Do you need special pans for an air fryer oven?

An air fryer oven combines standard baking and roasting capabilities with a dedicated air fry function, setting it apart from a compact countertop model. While air frying often works at its peak functionality with a designated air fry basket—generally made of metal with an open weave that allows circulation of air in and around the food—it may be possible to use other oven-safe pans, but the results may not be the same quality. Read on to learn more about compatible cookware, pan materials, food pairings and frequently asked questions for those wondering: do you need special pans for an air fryer oven?

What pans can you use in an air fryer oven?

Most standard oven-safe pans are also air fryer safe pans if they fit properly in your oven and your user manual allows it, but they may not all allow air to circulate around the food in the most optimum way. A perforated air fry basket, like this KitchenAid^® Air Fryer Basket, is generally the recommended cookware for Air Fry crisping in an oven, while an oven-safe tray with low sides may serve as an alternative. A perforated air fry basket channels heated air around all sides of food, including from beneath, so items such as chicken wings can get crispy on all sides. Understanding the differences between an air fryer vs. air fryer oven can help you select cookware that suits your appliance. If an air fry basket is unavailable, a shallow oven-safe dark or nonstick tray or a sturdy oven-safe cooling rack can sometimes serve as an alternative if your user manual allows for it.

Cookware	Can You Use It?	Key Considerations
Baking sheet	Yes*, when oven-safe and it fits with clearance	Use low-sided sheets to allow airflow; avoid overcrowding
Wire or cooling rack	Yes*, when oven-safe	Elevates food for air circulation; place over a sheet to catch drippings
Foil pan	Yes*, when oven-safe	Lightweight option for catching drippings; ensure it fits with clearance
Roasting or casserole dish	Yes*, when oven-safe	Higher sides may restrict airflow; suited for dishes with moisture
pizza pan	Yes*, when oven-safe and it fits	Check dimensions; ensure it allows air circulation around food

*Be sure to double check with your user manual to check compatibility before using

For those wondering: can you air fry on a baking sheet? The answer is likely yes, but check your user manual to be sure and don’t expect the same results you’d get with an air fry basket. When exploring air fryer safe pans for everyday cooking, the key is ensuring cookware fits with enough clearance for air to circulate. And if you’re wondering: Can I put a baking pan in an air fryer-style oven? The answer is generally yes, as long as the pan is oven-safe and fits within the oven cavity with room for airflow around the food. But check your manual to be sure. Selecting pans for air fryer oven use comes down to fit, material and the type of results you want to get.

Pan materials for an air fryer oven

Pan material affects how heat is distributed and how food browns during cooking. With air fry, a fan-driven circulation system moves air throughout the oven cavity. The table below compares common pan materials for air fryer ovens to help you find the right fit for your dishes. Always check your user manual and product packaging to be sure your pan is oven-safe, before you begin.

Material	Benefits	Ideal For	Considerations
Metal (aluminum, stainless steel)	Conducts heat readily	Cookies, roasted vegetables	Works well with many recipes
Cast iron	Retains and distributes heat well	Searing, roasting	Heavy; check if oven-safe first
Ceramic and glass	Gentle heat distribution	Delicate baked dishes, casseroles	May take longer to heat; check if oven-safe first
Non-stick and silicone	Easy release and cleanup	Delicate items, muffins	Use within temperature limits; avoid high-heat air frying; check if oven-safe first

For baking pans for air fryer ovens, light-colored metal pans offer a reliable starting point for some recipes. When it comes to the best pans for air fryer oven cooking, stainless steel air fryer baskets are an option that most people turn to.

Cookware materials and components to avoid

Certain materials and components may not be suited for the high temperatures of air fryer ovens. Non-oven-safe plastics can melt or warp at air fry temperatures, and melamine is not designed for high-heat oven use. Wood can crack, warp or char at high temperatures, while low-temperature coatings on some pans may degrade under intense air fry heat.

Cookware with vulnerable handles or damaged surfaces may not withstand repeated heat cycling. When available, using the designated air fry basket that comes with the appliance is recommended for air fry cooking. Checking cookware labels and manufacturer guidance before use can help you select pans suited for air fryer oven temperatures and avoid materials that may not perform well.

How to choose the right pan for your food

The way heat circulates in an air fryer oven can influence which pan works for each type of dish. Air frying, similar to convection oven cooking, uses a fan to circulate hot air throughout the oven cavity. When deciding what pan to use in an air fryer oven, consider the following, and always check your user manual and be sure the pan is oven-safe before choosing:

For crisping and browning: Use perforated air fryer baskets to allow airflow around food surfaces
In a pinch, try a rimmed baking sheet to air fry your food
For foods with moisture or drippings: Use foil pans or roasting dishes to catch drippings

Tips for using pans in an air fryer oven

Selecting the right cookware can help elevate your air frying results. Consider the following tips:

Use oven-safe cookware: Check that pans are rated for oven use and air fry temperatures.
Ensure the pan fits with required clearance: Allow space around pans for air to circulate freely.
Improve air flow with perforated baskets or pans: A specifically designed metal air fryer basket often works best, as it promotes generous airflow around food for crispy results.
Avoid overcrowding: Leave space between items so hot air can reach all surfaces
Use low-sided pans if you don’t have an air fry basket or if you’re worried about bits of food or moisture spilling: Lower sides allow more air circulation around food

Remember:

Perforated metal air fry baskets help promote air circulation for crispy results, making them a great choice for air frying. When an air fry basket is unavailable, a shallow oven-safe dark or nonstick tray or a sturdy oven-safe cooling rack can be possible substitute pans for air fryer oven cooking.

Air fryer oven pan FAQs

The following answers address some common questions about using pans in an air fryer oven.

It’s better to not use parchment paper in your air fryer basket, or pan, as it can restrict airflow and affect cooking outcomes. However, you can line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place it on a lower rack to help catch any spills.

Covering a pan with a lid while air frying is generally not recommended because it can impede the air circulation needed for crisping. Air fry ovens rely on circulating hot air around food surfaces to create a crispy and browned exterior, and a lid blocks that airflow.

Placing a pan directly on the bottom of an oven with air fry capabilities is generally not recommended; using the designated rack or air fry basket is the intended approach. The oven bottom is designed for heat distribution rather than as a cooking surface. Follow your user manual for proper rack placement and further help positioning your air fry pan.

Baking pans can warp in an air fryer oven, especially thinner pans; thicker, lower-gauge sheets are more warp-resistant and durable over time. Pan gauge—or thickness—is the key factor, with higher gauge meaning thinner metal that tends to warp more with repeated use. Choosing heavy-gauge, metal baking pans for air fryer oven use can help maintain shape through repeated cooking.

Preheating a pan inside an air fryer oven is possible, but not always necessary because the air fry setting may not require preheating the oven. Select KitchenAid^® Ranges feature No Preheat Air Fry Mode, which brings versatility to your kitchen while achieving delicious, crispy food without the wait.

Select KitchenAid^® Wall Ovens and Ranges feature Air Fry Mode. On select KitchenAid^® Wall Ovens, this feature uses triple heating elements and a fan to circulate hot air around the air fry basket, crisping and browning food with less oil, when compared to deep frying.