So, you own an air fryer, and now you are wondering if you can use aluminum pans in the air fryer?
Most of us know that one should not use aluminum foil in the microwave, so is it the same logic for the air fryer?
Will aluminum foil face the same rejection it has faced with microwave users, or will the air fryer accept it as its own?
To answer your question right away – Yes, you can use aluminum pans in an air fryer. However, there are some pointers to remember to cook safely while using aluminum pans.
This is a very similar question to ‘if you can use aluminum foil in the air fryer,’ I go over it in detail with another post.
Aluminum pans are slightly different because they are aluminum containers you place inside an air fryer.
Understanding how to use an aluminum pan correctly is key to getting the best use out of them.
However, there are some do’s and dont’s that I would recommend before you go ahead and use an aluminum pan in an air fryer.
Also, when do you use aluminum foil, and when do you use aluminum pans inside an air fryer?
When do you use ALUMINUM PANS?
You use aluminum pans for cooking watery or greasy food items. You can use it when cooking lasagna, chicken wings, eggs, and battered food items; the list is endless.
Aluminum pans are essential in air fryer cooking as aluminum helps cook the food evenly, and the pans are disposable, making cleaning up after easier.
If you have had a long day at work and want to whip up something quick and easy, you can always cook it in an aluminum pan inside the air fryer.
There are days I feel so tired when I come home from work that cooking feels like another job, and thinking about cleaning dishes soon after eating up makes me want to skip meals.
I often eat homemade meals with the air fryer and aluminum pan combo because aluminum pans are disposable, and cooking in them is easy.
This has helped me lose weight and improve my overall health.
Aluminum pans can be your saving grace; you better be grateful for it!
You can even store your leftovers in them. That is how multi-purpose aluminum pans are, so I highly recommend using them. Learn how to use them, and they can turn your life around!
Can I use aluminum pans inside the air fryer?
Most basket-style air fryers are okay with using aluminum foil and aluminum pans. Air fryers are more like convection ovens and not microwaves.
Microwaves do not approve of using aluminum foil/pans. However, an air fryer is more like a convection oven with a heating element and a fan that circulates hot air in the air fryer chamber.
This hot air circulation quickly cooks food inside the air fryer and gives it the fried effect.
Long story short, since you can use aluminum pans in a convection oven, you CAN USE aluminum pans in the air fryer.
Now, Philips does prohibit users from using tin foil or baking paper inside the air fryer. But all it says is that if the foil covers the bottom of the fryer, it causes uneven cooking, and if nothing holds the foil down, it can fly into the heating element, causing a hazard.
Nothing says if Aluminum foil/pan itself is hazardous, it is all about how you use it that can make it safe or unsafe(which I will get into soon in this post).
IS IT SAFE TO USE AN ALUMINUM PAN/FOIL IN AN AIR FRYER?
Yes, it is safe to use aluminum foil in the air fryer. Aluminum foil can withstand heat up to 500°F, and an air fryer cannot go to a temperature above that, making them the perfect match.
Aluminum foil can withstand a demanding girlfriend like the air fryer, so you can set them up on dates without feeling guilty about being a bad friend.
Now, moving on to how aluminum foil can affect the food you cook.
Using aluminum can increase the food’s aluminum content. However, the increase in aluminum content is relatively insignificant and doesn’t harm your health.
You can choose not to cook with aluminum foil or pans, but aluminum’s benefits and ease of cooking make it a great tool in my cooking adventures.
How to use Aluminum Pans Safely inside an Air fryer?
I spoke of Philips, where they waved a red flag on all air fryer users’ faces, saying, “No place for aluminum foils in this air fryer.”
But that is not true!
Many other air fryer manufacturers recommend aluminum foil and specify how to use aluminum pans correctly!
This is where I felt the Philips site was slightly misleading. Uberapplliance is another air fryer manufacturer, and they could not stop recommending their users use aluminum foil.
They also do it the right way, which helps users understand how to use aluminum foil and how to be safe while using it.
Some essential guidelines are based on my experience using aluminum pans in the air fryer.
Note- Using aluminum pans is slightly different than foil as the pan is a container, and the foil is just a sheet; there is another guide on using aluminum foil, so make sure to read that.
This is where we talk all about pans and nothing else.
Important Points on using Aluminum Pans in Air fryer
1. Leave some space for Air Circulation- Since an aluminum pan will cover the bottom cooking surface of the air fryer basket, make sure that it doesn’t overfill or cover the entirety of the basket.
This can cause uneven cooking, and the results will be bad.
Leave some space on the sides of the aluminum pan, allowing the air to circulate well inside the air fryer.
2. Do not Preheat with just an Aluminum pan- When using an aluminum pan, keep some food in it to hold it down. This is important; turning on the air fryer with an empty aluminum pan can be unsafe.
Aluminum pans are light. If they come in contact with the heating element, they can burn and cause a fire hazard.
This will not end up in anything good, so it would be best to place some food that would hold it down while it cooks inside the air fryer.
3. Do not Poke Holes in Aluminum Pans- Aluminum is a good conductor. This is what makes it an excellent option for cooking. However, it is sometimes recommended to poke holes in FOIL when cooking in it for proper airflow.
But in this case, we are talking about pans used for greasy or watery food items.
It is unnecessary to poke holes in pans given that you have not overcrowded the air fryer basket and there is still some space in the corners for the air to flow and cook the food perfectly.
When Not to use Aluminum Pans?
If you are cooking something acidic, it is recommended not to use aluminum pans or foils. So, cooking anything like tomatoes, lemons, and vinegar can cause more aluminum to leach into food.
It gives a metallic taste to the food, which is not pleasant, and changes the color of the pan to black. Try to avoid acidic foods from being used with aluminum pans and you are good.
I hope this guide gives you all the insights you need to cook with aluminum pans in the air fryer.
New to air fryers?
I know how confusing it can be if you have recently bought an air fryer and are still figuring out the best way to get the most out of it.
Check out some resources that would make you an air fryer cooking pro within a day-
Do Air Fryers Use Oil?- YES AND NO! (Read this before…)
How Do I Get the Plastic smell Out of My Air Fryer?
Can You Put Metal in an Air Fryer?
Can you put a paper towel in an air fryer?
Can you put Parchment Paper in Air Fryer-Is it RECOMMENDED?
If you have any questions leave them in the comments below!
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