A convection oven is an evergreen appliance that has stood the test of time because American consumers have been using it since the last century. Many people are now moving away from microwaves to convection ovens because they offer numerous features.
You can find hundreds and thousands of convection oven brands in the market. These include famous brands such as Black + Decker and lesser-known ones such as Oster and Cuisinart.
Convection ovens are generally used for baking and warming food. However, newer models of convection ovens now have an air fryer option. These ovens have the air fry capabilities of traditional air fryers, such as a Cosori air fryer, except in larger quantities, and you don't need to buy the extra appliance.
This is when it is perfect to own an air fryer basket, also sometimes known as an air fryer tray. It is a perfect way to help turn your oven into an air fryer.
You have landed in the right place if you are looking for the best air fryer basket for a convection oven. We have brought you our top picks and a guide to choosing the perfect air fryer basket for a convection oven for yourself. Let us first find out more about what an air fryer basket is.
What is an air fryer basket?
An air fryer basket is a tray or basket that you put food on to cook it. An air fryer basket is perforated and removable. It lifts the food above the oven's surface and lets the air circulate the food. An air fryer basket can come in the form of a tray called an air fryer tray.
Most air fryer baskets accompany a handle that eases tossing food at intervals. One of the best things about an air fryer basket is that it has no movable parts. So, if you buy a good air fryer basket, it will last a long time.
If you want to buy a basket for air frying, there are many brands that you can choose from. Buying an air fryer basket may look simple, but it can be a little tricky. So, we have brought you a guide on how to buy an air fryer basket.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
There are countless sellers online that sell air frying baskets for convection ovens. We selected all the air fryer baskets that won't break the bank but are still quality-built.
We checked customer reviews for durability. We only selected the baskets with good customer reviews in terms of durability. All the baskets we have selected are highly durable and will last you at least a couple of years with proper care.
Next, we selected all the baskets that were dishwasher-safe and nonstick. On the higher end of the budget, we ensured that the basket came with a drip tray. We also tried to look for baskets with drip trays on a lower budget.
Next, we looked at Amazon ratings. We selected air frying baskets that were rated highly by customers. We also looked at the return and shipment experience of the customers to ensure that we were selecting trusted sellers.
Finally, we were left with five air frying baskets for convention ovens that we have reviewed below.
1. Cuisinart Air Fryer Basket
Why We Love It
Best overall air fry tray for convection ovens
We mention Cuisinart products a lot on this site. The reason is that they offer good products at an affordable price. This air-frying basket is no exception.
One of the best things about this rack is that it comes with 100% replacement parts for a Cuisinart tao convection oven. So, if you use that oven, it is a perfect choice. The basket also fits well with other ovens. You can get this tray in two dimensions for small and medium size convection ovens.
The material of this air frying basket is high-quality food-grade stainless steel. It comes in a mirror finish that makes it dishwasher-safe and nonstick. So, it is easy to release the food from the basket after air frying. It is also super convenient to clean since the food does not stick to the rack.
The grill will fit inside most ovens. It has perfect gaps that do not let the food fall yet ensures good circulation. We looked at customer reviews and found that it delivers evenly cooked food with all air fryer recipes. We also looked at customer reviews and found that it is durable and long-lasting.
What You Should Know
Does not come with a drip tray
A drip tray is essential because it saves the oven's interior and makes it easy to clean. However, this air fryer basket does not come with a drip tray, but not to worry, you can always use a cookie sheet for a drip tray.
Fits barely in some ovens
Some customers complain that the basket fits tightly in their ovens. This makes it difficult to put it in and take it out.
We recommend that you thoroughly measure your oven's interior to ensure that it will fit very nicely. This tray may also damage your oven if it has a tight fit. Keep in mind there are other sizes available to choose from.
2. Gotham Steel Round Copper Air Fryer Basket
Why We Love It
Best copper crisper basket
If you are a fan of copper utensils and want the same material for your air fryer basket, you cannot go wrong with the Gotham steel round crisper tray.
