People look for an air fryer alternative for good reasons. The counter is already full, one more single-purpose machine feels like clutter, or the basket is simply too small to feed the family in one go. Some already own an oven with a convection fan and wonder why they would need a second, smaller one.
The good news is that an air fryer is not magic. America’s Test Kitchen calls it “nothing more than a countertop convection oven”: a small box with a fast fan that blows away the layer of moist air around food so the surface dries and browns. Anything that moves hot air around food in a single layer can get you part of the way there. This guide covers six options, from a convection toaster oven to a sheet pan with a rack, and says honestly how close each one gets.
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Quick verdict: the best air fryer alternative
For most kitchens without an air fryer, the best air fryer alternative is a convection toaster oven such as the Cuisinart TOB-60N1CS: the same idea, a small box with a fan, plus toasting, baking and broiling, and room for a 12-inch pizza. If you already have a full-size oven with a convection setting, a crisper tray or a sheet pan with a rack gets surprisingly close for very little money, though it takes longer and heats the kitchen. None of them is quite as fast as a basket air fryer; if speed for small batches is the whole point, buy the air fryer.
Why an air fryer crisps, and what can copy it
America’s Test Kitchen’s Paul Adams explains it plainly: moving air strips away the insulating layer of vapor around food, so the surface dries and crisps instead of steaming. Air frying, he writes, is typically done in a small oven with a high fan speed. A regular oven without a fan dries food only gradually, which is “not conducive to crispness.” A convection setting does much the same job as an air fryer, but a standard oven’s fan may move air more slowly than a dedicated air fryer’s.
That gives three rules for any alternative. Use a fan if you have one. Get air under the food, with a perforated tray or a rack, so the bottom does not sit in moisture. And cook in one layer: America’s Test Kitchen notes that air-fried food cooks best in a single layer, so floor space matters more than height. GE’s air fry tips for its full-size ovens say the same thing about single layers, and add that dark pans brown and crisp better than light ones.
What you give up is mostly speed and convenience. America’s Test Kitchen says air fryers generally shave 5 to 10 minutes off most recipes, need little or no preheating and won’t heat up the whole kitchen. On crunch, the gap is smaller than you might think: in its fries test, air-fried fries came out very similar to fries made in a convection oven in color and crunch.
Five ways to crisp without an air fryer, side by side
Our five standout alternatives, from countertop ovens to oven trays, with how close each gets to a basket air fryer. All six picks are reviewed in full below.
| Alternative | Type | How close to an air fryer | Best for | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuisinart TOB-60N1CS Convection Toaster OvenBest overall
|
Convection toaster oven | Close: small box with a fan; slower airflow than a basket | One appliance that crisps, toasts and bakes | View on Amazon |
Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Toaster OvenMost versatile
|
Convection toaster oven | Close; mesh dehydrate basket lifts food | Presets, a basket and a full pizza | View on Amazon |
| Convection countertop oven | Fair: fan bake, no mesh basket included | A full 9 x 13 pan in one layer | View on Amazon | |
Gotham Steel Crisper Tray, Extra LargeBest for a full oven
|
Oven crisper tray | Fair to close in a convection oven; slower | Big batches in the oven you have | View on Amazon |
Nordic Ware Prism Half Sheet with Oven Safe GridBest sheet pan setup
|
Sheet pan with rack | Fair: air under the food, open pan | Cheapest start; roasting too | View on Amazon |
The sixth pick, the USA Pan half sheet and rack, is a nonstick take on the Nordic Ware set.
Our picks for an air fryer alternative
1. Cuisinart TOB-60N1CS Convection Toaster Oven – The Closest Swap
A convection toaster oven is the nearest thing to an air fryer that is not sold as one. This Cuisinart has convection bake and convection broil along with plain bake, broil, toast and warm, 1,800 watts, and a 0.6-cubic-foot interior that fits a 12-inch pizza or six slices of toast, according to the listing.
How close does it get? Close for most jobs. It is a small box with a fan, which is what America’s Test Kitchen says an air fryer is. The difference is airflow: there is more room around the food and no basket, so expect frozen fries and taquitos to take longer and to want a turn halfway. A rack over the pan, or a small perforated tray, helps the bottoms crisp. In return you get real toast, broiled nachos and a small baking oven for a quarter sheet of enchiladas.
