Do You Need An Air Fryer Tray For Oven? | The Crispy Secret

People naturally use their oven air fry setting with the same baking sheets they grabbed last week. Open a frozen bag of fries or chicken tenders and the instinct is to dump them directly on a solid metal pan. The food comes out fine — edible — but noticeably softer and less even than what a countertop air fryer delivers.

So when people ask about an air fryer tray oven setup, the short answer is yes: for crisp results, you need a perforated tray or basket designed for the air fry mode. A solid baking sheet blocks hot air from contacting the food underneath, which is the whole reason the setting exists.

Why The Air Fry Setting Needs A Different Tray

An oven with an air fry setting works like a convection oven, using a fan to circulate hot air around the food. That constant airflow is what creates the crispy exterior that mimics deep-frying without all the oil.

A standard solid baking sheet interrupts that process. The pan blocks hot air from reaching the bottom of the food, trapping steam underneath and keeping the underside soft. Cooking StackExchange explains that using a solid baking sheet can essentially block the air flow and prevent even cooking.

Mesh baskets and perforated trays solve the problem directly. They let air hit every surface of the food, which is why appliance manufacturers like Maytag recommend a perforated tray or basket for the best air fry results in an oven.

Why People Assume A Baking Sheet Works

The confusion makes sense. An oven is an oven, right? Many people assume that any pan safe for baking is safe for the air fry setting, and technically it is — the food won’t burn or damage the oven. But “safe” and “effective” are different things here. The entire point of the air fry mode is the moving air, and a flat sheet kills that advantage.

• Heat and moisture get trapped: Steam collects under the food on a solid sheet, making the underside of fries, nuggets, or breaded fish turn soggy instead of crisp.
• Air circulation gets blocked: The fan can push air around the pan, but it can’t reach the food’s bottom surface, so one side cooks faster than the other.
• You need to flip everything halfway: With a perforated tray you can usually skip the mid-cook shuffle. With a solid sheet, flipping is almost required for even results.
• Smaller batches work better: Crowding a solid sheet makes the problem worse. A mesh basket allows you to spread food in a single layer with gaps for airflow.

What Kind Of Tray Your Oven Actually Needs

Most wall ovens with air fry settings do not include a perforated tray out of the box. Per Everydayfamilycooking, the needed crisper air fryer tray is often a separate purchase — a must-have for achieving the crispy texture the mode is supposed to deliver.

The good news is that you have plenty of options. Mesh baskets designed for oven use work great. Perforated pizza pans, wire cooling racks placed on a sheet pan, and dedicated air fryer trays sold by the oven manufacturer all do the job. Anything oven-safe that lets air pass through counts.

Air fryer liners made from parchment paper are rated for temperatures up to about 425°F and can be a handy shortcut for quick cleanup. Just know that they reduce airflow slightly compared to an open metal mesh, so you may need to extend cook time by a minute or two.

Smart Alternatives If You Don’t Have The Stock Tray

If your oven didn’t come with a dedicated air fry tray, you don’t need to hunt down the exact OEM part. Several everyday kitchen tools work just as well.

1. A wire cooling rack: Place it inside a sheet pan. The rack elevates food and lets air pass from below and above. Most are oven-safe up to 450°F.
2. A mesh splatter screen: Some metal splatter screens are oven-safe and double as an improvised air fry basket for small batches.
3. A perforated pizza pan: The holes serve the same purpose as an air fry tray. Works great for reheating leftover pizza or cooking frozen snacks.
4. An oven-safe glass dish: Pyrex or stoneware can be used for baking in air fry mode, though the solid sides mean you’ll want to stir or rotate food for even results.
5. A stainless steel steamer basket: If it’s all-metal and fits your oven rack, it functions like a mesh basket. Just check that the handle is also oven-safe.

Using A Drip Tray Underneath Your Basket

Some oven air fryer baskets come with a drip tray built in, while others expect you to place a sheet pan underneath. Alsothecrumbsplease explains that many baskets include a tray to go underneath to catch drips, but you can also use a standard foil tray or sheet pan for the same purpose.

This matters most for foods that release fat or juices — bacon, chicken thighs, breaded fish. Without a drip tray underneath, grease drips directly onto the bottom of the oven, which can cause smoking and messy cleanup. A sheet pan on the rack below catches everything.

The Bottom Line

Yes, you need a perforated tray or basket to get the best results from your oven’s air fry setting. A solid sheet pan blocks the hot air that creates crispiness, so the food comes out softer and less even. Mesh baskets, wire racks, and perforated trays all solve the problem — most of them are cheap and easy to find online or at any kitchen supply store.

For your specific oven model, check the user manual for the recommended tray dimensions, or grab a universal mesh basket that fits your rack size. Either way, the rule is simple: if air can’t flow through, your air fry setting isn’t really working as intended.