Appliance giant Frigidaire has jumped on the bandwagon and started offering full size ranges equipped with an air fryer function! I’m going to teach you how to use your Frigidaire air fry oven, avoid common mistakes, and even give you some ideas to get started.
If you love your countertop air fryer, but want the cooking space of a full oven, then you’re in luck! Frigidaire Gallery series air fryer ovens have an air fry function equipped that works just like the countertop models, but on a larger scale.
Frigidaire GCRE3060AF 30″ Gallery Series Air Fryer Oven
Frigidaire also makes smaller countertop ovens and air fryers now as well, but I’m focusing just on the full rize range variety here. That’s not to say you can’t make the same foods in them, but they function a little bit differently.
Speaking of food, if you’re looking for some recipes to get you started, then you have to check out my Best Frigidaire Air Fryer Oven Recipes for some inspiration!
How to Use a Frigidaire Air Fryer Oven For the First Time
Before using your Frigidaire air fry oven for the first time, you’ll need to run a “burn off phase”, or basically a high heat cooking cycle that burns off any shipping residue and protective coatings to get your oven ready for food.
The easiest way to accomplish this is just to run a self clean cycle on the oven:
Remove everything from the top of the stove (clearing the burners), the internal racks, as well as anything being stored in the storage or warmer drawer at the base of the oven
Press the self clean button on the digital control panel, and if prompted, select the lower 2 hour cycle
The door should automatically lock on most models (but if you have toggle lever at the top of the door, you may need to lock it yourself)
It is normal for a small amount of smoke to be released during this process, so you may need to turn on a fan or crack a window
The door will stay locked during the cycle and will only release after the oven has cooled back down to a safer level (usually around 1 hour)
Note that if your oven does not have a self-cleaning function, you’ll need to do this burn in process manually.
Preheat the oven to a high temperature (meaning anywhere from 400°F-500°F depending on your available settings). Then, run it for at least 30 minutes at that temperature.
The Air Fryer Tray
Frigidaire does not ship most of their oven units with an air fryer try. I know, it doesn’t really seem logical since even they recommend using it for air frying for best results.
However, you can purchase a Frigidaire air fry oven tray insert that fits into the oven just like a normal rack. Make sure to measure and get the correct one for your specific model, though!
Alternatively, you can use third party air fryer oven baskets which are more akin to a baking sheet with an air fryer basket attached to them. These can just be slid onto the regular racks in the oven, so they’re more universal!
How to Air Fry Food in the Frigidaire Air Fryer Oven
Place the food you wish to air fry into a single layer across the basket, allowing air space between each piece for best results. For smaller items like french fries, slight touching and overlap is fine, but keep it to a single layer still
From the digital panel at the top of the unit, press the ‘Air Fry’ function button, which is usually located in the bottom left corner. On some models, you need to select ‘Oven Modes’ and then ‘Air Fry’
Punch in the desired cooking temperature using the digital number pad, then press ‘OK/Start’ to lock the temperature in
The oven will now preheat, with the light on the control panel turning off and/or a beep sounding to indicate that it has reached the desired temperature
If you are not using an air frying rack with a built-in drip pan, place a baking sheet on an oven rack underneath where you’ll place your air fryer rack to catch drips
Place your filled air fry basket into the preheated oven. Gas ovens usually use position 3 (counted down from the top) and electric ovens are generally position 4
Close the oven door, then press the ‘Timer On/Off’ button, use the number keypad to enter the minimum suggested cook time, and press ‘Timer On/Off’ again to start the timer
Food does not generally need to be flipped during cooking, as the air fryer rack allows for circulation under the food
Once the timer has finished, check your food for doneness per the recipe instructions. If additional time is needed, add it in small increments to prevent overcooking
When finished, press the ‘Off’ button on the digital control panel to turn the oven off, and enjoy your food
Note that if you have the Frigidaire air fryer basket insert, the mesh basket portion lifts off the actual rack, so you don’t need to remove the entire rack from your oven to add and remove food.
Cheat Sheet: Common Frigidaire Air Fryer Oven Cooking Times
Food
Temperature
Average Cooking Time
Chicken Wings
425°F
30 Minutes
Pizza Rolls (Homemade)
400°F
15 Minutes
Breaded Zucchini Fries
375°F
10 Minutes
Mozzarella Sticks (Frozen)
375°F
12 Minutes
Whole Chicken (4-5 Lb)
350°F
90 Minutes
Frozen French Fries
400°F
20 Minutes
Chicken Nuggets
350°F
10 Minutes
Frozen Onion Rings
350°F
15 Minutes
Cooking Times and Temperatures for Foods in Frigidaire Air Fry Oven
Note that these are just average cooking times, and yours can vary based on the brand you use, the specific size of what you’re cooking, the model of air fry oven you have, and more.
Always check in on your food regularly, rotate if needed, do not overpack the basket, and cook to safe internal temperatures before consuming.
If you’re unsure where to start, my general rule of thumb is to lower a conventional oven recipe by 5-10 minutes and 20-25 degrees to begin with. You can always add more time if need be!
