Can You Put Metal in an Air Fryer?

Stainless steel is the safest and most versatile metal for air fryer use — it does not react with food, handles high temperatures, and can go in the dishwasher. Aluminum (including disposable aluminum foil pans) is also safe and works well; avoid using it with highly acidic foods like tomato sauce or citrus, as prolonged contact can cause a metallic taste. Cast iron works in theory but is heavy and can damage the basket's non-stick coating if dropped or dragged. Avoid coated or painted metals — the coating can off-gas or degrade at high temperatures. Never use anything with plastic, rubber, or wood components.

Metal baking pans, loaf pans, muffin tins, and small cake pans all work in air fryers as long as they fit. The key dimension is height — the food in the pan plus the pan itself must leave clearance below the heating element (usually at least 1 inch). Width matters too: you need airflow on the sides of the pan, not just above it. Small 6-inch round pans and quarter-sheet mini pans fit most 5–6 qt baskets. Do not use a pan that completely covers the basket floor — you need air circulating below as well.

Racks and skewers are among the most useful metal accessories for air fryers. A rack elevates food off the basket floor so air circulates underneath — essential for crispy-bottomed foods and for keeping food out of drippings. Skewers allow cooking kebabs and corn-on-the-cob style presentations. Multi-tier racks can effectively double the cooking capacity of a 5+ qt basket by creating two cooking levels. Most air fryer brand accessories use stainless steel; third-party racks designed for specific basket dimensions are widely available at low cost.

Aluminum foil works in air fryers and is covered in detail in our foil guide, but briefly: it is safe, useful for containing messy foods and easy cleanup, but must be weighed down with food to prevent it being blown into the heating element. Never cover the entire basket bottom with solid foil — it blocks all airflow. Punch holes in foil if using it as a liner, or use pre-perforated parchment instead for non-reactive convenience. For acidic foods, parchment is preferable to foil as it does not interact with the food.

Is it safe to use metal pans in an air fryer?

Yes, metal is safe in an air fryer. Stainless steel, aluminum, and cast iron all handle air fryer temperatures without releasing harmful substances. The main consideration is size — the pan must fit inside the basket without blocking airflow around it, and the height must not reach the heating element. Metal accessories designed for air fryers (racks, skewers, baking pans, muffin molds) are widely available and work well.

Can you use an aluminum baking pan in an air fryer?

Yes, aluminum pans work fine in air fryers. Disposable aluminum foil pans are a practical choice for baking or containing messy foods. Size them to fit inside the basket with room on at least two sides for airflow. Do not use large baking sheets that completely cover the basket bottom — they block all airflow. For acidic foods (tomato sauce, citrus dishes), use parchment paper instead of direct aluminum contact.

Why can a large metal pan be a problem even if it is oven-safe?

A large metal pan that nearly fills the basket blocks the circulating airflow around the pan's sides, dramatically slowing cooking and eliminating the crisping advantage of an air fryer. The pan also acts as a heat sink, drawing thermal energy away from the food. Use pans that are at least half an inch smaller than the basket on each side, and ideally choose pans with perforations or low sides so air can reach the food from multiple angles.