Can You Use Normal Cake Tins in an Air Fryer? A Practical Guide to Safe Baking
So, you’re eyeing your air fryer and wondering—can you just pop a regular cake tin in there? The short answer: Yes, as long as it’s ovenproof and fits inside the basket, you’re good to go. Most of the tins you use in your oven—metal, silicone, even ceramic—should work fine in an air fryer.
But here’s the thing: size matters. Air fryers are a lot smaller than ovens, so your tin has to fit without crowding the basket.
If the tin’s too big, it just won’t fit—or worse, it won’t cook evenly. Air fryers also run hotter and faster than regular ovens, so you’ll probably need to tweak your time and temperature.
Honestly, it’s pretty convenient to use your usual pans. There’s no need for special air fryer accessories unless you want them.
For more tips on picking tins that play nice with your air fryer, check out this guide on using baking tins in an air fryer.
Using Cake Tins in an Air Fryer
If you’re going to bake in your air fryer, think about tin size, what it’s made of, and whether it’ll fit. Not every tin works, and you don’t want to risk melting or damaging anything.
Some tins just aren’t made for the heat or the tight space. Picking the right one helps you avoid burnt edges and weirdly raw middles.
Air Fryer Compatibility With Cake Tins
Grab a tape measure and check your air fryer basket before you choose a tin. The tin needs to fit without blocking airflow, or you’ll end up with unevenly baked cake.
Standard oven-safe tins usually work if they fit, but steer clear of anything that takes up the whole basket. If the tin’s too close to the heating element, you could get burnt tops or raw bottoms.
Types of Cake Tins Recommended
Look for tins that are meant for oven use—air fryers basically act like mini convection ovens. Round, square, and loaf pans all work if they’re small enough.
Smaller tins are easier to manage and less likely to cause problems. Silicone pans are great because they’re flexible and make it easy to get the cake out.
Metal tins bake quickly, but you might want to grease them or use parchment so nothing sticks. Glass or ceramic can work, but be careful with sudden temperature changes—they can crack.
| Tin Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Metal | Heats quickly | Can stick, needs greasing |
| Silicone | Non-stick, flexible | Slower heat conduction |
| Glass/Ceramic | Even heating | Fragile, temperature shocks |
Materials Safe for Air Fryers
Stick with ovenproof materials that can handle high heat. Metal, silicone, ceramic, and glass all work—each has its quirks, but none will melt or release nasty fumes.
Don’t use plastic or anything not labeled as oven-safe. Those can melt or even give off toxic fumes, which is the last thing you want near your food.
Skip paper tins unless they’re marked as heat-resistant and made for air fryers or ovens. For easier cleanup, grease your tin or use parchment paper—both are safe and help prevent sticking.
Using the right tin keeps your cake (and your air fryer) safe. For more details, the Philips Airfryer guide is worth a look.
Best Practices and Safety Tips
Using a regular cake tin in your air fryer isn’t rocket science, but you do need to pay attention to a few things. Temperature, size, and where you put the tin all matter.
A little care goes a long way to keeping your air fryer in good shape and your cakes turning out right.
Temperature Considerations
Drop the temperature by about 25°F (15°C) from what you’d use in a regular oven. Air fryers cook fast thanks to that rapid air movement, and high heat can scorch the top before the middle’s done.
Preheat your air fryer before you put the cake in. It helps the cake bake more evenly right from the start.
Try not to go above 350°F (175°C) with standard metal tins—too much heat can warp them or burn your cake. If you’re using a non-stick or coated tin, check the manufacturer’s guidelines for max temperature.
If you’re not sure about your metal tin, silicone or oven-safe glass are safer bets. Check your cake after about 15 minutes—air fryers can surprise you with how fast they bake.
Size and Placement Guidelines
Make sure your cake tin fits inside the air fryer basket or drawer without touching the sides or heating element. Too tight a fit blocks airflow, which means uneven baking.
Leave about an inch (2.5 cm) of space all the way around the tin. If your air fryer has racks, stick to the middle rack for best results.
Keep tins under 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall. Taller tins don’t bake evenly in most air fryers because of the limited vertical space.
Preventing Damage to the Air Fryer
Don’t use standard cake tins that aren’t oven-safe or might warp in high heat. That kind of mishap could mess up your air fryer basket or even hit the heating element.
Never set the cake tin right on the air fryer’s heating element. Stick with the basket or a rack that actually fits your model.
If your cake tin isn’t non-stick, line it with parchment paper or give it a light grease. Otherwise, batter might spill, burn, and turn your kitchen into a smoky mess.
Covering your cake to stop it from over-browning? Use heat-safe lids or foil, but make sure nothing touches the heating element. Definitely skip plastic or anything that could melt.
Want more info about which pans work? You might find the Air Fryer Yum baking guide pretty helpful.
