Can silicone cupcake molds go in the air fryer?

Air fryers have become an increasingly popular kitchen appliance for their ability to make “fried” foods like french fries, chicken wings, and more with significantly less oil than traditional frying. As more people add air fryers to their kitchen lineup, questions arise about what types of pans and accessories can be safely used in these convection-like countertop ovens. One common question is whether silicone baking cups or molds can withstand the hot circulating air inside an air fryer.

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The basics of air fryers

Air fryers work by rapidly circulating hot air around food to produce a crispy, browned exterior reminiscent of deep frying. Most air fryers have a temperature range of around 200-400°F and utilize convection heating elements and a fan to move the air.¹ This rapid air circulation allows food to cook quickly and develop a crispy outer layer using just a tablespoon or two of oil. The enclosed design also contains mess and splatter that you would typically get from pan frying.

While air fryers don’t actually “fry” anything, the convection heat helps create a similar taste and texture to deep fried foods. The secret is in the rapid air circulation, which essentially dries out the exterior layer of food to get it ultra crispy.

Factors to consider with silicone cupcake molds

When considering whether silicone cupcake or muffin molds can go in an air fryer, there are a few factors to take into account:

Heat resistance – Silicone is generally heat-resistant up to about 428°F, which falls within most air fryers’ temperature ranges.² However, some silicone molds may only be rated for lower temperatures, so check the manufacturer specs.

Direct contact with heating elements – Silicone cups should not directly touch exposed heating coils in the air fryer, as direct contact may damage the silicone over time.
Airing circulation – Silicone molds should not restrict airflow too much or prevent the circulating hot air from crisping the food’s exterior.
Size and shape – Overly large or oddly shaped molds may not fit properly in the air fryer and could interfere with the convection process.

As long as the silicone molds you want to use are high heat-resistant and are sized appropriately for the air fryer, they should technically be able to withstand air frying temperatures for the duration of most recipes. However, direct contact with heating elements or restriction of air circulation could impact results.

Benefits of using silicone molds

Assuming you have confirmed that your silicone molds are heat-safe and sized appropriately, there are a few benefits to using them in the air fryer:

Non-stick surface allows food to easily release.

Easy cleanup since silicone is flexible and does not trap food debris.
Can help contain batter or food mixtures.
Allow for individual air fried items like cupcakes.

Fun shape options like hearts, stars, etc.

The non-stick and easy to clean nature of silicone makes these molds a convenient vessel for air frying. The ability to create cupcake shapes or contain wet batters also gives more options when cooking in an air fryer.

Potential downsides to silicone in air fryers

There are also a few potential downsides to keep in mind:

Silicone may reduce crispiness since it does not conduct heat as well as metal.
Trapping batter/food inside cups restricts air circulation.
Small cups limit capacity for frying in batches.

Harder to toss or flip food during cooking.
Potential melting risk if silicone touches heating element.

The insulating properties of silicone mean it does not get as hot and crisp up food as quickly as metal air fryer baskets. Enclosing food in silicone cups also limits air circulation. While useful for containing wet batters, this can reduce the crisping effect.

Tips for using silicone molds in an air fryer

If you want to try using silicone baking molds in your air fryer, keep these tips in mind:

Use high heat-resistant silicone rated for 400°F+ temperatures.
Avoid off-brand silicone which may not withstand high heat.

Pick molds that are not overly large or oddly shaped.
Don’t let silicone touch exposed heating coils.
Spray molds with oil for easier release.

Increase cook time a bit to account for less direct heat conduction.
Remove any uncooked batter or food residue after cooking.

Also, you may want to test a few cups first without food to make sure they don’t warp or melt in your particular model of air fryer before using them for actual cooking. Monitor them closely the first few uses.

Example recipe: Air fried cupcakes

To give you an idea of how silicone cupcake molds can be used in an air fryer, here is a sample recipe for air fried cupcakes:

Ingredients

1 box cupcake mix (or make your own batter)
Silicone baking cups

Cooking spray
Frosting and decorations

Instructions

Prepare cupcake batter from box mix or your own recipe.

Spray silicone baking cups lightly with cooking spray.
Fill cups about 2/3 full with batter.
Working in batches if needed, place filled cups in air fryer basket.

Cook at 325°F for about 8-12 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
Repeat with remaining batter.
Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.

Decorate with frosting, sprinkles, etc. as desired.

The convection heat of the air fryer bakes the cupcakes while the silicone cups keep the batter contained. Just be sure to adjust timing as needed based on your air fryer model. The silicone allows the cupcakes to release easily for frosting and decorating when cooled.

The verdict

Silicone cupcake and muffin molds are generally safe to use in air fryers as long as you follow a few precautions:

Use high-heat silicone rated for 400°F+
Avoid contact with heating element
Don’t overfill cups

Increase cook time slightly

The non-stick silicone allows for easy release of air fried foods. However, the insulation effect may result in slightly less crispiness compared to metal air fryer baskets. Test a few molds first without food to assess potential melting or warping issues.

With the proper precautions, silicone cupcake molds present a unique opportunity for baking cupcakes or other items with the convection power of an air fryer. Just be mindful of the potential impacts on cooking results and monitor closely when starting out.