Choosing a pan for your air fryer oven comes down to what fits the rack and tolerates high heat without warping. So, what kind of pan do you use in an air fryer oven? The short answer is a small, oven-safe metal pan, usually aluminum or stainless steel, that leaves room for air to move around it.
Get this wrong and your food cooks unevenly. Get it right and you barely think about it again.
What Kind Of Pan Do You Use In An Air Fryer Oven
An air fryer oven is not the same as a basket-style air fryer. It looks more like a small countertop oven with racks, a fan, and a heating element. That design changes what cookware works inside it.
The best pan is one that is shallow, oven-safe to at least 450°F, and small enough that air can still flow around it. Air circulation is the whole point of an air fryer oven. Block it and you may as well use a regular toaster oven.
Best Pan Materials For An Air Fryer Oven
Not every pan survives the heat and the fan. Here is what holds up well.
- Aluminum: Heats fast, light, and cheap. Great for most foods. It can warp if it is very thin, so pick a slightly thicker gauge.
- Stainless steel: Durable, no coating to worry about, and safe at high heat. It browns food a little slower than aluminum.
- Carbon steel: Excellent heat retention and browning. Needs seasoning if it is not pre-coated.
- Cast iron (small sizes): Holds heat like nothing else. Heavy, so only use small skillets that fit without touching the element.
- Ceramic-coated metal: Nonstick and oven-safe, as long as the label lists a high enough temperature.
Avoid glass bakeware in most air fryer ovens. It can crack under fast temperature swings, and it blocks airflow more than thin metal does.
Pans You Should Not Use
Some cookware is a bad match for this appliance.
- Plastic or melamine trays, which melt
- Thin disposable foil pans that fold under the fan
- Any pan with a plastic handle that is not oven-safe
- Oversized sheet pans that touch the walls or element
- Nonstick pans rated below 400°F
If a pan’s handle says “oven safe to 350°F,” it does not belong in an air fryer oven running at 400°F.
How To Pick The Right Size And Shape
Size matters more than brand. A pan that is too big ruins the airflow that makes this appliance work.
Leave Space Around The Pan
You want at least half an inch of gap on all sides. An inch is better. The fan pushes hot air down and around, and food browns because that air keeps moving.
If your pan fills the whole rack, the top of your food cooks and the bottom stays pale.
Match The Pan To The Rack
Most air fryer ovens use a wire rack, not a flat floor. Your pan needs a flat base that sits stable on those wires.
- Measure your rack before buying anything
- Choose a pan with a flat bottom, not a rounded one
- Check that the pan clears the heating element above it
- Test the fit with an empty pan before you cook
Shallow Beats Deep
Shallow pans let heat reach the food from above. Deep pans shield the food and turn your air fryer oven into a slow oven.
Use a deep pan only when you actually want to catch drippings, like under a roast. Otherwise, stay shallow.
Common Pan Types And How They Perform
Here is a quick breakdown of pans people actually use in these ovens.
Small Sheet Pans And Baking Trays
These are the workhorses. A small rimmed sheet pan handles fries, vegetables, chicken wings, and cookies. Pick one with a lip so juices do not run off the edge.
Round Cake Pans
A six or seven inch round pan fits most models. Use it for small cakes, cornbread, or a single layer of roasted veggies. Keep it out of the top rack position if the element sits close.
Muffin Tins
Mini muffin tins work well for egg bites and small pastries. Full-size tins often do not fit. Check the height before you buy.
Cast Iron Skillets
A small skillet gives you a great sear. It is heavy, so slide the rack out fully before you set it down. Never drop it onto the rack.
Silicone Molds
Silicone is flexible and easy to clean, but it does not brown food well. Use it for eggs, batters, and anything that needs shape rather than crisp.
Step-By-Step: Choosing And Using Your Pan
- Check your oven manual for the maximum pan size and safe temperature.
- Measure the rack and the space between racks.
- Pick a shallow metal pan that fits with room to spare.
- Confirm the pan and its handles are rated for at least 450°F.
- Place the empty pan on the rack and check clearance above it.
- Preheat the oven with the pan inside if your model allows it.
- Add food in a single layer, not piled up.
- Shake or flip halfway through so both sides brown.
That last step matters. Even with the right pan, food that sits still will cook unevenly.
Care And Safety Tips
A few habits keep your pans and your oven in good shape.
- Let the pan cool before washing to avoid warping
- Hand wash nonstick and cast iron
- Line with parchment only if it is weighted down by food
- Never let parchment touch the heating element
- Skip foil balls or loose foil that the fan can pull up
Loose parchment is a real fire risk in these ovens. The fan grabs it and pushes it into the element. Always weigh it down with food.
Cleaning Between Uses
Grease builds up fast and starts to smoke. Wipe the pan and the oven floor after each use once things cool down. A clean oven runs better and your food tastes fresher.
Final Thoughts
The right pan for an air fryer oven is a small, shallow, oven-safe metal pan that leaves room for air to move. Aluminum and stainless steel are your safest bets. Skip glass, plastic, and anything oversized.
Measure first, check the heat rating, and keep the pan shallow. Do that and your food will crisp the way it should, every time you cook.