What Dishes Can You Put In An Air Fryer? | Dish Rules

Air fryers make weeknight cooking faster, cleaner, and a lot more fun, but the moment you start using real cookware inside the basket, new questions pop up. Can that cute ceramic dish go in? What about your favorite glass pan or tiny cast iron skillet? Melted handles, cracked glass, or warped trays are the last thing you want.

This guide walks through the dish materials that behave well in an air fryer, which ones to avoid, and how to test what you already own. The aim is simple: help you choose dishes that cook evenly, stay safe at high heat, and fit your air fryer without blocking airflow.

The details here lean on manufacturer manuals and government food safety advice, so you can cook with confidence instead of guessing every time you slide a dish into the basket.

What Dishes Can You Put In An Air Fryer?

When you ask “What Dishes Can You Put In An Air Fryer?”, the honest reply is that any oven-safe dish that fits inside and leaves space for hot air to move will generally work. The core rule is simple: if a dish can handle standard oven temperatures and does not contain plastic, paper decorations, or delicate glass, it usually handles air fryer heat as well.

Most air fryers run between about 160°C and 200°C (320°F–400°F), so your dish should be rated for at least that range. Size matters too. A dish that barely squeezes into the basket blocks airflow and leads to pale tops, soggy bottoms, and longer cook times. Try to leave a gap around the sides and above the food so the fan can do its job.

Common Dish Materials For Air Fryers

Material	Air Fryer Safe?	Notes
Stainless Steel	Usually Yes	Use uncoated or oven-safe coated pans; avoid plastic handles and loose rivets.
Aluminum (Bare Or Anodized)	Yes	Lightweight and great heat conductor; line with parchment if food is acidic.
Ceramic Bakeware	Yes If Oven-Safe	Check underside for oven-safe mark; gentle heat-up helps prevent cracking.
Tempered Or Borosilicate Glass	Yes If Oven-Safe	Look for oven-safe label; avoid sudden temperature swings to reduce shatter risk.
Stoneware	Yes If Oven-Safe	Great for gratins and cobblers; preheat with the fryer only if manufacturer allows.
Food-Grade Silicone	Yes	Ideal for muffins, egg bites, and sticky bakes; check max temperature rating.
Cast Iron	Yes	Mini skillets and pans work well; keep them seasoned and mind the weight.
Enamel-Coated Metal	Yes If Oven-Safe	Avoid chips in the enamel; sharp flakes can scratch the basket coating.
Disposable Aluminum Trays	Yes With Care	Support from below when lifting; poke a few side holes to improve airflow.
Thin Glass With No Markings	No	Higher risk of cracking from heat and thermal shock.
Plastic Containers	No	Can melt, warp, or release fumes; keep these out of the basket.
Paper Plates Or Bowls	No	Fire risk at higher temperatures; use parchment sheets instead.
Decorative China With Metallic Trim	No	Metallic paint can spark and crack under high heat.

Once you match your dishes to this table, most of the guesswork vanishes. Stainless steel, ceramic, stoneware, food-grade silicone, and oven-safe glass are your main workhorses. Plastic, paper, and delicate glass should stay on the counter, not in the basket.

Heat rating and labeling stay at the center of the decision. If a dish is stamped “oven safe” with a clear temperature limit, you already have most of the information you need. If it has no marking, came from a discount set with unknown materials, or looks thin and fragile, treat it as display-only for air fryer cooking.

Why Dish Material Matters In An Air Fryer

High Heat And Fast Airflow

Air fryers blast food with hot air from a powerful fan. That stream works best with materials that heat evenly and do not flex under stress. Metal, ceramic, glass rated for the oven, and silicone molds all handle this pattern well when used within their limits.

Food safety rules still apply. Meat and poultry cooked in deep dishes need to reach safe internal temperatures just as they would in an oven. Government charts list 165°F (74°C) for poultry and 145°F (63°C) for many whole cuts of meat, which you can check in the official safe minimum internal temperature chart. A small instant-read thermometer is one of the best tools you can keep near your air fryer.

Thermal Shock And Cracking

Oven-safe glass and ceramic dishes can fail if they jump from one temperature extreme to another too quickly. That risk increases with very cold leftovers dropped straight into a preheated basket or with thin glassware that was never designed for the oven.

