Oven to air fryer conversion: making tuna casserole without an oven

Do you love that good old tuna casserole, that comforting tuna bake that brings back memories of family meals? But you don’t want to turn on the oven for ages anymore? Thanks to the oven-to-air fryer conversion, it’s now possible to prepare this comforting recipe in record time, directly in your air fryer.

Why switch from an oven to the air fryer?

The advantages are numerous: saves time, saves energy, and results in a crispier texture… The air fryer works like an ultra-efficient mini convection oven. The result? A golden crust and a creamy interior in just a few minutes. It’s the perfect technique to reinvent all your baked dishes, starting with the famous tuna casserole.

Some concrete benefits:

• Faster cooking: 15 to 20 minutes instead of 40 in the oven.
• Crispier result on top, tender inside.
• Less washing up and no preheating.

Adapting oven temperatures to the air fryer

To successfully convert your recipe from oven to air fryer, remember this simple rule: lower the temperature by about 25°C (or 50°F) and reduce the cooking time by one-third.

For example, if your original recipe calls for 180°C for 30 minutes, use 160°C for about 20 minutes in the air fryer.

Monitor the browning: the top should be nicely browned, while the filling remains creamy. If your appliance heats up very quickly, lower the temperature slightly or cover the dish with perforated aluminium foil.

Express recipe: Tuna casserole in an air fryer

Here’s a simplified and quick version of the American classic.

Ingredients:

• 200g cooked pasta (fusilli or macaroni)
• 1 can of tuna in brine, drained
• 150ml light cream
• 1 handful of peas (fresh or frozen)
• 50g grated cheese
• 50g breadcrumbs
• Salt, pepper, nutmeg

Preparation:

1. Mix the pasta, tuna, cream, and peas.
2. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg, and pour into a small air fryer-safe dish.
3. Cover with a mixture of breadcrumbs and grated cheese.
4. Cook at 160°C (320°F) for approximately 18 to 20 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

Let it rest for a few minutes before serving; the sauce will thicken, the flavours will meld, and it will become irresistible.

Tips for a successful conversion:

• Don’t overcrowd the basket: it’s better to cook in two batches for even cooking.
• Use a ceramic or cast-iron dish suitable for your air fryer.
• For an extra crispy topping, add a little more breadcrumbs during cooking.

And what if we went further?

Once you’ve mastered the technique, have fun! Lasagna, moussaka, gratin dauphinois, everything works in the air fryer with a little practice. Faster, lighter, and just as delicious cooking.

And for more inspiration, discover homemade recipes on beburger.be/recettes or explore the best restaurant addresses on beburger.be/restaurants.