Do You Need Special Pans for an Air Fryer Oven?

On this page (8 sections)

1. What makes a pan safe for an air fryer oven?
2. How do you know a pan will fit your air fryer oven?
3. Can you use regular baking pans in an air fryer oven?
4. When does a special pan actually help?
5. Which pan should you pick for your air fryer oven?
6. What should you avoid putting in an air fryer oven?
7. How do you care for pans used in an air fryer oven?
8. So, do you need special pans for an air fryer oven?

No, an air fryer oven does not require special pans. Any oven-safe pan that fits the cooking basket or rack and can handle the oven's top temperature will work.

Most pans you already own qualify.

The question of whether you need special pans for an air fryer oven comes up because these ovens look different from a standard oven. In practice, the pan rules are simple, and the real issue is fit and airflow rather than a proprietary pan.

This guide covers what to check before you put any pan inside.

What makes a pan safe for an air fryer oven?

Heat rating and fit are the two things that matter. A pan is safe when it is rated for at least the oven's top temperature and sits inside the basket or on the rack without touching the heating element.

Air fryer ovens run hot and use a fan to push that heat around the food. A pan that is not rated for the heat can warp, and a coating that is not oven safe can peel or give off odors.

Metal pans are the usual pick: carbon steel and stainless steel both handle high heat and spread it evenly.

Glass and ceramic can work if they are labeled oven safe at the oven's top temperature. Thin or cheap versions may crack when the fan hits them with a blast of hot air.

If a pan has no heat rating at all, keep it out.

Check the pan's width against the basket or rack too. A pan that barely squeezes in is a poor fit, because you still need space for air to move.

How do you know a pan will fit your air fryer oven?

Measure the basket or rack first, then compare that number to the pan's outer size. Inner size matters too, since the walls take up space.

A pan labeled 9.7 x 7.5 inches has an inner floor closer to 9 x 6.5 inches.

Air fryer ovens vary a lot in size. Compact models take smaller pans, while large countertop ovens accept something close to a quarter sheet.

Bring a tape measure and check both the opening and the depth, because a pan with tall sides can bump the top element.

Leave a gap on every side. A pan that fills the basket wall to wall chokes the fan, and food on the edges cooks unevenly.

Aim for a pan that covers most of the floor but leaves at least an inch of open space around it.

The HONGBAKE 2-pack is built for this job. The pans are 9.7 x 7.5 inches on the outside with 1.5-inch sides, a size the brand says fits most ovens and air fryers.

Measure your basket before ordering, since fit is the one thing a pan can't fix later.

Can you use regular baking pans in an air fryer oven?

Yes, in most cases. A standard baking sheet or cake pan goes into an air fryer oven as long as it fits and is heat-rated.

The oven does not check what brand the pan is.

The catch is that regular pans are often sized for a full oven. A half sheet will not fit a countertop air fryer oven, and forcing it in blocks the fan.

Smaller pans, like a quarter sheet or a mini loaf pan, are more likely to work.

Perforated pans and baskets are popular for air frying because they let air reach the underside of food. A solid pan works too, but you may need to flip food so both sides get crisp.

For foods that drip, a pan with raised sides keeps grease off the oven floor.

If you already own a small pan that fits and is oven safe, try it before buying anything new. There's no reason to spend money on a pan you don't need.

When does a special pan actually help?

A special pan helps when your current pans are too big, not heat-rated, or would make a mess. That's a short list, and it's the only reason to shop.

Air fryer baskets are small and rounded. A round pan or a mini square pan sits better in them than a rectangular sheet.

Perforated pans improve airflow for foods like fries and vegetables. A pan with high sides catches drips from bacon or a juicy roast.

Special pans are also handy when you want to lift food out in one piece. A pan with a lip or a handle lets you move a whole batch without scraping the basket.

None of these features is required, though. They just make some jobs easier.

Skip the specialty purchase if a pan you own already fits and is rated for the heat. Save the money for food.

Which pan should you pick for your air fryer oven?

Pick based on the food you cook most and the size of your basket. The three options below cover the common needs, from baking to easy cleanup.

