Baking Tin In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a great alternative to ovens, especially when you're cooking for one or two people or when it's too hot to turn on the oven. You can bake cakes, cookies, and muffins in an air fryer, but you'll need to adjust the temperature and time from your oven recipe. Air fryers are smaller than ovens, so you'll need to use smaller tins and dishes. You can use any oven-proof dish or mould in an air fryer, including glass, ceramic, metal, or silicone.

Air fryer baking tips

Choosing the right bakeware

You can use any ovenproof dish or mould in the air fryer, whether it is made of glass, ceramic, metal, or silicone. The size of the air fryer and depth of the fryer are important factors to consider when choosing the right bakeware. The best size for basket-type air fryers is a 5-8 inch round or square cake pan, and the depth of the pan should be no more than 3 inches. Shallow pans are preferable as they bake faster.

Preheating the air fryer

Preheating the air fryer is recommended, especially if your recipe calls for baking powder or soda, as the initial burst of heat will help your cake rise. However, some air fryers don't have a preheat setting, and some bakers find that their cakes turn out fine without preheating.

Adjusting time and temperature

Air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently than conventional ovens, so you will need to lower the temperature and reduce the cooking time. Reduce the temperature by about 10-25 degrees and the cooking time by about 20%.

Be prepared to adapt

Not all air fryers are the same, so be prepared to adapt and improvise. Expect some trial and error as you get to know your air fryer. Check on your bake at least once halfway through the cooking process.

Covering your food with foil

Covering your dish with foil can prevent burning and splattering. If the top of your cake is browning too quickly, cover it with foil and continue cooking until the centre is cooked. For thin, runny batters, cover your dish from the start to prevent splattering.

Air fryer cake baking tips

Choose the right size tin

Before you start, make sure your cake tin fits in the air fryer. Most baking tins will not fit inside an air fryer, so it's important to check. The best size for basket-type air fryers is a 5-8 inch round or square cake pan, or a 6-cup bundt pan. The tin should still leave some space on either side when placed in the basket to ensure airflow can pass around it.

Preheat the air fryer

If your recipe includes baking soda or powder, preheating the air fryer is recommended. The initial burst of heat will help your cake to rise. However, if you are making small cupcakes, you may not need to preheat as air fryers heat up quickly and powerfully.

Adjust the baking time and temperature

Air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently, so they can cook food faster and at lower temperatures. Reduce the temperature by about 10-20 degrees from what you would use in a conventional oven. You may also need to adjust the cooking time, checking on your cake regularly to see how it is doing.

Be prepared to adapt

Not all air fryers are created equal, so be prepared to adapt and improvise. Different air fryers have different fan speeds and wattages, which can affect cooking times.

Cover your cake with a lid or foil

If the top of your cake is browning too quickly, cover the cake tin with a heatproof lid or foil. This will prevent further browning and help to trap heat so the cake bakes faster. If using foil, wrap it underneath the baking dish to prevent it from blowing off.

Check for doneness with a skewer

Insert a skewer into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready.

Air fryer-safe materials

Air fryers are like mini convection ovens. They work by circulating hot air in the compartment, which helps food cook faster. The end result is crispy, tasty food that contains fewer calories.

When it comes to air fryer-safe materials, here are the best options:

• Glass or Ceramic Cookware: Glass or ceramic cookware is a good option for air frying. They can withstand high temperatures and are less likely to have problems with fitting inside the air fryer.
• Metal Baking Tins: Metal baking tins can be used in an air fryer, but it's important to ensure they are oven-safe and fit properly inside the air fryer. The tin should have no dents as they will burn easily.
• Aluminium Tins: Aluminium tins are a good choice as they can withstand high temperatures and heavy use. Make sure to clean and dry aluminium tins thoroughly before use.
• Silicone Bakeware: Higher-quality heat-resistant silicone bakeware is also suitable for air frying.
• Oven-Safe Stoneware: Stoneware that is oven-safe can be used in an air fryer, but ensure it fits properly in the basket.
• Parchment Paper: Parchment paper can be used to line air fryer baskets and prevent sticking. Pre-cut parchment paper liners with holes for air circulation are also available.
• Foil: Foil can be used in an air fryer, but it should be wrapped securely around the baking dish to prevent it from blowing off.
• Pizza Pans: Air fryer pizza pans are available, but a regular pizza pan can also be used if it fits inside the air fryer.
• Springform Pans: Springform pans can be used for cheesecakes and other baked goods.
• Mini Loaf Pans: Mini loaf pans are suitable for baking mini cakes and banana bread in an air fryer.
• Bundt Pans: Nordic Ware makes a good-quality bundt pan that releases cakes easily.
• Cupcake Moulds: Standard cupcake pans may not fit in an air fryer basket, but silicone cupcake moulds or individual silicone cupcake liners can be used.

