven Roast Chicken. It’s juicy and flavorful, seasoned with a homemade spice rub and cooked to perfection in the convection oven.

How Does A Conventional Oven Work?

A traditional oven has two heating elements, one on the bottom and one at the top of the oven cavity. There is no fan that circulates the air, therefore traditional ovens often create hotspots. The position of food within a regular oven determines how it is cooked. Food closer to the heat source cooks quicker than food that is further away from the heating elements. In a conventional oven, use the bottom rack for roasting, the upper rack for grilling and broiling and the middle shelf for baking.

Pros and Cons of a Conventional Oven

PROS:

Most recipes are designed for it: No need to convert cooking temperatures and baking times for most recipes.
Experience with Functions: Everyone is familiar with regular ovens and their functions. Lots of family recipes have been perfected to cook in conventional ovens.
Different Racks Create Different Results: Use the top rack for browning, the bottom rack for roasting and the middle rack for baking.
Cost: Regular ovens are cheaper and are also easier and cheaper to repair when broken.
No Need To Use Special Bakeware

CONS:

Cannot Cook Multiple Dishes At The Same Time: Dishes do not cook evenly without a fan circulating hot air.
Cooking Times Are Longer: Conventional ovens cook food 25-30% slower than a convection oven.
Less Crispiness: Especially when roasting poultry, you get a less crispy exterior.
Hot And Cold Spots: The lack of a fan often creates areas that are hotter (hotspots) or colder (coldspots) within the oven cavity. These hot spots and cool spots mean you may need to rotate your dish while cooking.
Possible Uneven Cooking: Food located closer to the heat sources cooks faster than food further away.

Best Things To Cook In A Conventional Oven

Regular ovens are great for baking as they do not circulate hot air that might dry out the surface of baked goods.

Cakes and Quick Breads: They rise and bake better without the circulation of hot air.
Bread: More humidity and no circulating hot air gives bread a chance for a bigger rise.
Pastries and Pies
Custards and Flan: Cook well without the top drying out.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love crispy baked potatoes, then you’ll love our Convection Oven Baked Potatoes. Even with reduced cooking time, your potatoes develop that crispy skin and hot, pillow interior that make them truly great.

Andrea says….

One of my favorite features of a convection oven is the fact that you can cook multiple dishes at the same time. This comes in extremely handy when you are preparing Thanksgiving dinner. No more worrying about oven space necessary as you can cook up to 4 dishes at the same time.

Common Questions

Do I have to make adjustments to cooking times that are meant for traditional ovens?

Yes. For convection baking you have to cook the food at lower temperatures for less time. A general rule of thumb is to decrease your conventional oven temperature by 25°F. If your recipe calls for baking at 350° then bake at 325° in a convection oven. Cook time will depend on how crowded the oven is. Generally, cook time is about 25% shorter for convection cooking vs conventional cooking.

What does carry-over cooking mean?

This means, even after you have taken your food out of the convection oven it will keep on cooking for a couple of minutes. This makes it especially important for meat, to let it rest for 5-10 minutes after taking it out of the oven. This way the juices have time to redistribute and therefore ensure extra juicy meat.

Do I need to baste meat while cooking in a convection oven?

No, generally there is no need to baste meat cooking in a convection oven. The circulating hot air sears the outside of the meat and therefore locking in all its juices. However, if you are using a special marinade or sauce, baste the meat during the last hour of roasting.

Can I use a pizza stone in a convection oven?

Yes. Put the stone in when you start preheating the oven, so it gets nice and hot.

Is an air fryer a convection oven?

Air fryers are basically small convection ovens. Read all about the main differences between a convection oven vs an air fryer to determine which suits your cooking needs beset.

The post The Difference Between Convection Oven vs. Conventional Oven appeared first on Family Dinners.

Convection Oven vs. Air Fryer

Andrea + Stef — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 21:06:14 +0000

Learn the key differences between a convection oven and an air fryer. What is the difference between convection oven vs. air fryer?. We love convection cooking because it cooks food faster, more evenly and creates crispy skin on roasted chicken and turkey. But does it make sense to buy an air fryer when you already have a convection oven in your kitchen? This post will provide you with the most important details and major differences as well as pros and cons about convection ovens vs. air fryers. Even though both kitchen appliances are “related” there are some interesting distinctions between these two types of ovens.

How Does A Convection Oven Work?