The interior is nonstick and there is a slide-out crumb tray. Cuisinart backs it with a limited three-year warranty. It measures 19.1 by 15.5 by 9.8 inches, so measure your counter and allow space around it.
Why we like it
- Convection bake and convection broil (listing)
- Fits a 12-inch pizza
- Toasts, which an air fryer basket can’t
- Three-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | TOB-60N1CS |
|---|---|
| Type | Convection toaster oven |
| Capacity | 0.6 cu ft; 12-inch pizza, 6 slices |
| Power | 1,800 watts |
| Airflow | Convection fan |
| Size | 19.1 x 15.5 x 9.8 inches |
| Cleaning | Nonstick interior, slide-out crumb tray |
| Warranty | Limited 3 years |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants one countertop box that crisps, toasts and bakes instead of an air fryer plus a toaster.
Skip it if you need to cook for four or more at once; the Calphalon or BLACK+DECKER below are larger.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Does far more than air fry
- Convection on both bake and broil
- Long warranty for the class
Cons
- No air fry basket included
- Slower to crisp than a basket air fryer
- Sold by a third-party seller when we checked
2. Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Toaster Oven – Turbo Convection and a Basket
Calphalon’s large Performance Cool Touch oven uses quartz heating with what it calls Turbo Convection. The listing claims 40 percent more even heat and a faster preheat than a conventional tube heating element; those are the maker’s figures. It has 12 presets, including toast, bake, roast, broil, pizza, reheat and dehydrate, and a step-cook mode that runs two functions back to back.
The accessory that matters here is the dehydrate basket. A mesh basket raised off the pan is what lets hot air reach the bottom of fries or wings, so it gets you closer to an air fryer than a plain baking pan would. The oven fits a 12-inch pizza, and Calphalon also includes a baking pan, a 12-inch pizza pan, a wire rack and a crumb tray.
The exterior is designed to stay up to 75 percent cooler than Calphalon’s earlier model 2101713, according to the listing, which helps on a crowded counter. The interior is nonstick. The listing does not give the wattage or the warranty.
Why we like it
- Turbo convection with quartz elements (listing)
- Mesh dehydrate basket included
- 12 presets, including dehydrate and reheat
- Cooler exterior than Calphalon’s older model
Key specifications
| Model | Performance Cool Touch, Large (2106488) |
|---|---|
| Type | Convection toaster oven |
| Capacity | 12-inch pizza |
| Power | Not stated |
| Airflow | Turbo convection fan; mesh basket |
| Size | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Nonstick interior, crumb tray |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants presets, a basket for crisping and a dehydrate setting in a toaster oven that also handles a full pizza.
Skip it if you want simple dials; this one is all touchscreen buttons.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Basket included for better crisping
- Many presets
- Large interior
Cons
- Wattage, dimensions and warranty not stated
- Heating claims are the maker’s own
3. BLACK+DECKER 8-Slice Extra Wide Convection Toaster Oven – Fits a 9 x 13 Pan
This BLACK+DECKER is the plain, roomy option. The listing says it fits most standard 9 by 13-inch pans with handles, which means a full pan of oven fries, wings or chilaquiles chips spread in one layer, something most basket air fryers can’t hold. A convection fan circulates the air, with bake, broil, toast and keep-warm settings, a 60-minute timer with a stay-on setting and three rack positions.
How close does it get? Fair. The fan does the drying, and the wide floor lets food sit in a single layer, which America’s Test Kitchen says matters most. But the oven comes with a bake and broil pan and a toasting rack, not a mesh basket, so put a cooling rack on the pan for better bottoms, and expect longer times than an air fryer.
One thing to know: BLACK+DECKER says temperatures inside will be lower than the set point, because of its heating elements, and that the dial is calibrated to give expected results for most recipes. Follow recipes as written, check early and judge by color. There is a removable crumb tray.
Why we like it
- Fits most 9 x 13-inch pans (listing)
- Convection fan
- Three rack positions
- Stay-on timer for long bakes
Key specifications
| Model | TO3250XSBD |
|---|---|
| Type | Convection countertop oven |
| Capacity | 8 slices; most 9 x 13-inch pans |
| Power | Not stated |
| Airflow | Convection fan |
| Size | Not stated |
| Cleaning | Removable crumb tray |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a family that wants to crisp a full pan at once and bake casseroles too, without paying for presets.
