An air fryer is a popular kitchen appliance that uses hot air and convection to cook food with little to no oil. Many air fryer models come with removable trays or baskets to hold the food while cooking. Some people wonder if they need to buy a separate air fryer tray or basket if they want to “air fry” foods in their regular oven. There are a few factors to consider when deciding if an air fryer tray is necessary for oven use.
What is an Air Fryer Tray?
An air fryer tray or basket is a perforated metal container designed to hold food while air frying. The holes allow hot air to circulate around the food for even cooking. Air fryer trays are typically square or rectangular in shape though some are circular. They come in different sizes to fit different model air fryers. The trays are often removable and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer Tray in the Oven
There are a few potential benefits to using a specialty air fryer tray in the oven versus a regular baking sheet:
- Optimized air circulation – Air fryer trays have perforations to allow maximum airflow around all surfaces of the food.
- Prevents sogginess – The holes allow moisture to drip through the tray, preventing the exterior of foods from getting soggy.
- Facilitates flipping – The trays have a mesh bottom so foods like fries don’t fall through when flipping.
- Drains excess oil – Any excess oil or grease drips away from foods through the holes.
- Versatility – Can also be used in a real air fryer appliance if you get one.
- Specialty non-stick coatings – Some air fryer trays have premium non-stick coatings for easy release of foods.
Using an air fryer-style tray may more closely mimic the results you’d get from an actual air fryer versus just using a baking sheet in the oven.
Is an Air Fryer Tray Necessary for the Oven?
While an air fryer tray offers some advantages, it is not an absolute necessity for oven “air frying.” There are a few ways to mimic air frying in the oven without a special tray:
Use a Wire Rack
A basic wire oven rack placed in a rimmed baking sheet can allow for excellent air circulation around foods. The gaps in the wire rack serve the same purpose as the perforations in an air fryer tray. Use a wire rack when cooking foods that need a crispy exterior like fries, chicken wings, or egg rolls.
Elevate Foods on Aluminum Foil
Crumple up sheets of aluminum foil into small mounds. Place foods like fries, nuggets, or veggies on top of the mounds to elevate them off the pan surface. Air can flow under and around the food to crisp up the exterior.
Use a Cooling Rack
A metal wire cooling rack designed for cookies or baked goods can also work. Flip it over and place inside a baking sheet. The raised grid will suspend foods above the pan for air flow all around.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan
When baking foods on a regular baking sheet, be sure not to overcrowd. Leaving space between each piece allows air to circulate and prevents steaming.
Set Oven to Convection If Possible
Using your oven’s convection setting (if it has one) will optimize air circulation similar to an air fryer.
Use Oil and Seasonings
Brush or spray a small amount of oil on foods before oven “air frying” to crisp up the outside. Season as desired.
Factors to Consider When Buying an Air Fryer Tray
While not absolutely necessary, an air fryer tray can still be a useful accessory for oven air frying. Here are some tips for selecting one:
Material
– Stainless steel is durable, non-stick, and handles high heat. It is the best choice for oven use.
– Some trays have proprietary ceramic or other non-stick coatings designed for maximum food release.
– Avoid air fryer trays with plastic components or coatings as they may not be oven safe at high temperatures.
Size
– Measure your oven’s interior dimensions.
– Pick an air fryer tray around 2-3 inches smaller than your oven’s width and depth. Too large and heat circulation will be hindered.
Shape
– Square or rectangular trays maximize the cooking surface.
– Round trays can work for small oven spaces.
Depth
– Shallow trays with short sides promote air flow.
– Deeper trays hold more food but may impede circulation.
Perforations
– Lots of small holes provide optimal airflow.
– Larger holes or mesh bases are good for hearty foods that won’t fall through.
Tips for Oven “Air Frying” with a Tray
Follow these tips to get crispy “air fried” results in the oven with or without a specialty tray:
Preheat Properly
– Always preheat the oven fully before cooking. Air frying relies on hot circulating air.
– Use your oven’s convection setting if available to maximize air movement.
Use a Little Oil
– Brush, mist, or drizzle a small amount of oil over foods before cooking.
– Just 1-2 tsp oil is enough for 1 lb of food.
Elevate Foods
– Elevate foods up off the pan surface with a rack, balls of foil, etc.
– Flipping halfway through ensures all sides get exposed to circulating air.
Don’t Overfill
– Air fryer trays and regular pans should only be filled halfway at most to prevent crowding.
– Overfilled trays cause steaming instead of crisping.
Check Frequently
– Set your oven timer and check food often near the end of cooking.
– Air frying happens quickly so food can overcook if you don’t monitor it.
Allow Air Flow
– Leave at least a couple inches around the tray or pan in the oven for air circulation.
– Stagger multiple trays on different racks to prevent blocking air.
Get the Right Crispiness
– For tender interiors and crispy exteriors, use 400°F for 15-20 minutes per 1 lb of food as a general guide.
– Adjust time and temperature as needed to suit your preference.
Convenient Air Fryer Tray Oven Cooking Charts
Use these air fryer cooking charts for common oven-fried foods as a starting guide:
French Fries
| Cut | Temperature | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shoestring | 400°F | 13-16 minutes |
| Standard | 400°F | 18-22 minutes |
| Steak | 400°F | 20-25 minutes |
| Waffle | 375°F | 18-22 minutes |
Chicken Wings
| Type | Temperature | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Drummettes | 400°F | 15-18 minutes |
| Flats | 425°F | 10-13 minutes |
| Whole wings | 400°F | 25-30 minutes |
Vegetables
| Vegetable | Temperature | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | 400°F | 8-12 minutes |
| Broccoli | 425°F | 5-10 minutes |
| Brussels sprouts | 400°F | 15-20 minutes |
| Butternut squash | 400°F | 20-25 minutes |
| Carrots | 425°F | 15-20 minutes |
| Cauliflower | 400°F | 20-25 minutes |
Adjust oven temperature and cook times as needed to suit your preferences. The convection setting will cook foods faster.
Common Questions about Air Fryer Trays
Can you use an air fryer tray in a regular oven?
Yes, air fryer trays are oven safe and can be used in any standard oven to elevate foods for crisping. Stainless steel trays can withstand oven temps up to 500°F. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions.
Do air fryer trays work the same as a real air fryer?
Air fryer trays can help create a similar crispy texture to a real air fryer but won’t fully mimic all the features. A dedicated air fryer circulates air more rapidly and efficiently for faster cooking.
What can I cook in an air fryer tray?
You can cook nearly anything in an air fryer tray that you would in a regular baking tray – fries, chicken wings and nuggets, chops, fish, roasted veggies, and more all work well.
What size air fryer tray do I need for my oven?
Measure the width and depth of your oven. Then opt for an air fryer tray about 2-3 inches smaller on each side to allow proper air circulation. Common sizes are around 9 x 13 inches or 12 x 16 inches.
How do you clean an air fryer tray?
Most air fryer trays have a non-stick coating and are dishwasher safe. For manual cleaning, soak in hot soapy water, use a sponge or brush to remove any stuck-on food, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Avoid abrasive scrubs.
Conclusion
While not essential, an air fryer tray can be a handy accessory for achieving crispy “fried” results in your conventional oven. The perforated trays promote air circulation and drainage for food that is crunchy on the outside while tender inside. But it is possible to mimic air frying reasonably well without a special tray by elevating foods on racks or balls of foil. Oil, spacing, flipping, and high heat are key. Refer to the oven air frying guidelines and cooking charts to successfully cook your favorite foods without an air fryer. With a bit of experimentation, you can make house-made oven fries, crispy wings, and more that match the texture you’d expect from deep frying with barely any oil required.