Air fryer baskets fit far more cookware than most people assume, provided the material handles high heat and tight space. So if you’re wondering what pans can you use in an air fryer, the short answer is: small metal pans, silicone molds, and most oven-safe bakeware under about 7 inches wide. The basket is basically a mini oven, and anything that survives 400°F without melting or warping is fair game.
Below is a full breakdown of safe options, pans to avoid, and a few sizing tips that save you from buying the wrong thing.
What Pans Can You Use In An Air Fryer
The best pans for an air fryer share three traits: they fit inside the basket with room for air to move, they tolerate high heat, and they don’t block the airflow vents at the bottom. Here’s what works.
Metal Pans And Tins
- Small cake pans (6 to 7 inches) fit most standard baskets
- Mini loaf pans work great for bread and meatloaf
- Muffin tins, especially silicone or 4-cup metal ones
- Round springform pans for cheesecake and quiche
- Aluminum foil pans, the disposable kind, are fine too
Stick to aluminum, carbon steel, or stainless steel. These heat evenly and won’t crack under the fan’s constant blast. A tiny bit of rust on old tins isnt a deal breaker, but toss anything with flaking nonstick coating.
Silicone And Ceramic Options
Silicone molds are probaly the most forgiving choice. They flex, so you can squeeze them into odd basket shapes. They’re also dishwasher safe and don’t scratch the nonstick coating on your air fryer.
- Silicone muffin cups and egg bite molds
- Silicone cake and loaf molds
- Ceramic ramekins for dips, custards, and small bakes
- Glass oven-safe dishes, if they fit with clearance
Ceramic and glass hold heat well but they’re heavy and can crack if they touch the heating element. Keep them centered and never preheat an empty glass dish in the basket.
Baking Dishes And Ramekins
Small ramekins are perfect for single servings. Think lava cakes, creme brulee, or baked eggs. A 4-ounce ramekin fits in nearly every air fryer, even the compact 2-quart models.
Larger ceramic baking dishes work in bigger units, like the 5.8-quart and up. Measure your basket first. Leave at least half an inch of space on all sides so hot air can circulate.
Pans You Should Avoid
- Cast iron skillets, they’re too heavy and can scratch the basket
- Pans with plastic handles or rubber grips
- Anything wider than your basket, even by a little
- Thin bakeware that warps above 350°F
- Pans with loose or damaged nonstick coatings
Cast iron is the big one people ask about. It won’t melt, but the weight can damage the basket and the coating. Plus it takes forever to heat up in a small air fryer, so it’s just not worth it.
How To Choose The Right Pan Size
Size matters more in an air fryer than in a regular oven. If the pan touches the sides, air can’t flow, and your food cooks unevenly.
- Measure the inside of your basket, width and depth
- Subtract one inch from each measurement
- Pick a pan that fits inside that smaller number
- Check the pan’s max temperature rating
- Test with a dry run before cooking real food
A quick dry run at 350°F for five minutes tells you if the pan rattles, warps, or smells odd. Better to find out with an empty pan than with dinner inside it.
Accessories That Double As Pans
You don’t always need a dedicated pan. Some air fryer accessories pull double duty.
- Parchment paper liners with holes punched in them
- Aluminum foil, shaped into a shallow tray
- Metal skewers for kebabs
- Silicone egg molds
- Perforated pizza pans made for air fryers
Parchment paper is handy but never let it fly loose. It can hit the heating element and singe. Always weigh it down with food.
Material Safety And Heat Limits
Not every oven-safe pan is air fryer safe. The fan pushes heat harder and faster than a standard oven, so the effective temperature feels higher.
- Aluminum: safe up to 500°F
- Stainless steel: safe up to 500°F
- Silicone: safe up to 450°F, check the label
- Ceramic and glass: safe to 425°F, avoid sudden temp changes
- Nonstick coated metal: safe to 400°F, dont exceed it
Above those limits, coatings break down and release fumes. Keep your air fryer at or below 400°F when using coated pans and you’ll be fine.
Cleaning And Care Tips
Let pans cool fully before washing. A hot pan hitting cold water can warp or crack, especially glass and ceramic.
Hand wash silicone molds with warm soapy water. They hold onto grease and odors if you let them sit. Metal pans with stuck-on food benefit from a short soak.
Check your pans every few months. Warped bottoms, peeling coatings, and deep scratches all mean it’s time to replace them. A cheap pan that fits well beats an expensive one that blocks airflow.
Final Thoughts On Air Fryer Pans
You have more options than you think. Small metal tins, silicone molds, ramekins, and mini baking dishes all work, as long as they fit with room to spare and handle the heat.
Measure your basket, stick to the temperature limits, and skip cast iron. Do that, and you can bake, roast, and reheat in your air fryer with whatever pans you already own.