Let’s face it, we all crave crispy, golden-brown fried foods. But who wants the extra fat and calories that come with traditional frying? That’s where the air fryer comes in—and if you have a GE oven with an air fry mode, you’re in for a treat.
GE ovens with air fry mode work similarly to standalone air fryers, providing a healthier way to enjoy your favorite fried dishes.
You’ll learn all about how to use air fryer in GE oven and will start cooking and enjoying healthier versions of your favorite fried dishes in no time. I’ll share some tricks I’ve learned along the way that might surprise you, too.
One thing that surprised me when I first started using the air fryer in my GE oven is that you don’t have to preheat it. With air fry mode, you just put your food in a cold oven and let it cook. I actually noticed that foods sometimes cooked a little too fast, especially if I was cooking multiple batches.
Keep an eye on things, and adjust the cook time as needed. Using the air fry mode in a convection oven or traditional wall ovens can take some getting used to. Air fryers work with hot air circulation which is crucial for achieving crispy results, especially when using a special air fryer crisper tray or even a normal baking sheet. That’s why I’m here to help!
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How To Use Air Fry in your GE Oven: A Step-by-Step Guide
You might be thinking, “Okay, sounds simple, but what are the exact steps to using the in oven air fry mode in my GE oven?”. Here’s what I’ve found works best:
A light coating of avocado oil is all you need. Alternatively, you can use cooking spray to prepare your food for air frying.
1. Prep Your Food
First, give your oven a quick clean. Crumbs and grease can cause smoke and uneven cooking, and no one wants that.
Whether you’re making french fries, chicken wings, or veggies, it’s a good idea to pat your food dry before tossing it in a bowl with a little oil. This will help with the browning and crisping process.
It doesn’t take much though. A light coating of avocado oil is all you need. Alternatively, you can use cooking spray for a quick and even application.
2. Select Air Fry Mode
The way you access the preheat air fry mode on a GE oven depends on whether you have a touch screen or button controls. On my oven, I just press the “Air Fry heat” button, and bam. I’m ready to go.
The ‘No Preheat Air Fry’ feature simplifies the cooking process by eliminating the need to preheat the oven, making it easier to achieve crispy and delightful results with dishes like Brussels sprouts and hand pies.
But if you don’t see an “Air Fry” button, no worries. Just hit the “Options” button and select “Air Fry” from the menu. And hey, if you’re not seeing air fry as an option, check if your oven qualifies for a free upgrade.
You might need to connect to WiFi and update your SmartHQ app, like I did when I first got my oven. Once you have the SmartHQ app set up, it will be like you have a countertop air fryer built right into your oven. The No Preheat Air Fry mode makes life so simple!
3. Adjust Temperature & Time (if needed)
The beauty of air fry mode is that it usually doesn’t require preheating with most foods, so I just toss my food right into the cold oven. The ‘No Preheat Air Fry Mode’ in my GE Profile oven helps achieve delightfully crispy Brussels sprouts and other foods without the need for preheating.
The oven automatically sets a default temperature, typically around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can adjust it based on your recipe or what you’re cooking. I’ve learned to adjust cooking times slightly depending on what I’m air frying.
Sometimes I reduce the cook time recommended in recipes by about 25%, especially when air frying delicate foods. I always keep an eye on my food to make sure it doesn’t overcook. Using cooking spray can also help ensure even cooking.
Related: Air Fryer Cooking Chart [Free Printable]
4. Choose the Right Rack Position
It may not seem like a big deal, but picking the right rack position is important for air frying. Compared to traditional oven cooking, air frying produces foods with a crispier exterior and does not require preheating.
Typically, I go with a position that puts my food directly in the middle of the oven, but for thicker items, I might try a lower rack position to ensure it cooks all the way through. Keep in mind, it’s only safe to use a single rack at a time when using air fry mode.
I made the mistake of cooking two trays at once early on, and it messed up the air circulation, leaving my first batch of food pale and unevenly cooked. This is important when using the air fry mode as part of the package bake instructions you may be using. It’s very important to not overcrowd the oven, especially when air frying multiple items. Using cooking spray can also help prevent sticking.
Related: Where to Place Air Fryer in Kitchen: Do's And Dont's
5. Let it Air Fry
This is the easiest step. Slide your baking sheet into the oven and let the air frying magic happen.
You might want to peek in and flip your food halfway through to make sure everything cooks evenly. It really depends on the dish and recipe though. I recommend applying this same logic when using your oven as you would with a countertop air fryer. Additionally, using a light coat of cooking spray can help ensure even cooking when air frying multiple batches.
Note: To cook packaged foods using the air fry mode, use traditional oven cooking instructions for the temperature and cook time. But remember, don’t preheat!
Bakeware Tips for Air Frying
To get the most out of your GE oven’s air and deep fryer mode, you gotta have the right tools. I made some mistakes with bakeware when I first started out.
