Alternatives to Air Fryers

The air fryer has become the undisputed king of the British kitchen. From "air fryer revolution" cookbooks to viral TikTok pasta chips, it seems every household from Penzance to Perth has a sleek, humming basket taking up valuable worktop real estate. But let’s be honest: they aren't perfect for everyone.

Perhaps you find the basket too small for a family of five. Maybe you’re tired of the loud fan noise that sounds like a miniature jet engine taking off while you're trying to watch the telly. Or perhaps, like many of us, you simply don't want another bulky gadget cluttering up your kitchen counters.

The good news? You can achieve that gold-standard crunch without losing space! In 2026, the market for air fryer alternatives has matured, offering clever solutions that utilise the appliances you already own or more versatile versions of them.

1. The Low-Tech Hero: The Pep Crisper Baking Tray

If you want the results of an air fryer without the actual fryer, the Pep Crisper Baking Tray (often referred to as an oven crisper) is arguably the most efficient alternative on the market today.

How It Works

Traditional baking trays are flat sheets of metal. When you place a chip or a piece of breaded chicken on one, the bottom of the food is in direct contact with the hot metal, which traps moisture. This is why you often end up with "soggy bottoms" unless you flip the food halfway through.

The Pep Crisper Tray solves this with a two-part system:

1. The Elevated Mesh Basket: A stainless steel or non-stick mesh tray that sits on legs.

2. The Drip Tray: A solid sheet that sits underneath to catch crumbs and grease.

Because the food sits in a mesh basket, the hot air in your oven can circulate 360° around the food. It’s essentially "passive air frying." The heat hits the top, sides, and bottom simultaneously, creating a crisp exterior without the need for constant flipping or excessive oil.

Why Choose This Over an Air Fryer?

• Capacity: You can spread out a much larger batch of chips or wings than you could ever fit in a standard 5L air fryer basket.

• Storage: It’s a tray. It slides into your cupboard with your other baking sheets or stored inside the oven. No bulky appliance required.

• Cost: It costs a fraction of a high-end Ninja or Tower air fryer and uses no extra electricity beyond what your oven is already using.

Available HERE!

2. The Halogen Oven: The "OG" Air Fryer

Before air fryers were cool, we had halogen ovens. These look like large glass bowls with a lid that contains a powerful halogen bulb and a fan.

The Benefits

• Visibility: Unlike most air fryers, you can actually see your food cooking through the glass. No more guessing if the bacon is crispy enough.

• Speed: They heat up almost instantly.

• Versatility: Most come with "extender rings" that allow you to cook a whole roast chicken or even a small turkey.

While they don't always achieve the exact super-dry crunch of a dedicated air fryer, they are significantly better at roasting and baking. If you have a large family, a 12-17 litre halogen oven is a much more practical choice than a standard air fryer.

3. The Convection Microwave

If you’re looking to replace your microwave and your air fryer in one go, a high-quality convection microwave is the answer. These aren't your standard "reheat and ping" machines. They combine microwave technology with a heating element and a fan (convection).

In "Combi" mode, the microwave cooks the inside of the food quickly, while the convection fan crisps the outside. It’s a brilliant space-saver for smaller UK kitchens or flats where counter space is at a premium.

4. The Fan-Assisted Oven (With a Secret Weapon)

Most modern UK homes already have a fan oven. Technically, an air fryer is just a very small, very powerful fan oven. To make your big oven act like an air fryer, you just need to adjust your technique:

• Drop the Temperature: Air fryers are intense. If a recipe says 200°C in an air fryer, you might need to go to 220°C in a conventional oven, but use the Pep Crisper Tray mentioned above to ensure the air can actually reach the food.

• The "Dry" Method: Pat your potatoes or meat completely dry with kitchen roll before adding a tiny amount of oil. Moisture is the enemy of the crunch.

Recipes for the Pep Crisper Tray

To get you started with your alternative setup, here are three recipes designed specifically for the Pep Crisper Tray. These take advantage of the 360° airflow to give you that "fried" finish in a standard oven.

1. The "Better Than Takeaway" Chunky Chips

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 800g Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil

• 1 tsp Sea salt

• ½ tsp Smoked paprika (optional)

Method:

1. Peel and Cut: Peel the potatoes and cut them into thick batons (about 1.5cm thick).

2. The Par-Boil (Crucial): Place the chips in a pot of cold salted water. Bring to a boil and simmer for just 5–6 minutes. You want the edges to be soft, but the chip to stay whole.

3. Steam Dry: Drain the chips and let them sit in the colander for 5 minutes. Shake them gently to "rough up" the edges, this creates more surface area for crisping.

4. Season: Toss the dry chips in the oil, salt, and paprika in a large bowl.

5. The Tray: Arrange the chips in a single layer in the Pep Crisper Tray basket. Ensure they aren't touching too much.

6. Bake: Place in a preheated oven at 220°C (Fan 200°C) for 25–30 minutes. Because of the mesh tray, you don't need to turn them!

2. Crispy Garlic & Herb Chicken Thighs

Serves 2-3

Ingredients:

• 6 Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

• 2 tbsp Olive oil

• 2 cloves Garlic, minced

• 1 tsp Dried oregano

• ½ tsp Onion powder

• Salt and black pepper

Method:

1. Prep: Pat the chicken skin with kitchen roll until bone-dry.

2. Coat: Mix the oil, garlic, and herbs. Rub the mixture all over the thighs, ensuring you get under the skin where possible.

3. Arrange: Place the thighs skin-side up in the Pep Crisper Basket.

4. Cook: Bake at 200°C (Fan 180°C) for 35–40 minutes.

5. The Result: The mesh allows the fat to drip away onto the bottom tray, meaning the bottom of the chicken doesn't sit in grease and get soggy. You’ll get "crackling-style" skin all the way around.

3. "Air-Fried" Cauliflower Wings (Vegan)

Serves 2 as a snack

Ingredients:

• 1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets

• 100g Plain flour

• 150ml Plant milk (unsweetened)

• 1 tsp Garlic granules

• 150g Panko breadcrumbs

• 100ml Buffalo hot sauce (for tossing)

Method:

1. Batter: Whisk the flour, plant milk, and garlic granules into a smooth batter.

2. Coat: Dip each floret into the batter, then roll in the Panko breadcrumbs.

3. Tray Up: Place the coated florets in the Pep Crisper Tray.

4. Bake: Cook at 200°C (Fan 180°C) for 20 minutes until golden.

5. Glaze: Remove, toss the florets in the hot sauce, and return to the crisper tray for another 5 minutes to set the glaze.

Comparative Guide: Which Alternative is for You?

Final Thoughts: Do You Really Need an Air Fryer?

The "Air Fryer" is a brilliant marketing term for a very effective tool, but it isn't the only way to eat healthier, crispier food.

If you are cooking for one or two people and want a quick snack, a small air fryer is hard to beat. However, if you are a family cook who already finds your oven reliable, investing in a tool like the Pep Crisper Baking Tray is a much more sustainable and cost-effective way to get those same results.

By allowing air to circulate under your food, you bridge the gap between "baking" and "frying." You save money, you save space, and most importantly, you still get that perfect crunch.

So, before you head to the shops to buy the latest 15-in-1 gadget, have a look in your baking cupboard. The secret to the perfect chip might just be a bit of clever engineering and a mesh tray.

What’s your go-to method for getting things crispy without a deep fat fryer? Have you tried the mesh tray method yet? Let us know in the comments below!