Can Glass Baking Dishes Go in the Air Fryer Find Out Now

Yes, glass baking dishes can go in the air fryer—but only if they’re labeled oven-safe and can handle rapid temperature changes. Avoid sudden thermal shocks by preheating the air fryer and never placing a cold dish directly into a hot basket. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines to prevent cracking or shattering and ensure safe, effective cooking.

Key Takeaways

• Check manufacturer guidelines: Verify air fryer and glass dish compatibility before use.
• Use tempered glass: Only oven-safe, tempered glass dishes withstand air fryer heat.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes: Preheat dish to prevent cracking from thermal shock.
• Monitor cooking times: Glass retains heat longer; adjust time to avoid overcooking.
• Handle with care: Always use mitts; hot glass can cause burns.
• Clean properly: Let glass cool completely before washing to prevent breakage.

Can Glass Baking Dishes Go in the Air Fryer? Find Out Now

Imagine this: You’re halfway through preparing a creamy casserole, and you realize the oven is already full with another dish. Your air fryer is sitting there, warm and inviting, like a helpful sidekick ready to save dinner. But then you pause—can you pop your glass baking dish straight into the air fryer? It’s a question that’s crossed my mind more than once, especially during busy weeknights when multitasking feels like an Olympic sport.

Glass baking dishes are kitchen staples. We love them for their even heat distribution, non-stick surfaces (when greased), and the way they let us peek at our food as it bakes. But the air fryer? That’s a different beast. It’s compact, fast, and uses intense circulating heat to crisp things up. So, can these two kitchen workhorses play nice together? The short answer is: sometimes, but with important caveats. In this post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of using glass baking dishes in your air fryer—what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid a kitchen disaster (like shattered glass or a ruined meal).

Understanding Air Fryer Heat and How It Affects Glass

How Air Fryers Work: The Science of Crispy Perfection

Before we dive into whether your favorite glass casserole dish can handle the air fryer, let’s talk about how these appliances work. Air fryers use a heating element and a powerful fan to circulate hot air at high speeds—typically between 300°F and 400°F (150°C to 205°C). This rapid airflow creates that golden, crispy exterior we love on fries, chicken wings, and roasted veggies. But unlike a traditional oven, which heats more gradually and evenly, the air fryer blasts food with intense, direct heat from all angles.

Think of it like this: An oven is a warm hug. An air fryer is a high-five—fast, energetic, and sometimes a little too intense. This difference in heating style is crucial when considering whether glass can handle it.

Thermal Shock: The Biggest Threat to Glass

The main reason people worry about glass in air fryers is thermal shock. This happens when glass is exposed to rapid temperature changes—like going from room temperature straight into a 375°F air fryer. The outside of the glass heats up quickly, while the inside stays cool, causing stress that can lead to cracks or shattering.

I learned this the hard way. Once, I put a cold glass pie dish straight into my air fryer to warm up some leftovers. Within seconds, I heard a faint crack. I opened the basket to find a spiderweb of cracks spreading across the bottom. Not only did I lose the dish, but I also had to clean up tiny glass shards. Lesson learned: temperature transitions matter.

Most standard glass baking dishes—like those made from soda-lime glass (the kind you find at most grocery stores)—are not designed for such rapid temperature swings. They’re great for ovens, where heat rises gradually. But the air fryer’s intense, concentrated heat can be too much for them to handle.

What Type of Glass Can (and Can’t) Go in an Air Fryer

Pyrex, Borosilicate, and Other Heat-Resistant Glasses

Not all glass is created equal. The key to using glass in an air fryer lies in the type of glass. Let’s break it down:

• Borosilicate glass: This is the gold standard. Brands like Pyrex (especially older ones) and Anchor Hocking use borosilicate glass, which contains silica and boron trioxide. This combo makes it highly resistant to thermal shock—up to a point. It can handle temperature changes of about 300°F (149°C) without cracking. That’s why it’s safe for ovens, stovetops (with caution), and even microwave steamers.
• Soda-lime glass: Most modern “Pyrex” dishes sold today are actually made from soda-lime glass (since 2010, when the brand switched formulas). While it’s still oven-safe, it has a much lower tolerance for thermal shock—around 120°F (49°C). That means a cold dish going into a hot air fryer is a recipe for disaster.
• Glass-ceramic (e.g., CorningWare): This material is a hybrid of glass and ceramic. It’s incredibly durable and handles thermal shock well, but it’s heavier and less common for baking. It’s safe in air fryers, but not all CorningWare pieces are designed for direct heat—check the manufacturer’s guidelines.