It takes some practice to learn how to use the air fryer in your GE oven, trust me. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll feel like your GE Profile is a whole new oven.
Dark vs. Light Bakeware
Ever noticed how hot oil on some baking sheets seems to burn your food faster? Well, it turns out that the color of your bakeware makes a difference, especially for air frying.
Dark-colored baking sheets absorb more heat, which can help give your food that perfect browning and crispiness. If all you have are light-colored baking sheets, that’s fine, but your food may need to cook a few minutes longer to get the same effect.
It’s something I noticed made a big difference when making breaded foods I made the switch myself. I recommend you make the change if you want to air fry or fry in your oven, too. Using cooking spray can also help prevent sticking.
See this article: What Pan To Use In Air Fryer Oven: Know Your Cookware
The Air Fry Basket Debate
Remember those air fryer crisper trays everyone was raving about? Well, here’s the thing - I rarely use a crisper tray anymore. These trays help circulate hot air around the food for even cooking, but I just find that it’s an extra thing to wash, and sometimes my food sticks to it.
A simple baking sheet works great. I find they’re usually just as easy to clean, and my food doesn’t seem to stick to them as much. And they’re certainly more cost-effective. If you do use an air fry basket, place a broil-safe pan underneath it. This helps prevent messy drips. Additionally, using cooking spray can help prevent food from sticking to the basket.
Parchment Paper for Easy Cleanup
This tip was a game-changer for me. If you want to skip greasing your baking sheet pans altogether and make cleanup even easier, line your sheet with parchment paper.
I especially like to use this for smaller foods that might fall through the cracks of a crisper basket. Additionally, using cooking spray on the parchment paper can help prevent sticking.
Get Creative in the Kitchen
One of the best things about having an air fryer built into your GE oven is how versatile it is. I’ve tried tons of different dishes, and there’s really no limit to what you can air fry. Using cooking spray can help ensure even cooking for all your air-fried creations.
Air Fried Favorites
Of course, you’ve gotta start with the classics: french fries, chicken wings, mozzarella sticks… the list goes on. But there are so many other possibilities. Here’s a peek at some of the uncommon things I air fry on the regular:
- Roasted vegetables: I like to toss things like Brussels sprouts or broccoli florets with a bit of oil, salt, and pepper, and pop them in the air fryer. They get deliciously crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside. Using a bit of cooking spray can help ensure even cooking. It’s also great for asparagus.
- Tofu: To get super crispy tofu, press the moisture out of it first and then cube it. Toss with soy sauce, cornstarch, and a drizzle of sesame oil before throwing it in the air fryer. This creates a perfectly crunchy crust without drying out the tofu.
- Falafel: Instead of deep-frying falafel, you can get amazing results in the air fryer. They get beautifully browned on the outside, staying soft on the inside.
- Fish: Air frying fish filets or fish sticks is a great way to make sure they cook evenly without drying out. They get a nice golden crust, making for a satisfying meal.
There you go. That’s all there is to learning how to use air fryer in a GE oven.
FAQ's
To air fry in your GE oven, you will select the “in oven air fry” button on the control panel. If there’s no “Air Fry” button, then click on “Options” to access the menu with different modes, and select “Air Fry” from there. The oven will pre-heat automatically. Then just follow the cooking directions of the recipe. For even cooking, use cooking spray on the food before placing it in the oven.
You’ll select the “Air Fry” button or find it inside the “Options” on your GE oven. The temperature and timer should adjust to the suggested defaults of the recipe. However, you can adjust either or both. Don’t overlap food on the tray and don’t fill the pan with more food than would comfortably fit in a single layer. And, be sure to place food on the center rack for best results. Additionally, use cooking spray to ensure even cooking.
No, you don’t have to use special pans. I find a regular, dark-colored baking sheet is just as effective as an air fryer basket or crisper tray. A lot of users actually find they get the best results this way. Using cooking spray can also help prevent sticking.
There’s no special button to adjust your GE Oven to air fryer. All GE ovens that feature Air Fry have the button either visibly on the panel or inside a menu of other modes accessed by the “Options” button. If your oven is able to upgrade to SmartHQ, then the GE SmartHQ app can be used as a remote. This will allow the user to control some functions from the app as well.
For even cooking, it is recommended to use cooking spray.
Conclusion
Once you know the basics of how to use the air fryer in your GE oven, you can enjoy delicious and crispy meals with way less guilt. The fun part about owning a GE oven with air fryer is discovering new recipes and creative cooking styles that suit your tastes. Happy air frying. For even cooking, consider using cooking spray.
MK
Does anyone know if there's a cookbook I can use with my GE range with air fryer settings? We just purchased the range and I have no idea if things in a countertop Air Fryer are different in a range with Air Fry features.
Thanks in advance for any help.