Best Baking Pans For Your Air Fryer

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to ovens, but what type of baking pans can you use with them? Any ovenproof dish or mould can be used in an air fryer, whether it is made of glass, ceramic, metal, or silicone. However, it is important to note that some oven-safe dishes may have a limit on the temperature they can withstand, so it is important to ensure that the bakeware can handle the heat of the air fryer. It is also important to avoid baking dishes with large handles, as they can get in the way of the air fryer basket and reduce the available space. Instead, opt for bakeware with minimal or no handles to maximise the space in the air fryer. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid using glass baking dishes in an air fryer due to the risk of cracking from rapid temperature changes.

Ovenproof dishes and moulds

Any ovenproof dish or mould can be used in an air fryer, whether it is made of glass, ceramic, metal, or silicone. However, it is important to note that some oven-safe dishes may have a limit on the temperature they can withstand, so be sure to check this before using it in your air fryer. It is also recommended to avoid dishes with large handles, as these can get in the way and prevent the dish from fitting into the air fryer basket or oven. Instead, opt for bakeware with minimal or no handles, which will allow you to fit larger capacity dishes.

When using ovenproof dishes and moulds in your air fryer, always place the dish inside the basket, rather than directly into the pan, to ensure proper airflow. Always wear oven mitts when handling dishes and moulds, as they can get very hot.

Silicone or paper cupcake cups

Silicone Cupcake Cups

If you're using silicone cupcake cups, also known as silicone liners or muffin cups, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure to spray the inside of the silicone cups with non-stick spray before placing them in the air fryer basket. This will help ensure that your cupcakes don't stick to the cups. It's also important to note that if you're using a basket air fryer, you must use silicone cups. If you're using a muffin tin, you can use either silicone or paper liners.

When filling your silicone cups with batter, be sure to fill them only about 3/4 of the way full. This will prevent the batter from overfilling and being splattered by the fan. After baking, you may notice that your cupcakes are slightly lopsided due to the air circulation in the air fryer. Don't worry, this is normal, and once you add icing, it won't be noticeable!

Paper Cupcake Liners

You can also use paper cupcake liners in your air fryer, but there are a few things to keep in mind. If you're using paper liners, it's best to use a muffin tin to help the cupcakes hold their shape. If you don't have a muffin tin that fits in your air fryer, you can double up on the paper liners to make them more sturdy and prevent the cupcakes from spreading out too much.

Whether you're using silicone or paper liners, be sure to preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit if needed. Then, fill the liners about 3/4 of the way full with batter and place them in the air fryer basket. Bake for around 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. You may need to bake your cupcakes in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Tips for Success

• Always allow your cupcakes to cool before frosting.
• You can use any type of cake mix or make your batter from scratch.
• Feel free to get creative with your frosting and toppings!
• Store your cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature.

Air fryer accessories

Air fryers are convection ovens, so any oven-safe dishware or bakeware that fits your air fryer can be used. This includes glass, ceramic, metal, or silicone dishes, as well as silicone or paper cupcake cups or moulds.

When choosing bakeware for your air fryer, it is important to know the interior size of your air fryer, as not all air fryers with the same capacity have the same interior dimensions. Some are wider than they are tall, and some are taller than they are wide. It is also important to avoid bakeware with large handles, as they can get in the way of the air fryer basket or oven and prevent the dish from fitting.

There are a variety of accessories available for air fryers, including:

• Baking sheets or pans, preferably without handles, in materials such as metal or silicone.
• Cake pans, including round, square, and loaf pans, in various sizes.
• Pie pans or springform pans, which can also be used as a base tray for air frying.
• Glass baking dishes, which usually have minimal handles and are available in different sizes and brands.
• Bucket-style baking pans, often found in air fryer accessory kits. These have handles that make them easier to remove from the air fryer basket.
• Muffin pans, including silicone muffin pans with multiple cups.
• Paper or aluminium foil, which can be used to line the air fryer base or to capture grease.
• Pizza pans, often sold as part of an air fryer accessory set.
• Skewer racks.

When using accessories with your air fryer, it is important to ensure that they do not block the airflow, as this can prevent the air fryer from working properly. It is also important to allow dishes to cool before removing them from the air fryer, as the basket can get very hot and cause burns.

Glass, ceramic, or metal bakeware

When selecting a baking dish for your air fryer, it is important to know the interior size of your air fryer, as this will determine whether your chosen dish will fit. Some air fryers are wider than they are tall, and some are taller than they are wide, so it is important to measure the interior dimensions to ensure your dish will fit.

Additionally, it is best to choose bakeware with minimal or no handles, as handles can get in the way and prevent the dish from fitting into the air fryer basket or oven.

Some examples of suitable glass, ceramic, or metal bakeware include:

• CorningWare bakeware sets: These are great as they don't have handles and are available in different sizes.
• Non-stick cake pans: Round and square traditional non-stick baking pans are great as they don't have bulky handles and come in a variety of sizes.
• Pie pans or springform pans: These can be used for more than just making pies; they can also be used as a base tray for anything you need to air fry.
• Glass baking dishes: These usually have minimal handles and come in various brands and sizes, so you can likely find one that fits your air fryer.

Remember to always place the baking dish in the basket of your air fryer, and not directly in the pan, as this will eliminate airflow and only heat the top of the food.

Pans with minimal or no handles

When choosing a baking pan to use in an air fryer, it's important to consider the interior size of your air fryer, as not all capacity sizes have the same interior dimensions. It's also best to avoid baking dishes with large handles, as they can get in the way of fitting into the air fryer basket or oven. Instead, opt for bakeware with minimal or no handles, which will allow you to fit larger capacity baking dishes.

• Air Fryer Accessory Bucket: This bucket-style baking dish is a great option for bucket-style air fryers as it has a handle for easy removal but no bulky handles on the sides.
• Non-Stick Cake Pans: Traditional non-stick baking pans are a good choice as they typically don't have bulky handles and come in a variety of sizes to fit different air fryer interiors. Look for round or square pans in sizes such as 8-inch or 9-inch.
• Non-Stick Pie Pans or Springform Pans: These can be used for more than just making pies. They can also be used as a baking dish or base tray for a variety of foods. Just be mindful of the height when filling with raw foods to ensure even cooking.
• Glass Baking Dishes: Glass baking dishes usually have minimal handles and come in various sizes, making it likely that you'll find one that fits the interior of your air fryer. However, it's important to note that rapid temperature changes can cause glass to crack, so use them with caution.
• CorningWare Bakeware Sets: These baking dishes are handle-free and come in different sizes. They are also elegant enough to be used for serving at dinners or holiday gatherings.
• Silicone Baking Mats: Circular silicone baking mats can be used as an alternative to a baking sheet, as long as they are small enough to leave a gap around the edges for proper air circulation.

Frequently asked questions