A convection oven has 2-3 heating elements, one on the top, one on the bottom and some have an additional one in the back. A convection oven with 2 heating elements is often called a “traditional” or “American” convection oven. While a convection oven with a third heating element is known as a “true” or “European” convection oven. What makes a convection oven different from a traditional oven is the fan and exhaust system. Convection fans circulate the hot air throughout the cooking process and the exhaust valve vents moisture to keep a dry atmosphere within the oven cavity.

Different Types of Convection Ovens

There are many different kinds of convection appliances to choose from. If you already have a traditional built-in oven in your kitchen (conventional oven), you may want to buy a countertop convection oven. Otherwise you can choose from free standing convection ovens, built-in models as well as convection oven and range combinations. You can either pick a true convection oven or a 2-in-1 combination of a convection and regular oven. The latter has both, a regular oven as well as a convection setting.

Pros and Cons of a Convection Oven

PROS:

Cooking Multiple Dishes At Once: The convection oven fan makes it possible to evenly cook multiple dishes on different racks at the same time.
No Need To Rotate Baking Dishes: The air circulation cooks food evenly. So you can cook multiple dishes on different shelves at the same time.
Creates Crispy Outside: The hot air sears the outside of meat, keeping juices on the inside and creating a crispy outside.
Less Cooking Time: Convection ovens cook food about 25-30% faster than regular ovens.
More Efficient: Lower temperature and shorter cooking times guarantee less use of energy.

CONS:

Preheating: While most air fryers start cooking instantly, convection ovens need to be preheated.
Most Recipes Need Adjusting: The majority of recipes, especially family recipes that have been passed down from generations, need some adjusting to work properly. This mostly concerns baking temperature and length of cooking time.
Overcrowding Reduces Functionality: Cooking too many dishes at once may cause longer baking times and uneven cooking.
Works Best With Specific Bakeware: A lot of manufacturers recommend using rimless or low rim baking dishes. This special bakeware lets the hot air circulate better.
Maintenance: With additional heating elements and fan(s) a convection oven has more parts that might break down and therefore might cause higher maintenance fees.

How To Convert A Recipe To Convection Oven

A traditional convection oven will have a shorter cook time and lower temperature than the instructions call for in a recipe created for a standard oven. The general rule of thumb is to cook your recipe at 25°F lower. If your recipe calls for cooking an item at 350°F in a standard oven, cook it at 325°F in a convection oven.

Cook time is generally lower but you will need to keep an eye on your food to determine when it is done. Most people say cook time is about 25% faster in the convection oven.

Best Things To Cook In A Convection Oven

The hot air circulation works great for roasting meats and vegetables.

Roasts and Poultry: Larger roasts, as well as whole chickens and turkeys only fit in a full size convection oven. The circulating hot air sears the outside of meat, therefore locking in the juices and creating a crispy outside with tender and juicy meat inside.
Bakes and Casseroles: They bake more evenly.
Potatoes and Vegetables: Similar to meat, vegetables become slightly crispy on the outside, while being soft and perfectly cooked in the middle.
Baked Goods: They bake more evenly without the need to rotate the baking sheet. Convection baking yields similar results in a shorter amount of time.

How Does An Air Fryer Work?

Air fryers are countertop appliances that actually don’t do any frying at all. The heating element is a coil usually located at the top. A strong fan, that sits right below the heating element, then distributes the hot air. This means, that they are basically mini convection ovens that also cook food by circulating very hot air around it. They use little to no oil and create extra crispy results.

Different Types Of Air Fryers

There are three main types of countertop air fryers. The most common one is probably the BASKET AIR FRYER. Basket air fryers come with a removable air fryer basket in which the food is placed. The second type is the AIR FRYER OVEN. This countertop air fryer oven often comes as a toaster/air fryer oven combo, with racks and little baking sheets. Compared to the basket air fryer, you can usually also bake, broil, toast or cook rotisserie chickens in the air fryer oven. The third option would be a PADDLE AIR FRYER. It comes with a built in stirring paddle that moves food during cooking and ensures even results. However, the paddle takes up room in the air fryer and makes cooking larger foods impossible.

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Air Fryer – This recipe requires an air fryer. We have both this Cosori air fryer, which is wonderful, and this Cuisinart Air Fryer, which we also love. The Cuisinart also has convection oven and toaster oven capacity. You can buy an air fryer with a basket with high sides that food goes into or a tray type of machine. The trays are shallow but are usually longer and can accomodate more food in a single layer. The style and type of air fryer that is best comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the small size while others want a higher capacity. Some want a removable basket and others want trays.

