Air Fryer Baking: Tin Or No Tin?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to traditional ovens, and you can bake cakes, cupcakes, and other treats in them. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using a baking tin in an air fryer. Firstly, ensure that your cake tins fit into the air fryer with enough space for airflow around them. Standard bakeware is often too large, so you may need to purchase smaller, brand-specific baking tins or individual small pans. Secondly, preheat your air fryer if your recipe includes baking soda or powder, as this will help your cake rise. Finally, adjust the baking time and temperature as air fryers cook food faster and at lower temperatures than conventional ovens.

Air fryer baking tips and tricks

Air fryers are basically small convection ovens, so anything you can bake in a regular oven can be baked in an air fryer. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the best results when baking with an air fryer.

Choosing the right bakeware

Standard bakeware for oven baking will usually be too large to use in an air fryer. One solution is to buy a special set of air fryer baking dishes. Most air fryer manufacturers sell brand-specific sets of pans for baking, and some air fryers even come with such a set. Check your air fryer manufacturer's website to see what is available.

Alternatively, you can buy individual small pans for baking in – just be sure to check the internal dimensions of your air fryer basket and get one that will fit correctly. You will need to be able to get it in and out easily without tipping it, and it must allow for air to circulate around the sides and on top (within the basket), so nothing too tight-fitting.

Any regular oven-safe dish will also be safe to use in an air fryer. The key thing it finding one that is just the right size for your air fryer.

I would recommend getting a high-sided cake pan and a shallow slice tin that you can also use for pies, quiches, and cookies. Regular and silicone cupcake cases are also fine to use in an air fryer.

Converting a baking recipe for the air fryer

The key to converting baking recipes for the air fryer is to get the quantities right for the smaller air fryer baking pans. For cookies and brownies, this is less of an issue, as you can either cook the full recipe in batches or freeze the leftover dough.

However, if you are baking a cake in an air fryer, you will want to get the quantities right for your cake pan. You can try using a recipe conversion calculator like CakeOmeter.

Converting temperatures

Generally, recipes for regular ovens need to have the temperature reduced by approximately 20°F (10°C) for an air fryer.

Converting baking times

Baking times for air fryers are usually approximately 80% of the baking times in a regular oven. However, the exact length of time will depend on factors including how much you have altered the original recipe and how efficient your air fryer is.

Other tips

• Preheat your air fryer if your recipe includes baking soda or powder. The initial burst of heat will help your cake to rise.
• Be prepared to adapt and improvise, as not all air fryers are created equal. Be prepared for some trial and error as you get to know how your specific air fryer handles baked goods.
• Cover your cake with a lid to prevent over-browning. If you don't have a lid that fits, you can use foil to cover the cake tin, but be careful that it doesn't blow off and catch on the air fryer's heating element.
• Check for doneness with a skewer. Insert a skewer into the center of the cake, and if it comes out clean, your cake is ready.
• Use aluminum foil in your air fryer to speed up cleanup and increase the number of foods you can cook at once. However, avoid using foil with acidic foods, as this can cause the foil to leach into your food.
• You can use parchment paper in the air fryer if it is evenly weighed down with food, but be careful that it doesn't blow around and burn.
• Always wear oven mitts when handling baking tins and your air fryer basket, as they can get very hot.
• Never place the baking dish directly in the pan, as this eliminates airflow in the pan and only the top of the food will heat up.

Air fryer cake tins

Types of Cake Tins

Size and Depth

When choosing a cake tin for your air fryer, consider the size and depth of your air fryer. For basket-type air fryers, 5-8 inch round or square cake pans are ideal. Shallow pans are preferable as they prevent the cake from touching the heating element, and the more shallow the pan, the faster the cake will bake.

Preheating and Temperature Adjustments

While some air fryers may not require preheating, it is recommended to preheat oven-style air fryers due to their larger space. Keep in mind that subsequent batches may cook faster as the air fryer retains heat from the previous batch. Additionally, air fryers with a bake setting are preferable for baked goods.

Baking Tips

Greasing and flouring the pan or using parchment paper are standard methods for preparing cake tins. When baking cakes, reduce the time and temperature compared to a conventional oven to prevent overbrowning. Covering the cake with foil can also help control the browning and trap heat. For even cooking, some baked goods can be flipped halfway through the baking process.

Accessories

In addition to cake tins, there are various accessories available for air fryers, such as pizza pans, mini loaf pans, springform pans, and cupcake moulds. These accessories expand the possibilities of what you can create in your air fryer.

Air fryer preheating

Preheating an air fryer is not complicated, but it can help you achieve the signature crispiness that air-fried foods are known for. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to preheat your air fryer:

Step 1: Check the Manual

Before preheating your air fryer, it is important to refer to the operating manual specific to your air fryer model. Some models come equipped with a preheat setting button, while others do not. If your air fryer has a preheat button, simply press it, set the desired temperature, and wait for the air fryer to reach that temperature.

