If you have been air frying for a while you may find certain foods are sticking to your air fryer basket.

It is not uncommon to wonder if you can put a plate in your air fryer to help you clean up faster.

Short answer, you can put some plates in an air fryer. But it won’t reduce your clean-up time and it is not worth the hassle to try to find a suitable plate to use. I would buy a silicone air fryer liner or another one of the alternatives listed below.

Can you put a plate in an air fryer?

Yes, you can put a plate in an air fryer providing it is oven safe. An oven-safe…

• Ceramic plate can withstand extreme heat up to 1800 F (1000 c).
• Glass plate will be able to handle temperatures up to 450 F (230 c).
• Metal plate can withstand temperatures up to 500 F (260 c).

While most air fryers do not exceed 400 F (200 c).

However, this does not mean all plates will be suitable for use in your air fryer. If the plate is not oven safe it will likely crack or melt depending on the type of material it is made from.

For example, paper plates and plastic plates should not be put in an air fryer. These types of plates are a potential fire hazard if exposed to a very high temperature in your air fryer.

How to check if my plate is oven-safe?

If you are considering using a plate in an air fryer. Here are some key indicators to help identify if the plate can be used in the air fryer.

Oven-safe stamp

The first thing to do is to look for an “oven-safe” stamp. Manufacturers will put a stamp on the back of the plate. If there is no “oven-safe” wording and you have not used it in your regular oven many times, do not use it in your air fryer.

If the manufacturer has not marked it as “oven-safe”. Then it has not been designed or tested for use in traditional ovens at high temperatures. On this basis, it will not be worth taking the risk of using it in an air fryer as it will not withstand the high heat.

Glazed

Plates from dining sets are typically glazed to give them a glossy finish. Technically these plates can be used in an air fryer or a convection oven as the ceramic will be fine. But the glossy finish will become dull after use. I would not use them in an air fryer as I would not want to ruin my dining set one plate at a time. 

Painted

If you have a decorative plate that has a painted pattern on it. This type of plate should not be used in the air fryer. If you put a painted plate in your air fryer, the higher temperature used during the cooking process will cause the paint compounds to break down. The compounds will then leach into your food, likely making the food inedible.

Enamel-painted cookware is fine, as enamel paint is classed as a food-safe coating by the FDA.

In a poor condition

If your plate is cracked or chipped, then I would take the opportunity to replace it. At some point, it is likely to break. Spoiling your food and creating a mess to clean up.

There are plenty of low-cost air fryer-safe alternatives to using a plate that is not oven-safe, so why take the risk?  

Why would you put a plate in an air fryer?

I am yet to come across an air fryer recipe that requires a plate to be used in the cooking process.

The two reasons I can think of for putting a plate in an air fryer are…

1. Convenience – leftovers have been put on a plate and you are looking to reheat them
2. Clean-up – Food has started to stick to your air fryer basket, so you are considering putting the food on a plate to avoid it from sticking.

If using an oven-proof plate, then it could be used in an air fryer for these reasons. Using a plate in your air fryer will impact the cooking process and might not deliver the best results.

Will using a plate work well in an air fryer?

It does if you are using it for the right reasons. During the cooking process, air fryers rely on good airflow to cook your food evenly and make it crispy. The cooking basket has large holes in it to allow for the circulation of hot air. Placing a plate or any cookware into your air fryer’s basket will reduce this airflow. Changing how the air fryer cooks food and increasing the reliance on the heat from the heating element.

For example, I would not use cookware if you were cooking sausages or other types of meat.

By placing the food items in cookware. The hot air will circulate around the outside of the cookware. Rather than coming into direct contact with the food. This will lead to uneven cooking and is unlikely to produce the best results.

So, if you want the crispy food you were craving from your air fryer. A better option would be to place the sausages/meat in a single layer at the bottom of your air fryer basket. If you want to reduce the clean-up time as your nonstick coating in the basket has deteriorated. Maybe use silicone air fryer liners, parchment paper, or aluminum foil instead of any form of cookware. These alternatives will not negatively impact how the air fryer works.

Safety tips for using a plate in an air fryer

If you are to persist in using a plate in your air fryer, here are some tips to help you do it safely. As the plate will get extremely hot after being used in your air fryer. This is especially true of ceramic plates as they are a good conductor of heat.