It's important to note that not all materials are suitable for air frying. For example, glass baking dishes should be avoided due to the risk of cracking from rapid temperature changes. Additionally, metal pans should not be used as they conduct heat too well and will cook the food much faster than intended.

Air fryer oven vs basket

Air fryer ovens and baskets are two different models of air fryers. Both generally operate the same; the only difference is that the parts are in different places. Both will cook (air fry) your food the same. Temperatures will be somewhat different, and the placement of food will alter sometimes.

Air Fryer Basket

Pros

• Easy to use, literally plugin and go.
• Easier to make small foods—you can shake the basket when making a batch of French fries, rather than use tongs in an air fryer oven to flip each one.
• Most air fryer baskets are dishwasher-safe, meaning you just take the basket out and place it into the dishwasher.

Cons

• Smaller capacity.
• May be harder to cook two different foods at the same time.

Air Fryer Oven

Pros

• Allows you to make cookies, pancakes, and other treats easier—no need to line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. Just use the drip tray.
• Larger quantities can be made since they are generally bigger and come with larger trays; you can make a whole meal in the air fryer oven.
• Most air fryer ovens come with a rotisserie for chicken.
• Can adjust the trays to allow more or less heat on foods. This is great for baking. In an air fryer basket, sometimes the top gets browned while the bottom is raw.

Cons

• May be bulkier and more expensive.
• May be harder to clean.

Air fryer preheating

Preheating an air fryer is a simple process, but it's important to know when and how to do it to get the best results. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for preheating your air fryer:

When to Preheat:

Preheating your air fryer is not always necessary, but it can be beneficial in certain situations. Here are some instances when you should consider preheating:

• When the air fryer's manual or your recipe specifically instructs you to preheat.
• If you want your food to be extra crispy, such as fried chicken, french fries, or potato chips.
• When cooking thinly cut meats, like pounded chicken breasts or shaved steak, to get a perfect sear.
• For reheating precooked or frozen foods evenly and quickly, such as chicken wings, roasted vegetables, or pizza.
• When baking goods like cakes, donuts, or cookies to ensure they start cooking immediately at an even temperature.

On the other hand, there are also times when you shouldn't preheat your air fryer:

• When cooking thick cuts of meat, as the outside may burn before the inside is cooked.
• If you're cooking moist or delicate foods, like shrimp or roasted tomatoes, to prevent drying them out.
• For dishes that require a long cooking time, such as a whole roast chicken or a baked potato.
• When making baked goods that you wouldn't typically preheat an oven for, like some types of cakes.

How to Preheat:

The process of preheating an air fryer is similar to preheating an oven:

• Check your air fryer's manual for specific instructions or a preheat setting. Some models have a preheat button that makes it easier.
• If there's no preheat button, set the temperature to the desired cooking temperature. There's no need to remove the basket.
• Turn on the empty air fryer for 2-5 minutes, depending on its size. Smaller air fryers may only need 2-3 minutes, while larger models might require up to 5 minutes.
• Once the preheat time is up, place your food inside and reset the timer for the desired cooking time.

Additional Tips:

• Preheating can speed up cooking time by a few minutes and enhance crispiness, but it's not mandatory for all dishes.
• Always refer to your air fryer's manual for model-specific instructions and precautions.
• When in doubt, preheating is generally a good idea, especially for foods that benefit from a good sear or crispy texture.
• If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat button, you can manually preheat it at 400 °F (204 °C) or the cooking temperature suggested in your recipe.

Frequently asked questions