So, if you’re using a borosilicate glass dish (look for labels like “heat-resistant” or “thermal shock resistant”), you’re in better shape. But even then, there are limits—more on that later.

Check the Bottom of Your Dish: The Hidden Clue

Here’s a quick tip: Flip your glass dish over and look at the bottom. If you see a symbol that looks like a square with an “O” inside, it’s oven-safe. But that doesn’t automatically mean it’s air fryer-safe. The oven symbol usually indicates it can handle steady, even heat—not the rapid, intense bursts of an air fryer.

Look instead for specific labels like:

• “Air fryer safe”
• “Microwave and oven safe”
• “Thermal shock resistant”
• “Borosilicate glass”

If you see any of these, you’re good to go—with precautions. If not, it’s better to play it safe and use a different material.

Step-by-Step: How to Safely Use Glass in Your Air Fryer

1. Warm Up the Glass First

This is the golden rule. Never put a cold glass dish into a preheated air fryer. Instead, follow these steps:

1. Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature (e.g., 350°F).
2. While it’s heating, place your glass dish in a warm environment—like near the preheating air fryer or in a slightly warmed oven (170°F).
3. Let the dish warm up for 5–10 minutes. This reduces the temperature difference between the glass and the air fryer.
4. Once the air fryer is ready, place the warm dish inside and start cooking.

Think of it like warming up before a workout. Your glass dish needs to stretch a little before diving into the heat.

2. Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes

Even with borosilicate glass, avoid:

• Putting a cold dish directly on a hot air fryer basket (use the crisper plate or a trivet).
• Removing the dish from the air fryer and placing it on a cold surface (like a granite countertop). Instead, set it on a wooden cutting board or trivet.
• Adding cold ingredients (like frozen casserole) to a room-temperature dish and then putting it in the air fryer. Let the food thaw or preheat the dish slightly.

3. Use the Right Size Dish

Air fryers are small—typically 3 to 6 quarts. A dish that’s too large can block airflow, leading to uneven cooking and hot spots that stress the glass. Choose a dish that:

• Fits with at least 1 inch of space around the edges.
• Is shallow enough to allow hot air to circulate (deeper dishes may cook unevenly).
• Leaves room for the crisper plate to move freely (if your model requires it).

For example, a 7×7-inch square dish works well in a 4-quart air fryer, but a 9×13-inch casserole dish is too big.

4. Start with Lower Temperatures

Even if your recipe calls for 375°F, start at 325°F for glass dishes. Let the heat build gradually. After 10–15 minutes, you can increase the temperature if needed. This gives the glass time to expand evenly.

What to Cook in a Glass Dish in the Air Fryer

Best Foods for Glass Baking Dishes

Not all foods are ideal for glass in an air fryer, but here are some winners:

• Casseroles: Think mac and cheese, tuna noodle casserole, or spinach dip. The glass helps distribute heat evenly, so the center cooks without drying out the edges.
• Egg dishes: Frittatas, quiches, or baked eggs with cheese and veggies. Glass prevents sticking and allows you to monitor doneness.
• Small lasagnas or baked pasta: Use a mini loaf pan or 6-inch round dish. Just reduce the cooking time by 10–15 minutes compared to the oven.
• Reheating leftovers: Got last night’s lasagna? A glass dish helps retain moisture while crisping the top.
• Fruit crisps or crumbles: The glass lets you see when the topping is golden and the fruit is bubbling.

Foods to Avoid

Some dishes are riskier in glass due to moisture, fat content, or cooking time:

• High-fat dishes: Like greasy meat casseroles. The fat can cause uneven heating and hot spots.
• Very wet batters: Such as cake batter. The rapid heat can cause the edges to cook too fast while the center is still raw.
• Long-cooking dishes: Anything needing over 30 minutes at high heat. Prolonged exposure increases the risk of thermal stress.