Skip it if you want a basket and an exact thermostat; its own listing says it runs below the set point.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Room for a 9 x 13-inch pan
- Simple controls
- Entry-level choice from a known maker
Cons
- No mesh basket
- Runs below the dial setting (maker)
- Wattage and warranty not stated
4. Gotham Steel Crisper Tray, Extra Large – Air Fry in the Oven You Have
If you already own a full-size oven, a crisper tray is the cheapest way to air fry without a new appliance. This Gotham Steel set is a raised mesh basket over a solid tray, 13.4 by 11.4 inches. The basket lifts the food so hot air reaches every side, and the tray catches crumbs and drips. Gotham Steel says it works in all ovens up to 500°F and is dishwasher safe, with a ceramic nonstick coating and a 10-year limited guarantee.
How close does it get? In a convection oven, fair to close for fries, wings and breaded things, as long as you keep to one layer. In an oven without a fan it is slower and less crisp, because, as America’s Test Kitchen explains, still air dries food only gradually. GE’s tips for oven air frying say recipes written for countertop air fryers may need a little more time or a slightly higher temperature, and the whole oven has to heat up, so the kitchen gets warm.
A note on repeats: this is the same Gotham Steel two-piece crisper tray as the one in our best air fryer pan for oven guide, sold under a separate listing. We include it because a raised basket over a tray is the closest a full oven gets to an air fryer basket, and that guide covers brand-matched trays for GE, Frigidaire, LG and others if you want a different one.
Why we like it
- Raised mesh basket over a drip tray
- Oven safe to 500°F (maker)
- Dishwasher safe (maker)
- 10-year limited guarantee
Key specifications
| Model | 1463 |
|---|---|
| Type | Oven crisper tray and basket |
| Capacity | 13.4 x 11.4 inches |
| Power | Uses your oven |
| Airflow | Raised mesh basket |
| Size | 13.4 x 11.4 inches |
| Cleaning | Ceramic nonstick; dishwasher safe |
| Warranty | 10-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household with a convection oven that wants air-fryer-style batches for four without buying another machine.
Skip it if you mainly want a quick snack for one; heating a full oven for a handful of fries is slow.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Cheapest route to oven air frying
- Holds more than most baskets
- No counter space needed
Cons
- Slower than an air fryer; heats the kitchen
- Coated mesh needs gentle cleaning tools
- Same tray as on another of our pages
5. Nordic Ware Prism Half Sheet with Oven Safe Grid – Sheet Pan and Rack in One
A half sheet pan with a rack set inside it is the oldest air fryer alternative in any kitchen. Nordic Ware’s Prism set pairs a natural aluminum half sheet with a nesting, oven-safe grid. The maker says the grid improves airflow for uniform crisping, and that the reinforced, encapsulated steel rim prevents warping. The pan is made in the USA; the grid is sourced globally.
How close does it get? Fair. The rack lifts wings, fries or chicken thighs so air reaches the bottom, and the open pan holds far more than any basket. In a convection oven the results come closest. Natural aluminum is light in color, and GE notes that dark pans brown and crisp better, so expect a bit less color on the bottom than with a dark crisper tray. Flip once halfway.
Beyond crisping, this is simply a good sheet pan: roast vegetables for fajitas, bake cookies, and use the grid for cooling or glazing. Nordic Ware says hand wash only, and backs it with a lifetime limited warranty.
Why we like it
- Grid nests in the pan to lift food (maker)
- Steel rim to resist warping
- Pan made in the USA
- Lifetime limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 43171 |
|---|---|
| Type | Half sheet pan with oven-safe grid |
| Capacity | Half sheet |
| Power | Uses your oven |
| Airflow | Nesting grid |
| Size | Not stated in the listing |
| Cleaning | Hand wash only |
| Warranty | Lifetime limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants to try oven air frying with gear they will use every week anyway.
Skip it if you want maximum browning on the bottom; a dark crisper tray does better there.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Useful far beyond crisping
- Large cooking area
- Bare aluminum, no coating to wear
Cons
- Light pan browns less than a dark one
- Not dishwasher safe
6. USA Pan American Bakeware Classics Half Sheet and Rack – Nonstick, With Handles
USA Pan’s American Bakeware Classics set is a nonstick aluminized steel half sheet with a matching rack. The listing gives the pan as 17.25 by 12.25 by 1 inches and the rack as 16.75 by 11.5 by 0.5 inches, and says both are oven safe to 450°F. Easy-grip handles help when the pan is full and hot.