Pros and Cons of an Air Fryer

PROS:

Creates The Crispiest Food: Besides deep fryers, air fryers produce the crispiest food. Air fryers rotate hot air faster than convection ovens and therefore make food crispier. No hot oil required for crisp results.
Healthy Meals: Even with little to no oil, food still comes out very crispy without being oily and fatty. It is therefore much healthier than deep frying.
No Preheating Necessary: With most air fryers there is no need for preheating, which makes the cooking process faster.
Cooks Even Faster Than A Convection Oven: The rapidly circulating air cooks food faster.
More Efficient: No preheating and shorter cooking times guarantee less use of energy.
No Unpleasant Smell: As air fryers don’t use oil, they also don’t fill up your kitchen with unwanted “frying odors”.
Great for 1-2 people: Air fryers are great when you mostly cook for one or two people. No need to heat up a big convection or traditional oven.

CONS:

Smaller Than A Convection Oven: A lot of recipes have to be cooked in small batches. Air fry ovens are generally made to cook a few servings at a time.
Overcrowding Reduces Functionality: Overcrowding the air fryer basket causes uneven cooking. When your food completely covers the perforated tray the air isn’t able to circulate as well.
Takes Up Extra Counter/Storage Space: Another kitchen appliance that needs room on the counter or in a cabinet.
Can Be Loud: Depending on your model, the fan that circulates the air can be quite noisy.
Cost: Depending on the model you are looking at, good air fryers can easily cost a couple hundred dollars.

Best Things To Cook In An Air Fryer

Even though an air fryer works great for most foods, here are a few foods that turn out exceptionally well.

Vegetables: Slightly crispy on the the outside and perfectly tender on the inside, air fried vegetables come out truly cooked to perfection.
Potatoes: Crispy on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside, air fryers create amazing potato sides.
Chicken Parts: Juicy and tender meat with the most crispy skin. Although, most air fryers might be too small for a whole chicken.
Leftovers: While the microwave turns lots of leftovers into a soggy mess, the air fryer brings it back to almost freshly cooked condition.
Pre-made Frozen Food: Air fryers cook fries, tater tots, chicken nuggets, fish sticks or bagel bites, for example, quicker and crisper than an oven ever could.

Stef says….

Did you know that you can even cook steak in the air fryer? This Air Fryer Filet Mignon recipe is going to be your go to when it comes to cooking the perfect steak! Not only is it a quick meal, but also restaurant quality and never dry!

How To Use A Convection Oven As An Air Fryer?

A lot of convection ovens have an additional air fry setting or mode. This means that you can also use your convection oven as an air fryer. For optimal results use a special convection oven air fryer tray or basket. They are usually dishwasher save and therefore guarantee easy cleanup. Some other big advantages of using your convection oven for air frying food are for example, that there is no more need for an extra appliance sitting on your counter. Additionally you can cook larger amounts of food at once, which means no more need for air frying in batches.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: Air fryers even come in handy when you are making breakfast. These super yummy Egg Bites are moist and spongy mini omelettes that are packed with veggies and protein. They are the perfect hand held breakfast or snack.

Amazing Air Fryer Recipes:

We absolutely love cooking with the air fryer, since it makes healthier food in less time. Moreover it is incredibly versatile and you can make anything, from appetizer to dessert in this super handy appliance. Take a look at our favorite air fryer recipes. They are quick, easy to follow and amazingly delicious:

APPETIZERS:

VEGETABLES:

POTATOES:

MEAT AND FISH:

DESSERTS:

Andrea says….

The air fryer is a great way to cook a meal using less energy than an oven. It’s quicker, and many people say it produces a tastier result! There is no need to be intimidated, because air fryers are very simple appliances. But if you are a beginner, try some of these easy Air Fryer Recipes For Beginners and you will be confident in your air frying skills in no time.

Common Questions

What does carry-over cooking mean?

Do I need to baste meat while cooking in a convection oven?

Is it ok to use parchment paper in the air fryer?

Yes, you can definitely use parchment paper in the air fryer, and for some recipes it is even better to do so. Parchment paper helps baked goods such as cookies or biscuits keep their shape, it also makes cleaning the air fryer basket a lot easier. Make sure to use proper parchment paper and not wax paper. Wax paper cannot be used in an air fryer, as it is not heat safe and is only meant to be used at room temperature.

Can you make your own air fryer parchment paper?

To make your own perforated parchment paper, make sure you cut the piece of parchment paper slightly smaller than your air fryer basket like store bought air fryer liners. This will allow for air circulation. Then use a small hole punch and punch a bunch of holes into the paper. Alternatively you can use a toothpick and punch a couple of holes into the cut paper that way. The free edges of the air fryer basket and the holes in the paper allow the hot air in your air fryer to circulate properly.

