Using molds or small dishes in your air fryer opens the door to incredibly creative cooking! Whether you want to make fluffy muffins, a quick gratin, baked eggs, or even individual lasagna portions, molds allow you to vary your recipes and cook liquid or semi-liquid preparations without dirtying the cooking chamber. Plus, it prevents food from sticking to the basket and makes cleaning easier. Practical, right?

• Silicone: Ideal for muffins, cakes, flans. Heat resistant, non-stick, easy to unmold.
• Metal (steel, stainless steel, thick aluminum): Perfect for gratins, tarts, and quiches. Be careful not to scratch the pan!
• Ceramic or porcelain: For custards, baked eggs, clafoutis. Just make sure the dish isn't too thick to allow hot air to circulate 🌬️.
• Borosilicate glass: Some glass oven dishes are very well suited to air fryer cooking. Keep a close eye on the temperature rise!

Find even more tips in our Air Fryer guide !

• Always choose a mold or dish that is suitable for the size of your basket: there must be space all around for the air to circulate well 🔄.
• Place the mold on a rack if possible to raise it and allow for even cooking.
• For liquid preparations (eggs, flan, etc.), silicone molds or individual ramekins are preferable.
• Don't hesitate to butter, oil or lightly coat the mold to make unmolding easier.
• Monitor the cooking: the air fryer heats up faster than a conventional oven, adjust the cooking time accordingly ⏰.

For more tips, check out our Air Fryer recipes !

• Plastic: Even when microwaved, it melts and releases toxic substances. Avoid it!
• Very thin aluminum: Can deform or be blown by air. Use only solid aluminum.
• Mussels with very high sides: Risk of incomplete cooking in the center, air must circulate freely everywhere.
• Also avoid mussels that are too large or that block the opening of the basket.

To make the right choice, check out this very comprehensive external guide: which mold to choose for air fryer 🥄.

1. Chocolate muffins or soft chocolate cakes: In silicone molds, express cooking, guaranteed gooey center!
2. Vegetable gratin: Prepare your favorite vegetables, place them in a ceramic dish, cover with grated cheese, perfect browning.
3. Cherry or pear clafoutis: Use individual ramekins, melt-in-your-mouth texture, quick dessert.
4. Baked eggs: In small glass or ceramic pots, add cream, herbs, ham.
5. Express tartlet: Puff pastry in a metal tartlet mold, filling of your choice, guaranteed crispiness 🤩.

Get inspired by our Air Fryer collection for even more ideas.

• Can I use my gratin dish in the air fryer? Yes, if it is made of ceramic, metal or heat-resistant glass and fits in the basket.
• Is baking paper allowed? Yes, but it must be well secured by the food to prevent it from flying around and touching the heating element.
• Are conventional oven accessories compatible? Often yes, if they fit in the oven cavity and can withstand 200°C or more.