How close does it get? About the same as the Nordic Ware set: the rack lifts the food and lets air reach the bottom, and a convection setting does the rest. The difference is the surface. The nonstick coating makes cleanup easier after sticky wings or cheese, but it caps the heat at 450°F, so don’t put it under the broiler. USA Pan says to wash it with hot water, mild soap and a gentle sponge.
The pan is made in the USA and the rack is imported, according to the listing. Choose this one over the Nordic Ware if you value handles and easy release more than a bare metal surface.
Why we like it
- Rack sized to sit in the pan
- Handles for a safer grip
- Nonstick for easier cleanup
- Pan made in the USA
Key specifications
| Model | 1606CR-3-ABCAZ |
|---|---|
| Type | Half sheet pan with rack |
| Capacity | Half sheet |
| Power | Uses your oven |
| Airflow | Rack inside the pan |
| Size | Pan 17.25 x 12.25 x 1 in; rack 16.75 x 11.5 x 0.5 in |
| Cleaning | Hot water, mild soap, gentle sponge |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants an easy-release sheet pan setup for oven fries and wings and doesn’t need broiler heat.
Skip it if you broil or roast above 450°F; the bare Nordic Ware set has no coating limit.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy release and cleanup
- Handles
- Dimensions stated
Cons
- 450°F limit; no broiling
- Warranty not stated
How to get air-fryer results from any of them
The same habits matter whichever alternative you choose. Use the convection setting if there is one, since the fan does the drying. Spread food in a single layer with space between pieces, as both America’s Test Kitchen and GE advise. Lift the food on a rack or mesh basket. GE suggests a light spritz of high-heat oil, and a little more for breaded foods. If you are following an air fryer recipe, GE says you may need a little more time or a slightly higher temperature in a full-size oven, so judge by color, not the clock.
For Mexican leftovers this works well: taquitos, flautas, a tray of tortilla chips or reheated chiles rellenos all crisp up on a rack in a hot convection oven. Our guide to reheating Mexican leftovers has more on bringing them back.
When an air fryer is still the better buy
Be honest about how you cook. If most of your use would be a single serving of frozen fries, a few wings after work or reheating one slice of pizza, a basket air fryer is quicker. America’s Test Kitchen says it needs little or no preheating, shaves 5 to 10 minutes off most recipes and keeps the kitchen cool. A full oven makes no sense for one portion. Our best air fryer guide covers basket models, and our air fryer vs toaster oven guide compares those two directly.
The alternatives win when you cook for a crowd, when you want one appliance to do several jobs, or when the counter simply has no room. America’s Test Kitchen found that even most extra-large air fryers can really cook only about a pound of fries or two chicken cutlets at a time, while a half sheet pan holds far more.
Questions about cooking without an air fryer
What can I use instead of an air fryer?
A convection toaster oven is the closest substitute. In a full-size oven, use the convection setting with a crisper tray or a rack set in a sheet pan, and cook in one layer.
Is a convection oven the same as an air fryer?
Very nearly. America’s Test Kitchen calls an air fryer a countertop convection oven; the main differences are a smaller space and usually a faster fan, which make it quicker.
Can I air fry in a regular oven without convection?
You can crisp food on a rack in a hot oven, but it takes longer and comes out less crisp, because still air dries the surface only gradually.
Do I need to preheat the oven to air fry?
Follow your oven’s instructions. GE says its in-oven air fry mode doesn’t need preheating; for a standard bake or convection setting, a preheated oven gives more predictable results.
Is a toaster oven with air fry better than a basket?
It does more jobs and holds food flat, but a smaller box with a faster fan is quicker, which is the basket’s advantage. Our air fryer vs toaster oven guide explains the trade-offs.
Our final word on skipping the air fryer
You don’t need an air fryer to get crisp fries and wings. A convection toaster oven gets closest and replaces your toaster too, while a crisper tray or a rack in a sheet pan turns the oven you already own into a big-batch air fryer for very little. If quick single servings are what you are after, the basket air fryer still earns its place. For more countertop ovens, see our best toaster oven guide. And when you would rather someone else did the frying, see the menu or call to order.