• Use oven mitts to safely remove the plate
  • Or use tongs to remove the food item (if possible) until the plate has cooled
• Place your hot plate on a heat-proof mat to protect your countertop when you remove the plate.
• Consider the size of the plate. Do not squeeze the plate into the air fryer’s basket.  You need to have a few inches of space around the sides of the plate. So, the hot air circulates to cook the food and you can safely remove the plate.
• Use a meat thermometer (if cooking meat) to check the meat is safe to eat.
• Do not leave your air fryer unattended. If using a plate for the first time you may need to check the food cooks as intended.
• If using a glass plate or any glass cookware, try to avoid taking the plate straight from the refrigerator and putting it in your air fryer. This will cause thermal stress and the glass plate may crack. Also, avoid cooling it too quickly.

What could I use instead of a plate in an air fryer?

The good news is there are plenty of alternatives to using a plate. Using one of the below will provide you with better results. As well as ensure your food items do not stick to the bottom of the air fryer basket. Saving you time by providing you with an easy clean-up after cooking.

The kinds of food you are cooking will influence which alternative you should use. All the below are best used when placed in the bottom of your air fryer basket and are a better option than using a plate.

Parchment Paper

Regular parchment paper is perfect for use in an air fryer, though you need to make sure that you do not use too much. If you use too much parchment paper it can disrupt air circulation and result in uneven cooking. You also do not want the paper coming up the sides of the air fryer toward the heating components. If the paper touches the heat coils, then it will burn, potentially causing a fire.

To avoid uneven cooking only put the piece of parchment paper at the bottom of the air fryer. It is a good idea to use a hole punch to make your own perforated parchment paper. Use the hole punch to poke holes in the paper. The holes will allow the hot air to circulate around the air fryer basket. Excess oil will also drain into the bottom of the basket. This can be cleaned with soapy water after cooking.

As parchment paper is light, the high-speed fan in the air fryer could cause the parchment paper to move or lift from the basket. It is important to weigh the paper down before pre-heating or cooking in your air fryer. You do not want a piece of paper to touch the heating coil.

Air fryer parchment paper liners

Due to the popularity of air fryers, you can buy pre-cut parchment paper air fryer liners. Air fryer parchment paper liners save you time as they are pre-cut to fit in the basket of your air fryer. They have holes already cut into them, ensuring the airflow is not blocked and food is evenly cooked.

Remember to weigh the liner down to avoid it flying around and touching the heating element.

As air fryers come in different sizes you will need to pick the right liner for your air fryer.

I have written a more detailed article on how to use parchment paper in an air fryer. It details how to make your own liners and how to use it safely.

Aluminum or Tin foil

Aluminum or tin foil can be used in air fryers. Depending on the food you are cooking you may need to use the foil in different ways. Foil can be used as a removable liner to prevent food from sticking to the bottom of the air fryer basket. This would be the approach you take if cooking fried chicken or chicken wings. If you were cooking salmon or leafy greens, you would likely use the foil to create a pocket to keep the food’s moisture.

When using foil remember as with parchment paper, do not use too much. Put holes in the foil to avoid disrupting the airflow. Disrupting the airflow can result in uneven cooking of your food.

If you are cooking acidic foods, you should avoid using aluminum foil. Cooking acidic foods on aluminum foil creates a chemical reaction. This may cause the aluminum to leach into your food.

Aluminum pans are great for storing leftovers or batch-cooked meals. Aluminum pans like other metal cookware can withstand intense heat and are easily stored.

For more information on using aluminum foil in an air fryer read this article I have written.

Air fryer silicone liners

Silicone provides a non-stick surface and can withstand the high temperatures of an air fryer. Silicone’s main advantage over other oven-safe materials you might use to line your air fryer basket is that it is reusable.

You need to make sure you buy the right-sized silicone liner for your air fryer. Unlike foil and parchment paper it is not as easy to trim to size.

If you want to know more about the advantages of silicone and the range of silicone air fryer accessories that you can buy to help you air fry. Please read this article on how best to use silicone in an air fryer.

Heat-resistant containers – good condition

You can use a range of containers in an air fryer. Containers can be made from a range of substances tempered glass (Pyrex), ceramic, and metal.

All of these are air fryer safe. The important thing to consider when using ceramic bowls or a metal tray is that they will disrupt the airflow. This will impact how the food is cooked. They are used when making recipes that need the food to be contained. For example, reheating lasagna or baking a cake.

The important thing is that they are in a good condition with no cracks or chips. If they are not in a good condition or indeed not ovenproof, they will likely break. You do not want this to happen as it will likely make your food inedible and result in a big mess for you to clean up.

Always check your containers before using them to make sure they are in a good condition and can be used in an oven.

Related articles

What Can And Can’t Go In An Air Fryer – A roundup article summarizing what you can and can’t use in an air fryer. With links to more detail on how to use certain materials and items safely.