One of the best things about this copper tray is that it takes less time to warm up than the steel air frying basket. So, you will get quick and evenly cooked food every time you use it.
This tray has a Ti-cerama coating that makes it super nonstick. It is easy to release food from this tray. The tray is also dishwasher safe. So, it is also easy to clean this.
This air frying basket for the convection oven also comes with a copper drip tray. The drip tray is also nonstick. So, it is also easy to clean.
Most air frying baskets found in popular air fryers are round. This mesh basket is also circular and will fit in most convection ovens. The utensil is scratch-proof, so you don't have to worry about scratches anymore. This basket is also extremely light, which makes it very convenient to lift.
We also like that this air fryer tray handles for convection ovens do not get as hot as the rest of the utensils. So, taking it out of the oven becomes easier after you are done air frying.
Customer reviews show us that taking proper care of this tray can last several years. It is an ideal tray for making air-fried french fries and baked chicken breasts. Some people also use it to make pizza, and it does a good job.
What You Should Know
Not made for heavy lifting
Copper is generally lighter compared to steel. So, this tray is not ideal for air frying heavy things such as a whole chicken and turkey. You can do so once in a while, but if you do it regularly, the life of this tray will be shorter.
If you are someone who does not make air-fried turkey or whole chicken regularly, then you will do just fine with this tray.
Compact dimensions
Gorham steel crisper tray is lightweight and compact, so you do not have to worry about dimensions. However, this also means that you can use only air fry limited food at a time. If this is something you can live with, then this is a good choice.
3. Taeveke Stainless Steel Baking Sheet with Rack Set
Why We Love It
Best premium air fryer rack
The Taeveke's stainless steel baking sheet with rack set is one of the most premium air fryer racks. It is arguably the best air fryer tray, but it is not marketed as an air frying basket for a convection oven, but it does the job well.
Its material is high-quality stainless steel, and customer reviews tell us that it is one of the most durable air fryer racks you can get.
This air frying rack for a convection oven has a corrugated surface that makes it stainless. It has one of the best nonstick surfaces. The food slips right off it, and nothing sticks to it. It is also dishwasher safe. So, you can put this in your dishwasher without worrying about affecting its longevity.
This rack delivers evenly cooked food consistently. It is also strong and large enough to do the heavy lifting. You can place a whole turkey without worrying about breaking it.
With proper use and care, it will last for several years. The steel is corrosion free which means that it does not require a lot of maintenance. This rack comes with a baking tray which acts like a drip tray when air frying.
What You Should Know
Not actually a basket
This rack wouldn't be for you if you were specifically looking to cook food in a basket. The quality of this rack and cookie sheet is great quality, and if you're willing to use a rack for cooking food instead of a basket, this is an excellent option for you!
4. Gotham Steel Square Air Fryer Basket
Why We Love It
Best air fryer basket for convection oven
If you liked the smaller Gotham Steel copper tray, yet its dimensions did not suit you, you will like this one. It is arguably the best basket for air frying in convection ovens. It delivers even better performance than its smaller counterpart.
The design here is rectangular with circular sides, which allows hot air to circulate more evenly around the food. The basket is raised to the optimal height, allowing the air to circulate around the food without keeping it too far away from the oven interior.
It allows the hot air to reach your food at every single angle. Combine this with the goodness of ceramic-coated copper, and you get an evenly cooked meal.
The ceramic-coated copper makes this tray extremely nonstick. There is no chance that your food will ever stick to its surface. The good thing is that it is also dishwasher safe. So you do not have to worry about affecting its longevity when you put it in your dishwasher.
One of the main concerns with the smaller tray was that you could only cook limited food at a time. Yet, here you get a full-fledged cooking surface. This tray is large and durable enough to air-fry a whole turkey. So, if you need a bacon rack or regularly cook whole turkey or chicken, you will like this tray.
This tray also comes with a drip tray to collect the oil and crumbs.
One of the best things about this tray is that it comes with a generous, ten years-limited guarantee. So you can make your purchase in peace.
