A very serious question.

[Nickwinkle]

Is there anyone here that has been able to cook oven chips in the given time on the packet? 18 minutes? Really?! Try 45 MINIMUM.

Also, those '5 minute' pasta and sauces - anyone actually made these in 5 minutes??

I'm so curious over where the hell they get these ridiculous times from.

Feel free to add more. These are the small things that keep me up at night xD

I have honestly never had oven chips take 45 minutes to cook. I heat the oven to temperature first. I think they are better after 25 mins. But never anywhere near 45.

I think you might need a new oven! They always to the time on the packet in our house.

Air fryer.
Game changing.

Mine take at least 40 mins but I do like them quite well done!

I pre-heat the baking tray and oven at the same time, which means that oven chips from frozen take 20-25 (maximum) minutes to cook. Pre-heating the baking tray does seem to make a difference.

Yes , the packet times are right if I’ve actually preheated the oven.

15 minute meal recipes are rarely that though.

Definitely take those 'guides' with a hefty pinch of salt!

My oven seems to run very hot, but I'd still give them 20 minutes.
I don't use ready made pasta sauces, too much sugar.
A simple tomato sauce, with tinned tomatoes, onion, garlic and pancetta cubes would only take about 15 minutes, so if you start it off and bring it to a simmer just before putting the pasta on, they'd both be ready at around the same time.
if you use chopped frozen onions and garlic i think the sauce would be ready in about 10 minutes.

I’m with you OP. Roast potatoes too.

My theory is that they want to cook them to the lowest possible temperature for them to cook because of acrylamide. Whether that's a concern to you or not (and the risks aren't enough to stop me eating crispy potatoes!) all retailers will have limits for their products so they'll do all they can do keep it as low as possible for their recommended cook.

I find Gousto also undercook their potatoes. I followed one of their recipes a few weeks ago and they said to put raw potatoes in the oven for 10 minutes until golden. God know who dated that recipe, but apparently undercooked potatoes are a theme.

25 mins for oven chips without pre-heating.

how does your oven cook cakes and other things?

I like my chips over done so 45 mins. 18 minutes? They'd be raw in my oven

@toastofthetown every day's a school day. Acrylamide - who knew!? well clearly you did but that's the first I've heard the term.

I'd advise coffee drinkers not to Google it.

We get the chunky maris piper oven chips and give them 40 instead of 30 mins as on the packet. The ovens are fine with everything else, but any kind of frozen potato thing needs longer. I like them crispy dry on the outside.

I with you OP same here

Sharwood noodles that say 4 minutes in a pan of boiling water that you’ve taken off the heat. Yeah. Right. 10 minutes at a rolling boil and they’re still in their little nests refusing to uncurl, while the stir fry goes soggy.

We have to adjust the temperature down and then follow the timings with our oven. It’s fierce! 45 minutes would leave me with coal instead of chips. We like the French fries ones though.

I don't use pasta sauces from jar but, as an infrequent treat, I'll have one of those packet Mac and cheeses because I'm a savage and they're my guilty pleasure. Judge me for I do not care 🤣

What kind of super ovens do you all own?! If I don't preheat my oven then chips are 1.5 hours and I have a hangry DH on my hands!

Cakes... A loaf tin is 45 on the dot, round tins usually 55-60. They don't rise quite like they used to though and I've been wondering if it's me or the oven.

Yorkshire puddings are 20-25 mins (homemade)

Yaaaas!!!

Chips are always on for 40-45 mins here, though I'm pissed off at aunt bessies new shit recipe so on the lookout for something else that's hopefully quicker.

Everything else cooks fine, just chips!

Actually while I'm at it. Pasta. Pasta is NEVER cooked in 10 mins, more like 20-25.

All recipes that say, fry the onions for 2 minutes or until softened. Why not just say cook for at least 10 minutes?
All the Gousto recipes take longer to prepare than claimed. And most of them take longer to cook as well.

How are you cooking it? You can’t possibly be boiling it for 20-25 minutes?

Yes to onions. Fry until soft, then add the XYZ and cook for 5 mins. Recipe time: 10 minutes. No way, the onions would be nowhere near cooked .

@Nickwinkle
I'm with you re the oven chips.
I always put the oven to 250* and cook them for about 35 minutes. I turn them after about 25 minutes.,