Can I use aluminum foil in the air fryer?

In general, it is ok to use foil in an air fryer. Check the manual of your appliance before you use foil to make sure you know how the air fryer works and it is approved by the manufacturer. You might also find a list of helpful instructions on how to use foil in your air fryer correctly within your manual. Read all about the best way to use aluminum foil in the air fryer.

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Convection Oven Turkey

Andrea + Stef — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 17:56:49 +0000

This perfectly cooked convection oven turkey comes out with slightly crispy skin as well as moist and tender meat. Not only does the turkey cook in less time than in the convection oven compared to a regular oven, there is also no need to baste the bird over and over again. The hot dry air of the convection oven sears the turkey on the outside and therefore locks in all the juices. You will be surprised how easy it is to make the perfect turkey. Trust us, this is the best convection oven turkey recipe!

How To Defrost A Turkey

There are three safe ways to defrost a frozen turkey. The amount of time it takes will vary depending on the size of the bird.

How to defrost a turkey in the refrigerator. Keep the turkey in its original packaging. Place the turkey breast side up in a container or pan to catch any drips. It will take a full 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. A 20 pound turkey will take 4 days to thaw. Once it is defrosted you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 more days.

How to defrost a turkey in cold water. Keep the turkey in it’s original packaging. Place it in a larger plastic bag that is leak proof. Try to get all the air out of the bag and seal. Place the bag breast side down in a sink or container large enough for the turkey to be completely under water. Fill your container with cold water. Change the cold water every 30 minutes. It will take about 30 minutes for every pound of turkey. A 20 pound turkey will take 10 hours this way. You might need to place something heavy on the turkey to keep it under water. Cook immediately after thawing.

How to defrost a turkey in the microwave. Firstly, remove the plastic packaging from the turkey. Additionally, remove any metal tags or clips. Place the turkey breast side up in a microwave safe container to catch drips. Every microwave is different so read the manual for your microwave. It should take an hour to an hour and a half to defrost in a microwave but it depends on the microwave. Clean your microwave well when it is thawed. Cook immediately after thawing.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: Perfectly cooked turkey with crispy skin as well as moist and tender meat. Cook multiple dishes in the convection oven at the same time as the turkey.
Main Ingredients: whole turkey, butter, salt and pepper
Cooking Method: oven baked, convection cooking
Nutrients: excellent source of protein, 70g per serving
Cooking Time: depends on the size of the turkey and its temperature when entering the oven: 12-14 lbs turkey – 2-2.5 hours, 15-19 lbs turkey – 2.5-3 hours, 20-25 lbs turkey 3 – 3.5 hours
Pairs well with: mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, roasted vegetables, sweet potatoes, corn
Diets: keto friendly, gluten free
Special Equipment Needed: instant-read thermometer, high heat thermometer, sheet pan, baking rack, shallow roasting pan

Ingredients

You may have all of these convection oven Thanksgiving turkey ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

Refrigerated/Frozen Ingredients: butter
Meat Ingredients: whole turkey
Spices: salt and pepper

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you want your turkey bursting with flavor, you have to try our Turkey Injection Recipe. It creates the juiciest meat and adds immense flavor to your bird.

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Sheet pan or roasting pan with a baking rack – We recommend using a baking rack rather than setting the turkey right on the pan as it allows the heat to circulate under the turkey ensuring even cooking. Additionally, it helps crisp up the skin all around the turkey.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook a whole turkey in the convection oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

PREPARE: Firstly, preheat the oven to 325°F on convection bake setting. Then rinse the turkey inside and out and pat dry with paper towels. Next, place the bird in a deep roasting pan or a baking rack on a baking sheet or shallow roasting pan. Tie its legs together with kitchen twine. Tie its legs together with kitchen twine.

It is best to lift the bird up out of the bottom of the pan. The juices will drip down into the pan, but the turkey skin will stay dry, allowing the entire turkey to crisp up nicely. You can then use those pan juices to make gravy to serve with your favorite side dishes.

SEASON AND ROAST: Rub the turkey with butter and season with salt and pepper. (You can substitute olive oil for the butter.) Be sure to rub the seasoning inside the body cavity as well.

Then adjust the oven rack so the turkey will sit in the middle of the oven. Cook turkey until the thickest parts of the breast are 165°F and the thighs are at least 170°F.

REST AND SERVE: Finally, allow the turkey to rest for 5-10 minutes before carving. Serve.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: Follow our amazing Dry Brine Turkey Recipe for an easy way to add more flavor to your turkey. This delicious blend of salt, pepper and herbs enhances flavor and creates the most juicy meat.

