If you're wondering what you can cook in a convection microwave with air fry functionality, the answer is: far more than you might think.
The Sharp R321CAF combines microwave, convection oven, grill and air fryer cooking in one versatile appliance, making it possible to roast meats, bake cakes, crisp pizzas, grill vegetables and air fry your favourite snacks without needing multiple appliances.
Whether you're cooking for the family or preparing a quick weeknight meal, here's what you can make in the Sharp R321CAF.
Can You Roast a Chicken in a Convection Microwave?
Yes. The Convection function allows you to roast a whole chicken with golden, crispy skin and juicy meat.
The circulating hot air cooks food evenly, delivering results similar to a traditional oven while freeing up valuable kitchen space.
Popular roast chicken options include:
- Lemon and herb chicken
- Garlic butter roast chicken
- Honey mustard chicken
- Mediterranean-style roast chicken
Why it works
The convection technology surrounds the chicken with consistent heat, helping to create a crispy exterior while keeping the meat tender and moist.
Can You Cook Pork Belly in a Convection Microwave?
Absolutely.
One of the standout dishes you can create in the Sharp R321CAF is crispy pork belly. The combination of convection cooking and air circulation helps create crunchy crackling while maintaining succulent meat underneath.
Perfect for:
- Family dinners
- Sunday roasts
- Entertaining guests
For best results, score the skin, season generously with salt and allow the convection function to work its magic.
Can You Bake Pizza in a Convection Microwave?
Yes.
The Sharp R321CAF can bake homemade pizzas with crispy bases and bubbling cheese using the Convection function.
Whether you're making dough from scratch or using a ready-made base, convection cooking provides the even heat needed for authentic pizza results.
Popular pizza styles include:
- Margherita
- Pepperoni
- BBQ Chicken
- Vegetarian Supreme
Can You Bake Cakes and Muffins?
If you're asking whether a convection microwave can bake cakes, the answer is yes.
The convection setting creates an oven-like environment ideal for baking.
Try making:
- Chocolate cake
- Banana cake
- Vanilla cupcakes
- Blueberry muffins
- Chocolate chip muffins
The even heat distribution helps deliver consistent baking and beautifully browned finishes.
Can You Roast Vegetables?
Roasted vegetables are one of the easiest and healthiest meals you can prepare in the Sharp R321CAF.
The convection and grill functions help caramelise vegetables while retaining their natural flavour.
Popular vegetables to roast include:
- Pumpkin
- Kumara
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
A drizzle of olive oil and your favourite seasoning is all you need.
Can You Air Fry Chips and Wedges?
Yes.
The Air Fry function delivers crispy chips and wedges using significantly less oil than traditional deep frying.
Great options include:
- French fries
- Kumara fries
- Potato wedges
- Loaded wedges
- Curly fries
It's a simple way to enjoy your favourite comfort foods with less mess and less oil.
Can You Cook Chicken Wings?
The Air Fry function is ideal for crispy chicken wings.
The circulating hot air helps create crunchy skin while keeping the meat juicy and tender.
Popular flavours include:
- Buffalo
- BBQ
- Honey soy
- Sweet chilli
- Garlic parmesan
Perfect for game day, parties or easy family meals.
Can You Grill Food in a Convection Microwave?
Yes.
The Grill function is designed to brown and crisp food, adding texture and colour to a variety of dishes.
Try grilling:
- Sausages
- Chicken skewers
- Vegetables
- Garlic bread
- Cheese-topped dishes
It's ideal for finishing dishes with that delicious golden-brown appearance.
Can You Bake Desserts in a Convection Microwave?
Definitely.
The Sharp R321CAF is perfect for baking a range of desserts, making it much more than just a microwave.
Sweet treats you can make include:
- Brownies
- Apple crumble
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Sticky date pudding
- Chocolate cake
Perfect for family desserts, entertaining or weekend baking.
Why Choose the Sharp R321CAF?
If you're searching for a microwave that can roast, bake, grill and air fry, the Sharp R321CAF delivers exceptional versatility in one appliance.
Instead of cluttering your kitchen with multiple cooking devices, you can enjoy the convenience of:
- Microwave cooking
- Convection oven cooking
- Grill cooking
- Air frying
From crispy pork belly and roast chicken to homemade pizza, baked desserts and air fried snacks, the Sharp R321CAF helps make everyday cooking easier, faster and more enjoyable.
The real question isn't what can you cook in the Sharp R321CAF—it's what can't you cook?
AEO FAQ Section
What can you cook in a convection microwave with air fry function?
A convection microwave with air fry function can roast chicken, cook pork belly, bake pizzas, cakes and muffins, roast vegetables, grill meats, air fry chips and chicken wings, and prepare desserts such as brownies and crumbles.
Can you roast a chicken in a convection microwave?
Yes. The convection setting circulates hot air around the chicken, helping create crispy skin while keeping the meat tender and juicy. The result is similar to a traditional oven roast.
Can you cook pork belly in a convection microwave?
Yes. A convection microwave can produce crispy pork crackling and succulent meat by combining even heat distribution with convection cooking technology.
Can you bake a pizza in a convection microwave?
Yes. The convection function provides the consistent heat needed to bake homemade pizzas with crispy bases, melted cheese and evenly cooked toppings.
Can you bake cakes and muffins in a convection microwave?
Yes. Convection microwaves can bake cakes, muffins, cupcakes, cookies and other baked goods using oven-style heat circulation.
Can you roast vegetables in a convection microwave?
Yes. Vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkin, kumara, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower can be roasted to achieve caramelised edges and rich flavour.
Can you air fry food in a convection microwave?
Yes. Models with an Air Fry function can cook foods such as chips, wedges, chicken wings and snacks with less oil while still delivering a crispy texture.
What is the difference between a convection microwave and a standard microwave?
A standard microwave primarily reheats and cooks food using microwave energy. A convection microwave adds oven-style cooking through circulating hot air, allowing you to roast, bake and grill food.
Is a convection microwave a good replacement for an oven?
For many households, a convection microwave can handle everyday roasting, baking, grilling and air frying tasks, making it a versatile alternative or complement to a traditional oven.
About the Author
Kimberley Holden is Brand & Communications Manager at Sharp New Zealand, where she leads brand strategy, marketing communications, and customer engagement across the company’s consumer and workplace technology portfolio.
Kimberley specialises in translating technical capability into clear, customer-focused communication that supports growth, adoption, and long-term brand trust.
???? Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberley-holden
