You may already be familiar with the many benefits associated with both silicone bakeware and air fryers (which we will talk about more below), but you may not have thought about using these two kitchen staples together. If you are now wondering if silicone molds can be used in an air fryer, read on to learn more.
Silicone Cookware
Many serious and hobby cooks swear by their silicone cookware, and some of the reasons are:
- Flexibility: Silicone molds and baking dishes will return to their original shape if they are bent or dented. In addition, they will bounce instead of break if they hit the floor.
- Low Maintenance: Silicone cookware and bakeware is dishwasher-safe and does not require any special care to keep it in good condition.
- Even Cooking: Silicone molds distribute heat evenly, so food cooks thoroughly and evenly.
- Cool Touch: Even though silicone bakeware and cookware cooks food evenly, it does not retain heat and is cool enough to touch just minutes after it comes out of the oven.
- Thermal Stability and Resistance: Silicone dishes can tolerate temperatures ranging from -76 degrees Fahrenheit to 446 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that they can go from freezer to oven without cracking or warping.
- Microwave Safety: Silicone bakeware and molds are safe to use in the microwave (even straight from the freezer) as long as they do not have metal trim, and very few pieces do.
- No Odors or Flavors: Silicone molds and cookware are odorless and flavorless on their own, and they also do not retain odors or flavors from foods prepared in them. Silicone will also not stain or discolor from food prepared in it.
- Food Safety: Silicone is considered food-safe by the FDA. It is inert and will not leach into food.
- Storage: Silicone dishes and bakeware are easy to store since it is lightweight, unbreakable, and scratch-resistant.
- Non-Stick Finish: Silicone molds and other items are naturally non-stick, which means that they do not need to be greased with butter or oil. It also means that paper liners are not necessary for muffins or cupcakes.
- Price: Because silicone cookware is inexpensive and relatively easy to manufacture, transport, and store, it tends to be relatively inexpensive, especially when compared with other high-quality kitchen goods.
Air Frying
Many cooks love their silicone cookware and bakeware, and the same goes for air fryers. These versatile appliances are very much appreciated in kitchens around the country.
Air fryers have the same basic technology as convection ovens, but most air fryers only have heating elements at the top. They do have fans that force hot air to circulate around the food.
This cooks the food quickly and can produce a crispy exterior. It can also create a Maillard reaction; this is what happens when a reducing sugar and an amino acid are exposed to heat, and it results in improved color and flavor.
Food prepared in an air fryer often resembles food prepared in a deep fryer, although air-“fried” food uses much less oil and is therefore lighter in fat and calories than deep-fried food.
Air fryers cook food quickly, evenly, and thoroughly. This is one of the reasons why they are so popular.
But air fryers are good for much more than French fries. A short list of foods that can be prepared in an air fryer includes:
- Chicken wings
- Roasted butternut squash
- Meatballs
- Mozzarella sticks
- Baked goods
Baking in an Air Fryer
It’s true – as you read above, it’s possible to create delicious baked goods in an air fryer! This includes cupcakes, muffins, donuts, cinnamon rolls, cookies, cakes, pastries, and much more.
Baking in the air fryer is a unique experience with unique advantages, but also some tweaks that you need to be aware of.
An air fryer won’t heat up your whole house the way that some ovens do, and this is definitely desirable in the heat of summer. You also don’t need to pre-heat the air fryer the same way as you would a conventional oven.
This makes baking in the air fryer quicker and easier than baking in the oven. Most of the time, the air fryer also uses less energy than a large oven does, which makes it more economical.
As explained above, air fryers produce a crispy, crunchy crust-like exterior. Many people like this on cookies and pastries such as cinnamon rolls, but it may be less desirable on cakes.
Air fryers also work better on smaller food items. Cookies and mini-muffins tend to come out better than, again, layer cakes.
However, this is a plus if you only want a few cookies or muffins. It is much simpler and more streamlined to prepare a small batch of treats in an air fryer than it is in a large oven.
There are many cookie doughs that refrigerate beautifully. You could prepare a batch and keep it in the refrigerator so that you can have fresh-baked cookies straight from the air fryer any time you want.
You will need to convert standard recipes for use in an air fryer. Suggested adjustments include reducing the temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit and reducing the baking time by 20%.
It’s also recommended that you check your baked goods for doneness frequently, since air fryers cook very quickly and most baked goods can go from done to overdone in a matter of minutes. Once you are more used to baking in an air fryer, you’ll be able to relax somewhat here.
Can Silicone Molds Be Used in an Air Fryer?
Now we know why it’s great to bake in silicone molds and also how and why it’s great to bake in an air fryer. The question, then, is can silicone molds be used in an air fryer?
The answer is yes! Silicone molds are extremely compatible with air fryer “baking.”
As discussed above, most silicone molds can tolerate temperatures in excess of 440 degrees Fahrenheit. Very few air fryers exceed 400 degrees Fahrenheit (the quick cooking and crispy crust come from forced circulation of hot air, not just extreme heat).
This means that silicone molds are perfectly safe to be used in air fryers. They will not leach hazardous chemicals into the food or off-gas unpleasant odors.
The fact that they cool down quickly is also useful when you’re preparing baked goods in the air fryer. Both the air fryer itself and the silicone bakeware don’t retain much heat after the fan is turned off, so you’ll be able to take your treats out easily and safely.
One important thing to remember when you’re baking with silicone molds in the air fryer is not to use parchment paper or muffin/cupcake liners. It’s not likely, but it is possible that they could catch fire in the air fryer.
However, silicone molds are inherently non-stick, so there is no need for paper products. There is also no need to grease the molds with butter or oil.
You can make tasty baked treats without additional fat and calories when you prepare them using silicone baking molds and an air fryer.
This is a combination that most people never think of, so you can be the first of your friends and family to try it out. Enjoy creating delicious baked goods in an entirely new way!
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.
Mike
Monday 8th of August 2022
Thank you so much for your article! I have a silicone baking mold shaped into six bars. Can I cut up the silicone baking mold into half (three bars in each mold) and bake with it in the air fryer?