Cooking Turkey in the Convection Oven vs. Regular Oven

A convection oven works very similar to an air fryer. A fan circulates dry, hot air around the food and therefore cooks more evenly and quicker (25-30% faster) than a conventional oven. Additionally, a convection oven cooks the turkey at a lower temperature (325ºF) than a regular oven (350ºF). By circulating hot air around a whole turkey, it “sears” the outside shut and therefore locks in all the juices. For that reason, there is no need to keep basting a convection oven turkey. Besides circulating hot air, a convection oven also has an exhaust vent to eliminate moisture from the oven. This keeps the skin crisp. While a regular oven often creates hot spots (areas that are hotter than others within the oven) a convection oven circulates heat evenly – how wonderful to have your dark meat and white meat cook to moist perfection.. This makes it also possible to cook more than one dish at the same time.

Cooking Turkey in a Crockpot

It is also possible to cook a turkey in the slow cooker. Simply rinse, dry and season the fresh turkey. Then cook for 7-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high until the internal temperature is at least 165ºF in the breast and 170ºF in the thigh. Broil for 10 minutes to crisp up the skin and serve. For detailed instructions take a look at our Crockpot Thanksgiving Turkey recipe.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best convection oven turkey.

Tip: Make sure your turkey is completely defrosted. This ensures even cooking. We added tips on how to safely defrost a turkey above.
Tip: Truss the turkey. Tying the drum sticks together with some kitchen twine ensures even cooking and a well shaped cooked turkey.
Tip: Make sure the skin of the turkey doesn’t burn. Loosely tent the turkey with aluminum foil if it browns too quickly.
Tip: Don’t skip the resting time. A 5-10 minute rest will seal in the juices and make the turkey extra juicy.

Thanksgiving Menu Suggestions:

If you are still working on your Thanksgiving menu for this year, take a look at all these yummy recipes from our website. They are all tried and tested as well as easy to make and absolutely delicious!

TURKEY:

Convection Oven Turkey
Crockpot Thanksgiving Turkey
Dry Brine Turkey Recipe
Turkey Injection Recipe

If you are hosting only a few people this holiday, try our Convection Oven Roast Chicken, instead of a turkey. It is juicy, tender, and delicious.

SIDES:

DRINKS:

DESSERTS:

Stef says….

No Thanksgiving menu is complete without at least one scrumptious stuffing or dressing. I love my Thanksgiving Stovetop Stuffing, because it’s a delicious medley of sauteed vegetables, giblets, and sweet cranberries with pre-made Stovetop stuffing mix. Besides being quick and easy to make, it’s also absolutely delicious!

How To Store

Refrigerate: To begin with, it is important to make sure your cooked turkey is completely cold before putting in the refrigerator. Transfer any leftover meat to an airtight container or ziploc bag and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Turkey leftovers are great eaten cold or cooked into a new recipe.

Freeze: Leftover turkey meat can be frozen in a freezer safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave, air fryer, oven or stovetop.

Common Questions

Do I need to baste the turkey while cooking?

No, generally there is no need to baste a turkey cooking in the convection oven. The circulating hot air sears the outside of the turkey and therefore locks in all its juices. However, if you are using a special marinade or sauce, baste the turkey during the last hour of roasting.

How can I use up leftover turkey meat?

You can use turkey meat to make delicious turkey sandwiches, for example. Top meat with leftover potatoes, cranberry sauce and veggies. Add some mustard or mayonnaise and enjoy! Furthermore, you can also turn turkey leftovers into turkey chili, enchiladas, turkey noodle soup or top your favorite pizza with it.

Convection Oven Turkey Recipe

Convection oven roasted turkey comes out crispy and golden brown with incredibly tender and juicy meat. You can cook multiple dishes in the convection oven at the same time.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free, Low Lactose

Keyword convection oven roasted turkey, convection oven turkey, how long to cook a turkey in a convection oven at 325ºF, how to cook a turkey in the convection oven

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 2 30

Resting Time 10

Total Time 2 50

Servings servings

Calories 480kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

baking sheet
baking rack
instant read thermometer

Ingredients

1 whole turkey about 10 lbs, thawed
2 tablespoon butter softened
1 tsp salt
1 teaspoon pepper
or Dry Brine Recipe optional
or Turkey Injection Recipe optional

Instructions

Preheat convection oven to 325°F on convection bake settings.
Rinse turkey inside and outside and pat dry with paper towels.
Place turkey on a roasting pan or a baking rack on a baking sheet. To ensure even cooking tie the drumsticks together with some kitchen twine.
Rub turkey first with butter then season with salt and pepper.
Adjust oven racks so turkey will sit in the middle of the oven.
Cook turkey checking it about every 30 minutes to make sure it is not getting too brown. If the turkey is getting too dark, tent with aluminum foil.
Using an instant read thermometer, test the turkey breast and drumstick for doneness 30 minutes before the end of the roasting time. The turkey is done when the breast is 165°F down in the center and the legs are at least 170°F.
Allow turkey to rest for 5-10 minutes before carving. Serve.

