An air fryer is a small convection oven, so metal bakeware that is safe in a hot oven is generally safe in it. The limits are size, airflow and handles.
Metal does not harm an air fryer the way it harms a microwave. The heat comes from an element and a fan, so a metal tin, steel bowl or oven-safe pan is fine as long as it fits and the air can still move. The things that go wrong are plastic handles, coatings not rated for the heat and a pan that fills the basket.
| Short answer | Yes if oven safe and it fits with room around it |
|---|---|
| Good choices | Stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, steel cake and pie tins |
| Check first | Plastic or wooden handles, and nonstick coatings that are not rated for the heat |
| Fit | Leave a gap on all sides so the fan can circulate |
| Weight | Stay under the basket limit in your manual |
How to use a metal pan in an air fryer
- Measure the pan against the basket and leave a gap of at least a finger or two around it.
- Check the handles and any coating are oven safe at the temperature you plan to use.
- Use a pan with sides if food will drip, so the drawer stays clean.
- Place it in the basket, keeping it clear of the top element.
- Lift it out with oven gloves, because the pan and handles get hot.
What happens when you get it wrong
- Blocked airflow. Food cooks unevenly, with a burnt top and a pale bottom.
- Melted handles or damaged coating. Plastic handles soften and some nonstick coatings are only rated to oven temperatures that are lower than a hot air fryer.
- Scratched basket. Dragging a metal tin across a nonstick basket can wear the coating. Lift it instead of sliding it.
The basket itself for most foods, because that is what it is built for.
An accessory set sized for your model, with a pan, rack and silicone mold that are tested to fit.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a stainless steel bowl in an air fryer?
Yes for the heat. Make sure it leaves room for air and is not so light that the fan moves it.
Can you use a metal baking tin in an air fryer?
Yes, if it fits with a gap around it and is oven safe. Check the handles first.
Are foil trays safe in an air fryer?
They are generally used, but keep them away from the element and weigh them down when empty. See the foil page for the details.
Is a nonstick metal pan safe?
It depends on the coating. Look for the maximum temperature on the pan or the maker, and stay under it.