Can You Put a Plate in an Air Fryer?

Air fryers have become lifesavers with how well they cook food. You can revitalize those leftover french fries or make fried food a bit healthier. But the one question people have is, can you put a plate in an air fryer?

Can you put a plate in an air fryer? Using the plate could make quick air fryer recipes easier to make and serve. The air fryer is a device that uses extreme heat blown around an air fryer basket to cut the cooking time down of so many things.

It operates like a traditional oven in that the heating element is air. However, the air is turbocharged around the air fryer basket, which is smaller than an oven. Essentially, it concentrates the hot air circulation to a specific area, known as convection cooking.

You could even call an air fryer a mini convection oven. This air circulation also allows for food to come out crispier than it would from an oven without using as much oil.

Air fryers may be like a small convection oven, but there are some apparent differences between an air fryer and a traditional oven. It is one of those kitchen appliances that is still being home-tested by home cooks.

For example, some people have discovered that you can bake cookies in an air fryer, essentially making fried cookies. Hard-boiled eggs, pizza, lobster, macaroni, and cheese can all be made in an air fryer.

You can even have a fun night of indoor s’mores using an air fryer. All of these have amazing uses, yet we are still only scratching the surface of things that can be put into an air fryer. But can you put a plate in an air fryer?

This is still something people are asking. Putting new things in a hot air fryer is still off-putting to some. So, it is no wonder people feel some way about putting foreign objects into an air fryer.

Can You Put a Plate in an Air Fryer?

There is no need to beat around the bush here, but there are some things you should know along with the answer. The short answer is yes, you can put a plate in an air fryer. But the plate is not the only thing you can put in the air fryer.

Not to mention, there are some rules you may want to follow before you start shoving every plate you have into an air fryer. Many of us are less wary about putting aluminum foil, wax paper, or parchment paper into an air fryer.

After all, we put those things in a regular oven, so we are more familiar with the idea of heating them up without burning the house down. The good news is that those instincts have been correct.

But if we keep calling air fryers mini convection ovens, we should be able to follow the same rules we follow with oven-safe materials. However, there are some differences between an ovenproof dish and an air fryer-proof dish.

But we can knock out a few no-nos before diving deeper into what can be put in an air fryer. For example, plastic plates are probably not a good idea. The feeling you get when you put a plastic plate in an air fryer only to pull open the tray and discover a melted plate is indescribable.

Dinner is ruined, and your air fryer may need a new tray. So how do we avoid this problem?

Types of Plates for an Air Fryer

The solution to the problem is the same as using plates in a conventional oven. Can you put a plate in an air fryer? Yes, so long as it’s the right type of plate. Plastic will obviously melt in an air fryer and ruin your food.

We can only use plates that can handle high temperatures. Basically, if it’s oven-safe, it’s air fryer-safe. Ceramic plates will work very well in an air fryer; you can even use a ceramic bowl.

Metal plates will also work, though you must exercise caution as they will be very hot when they come out. Paper is both acceptable and unacceptable. This is because some paper plates are oven-safe, but others are not; the best way to know is to check the labels on the packaging.

Glass dishes are often oven-safe, which means they’re air fryer-safe as well. But again, check to be sure before placing any glass plates or a glass bowl in the air fryer.

These plates and dishes are safe to use in an air fryer, but that doesn’t mean you will want to get in the habit of using plates or any other dishes in an air fryer.

Downsides to Using Plates in an Air Fryer

Can you put a plate in an air fryer? Yes, but should you? We already know that air fryers work by circulating high heat in a small area. The air needs room to circulate around the food; that is why most air fryers have grated surfaces for the food to sit on as it cooks.

Any dishes in an air fryer will block that intense heat from circulating properly. This means you won’t get the best results, and food items may not be cooked evenly. No one likes uneven cooking.

We need proper airflow in the air fryer; plates or bowls will obstruct that. Of course, using metal bowls or even stainless steel could counterbalance that by heating up itself. But that should not be the goal.

Ceramic will heat as well, but it could release toxins as the food cooks, altering the flavor. Then, there is the laziness that comes with habits. Using plates in an air fryer all of the time could make us forget to double-check if they are safe plates.

Best practices will always be to not use any dishes in an air fryer that weren’t made specifically for an air fryer. Don’t forget to always wear oven mitts when removing hot dishes from the air fryer.

But there is another way if you want to try to keep the basket clean while making a quick dish.

Air Fryer Plate Alternatives

Putting a plate in an air fryer can block the air flow; the same goes for bowls. But you can use alternatives that won’t block the air flow nearly as much. Parchment paper, tin foil, or aluminum foil will all work well.

You can even poke holes in them to increase hot air flow. Of course, the goal of putting anything in the air fryer is most likely to prevent the basket from getting too dirty. Then, there are dishes made specifically for an air fryer.

Silicone molds, air fryer liners, racks, and silicone plates can all be used in an air fryer to help prevent messes. Ultimately, you will need to decide if the extra effort is worth using the plates or added inserts.

You may find that you are better off just using the air fryer basket.

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