To reduce stress on the dish, avoid pouring icy sauces into a hot pan, skip preheating when your manual allows, and let refrigerated dishes sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cooking. Health agencies also remind home cooks that glazes and decorations on some ceramic or glass pieces may contain lead or cadmium, so it pays to stick with reputable cookware brands that meet safety standards described by public health departments such as Health Canada’s guidance on safe use of cookware and bakeware.

Dishes You Can Put In Your Air Fryer Safely

Metal Pans And Racks

Many metal baking pans and racks are perfect for air fryers. Stainless steel and aluminum heat quickly, brown the bottom of foods, and stand up to repeated heating and cooling. Sheet-pan style trays, loaf pans, and cake tins all work as long as they fit inside the basket.

Nonstick coatings are common on metal bakeware. As long as the pan is labeled oven-safe to the temperatures your air fryer reaches, it is fine to use. Avoid metal with plastic handles, rubber grips that are not rated for high heat, or loose parts that could rattle into the fan housing.

Stainless Steel And Aluminum

Stainless steel holds heat well and resists staining, so it suits roasted vegetables, meatballs, and baked pasta. Aluminum conducts heat faster, which can help when you want crisp edges on brownies or lasagna. Both metals pair well with parchment or a light coating of oil to reduce sticking and make cleanup easier.

If you use thin sheet pans, slide them onto the fryer rack gently. A pan that flexes under load can spill sauces or batter, and bending can worsen over time at higher temperatures.

Coated And Nonstick Metal

Many air fryer owners like coated pans because they release food easily and need less scrubbing. Check the maximum temperature on the package or underside of the pan. If it matches or beats your air fryer’s top setting, it should perform well in the basket.

Skip metal that is scratched to the point that the coating is flaking. Flakes can stick to food and scratch the fryer basket, which shortens the life of the appliance.

Ceramic And Stoneware Dishes

Ceramic and stoneware ramekins, gratin dishes, and small casseroles are great for air fryer cooking. They hold heat, keep sauces bubbling, and look nice straight on the table. Many brands label these pieces “oven safe” up to a clear limit, which often falls in the air fryer range.

Check the underside of the dish. If there is an oven icon or a specific temperature rating, it is suited to high heat. Avoid pieces with unknown glazes from older or decorative sets, and skip anything with gold rims or metallic paint inside the cooking area.

Glass Baking Dishes

Oven-safe glass, such as tempered or borosilicate dishes, can go in the air fryer when used carefully. These dishes work well for baked pasta, cobblers, and reheating leftovers because you can see the sides browning through the glass.

Manufacturer guidance is clear on this point: brands such as Philips state that any ovenproof dish or mold made of glass, ceramic, metal, or silicone is acceptable in their air fryers as long as it fits the basket and allows air to move around it. You can find this in the official Philips Airfryer bakeware guidance. Avoid glass with chips, hairline cracks, or no oven-safe marking, and never add cold liquid to a hot glass dish inside the fryer.

Silicone Molds And Cups

Food-grade silicone handles air fryer heat well and flexes for easy release. Muffin cups, donut molds, and mini loaf pans made from silicone are ideal for egg bites, baked oatmeal, and quick desserts. Many are rated to at least 220°C (428°F), which covers most fryer settings.

Because silicone insulates more than metal, cook times can run a little longer. Leave space between molds so hot air can reach the sides, and avoid filling them too high when the batter tends to rise.

Cast Iron Skillets And Mini Pans

Small cast iron skillets fit neatly in larger basket-style or oven-style air fryers. They deliver strong browning on steaks, burgers, and cookie skillets. The metal is already designed for oven and stovetop use, so it easily handles air fryer heat.

Cast iron is heavy, though. Make sure the pan rests flat on the rack and does not scrape the nonstick coating as you slide it in and out. Keep handles away from the heating element in compact models.

Dishes You Should Skip In An Air Fryer

Some dishes never belong in an air fryer basket. They can melt, burn, crack, or damage the appliance. Knowing what to avoid prevents headaches and protects both your cookware and your food.

Skip plastic storage containers, melamine plates, disposable coffee cups, and any dish with glued decorations or decals that sit where food touches. Thin glass with no oven rating can crack from heat or from the shift between fridge and hot fryer. Lightweight paper plates and bowls can scorch or catch fire under high heat, especially near the top element.

When In Doubt, Hold Back

If a dish has no marking at all, feels delicate, or came with instructions that only mention the microwave, treat it as off-limits for air fryer use. A quick test can save you money, but a risky test with the wrong material can cost you both the dish and the food sitting inside it.

