Air Fryer Baking: Can You Use Tins?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to traditional ovens, especially when cooking for fewer people or during hot weather. They can be used for baking, but there are some key differences to be aware of. Air fryers are smaller than conventional ovens, so you'll need to use smaller tins and baking dishes. You'll also need to adjust the temperature and cooking time of your recipe, as air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently. Most sources recommend reducing the temperature by around 10-20°C and the cooking time by around 20%. It's also important to ensure your tin isn't too deep, so it doesn't touch the heating element.

Air fryer baking tips and tricks

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens, especially when baking in small batches or in hot weather. They are essentially small convection ovens, so anything that can be baked in a regular oven can be baked in an air fryer with a few adjustments. Here are some tips and tricks for successful air fryer baking:

Choose the right bakeware

The key to successful baking in an air fryer is having the right bakeware. Standard bakeware for oven baking is usually too large, so it's best to buy a set of air fryer baking dishes or individual small pans that fit correctly in the air fryer basket. Regular oven-safe dishes can also be used as long as they are the right size, allowing for air to circulate around the sides and on top. High-sided cake pans, shallow slice tins, and regular or silicone cupcake cases are good options. Parchment paper can also be used, especially for cookies, bread, and biscuits, to prevent sticking and falling through the openings in the air fryer basket.

Adjust the recipe

When converting a traditional oven recipe for the air fryer, it is important to adjust the quantities, temperatures, and baking times. For cakes, it is essential to get the quantities right for the smaller air fryer baking pans. Cookie dough and brownie batter can be cooked in batches or frozen for later use. Temperature-wise, recipes for regular ovens typically need to be reduced by approximately 20°F (10°C) in an air fryer. Baking times are usually around 80% of those in a regular oven, but this may vary depending on the recipe and the efficiency of the air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer

Most air fryer bakers recommend preheating the air fryer, especially if the recipe includes baking soda or powder. The initial burst of heat will help the cake rise. However, some air fryers, like the Ninja air fryer, heat up quickly and powerfully, so preheating may not be necessary. If your recipe calls for baking powder, preheating is recommended to ensure it activates properly.

Be prepared to adapt

Not all air fryers are the same, so be prepared for some trial and error. Check on your bake a few times during the cooking process and be ready to adapt and improvise as needed.

Cover your cake with a lid

If the top of your cake is browning too quickly, cover the cake tin with a heatproof lid to prevent further browning. For thin, runny batters, you may want to cover the cake from the start to prevent splattering. If using foil, wrap it around the tin to secure it and prevent it from blowing off.

Check for doneness with a skewer

Since baking in an air fryer is not an exact science, it's best to check for doneness by inserting a skewer into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready.

Air fryer baking times and temperatures

Air fryers circulate hot air, cooking food faster than a conventional oven. This means that recipes designed for a conventional oven will need to be adjusted for an air fryer.

The general rule is to reduce the recommended baking temperature by 25°F and the cooking time by 20% to make a traditional recipe air fryer-friendly. For example, if a recipe calls for 60 minutes in the oven, you can convert this to 48 minutes in the air fryer.

However, it's important to note that the adjustments may vary depending on the dish you are cooking. It's recommended to set a shorter cooking time initially and then add extra time if necessary.

Additionally, the wattage, size, brand, and type of air fryer can also affect cooking times. Higher wattages cook faster compared to lower wattages, so adjustments may be needed depending on the specific air fryer model.

When baking in an air fryer, it's important to choose the right size and type of baking tin or mould. The baking tin should leave some space on either side when placed in the basket to ensure proper airflow. Always place the baking dish in the basket and not directly in the pan, as this can affect airflow and heat distribution.

• Read the instructions manual to understand the specific type of air fryer and its settings.
• Preheat the air fryer, especially if it's an oven-style model with a larger space to heat up.
• Keep an eye on subsequent batches, as they may cook faster due to the residual heat from previous batches.
• Check the cake after the first 8 minutes to ensure it doesn't fall.
• Cover the cake with foil if the top is browning too quickly. This will help reduce the browning rate and trap heat to aid in baking.

Air fryer bakeware

First and foremost, the size of the bakeware is crucial. Standard oven bakeware is often too large for air fryers, so it is important to invest in smaller pans and dishes that fit comfortably inside your air fryer, allowing for proper air circulation. Many air fryer manufacturers sell brand-specific baking sets, or you can purchase individual pans that fit your air fryer's dimensions.