Real-Life Example: My Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Experiment

Last month, I tried making a mini mac and cheese in a 6-inch borosilicate glass pie dish. I preheated the air fryer to 350°F, warmed the dish for 8 minutes, then added the mac and cheese (already at room temperature). I cooked it for 15 minutes, then added a breadcrumb topping and cooked 5 more minutes. Result? Creamy center, crispy top—and no cracks! The key was warming the dish first and keeping the time short.

Alternative Containers: When to Skip the Glass

Metal Pans: The Air Fryer’s Best Friend

Metal—especially aluminum or stainless steel—is the air fryer’s natural partner. It heats up quickly, conducts heat evenly, and can handle rapid temperature changes. Use:

• Small metal loaf pans
• Silicone molds (for muffins, eggs, etc.)
• Stainless steel bowls or ramekins

Just avoid non-stick coatings that can degrade at high heat (stick to ceramic or silicone-coated metal).

Silicone: The Flexible Alternative

Silicone baking dishes are lightweight, flexible, and 100% safe in air fryers. They won’t crack from thermal shock and are easy to clean. Look for food-grade, BPA-free silicone. Downsides? They can be floppy, so use a metal tray underneath for stability.

Ceramic: A Middle Ground

Ceramic dishes (like those from Emile Henry) are oven-safe and handle air fryer heat well. They’re heavier than glass but more durable. Just like glass, avoid thermal shock by warming them first.

Data Table: Glass vs. Other Air Fryer Containers

Material	Thermal Shock Resistance	Heat Distribution	Best For	Risks
Borosilicate Glass	High (if warmed)	Even	Casseroles, egg dishes, reheating	Cracks if cold or too large
Soda-Lime Glass	Low	Even	Oven use only	High risk of shattering
Metal (Aluminum/Steel)	Very High	Fast, even	All air fryer cooking	Can dent; avoid non-stick coatings
Silicone	Very High	Moderate	Eggs, muffins, delicate foods	Can be floppy; not crisp
Ceramic	High	Even	Casseroles, slow-cooked dishes	Heavy; avoid cold-to-hot

Final Thoughts: Should You Use Glass in Your Air Fryer?

So, can glass baking dishes go in the air fryer? The answer is a cautious yes—but only if you take the right precautions. Use borosilicate glass (not soda-lime), warm the dish first, avoid sudden temperature changes, and choose the right size. For most other types of glass, it’s safer to stick with metal, silicone, or ceramic.

Think of your air fryer as a high-performance tool. It’s not just a mini oven—it’s a precision appliance that rewards careful use. When you respect its power and follow best practices, you can cook delicious, evenly heated dishes in glass without a single crack.

Next time you’re tempted to toss that glass casserole dish into the air fryer, pause. Ask yourself: Is it borosilicate? Is it warm? Is it the right size? If the answer to all three is yes, go for it. Your creamy casserole, crispy quiche, or bubbling fruit crisp will thank you.

And if you’re ever unsure? There’s no shame in using a metal pan or silicone mold. Sometimes, the safest choice is the smartest one. After all, a little caution today means more delicious meals—and fewer kitchen disasters—tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can glass baking dishes go in the air fryer safely?

Yes, most glass baking dishes (like Pyrex or tempered glass) can go in the air fryer if they’re labeled oven-safe. Avoid sudden temperature changes to prevent cracking.

What type of glass baking dish is air fryer-safe?

Look for tempered glass or borosilicate glass (e.g., Pyrex, Anchor Hocking) that’s explicitly oven-safe. Regular glass may shatter due to rapid heat exposure.

Can I put a cold glass baking dish directly into a preheated air fryer?

No, never place a cold glass dish into a hot air fryer—this thermal shock can cause it to crack. Let the dish warm up gradually first.

Are there risks to using glass baking dishes in the air fryer?

Yes, risks include cracking from uneven heating or rapid temperature shifts. Always check manufacturer guidelines and avoid high-heat settings for prolonged times.

Can glass baking dishes go in the air fryer without affecting cooking performance?

Yes, glass dishes work well in air fryers but may require slight time adjustments since glass heats slower than metal. Monitor food closely for doneness.

What’s the maximum temperature for glass baking dishes in an air fryer?

Most oven-safe glass dishes tolerate up to 450°F (230°C). Check your dish’s label and keep air fryer temps below this to prevent damage.