Notes

Cooking Time depends on the size of the turkey and the temperature it has when going into the oven:

12-14 pound turkey – 2-2.5 hours

15-19 pound turkey – 2.5-3 hours

20-25 pound turkey – 3-3.5 hours

Nutrition

The post Convection Oven Turkey appeared first on Family Dinners.

Convection Oven Roast Chicken

Andrea + Stef — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 18:39:30 +0000

We enjoy cooking convection oven roast chicken, because it is easy to make, bursting with flavor, and incredibly juicy. Roast chicken only needs 5 minutes of prep time and then cooks completely hands off. While this flavorful chicken with crispy skin goes well with almost all sides, we love serving it with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables and crusty white bread. This amazing roast chicken convection oven recipe will soon be a staple in your dinner rotation.

Benefits Of A Convection Oven

The primary difference between a convection oven and a conventional oven is the way the heat is distributed. A general rule of thumb for convection cooking is to cook your food 25°F less than the recipe calls for in a traditional oven. You will also need to adjust cook time because cooking is generally quicker.

The circulating air helps dishes cook evenly, even on multiple racks.
You should not have to rotate dishes between racks if you are cooking multiple things.
The movement of the air promotes browning and crisping.
The circulating hot air can accelerate baking and roasting times.
Great for cooking a variety of dishes all at once. You can cook your roast chicken and roast your potatoes and even add another tray on another rack.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: Juicy roast chicken with crispy skin that is tender and full of flavor
Main Ingredients: whole chicken, olive oil, and spices
Cooking Method: oven baked
Nutrients: 18g of protein per serving
Cooking Time: 5 minutes of prep time and 60-80 minutes of cooking time
Pairs well with: roasted vegetables, potatoes, rice, crusty white bread
Diets: keto friendly, gluten free, dairy free
Special Equipment Needed: instant read thermometer, sheet pan

Ingredients

You may have all of these convection oven roast chicken ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

Pantry Ingredients: olive oil
Meat Ingredients: whole chicken
Spices: black pepper, sea salt, dried parsley, dried thyme, smoked paprika, garlic salt, onion powder

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: We recommend serving this scrumptious and juicy roast chicken with a healthy side dish such as Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables. We also love our flavorful Air Fryer Broccoli and Green Beans with this chicken.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook roast chicken in the convection oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

PREPARE: Firstly, preheat the convection oven to 350°F, rinse and pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.

SEASON THE CHICKEN: Rub olive oil all over the chicken. Then combine all the spices in a small bowl. Next, gently rub the spice mixture all over the chicken.

COOK: Place the chicken onto a baking rack over a roasting pan or baking sheet. Place into the center of the convection oven and bake for 1 hour. Check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 165°F. It should take about 60-80 minutes to fully cook the chicken. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Stef says….

I love roasting whole chickens, because they are easy to make and taste wonderful. But even after the yummy meat is eaten you can still make the most flavorful Homemade Chicken Stock using the leftover bones.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love roasting whole chickens then you’ll love Stef’s Herb Roasted Chicken Recipe. This flavor-bursting one-dish meal will fill your home with the most delicious aroma and is a must have for your recipe box.

Recommended Tools

Sheet pan or roasting pan with a baking rack – We recommend using a baking rack rather than setting the chicken right on the pan as it allows the heat to circulate under the chicken ensuring even cooking. Additionally, it helps crisp up the skin all around the chicken.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best convection oven roast chicken.

Tip: Pat the chicken dry thoroughly. Only dry chicken skin absorbs the seasonings properly and turns nice and crispy during cooking.
Tip: Truss the chicken. Tying the drum sticks together with some kitchen twine ensures even cooking and a well shaped cooked chicken.
Tip: Make sure the skin of the chicken doesn’t burn. Loosely tent the chicken with aluminum foil if it browns too quickly.
Tip: Don’t skip the resting time. A 5-10 minute rest will seal in the juices and make the chicken extra juicy.