When it comes to the type of bakeware, any oven-safe dish can be used in an air fryer. This includes metal, glass, ceramic, and silicone bakeware. However, it is recommended to avoid using glass dishes as rapid temperature changes can cause them to crack. Instead, consider using oven-safe stoneware or high-quality heat-resistant silicone. Additionally, for cookies, bread, and biscuits, parchment paper can be useful to prevent sticking and allow for better air circulation.

When adapting recipes for an air fryer, it is important to adjust the temperature and baking time. Air fryers cook at a different rate compared to traditional ovens, so reducing the temperature by about 10-20°F (or 5-10°C) and the cooking time by about 20% is generally recommended.

Lastly, while preheating is not necessary for all air fryers, it is beneficial for certain recipes, especially those containing baking powder or soda, as the initial burst of heat helps the batter rise.

In conclusion, air fryer bakeware is an important aspect of successful baking in an air fryer. By choosing the right size and type of bakeware, adjusting recipes accordingly, and considering preheating when necessary, you can achieve delicious baked goods with your air fryer.

Air fryer cake baking

Air fryers are essentially small, mini convection ovens. They work by circulating hot air in the compartment, helping food cook faster.

You can bake cakes in an air fryer, but you may need to experiment with temperature and cooking times. It's recommended to reduce the temperature and time you would usually use in the oven, as baked goods tend to cook faster in an air fryer due to its compact space and concentrated heat circulation.

You can use any ovenproof dish or mould in the air fryer, whether it is made of glass, ceramic, metal or silicone. However, it's important to ensure the baking tin isn't too deep or tall, so it doesn't touch the heating element. The baking tin should still leave some space on either side when placed in the basket to ensure airflow can pass around it.

• Read the instructions manual as soon as you get your air fryer. All air fryers are different, so it's important to understand your specific type.
• Preheat your oven-style air fryer if you intend to bake with it because it has a larger space to heat up than the basket style. You can also preheat your basket-style air fryer if you choose.
• Keep an eye on subsequent batches, as they will cook faster because the air fryer will be preheated.
• Check the cake after the first 8 minutes to ensure it doesn't fall.
• If the top of the cake is browning too quickly, cover it tightly with foil, giving a puffy room above the cake. This will reduce the browning rate and trap heat to help the cake bake faster.

Now you're ready to get baking!

Air fryer baking vs. a regular oven

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to traditional ovens, especially when cooking for one or two people, or when it's too hot to turn on the oven. They are also great for small-batch baking and reheating leftovers. However, baking in an air fryer is not a one-for-one swap with a regular oven, and you may need to adapt and improvise with some trial and error.

Air Fryer Baking Tips

• Check your air fryer basket capacity before you start.
• Preheat the air fryer if your recipe includes baking soda or powder. The initial heat burst will help your cake rise.
• Adjust the baking time and temperature. Lower the temperature for the air fryer and reduce the cooking time by about 20%.
• Be prepared to adapt and improvise as you get to know your specific air fryer.
• Cover your cake tin with a lid to prevent over-browning. If using foil, wrap it around the tin to prevent it from blowing off.
• Check for doneness with a skewer. Insert it into the centre of the cake; if it comes out clean, your cake is ready.
• Parchment paper can be used for cookies, bread, and biscuits to prevent sticking and falling through the openings in the air fryer basket.
• Most air fryers don't require preheating, but it is recommended for oven-style air fryers as they have a larger space to heat up.

Bakeware for Air Fryers

When it comes to bakeware, the key is to have the right-sized pans that fit correctly in your air fryer. Here are some options:

• Buy a special set of air fryer baking dishes or pans. Many air fryer manufacturers sell brand-specific sets.
• Invest in individual small pans that fit easily into your air fryer, allowing for air circulation.
• Use any oven-safe dish that is the right size for your air fryer, such as a high-sided cake pan or a shallow slice tin.
• Silicone cupcake cases and oven-safe glass dishes like Pyrex are also suitable.

Air Fryer Baking Recipes

You can bake a variety of dishes in your air fryer, including:

• Cakes
• Cookies
• Bread
• Biscuits
• Pizza
• Cheesecakes
• Pies
• Lasagna
• Focaccia
• Cornbread
• Muffins
• Brownies
• Cupcakes

In conclusion, while air fryer baking may require some adjustments and experimentation, it offers a convenient and quick way to bake small batches without heating up your entire kitchen.

Frequently asked questions