Step 2: Set the Temperature

If your air fryer does not have a preheat button, set the temperature to the desired cooking temperature or the temperature recommended in your recipe. There is no need to remove the basket during this step.

Step 3: Turn on the Air Fryer

Turn on your empty air fryer and let it run for 2-5 minutes, depending on its size. Smaller air fryers require 2-3 minutes, while larger models may need up to 5 minutes. Once the time is up, place your food inside and reset the timer to the desired cooking time.

When to Preheat:

• Speed up cooking time: Preheating can reduce cooking time by a few minutes, which may be beneficial if you're in a hurry.
• Achieve extra crispiness: Preheating ensures that hot air is circulating before you start cooking, resulting in evenly toasted food. It is especially useful for foods like chicken wings, french fries, and potato chips.
• Thinly cut meats: Preheating is ideal for cooking thin cuts of meat, such as pounded chicken breasts or shaved steak, as it helps crisp up the edges while cooking the inside.
• Reheating precooked or frozen foods: Preheating can help ensure that leftovers, frozen, or refrigerated foods cook evenly and quickly, preventing sogginess.
• Baking: Preheating your air fryer is essential for baking cakes, donuts, and cookies, as it ensures an even temperature from the start of the baking process.

When Not to Preheat:

• Thick cuts of meat: Preheating may cause the outside of thick cuts of meat to burn before the inside is cooked. It is recommended to place the meat in the air fryer before turning it on to ensure even cooking.
• Moist food: If you're aiming for moist food, such as raw vegetables or sponge cakes, preheating may remove moisture and alter the texture. In this case, using a conventional oven may be a better option.
• Manufacturer's instructions: Always refer to your air fryer's manual. Some models may not be equipped for preheating, and attempting to do so could be dangerous.

Remember, the decision to preheat your air fryer ultimately depends on your personal preference and the specific recipe or food you are cooking. By following these steps and guidelines, you can maximize the benefits of preheating and improve the quality of your air-fried dishes.

Air fryer baking times and temperatures

Air fryers are like mini convection ovens. They work by circulating hot air in the compartment, which helps food cook faster. Because of this, you will need to reduce the temperature and time you would usually use in an oven when baking in an air fryer.

The general rule of thumb is to lower the cooking temperature by 25°F and shorten the time by roughly 20%. For example, if a recipe calls for 60 minutes in the oven, you can convert this to air frying time by reducing the baking time by 12 minutes.

However, the adjustments vary depending on the dish you are cooking. It is recommended to set a shorter cooking time, so you can regularly add extra time if necessary. You can also use an air fryer calculator to convert an oven-based recipe so that it can be cooked in an air fryer.

It is important to note that air fryer cook time varies greatly on the air fryer you use. Different wattages, air fryer size, brand, and type all affect the cooking times. Toaster-style air fryers cook slower than the popular basket style, due to their bigger size and difference in hot air circulation.

When baking in an air fryer, it is also important to consider the size and depth of the air fryer. Choose a pan that isn't too deep or tall so that it doesn't hit the top of the air fryer and touch the heating element. The more shallow the pan, the faster the cake will bake.

Air fryer baking dishes

Air fryers are like miniature ovens, so any oven-proof dish or mould can be used in an air fryer, whether it is made of glass, ceramic, metal, or silicone. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using an air fryer for baking.

Firstly, it is important to ensure that the baking dish fits properly inside the air fryer. The dish should leave some space on either side when placed in the basket to ensure proper airflow. It should also not be too deep or tall so that it does not touch the heating element. Shallow pans are preferable as they allow for more even cooking and faster baking.

Secondly, it is crucial to adjust the baking time and temperature. Air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently than conventional ovens, so the temperature should be reduced by about 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit. Similarly, baking times for air fryers are usually around 80% of the baking times in a regular oven.

Thirdly, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer, especially if the recipe includes baking soda or powder. The initial burst of heat will help the baked goods to rise.

Finally, it is important to use oven mitts when handling the baking dishes as they can become very hot.

Some specific examples of baking dishes that can be used in an air fryer include:

• Round or square cake pans (5-8 inches) for sponge cakes, pound cakes, and brownies
• Springform pans for cheesecakes
• Mini loaf pans for mini cakes and banana bread
• Cupcake moulds or liners
• Donut moulds
• Pizza pans (7-inch mini pans are perfect for air fryer baking)
• Stoneware, such as mini cocottes or ramekins
• Glassware, such as oven-safe Pyrex dishes
• Mini skillets (6-inch cast iron skillets fit nicely in most air fryers)

Frequently asked questions