How To Store

Refrigerate: Store leftover baked chicken in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze: You can freeze leftover oven-roasted chicken in an airtight and freezer safe container or ziploc freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: A great way to defrost is in the refrigerator overnight.

Andrea says….

Sometimes there is not enough time to roast a whole chicken. Then I usually opt for one of my favorite 21 Whole Chicken Breast Recipes. Take a look if you are looking for boneless skinless chicken breast recipes that are all flavorful, moist and full of juices.

Common Questions

Do I have to truss a chicken before roasting?

While this is of course optional, we recommend at least tying the drumsticks together. This helps the chicken to cook evenly and keep a nice shape during the cooking process.

Is it very important to let the chicken rest after cooking?

YES. We highly recommend letting the whole chicken rest for 5-15 minutes after taking it out of the oven. This will help conclude the cooking process and give the juices time to redistribute themselves, ensuring a moist and juicy chicken.

How do I carve a chicken?

A popular way to carve a chicken is to cut off the entire chicken thighs first. Then cut the drumsticks of the thigh pieces. Next, carve off the breast pieces, by finding the chicken’s breastbone and cutting in a downward motion on each side. Finally cut the wings off the chicken. Arrange the pieces on a platter and serve.

How long to cook a 5 pound chicken in convection oven?

We like to cook our chicken at 350°F in the convection oven. The amount of time it takes varies slightly depending on the size of the chicken and the internal temperature of the chicken before you begin cooking. A 5 pound chicken should take about 60-80 minutes in the convection oven.

Convection Oven Roast Chicken Recipe

Juicy and flavorful roast chicken, seasoned with a homemade spice rub and cooked to perfection in the convection oven.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free, Low Lactose

Keyword convection oven roast chicken recipe, how to cook a chicken in a convection oven, roast chicken convection oven recipe, whole roast chicken

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1 20

Total Time 1 25

Servings servings

Calories 237kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

baking sheet or roasting pan with a baking rack
small mixing bowl

Ingredients

1 whole chicken
2 tbsp olive oil
½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

Preheat convection oven to 350°F.
Rinse and pat chicken dry with a paper towel.
Rub olive oil all over the chicken.
In a small bowl, combine all the spices. Then, gently rub the spices all over the chicken.
Place the chicken into a roasting pan or baking sheet with a baking rack on it. Place into the center of the convection oven.
Bake for 1 hour. Check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 165°F.
Cook until chicken is fully cooked. It should take about 60-80 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If your chicken begins to brown too much, gently tent it with aluminum foil to prevent the skin from burning.
Cooking times will vary depending on the size of the chicken.
For more flavorful chicken meat, gently lift the chicken skin up and rub the spices under the skin on the chicken breast.
Cooking the chicken at a higher temperature will result in a dryer chicken meat.

Nutrition

The post Convection Oven Roast Chicken appeared first on Family Dinners.

Convection Oven Baked Potatoes

Andrea + Stef — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 09:54:00 +0000

Convection oven baked potatoes are one of the easier and faster ways to get your potato fix. Similar to baking potatoes in an air fryer, a convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air evenly, reducing cooking time and helping your potatoes develop that crispy skin and hot, pillow interior that make them truly great.

After cooking, simply add your favorite toppings to make it a complete meal (an ideal vegetarian or gluten free option). Or, pair them with roasted vegetables, soup and salad, or juicy meats like fish, chicken or steak

If you don’t have a convection oven or air fryer, you can still make delicious baked potatoes in a regular oven, crock pot, instant pot, microwave, toaster oven or on the grill.

If you’d rather roast your taters, be sure to check out Stef’s crispy smashed roasted potatoes.

INGREDIENTS

You may have all of these in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.

Potatoes: Russet potatoes (or Idaho potatoes) are the best for baking because of their thick skin and high moisture. Be sure all your potatoes are similar in size for even cooking.
Oil: Use a high-heat cooking oil like vegetable oil or regular olive oil. Alternately, you can use cooking spray.
Salt: Coarse salt like kosher salt or sea salt are great options or use what you have on hand. Just don’t skip the salt.

BAKED POTATO TOPPINGS

Here are some of our favorite baked potato topping combos:

Loaded Classic – Cheddar cheese, dollop of sour cream, green onions and bacon bits (optional).
Loaded Chili – Easy chili, cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions and/or avocado.
Roasted Vegetable Medley – Add your favorite combination of roasted vegetables like bell peppers, corn, tomatoes, broccoli, etc. for a completely delicious gluten free meal.
Broccoli Cheddar – Parmesan roasted broccoli and melted cheddar cheese is an excellent vegetarian option.
Southwestern – Pico de gallo (or salsa), corn, black beans, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocado (or guacamole) is another scrumptious vegetarian combo.
Lox – Smoked salmon, chives, cream cheese.
Fajita – Fajita chicken (or steak), bell peppers, onion, cilantro lime sour cream and shredded cheese
Goat Cheese and Herbs – Mix together goat cheese, olive oil, parsley, shallots and lemon zest.