Common Frigidaire Air Fryer Oven Problems & Use Tips
Smoking
Smoking is the most common problem experienced in the Frigidaire air fry oven. Here are some tips for how to fix this issue:
Always place a cookie sheet 1-2 rack spaces underneath the rack with the air fry basket. This sheet is used to catch drips from the food being cooked on the air fryer tray, preventing grease and other refuse from landing in the bottom of the oven and burning up. You can line it with foil or parchment to catch and hold grease better and make cleanup easier
Use as little oil as possible. A general rule of thumb I use is about 1 tsp oil maximum per 1 pound of food. Frozen foods may only require a light misting on the outside (or sometimes none at all). Using too much oil will cause it to splatter into the heating element, which will create smoke
Choose a high smoke point oil suitable for the cooking temperature in your recipe. For example, olive oil has a smoke point of 410°F, whereas avocado oil has a smoke point of 500°F. If you are cooking at 450°F and use olive oil, it will smoke because you passed its maximum (and note that different brands and types of the same oil can have different points)
Regularly clean your oven. The buildup of grease and debris over time will lead to your oven smoking. Use the self cleaning cycle about once every 3 months to maintain cleanliness inside the oven (or more often as needed for messes). Some models have a “steam clean” function which can be used for spot cleaning messes, and only takes about 20 minutes to run. You may also use oven cleaner as needed for small messes
Do not line the bottom of the oven with anything as this can block air flow
Turn on the vent fan if you have a hood above your range, as this can help mitigate any smoke that is coming out of the oven
Overcooked Food
The air fry oven cooks food very quickly. Especially if you’re new to air frying, you’ll want to pay attention closely to your food to prevent overcooking. Always start with the lowest time recommended by a recipe to begin, and adjust up in small increments. In some cases, you may need even less time than the recipe recommends, but this will be easier to navigate as you cook more with your air fry oven
Temperature fluctuations. Similar to your thermostat, your oven isn’t going to get the exact temperature you set it to all the time. In fact, it can overheat your setting by up to 100°F, and then the temperature will fall and fluctuate during the cooking process. You may find over time that you need to reduce the temperature from what the recipe calls for if you are consistently overcooking. I usually set it about 20-25 degrees lower than my countertop air fryer for recipes, but this can vary between models.
Frigidaire Air Fry Oven FAQs
How Long Does It Take For the Fan to Start Spinning After Air Fry Mode is Selected?
The fan will start spinning after about 6 minutes on a gas air fry oven after air fry mode is selected.
Don’t panic if yours doesn’t start immediately; this is completely normal.
Do I Need Special Cookware For an Air Fry Oven?
No, you don’t technically need any special cookware for an air fry oven. Having the air fry basket rack is convenient and eliminates the need for flipping food, but you can always use a regular baking sheet and flip midway through cooking to compensate.
Items requiring a dish may be cooked in a regular casserole dish, cake pan, or other oven-safe cookware you likely already have.
Can You Cook Battered Food in an Air Fry Oven?
No, it’s really not recommended to cook battered food in an air fry oven, as the coating will fall through the basket and create a mess. If you put it on a solid pan, you end up with uneven coating and soggy spots.
You are best off making breaded food in lieu of battered in an air fry oven, as the breading sticks on much better and gets browned and crispy during cooking.
Can You Use Aluminum Foil in a Frigidaire Air Fryer Oven?
Yes, you can use aluminum foil in a Frigidaire air fryer oven, but only in certain ways. It may be used to line your drip tray, but never the bottom of the oven. Do not line your air fryer basket rack with it either, as this will block air flow.
It is alright to wrap items, such as a baked potato, in foil and then place them on the air fry rack, as this still allows for air movement. Note that foil reflects heat, so items wrapped in foil may take longer to cook.
Can I Cook Frozen Food Directly in the Air Fryer Oven?
Yes, you can cook frozen food directly in the air fryer oven, with no defrosting required. However, it’s recommended to preheat the oven before placing the food inside to help avoid wet spots.
Make sure to check the food’s internal temperature to ensure it’s fully cooked, and adjust time if needed. If the bottom of your food is too moist, consider flipping halfway through cooking.
Can I Use My Frigidaire Air Fryer Oven for Baking or Roasting, or is it Only for Frying?
Your Frigidaire Air Fryer Oven is versatile and can be used for various cooking methods, including baking, roasting, broiling, and dehydrating.
It’s not limited to just air frying, as that is just one of many modes it features, making it a versatile kitchen appliance.
Is It Safe to Leave My Air Fryer Oven Unattended While It’s Cooking?
It’s generally safe to leave your air fryer unattended while it’s cooking. However, it’s advisable to check on the cooking progress regularly, especially when you’re using it for the first time or trying a new recipe.
Since Frigidaire ovens also commonly smoke during cooking, leaving it unattended may result in a smoke alarm going off. It’s best to watch it until you are more comfortable with how it functions before leaving it unattended.
Well, there you have it! I’ve covered how to use your Frigidaire air fry oven, from the first time to the 100th. If your oven starts smoking (and don’t worry, it will at some point), then I’ve given you the tools to stop it from happening the next time.
Air fryer ovens are absolutely great appliances, even though it will take you a little bit to learn how to use it well, especially if you’re coming off of a countertop air fryer.
The bonus, though, is that you have so much more space in here for making large batches of snacks for your Super Bowl party, or an entire turkey for Thanksgiving! Yeah, my countertop model can’t do that.
That’s not to say you should ditch your other appliance, though. I love having both options for cooking different things. Plus, you can cook side dishes and vegetables in the countertop model while you put a roast in the big one. Win win!
Anyway, I hope you’re ready to tackle the air fry function on your full sized range now. Happy cooking!
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
