The short answer is yes, you can use a different pan in an Easy Bake Oven as long as it fits properly. The Easy Bake Oven was designed to bake using the specific pans that are made to fit the oven, but creativity knows no bounds and many people have tried using their own pans with some success.
What are the Easy Bake Oven original pans made of?
The original Easy Bake Oven pans that come with the set are made of lightweight tin/aluminum. They are thin, small trays designed specifically to fit inside the low-powered oven and cook food quickly. The most common pans are:
- Round cake pan
- Small baking pan
- Cookie sheet
- Pizza pan
- Loaf pan
These durable little pans are coated in a non-stick material on the inside so foods easily pop out after baking. Their lightweight metal construction allows them to heat up rapidly in the 60W bulb oven.
Can you use a different metal pan?
While the original pans are perfectly serviceable, many folks want to use materials they already have on hand. The short answer is yes; you can use different metal pans in an Easy Bake Oven, with some caveats.
Smaller metal pans made from aluminum, tin, or stainless steel can work well, providing they fit correctly in the oven chamber. The oven is only about 9 x 7 x 4.5 inches on the inside, so pan size is important. Too large and it won’t fit, too small and it won’t bake evenly.
Dark metal pans may overcook or burn food compared to shiny original pans. You’ll have to test baking times and adjust the temperature by using the higher or lower heat settings. Also, metal pans without non-stick coatings will lead to more stuck-on foods.
What about glass pans or ceramic dishes?
Glass baking dishes, like Pyrex or metal tins with a ceramic coating are not recommended. Glass and ceramic do not conduct heat nearly as efficiently as metal. They will take much longer to bake foods because the heat has trouble penetrating the pan surface.
However, very thin glass or ceramic pans may work ok. You’ll have to experiment with baking times. Expect it to take twice as long to bake foods in these non-conductive materials. Watch closely for burning or undercooking.
Can you use silicone molds or pans?
Silicone bakeware has become very popular and many people wonder if they can use silicone molds in an Easy Bake Oven. Silicone can withstand the oven’s temperatures so it will not melt or degrade when baking. The flexibility of silicone makes removing baked goods easy.
Small silicone pans or molds can be used provided they fit correctly in the oven chamber. Again, you’ll have to adjust baking times and temperatures since silicone does not conduct heat as well as metal. But silicone’s non-stick properties make baking and removing foods much easier.
Tips for using different bakeware
Here are some tips to help you succeed when using alternative pans in an Easy Bake Oven:
- Look for smaller sized pans that fit in the oven chamber
- Avoid dark/opaque or insulated pans that inhibit heat absorption
- Use very thin glass or ceramic pans no more than 1/8″ thick
- Experiment with silicone molds and adjust bake times
- Use the highest oven setting first to ensure pan heating
- Watch closely for under or overcooking
- Expect to bake 50-100% longer with glass, ceramic or silicone
Conclusion
Feel free to try out different bakeware in an Easy Bake Oven for more creativity and fun. Just about any small pan that fits in the oven chamber will work with some trial and error adjustments. Have fun baking and let the kids explore their culinary creativity!