INSTRUCTIONS

If you’d like to print this recipe, scroll down to the recipe card where you can print the recipe or have it scaled to double or triple. You’ll also find nutrition information.

HEAT OVEN: Preheat the convection oven to 375°F.

CLEAN POTATOES: Scrub potatoes under running water to remove dirt. Pat dry.

POKE POTATOES: Poke potatoes 6-8 times with a fork to vent the potato.

ADD OIL AND SALT: Rub potatoes with oil and salt.

BAKE POTATOES: Place potatoes on the middle oven rack.Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a fork will insert easily into the center of the potato. If it is still a little firm, cook for longer, checking every 5 minutes.

SLICE POTATOES: Slice the potato open down the middle. Fluff the cooked potato with a fork then top with shredded cheese and toppings. Serve while warm.

STORAGE TIPS

Refrigerate: Baked potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. While the skin may not be as crispy, they will still taste just as good.

Freeze: You can freeze baked potatoes for up to a month. Before freezing, make sure your potatoes are fully cooled and don’t contain any toppings. Wrap them in foil or plastic wrap, ensuring no part of the potato is exposed to air. Place in a sealed freezer bag without any excess air.

Defrosting: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or, for faster results, thaw in the microwave.

Reheating: You can reheat potatoes in your air fryer at 400 until heated or use a microwave.

MORE WAYS TO BAKE A POTATO

You can bake a potato in just about every kitchen appliance! Try them on the grill, in the oven, in the crockpot, toaster oven or the Instant Pot.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the best potatoes for baking?

Russet (also called Idaho) potatoes are the best potatoes for baking because they are low in moisture. Avoid waxier, thin-skinned varieties such as red-skinned potatoes because they won’t have a fluffy center when baked.

What temperature should a baked potato be cooked at?

We recommend baking potatoes in your convection oven at 375°F. For Russet potatoes, the internal temperature should reach 210°F.

How long does it take to cook potatoes in a convection oven?

Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your potatoes and depending on your oven. Start with 45 minutes at 375°F and check the softness by poking the potatoes with a fork. If your potatoes are still firm, continue baking until a fork will insert easily into the center of the potato.

How do you know when a baked potato is done?

Cooking time will vary slightly depending on potato size (small potatoes take less time while larger potatoes take longer) and your air fryer machine. For Russet potatoes, the internal temperature should reach 210°F. Cook until you can easily pierce the center of the potatoes with a fork. If your potatoes need more time to cook, place them back in the oven and cook longer.

Is it better to cook potatoes or foil or not?

Skip the foil! Wrapping potatoes in foil traps steam, which creates soggy potatoes, instead of crispy ones. We recommend baking them unwrapped with space between them for air to circulate, allowing them to cook evenly.

Convection Oven Baked Potatoes

Use your convection oven to get perfectly crispy, fluffy baked potatoes.

Course Appetizer, Main Dish, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword convection oven baked potatoes, easy baked potato, how to cook potatoes in a convection oven, quick baked potato

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1

Servings large potatoes

Calories 228kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

1 fork
1 paring knife
1 cutting board

Ingredients

2 large potatoes
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon coarse salt sea salt or kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat convection oven to 375°F.
Clean potatoes by scrubbing them under running water. Pat dry.
Poke potatoes 6-8 times with a fork to vent steam.
Rub potatoes with oil.
Rub potatoes with salt, using your hands to coat the potato.
Place potatoes in the middle rack of the oven.
Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a fork will insert easily into the center of the potato. If it is still a little firm, cook for longer, checking every 5 minutes.
Slice the potato open down the middle. Fluff the cooked potato with a fork then top with shredded cheese and toppings. Serve while warm.

Notes

Add toppings that melt first, like butter or cheese. Then add more toppings like sour cream, chives, bacon or any of your other favorite toppings.
If you’ve always wrapped your potatoes in foil to cook in the oven you will be pleasantly surprised by how these turn out! No need to wrap your potatoes in foil anymore
Use an oil that can be cooked at high heat. We like cooking with avocado oil or vegetable oil.

Nutrition

The post Convection Oven Baked Potatoes appeared first on Family Dinners.