Best for baking and roasting

The HONGBAKE set is the strongest all-round pick. Its two carbon steel pans are 57% thicker than a standard pan, which the brand says gives more even heat and less warping.

The nonstick coating is PFOA, BPA and PTFE free, and the pans are rated to 450°F.

The set stacks for storage, and the nonstick surface wipes clean. Use a soft cloth rather than an abrasive pad to keep the coating intact.

This is the pan to buy if you want one set for baking and air frying.

Best for messy, saucy foods

The TeamFar tray is a single stainless steel pan with deep sides. It's made of 430 stainless steel with no coating, so there's nothing to peel, and it's dishwasher safe.

The full sides keep liquid and crumbs contained.

Stainless steel is less nonstick than carbon steel, so use a little oil or spray. The mirror finish cleans up easily by hand or in the dishwasher.

Choose this one if you cook saucy or greasy food and want a pan that can take a scrub.

Best for protecting the oven floor

The bouti1583 liners are not pans. They are 11 x 9 inch nonstick sheets that sit under a pan or on the oven floor to catch drips.

They are rated to 500°F and can be cut to size with household scissors.

Use one under a baking pan to keep grease off the basket and oven floor. The liner wipes clean and is dishwasher safe.

It suits anyone who hates scrubbing baked-on mess, but it does not replace a pan for foods that need a solid base.

What should you avoid putting in an air fryer oven?

Avoid anything that can melt, burn, or block airflow. That includes plastic containers not rated for the oven, loose parchment that can blow into the element, and pans that fill the basket edge to edge.

Skip foil that covers the whole basket. It traps heat and grease and can stop the fan from moving air.

A small foil tent over a delicate item is fine, but keep it weighed down.

Don't use pans with handles that stick out past the basket. They can catch on the oven door or block the fan.

Avoid glass or ceramic that isn't marked oven safe at the oven's top heat.

Also keep the pan below the heating element. A pan stacked too high can touch the element and scorch the food or damage the oven.

Leave a gap at the top.

How do you care for pans used in an air fryer oven?

Wash after each use and dry fully before storing. Grease that sits on a pan can bake on and become hard to remove.

Most nonstick and stainless pans are dishwasher safe, but hand washing protects the coating.

Use soft tools. Metal spatulas can scratch a nonstick surface, so reach for silicone or wood.

For stainless steel, a soft sponge is enough for most messes.

Store pans stacked with a cloth or paper towel between them. That keeps the surfaces from rubbing and scratching.

Check the pan's heat rating now and then, since a worn coating is a sign to replace it.

For more on how these ovens work, read our guide to air fryer ovens before you buy accessories.

So, do you need special pans for an air fryer oven?

No. You need a pan that fits your basket and is rated for the heat, and that's it.

The question of whether you need special pans for an air fryer oven comes down to size and heat rating, not brand or type.

Start with a pan you already own. If it fits and is oven safe, use it.

If it doesn't, pick the HONGBAKE set for baking and everyday air frying, the TeamFar tray for messy foods, or the liners to keep cleanup easy.

Measure your basket before you buy, and leave room for air to move. A pan that fits well and handles the heat is the only special thing your air fryer oven needs.

For more cooking ideas, see whether you can cook pizza in a toaster oven, and compare toaster oven air fryer models if you're still shopping.

Frequently asked questions

What size pan fits an air fryer oven?

Measure the basket or rack first. Most air fryer ovens accept pans around 7 to 10 inches wide.

A pan that fills the whole basket edge to edge will slow cooking because air cannot flow around the food.

Can I use parchment paper or foil instead of a pan?

Sometimes. Parchment made for high heat works as a liner, but loose paper can blow into the heating element.

Foil blocks airflow and traps grease.

A shallow pan or a perforated liner is the more reliable choice for messy foods.

Are air fryer oven pans dishwasher safe?

Many are. Carbon steel pans with a nonstick coating and stainless steel trays are commonly sold as dishwasher safe.

Check the care instructions for your pan, because some nonstick coatings last longer when hand washed.