Affordable Air Fryer Alternatives: Make Crispy, Delicious Food Without the Extra Appliance
Air fryers have taken the UK by storm over the last decade. With promises of crispy chips, succulent chicken wings and golden vegetables all cooked with minimal oil, they’ve become a staple in many modern kitchens. But for some, the cost, space they take up on the countertop, and additional appliance clutter can be off-putting.
Luckily, there are plenty of affordable air fryer alternatives that let you achieve similar results without spending big, sacrificing space, or buying another plug-in gadget. One of the best of these is the Pep Crisper Oven Tray with Crisping Basket, a clever kitchen tool that transforms your regular oven into a air fryer alternative with minimal fuss.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why you might look for alternatives to traditional air fryers, what to consider before buying that get the job done. This is why we designed the Pep Crisper Tray with Crisping Basket.
Why Consider an Air Fryer Alternative?
Air fryers have undeniable appeal. They’re quick, often healthier than deep frying, and they deliver great crispiness with little oil. But they also have drawbacks for many households:
1. Cost
High-end air fryers from popular brands can easily cost over £100–£200, and even budget models can be £70–£90 or more. For casual cooks or those on a tight budget, that’s a chunk of change that’s hard to justify, especially if you already own an oven that could give similar results.
2. Kitchen Space
Not everyone has the luxury of a spare kitchen counter. Especially in smaller UK flats, there’s often limited room for an extra appliance. Air fryers, particularly larger ones, can be bulky and because they’re designed to sit on the worktop, they compete for space with kettles, toasters and coffee machines. Does anyone else need more plugs?
3. Redundancy
If you’re already comfortable using your oven, toaster oven or even a microwave with grill function, buying an air fryer feels redundant. Many people find that these existing appliances, paired with clever cookware, can replicate most air fryer results.
4. Cleaning Hassles
While many air fryers are advertised as easy to clean, the baskets and trays often need careful attention to avoid stuck-on food or greasy build-up. On the other hand, oven-safe trays and baskets are often dishwasher-safe or easier to clean under a tap, a small but meaningful difference for busy cooks.
Given these factors, many clever and cost-effective alternatives have emerged, all designed to make crispy food without oil, right in your normal oven.
How Oven Air-Frying Alternatives Work
Most of these alternatives are based on a simple idea: instead of using a dedicated hot air circulation fan inside a compact appliance, you make use of your oven’s heat and natural airflow to mimic the effect. Fan ovens are essentially a larger version of an air fryer.
The secret to crisp results is air circulation around the food. Many of these trays and baskets have mesh designs or raised racks that allow hot air to reach all sides of the food, giving it that crunchy exterior without deep frying.
That’s why tools like crisper baskets, mesh trays and the Pep Crisper Oven Tray with Crisping Basket work so well. They help maximise airflow and let fats and juices drip away, just like an air fryer does.
Pep Crisper Oven Tray with Crisping Basket
Arguably one of the most versatile and affordable alternatives out there is the Pep Crisper Oven Tray With Air Crisping Basket. Available online through our website or Amazon. Designed specifically to bring air fryer-style cooking to your oven without any extra appliance.
What It Is
The Pep Crisper Tray with Crisping Basket is essentially a two-in-one oven set comprising a sturdy non-stick tray and an elevated crisping basket. When used together in your oven, they replicate the airflow effect you’d get in an air fryer. Hot air circulates 360° around the food, cooking it evenly and producing a lovely golden finish.
Ease of Use
One of the best things about this tray is how straightforward it is. There’s no complicated setup or digital controls to navigate. Just place your food in the basket, slide it into the oven on the tray, and let your oven do the rest. You don’t need to preheat as intensely as a traditional air fryer, and since there’s no electrical fan, you’re just using the heat source you already have. It also means you can easily fit a full size family meal on the tray or in the oven alongside it. Traditional air fryers can easily be over crowded but the Pep Crisper Tray avoids this.
Both pieces are non-stick and wipe clean, making cleaning a breeze, ideal for busy households.
Space Saving & Storage
Unlike a countertop air fryer, the Pep Crisper Tray doesn’t take up precious worktop space. When not in use, it can be stored flat inside your oven, in a cupboard, or slid behind other baking trays without hassle. This makes it perfect for smaller kitchens or those who simply don’t want another bulky gadget out in plain sight.
Two-In-One Baking Tray and Basket
This set’s clever design doubles as a baking tray and crisping basket. This means you can roast vegetables, crisp up chips, bake chicken wings, or even cook foods that are typically fried, all with one tool. The tray catches drips and any excess oil or juices, keeping your oven cleaner while giving you healthier results.
Also Works as a Cooling Tray
Once food is cooked, the tray itself can act as a cooling surface to avoid soggy bottoms, similar to a baking rack. This also means you don’t need extra cooling trays cluttering your kitchen. This is a little convenience that home cooks will appreciate when serving food straight from the oven to the table.
Affordability
One of the biggest advantages is price. Compared to even budget air fryers, the Pep Crisper Tray and Basket offer excellent value for money, often costing a fraction of the price of a standalone air fryer. You could buy around 6 Pep Crisper Trays for the average price of an Air Fryer, making it accessible for a lot more people.
Tips for Best Results With Oven Crisping Tools
Whether you use the Pep Crisper Tray or another alternative, here are some tips to maximise your results:
1. Preheat Your Oven
Unlike dedicated air fryers, ovens take longer to heat up. Preheating the oven to the recommended temperature (usually around 180–200°C for crispier results) helps ensure even cooking.
2. Don’t Overcrowd
Give your food some breathing room in the crisping basket. Too much food packed together prevents air circulation, reducing crispiness. You can actually fit 2 Pep Crisper Trays in some ovens, length ways if you need more space!
3. Shake or Turn Midway
Even with airflow-enhancing baskets, turning or shaking your food halfway through cooking helps ensure a golden finish on all sides.
4. Use Minimal Oil
One big advantage of these tools is that they still work with little to no oil. A light spritz of oil is usually enough for most foods.
5. Use the Tray for Cleanup
The tray catches drips and grease, which means fewer splatters in your oven and easier cleaning afterwards. You could even add foil to the bottom tray which can easily be rolled up and discarded after cooking for even less mess!
Conclusion
Air fryers can be brilliant, but they’re not for everyone. If you’re watching your budget, short on counter space, or already have a trusty oven that you love using, air fryer alternatives like oven crisper trays and baskets are a smart, cost-effective way to get crispy food without extra clutter.
Among these, the Pep Crisper Oven Tray with Crisping Basket stands out for its ease of use, space-saving design, versatility as a two-in-one baking tray and basket, and the clever bonus of doubling as a cooling tray, all while being significantly cheaper than most standalone air fryers.
Whether you’re making homemade chips, roasting vegetables to perfection, or simply reheating leftover roast potatoes with better texture, these alternatives deserve a place in your kitchen. Not only do they deliver impressive results, but they also help reduce appliance clutter and make great everyday cooking tools.
Happy crisping!