When you are unsure and do not want to risk a favorite set, use a tray or dish that clearly states it is oven-safe. That single word on the bottom of the pan carries more weight than any guess based on how thick or sturdy it looks.

How To Check If A Dish Is Air Fryer Safe

It helps to use a simple set of checks before dropping a new dish into the basket. That way, you do not have to search every time the air fryer comes out for dinner.

Step-By-Step Safety Check

• Look For Labels: Flip the dish over and look for “oven safe,” a temperature range, or clear icons that show oven use.
• Check The Material: Confirm that it is metal, oven-safe glass, ceramic, stoneware, or food-grade silicone with a clear heat rating.
• Scan For Damage: Avoid any piece with chips, cracks, or flaking coatings, especially near edges and corners.
• Match The Size: Place the empty dish in your air fryer basket. There should be a bit of space on all sides and above the rim.
• Test With Low-Risk Food: For a first run, use something simple like frozen fries or vegetables, not a full casserole.

These steps keep the process quick and repeatable. Over time you will have a small “air fryer stack” of dishes you trust and reach for again and again.

Temperature And Food Safety Notes

Even when your dish is safe, the food still needs attention. Dense casseroles and baked meats can look browned on top while the center sits below a safe temperature. A brief check with a thermometer tells you whether you have reached the numbers listed in official temperature charts from agencies such as the USDA and FoodSafety.gov.

Air fryers often cook food a little faster than a standard oven, especially when you do not overcrowd the dish. Start with the time and temperature in your recipe, then check a few minutes early so you can adjust to your own appliance.

Meal Ideas That Use Oven-Safe Dishes In The Air Fryer

Once you sort out dish safety, it becomes much easier to plan meals around your favorite pans. Casseroles, baked pastas, fruit crumbles, and single-serve breakfasts all work well in small oven-safe dishes and help you get more from your air fryer.

Think in layers. Shallow dishes give you crispy tops and fast cooking. Deeper ones suit saucy meals where you want a tender middle and lightly browned surface.

Air Fryer Meals And Matching Dishes

Recipe Type	Best Dish To Use	Quick Tip
Baked Mac And Cheese	Ceramic Or Stoneware Baking Dish	Fill below the rim so hot air can brown the top layer.
Breakfast Frittata	Oven-Safe Glass Or Metal Pie Dish	Grease the dish well and cook until the center just sets.
Single-Serve Egg Bites	Silicone Muffin Cups	Place cups on a metal tray so they are easy to lift out.
Chicken Thigh Casserole	Enamel-Coated Or Stainless Steel Pan	Check that thick pieces reach a safe internal temperature.
Fruit Crumble Or Cobbler	Small Glass Or Ceramic Ramekins	Set ramekins on a tray to catch bubbling juices.
Brownies Or Cookie Bars	Metal Or Glass Square Pan	Lower the heat slightly to keep edges from overbaking.
Stuffed Peppers	Oven-Safe Glass Or Ceramic Dish	Arrange peppers with space between them for better airflow.

Rotating through a small set of trusted dishes makes it easy to chart out weekly dinners. You know how each material behaves and how long recipes usually take in your own air fryer, so every new meal builds on what you already know.

Care Tips For Air Fryer-Safe Dishes

Good care keeps your dishes working well and reduces the chance of sudden breaks during cooking. Most problems show up where heat, cold, and moisture meet, so a few simple habits help a lot.

Let hot dishes cool on a dry, stable surface away from cold water or damp towels. Do not drop a hot glass or ceramic pan into the sink, even if you plan to soak it. Hand-wash nonstick pieces with soft sponges instead of harsh pads so coatings last longer, and avoid stacking heavy pans inside delicate dishes.

When loading your air fryer, avoid dragging metal pans over the basket’s nonstick coating. Lift them in and out, and line the basket or dish with parchment where recipes allow. That keeps both the basket and the dish in better condition for many batches of fries, chicken, and desserts.

Final Thoughts On Safe Air Fryer Dishes

Once you understand What Dishes Can You Put In An Air Fryer?, every new recipe feels easier to plan. Instead of wondering if a dish might crack or warp, you can focus on flavors, textures, and timing.

Stick with oven-safe metal, ceramic, glass, stoneware, silicone, and cast iron that fit your basket with room to spare. Avoid plastic, thin glass, and decorated tableware that were never built for high heat. Add a food thermometer to the mix, follow trusted safety charts, and your air fryer turns into a small, fast oven that works smoothly with the dishes you already own.