An oven appliance is provided that uses the space behind oven rack supports formed in the side walls of the cooking chamber to provide for convection air flow. Slots or openings are provided along the supports for the flow of air into the cooking chamber. Additional features may be provided to further assist in directing the convection air flow. Such distribution of the convection air can provide for a more uniform flow of the heated, convection air while also conserving the space available in the oven for the cooking chamber.