What You Should Know
Check dimensions before buying
Unlike its smaller counterpart, this tray may not fit in every oven. We are a fan of its design, allowing it to fit nicely in medium ovens. Yet, if you have a smaller one, ensure that it has enough space to accommodate this tray.
Most people will do just fine with this tray, which is one reason more than 7000 people have cumulatively given it 4.25 ratings on Amazon. We believe it is the best air fryer tray if you have a medium or large oven.
5. EaZy MealZ Air Fryer Basket
Why We Love It
The basket design allows for heat circulation all around the food, so there is no need to flip it during cooking. It also comes with a drip tray that catches any oil that drips off of the food, making it a clean option. We also love that it has a nonstick ceramic coating.
What You Should Know
It might be too small for what you need it for
There are different sizes to this air fryer basket, but all sizes are on the smaller end. Some consumers didn't realize it would be "so small." So we suggest taking out your measuring tape to test if this air fryer basket will meet your needs.
However, due to this size, you can use it in air fryer toaster ovens, such as the Cuisinart convection toaster.
How To Buy an Air Fryer Basket for a Convection Oven
Buying an air fryer basket is relatively simple, but you do not want to end up with something you will discard. Air fryer baskets are under constant duress because they face extreme temperatures.
It would be best if you are looking for something durable, cost-effective, and good at what it does. Follow this simple guideline to land on your next air fryer basket for convection ovens.
Material
We all know that a convection oven air fryer basket should be metal. It should be resistant to corrosion so that it lasts several years. In addition to that, also ensure that your air frying basket is nonstick. This allows for the easy release of food from the basket. Not to mention, it also makes cleaning the basket way easier. Since sticky baskets are difficult to clean, they also tarnish easily.
Durability
We always recommend checking out customer reviews for durability. Yet, you can also judge the durability of the air fryer rack by a simple check. If the air fryer basket bends easily, then it is not durable. This basket or tray will most likely break from a heavy burden.
When you are purchasing online, you cannot do the bend test. So, we recommend sticking to customer reviews for its durability.
Do not make the mistake of compromising on durability. Otherwise, you may eventually spend more than you should because soon you will have to buy another basket.
Consider buying an air fryer basket with a drip tray
If you want to avoid the hassle of cleaning your oven every time you air fry, consider burying an air fryer with a drip tray.
A drip tray catches oil and crumbs when you use an air fryer basket. Most good air frying baskets come with a drip tray. The good news is that they increase the price ever so slightly.
Dimensions
Air frying baskets for convection ovens come in several shapes and dimensions. Our only guideline here is to ensure that it fits your oven.
Most convection ovens can fit large-size round or square air fryer baskets. Yet, it's always best to ensure that you have the right dimensions. It is always a hassle to return the basket and get it exchanged. Get the right thing from the first go.
Cost
You do not have to spend a fortune to buy an oven crisper basket. You can expect to spend anything between $20 to $40. Anything below that range will not last for a long time.
Air Fryer Basket for Convection Oven FAQs
People are often unsure about what kind of air fryer baskets to buy.
There are a lot of different air fryer baskets on the market, and it can be hard to know which one is right for you.
We've put together this list of the most frequently asked questions about air fryer baskets to help make your decision easier.
Can you use an air fryer tray for a convection oven?
Yes, you can use your air fryer tray for the convection oven.
Do you need a basket for an oven air fryer?
The basket is not required for the oven air fryer, but it is recommended in order to ensure even cooking. If you don't have a basket, try putting your food on a cookie sheet on top of a rack.
Can you air fry in any convection oven?
It is possible to use an air fryer tray for a convection oven, but it is not recommended. The air fryer tray is designed to circulate hot air around the food, while a convection oven heats food using a fan that circulates air. These two methods are different and will not produce the same results.
If you want to use your air fryer tray in a convection oven, you can, but you may need to adjust the cooking time and temperature. Start by checking the manufacturer's instructions for your particular convection oven model. You may also want to experiment with cooking times and temperatures to find what works best for your food.
Can you put foil trays in a convection oven?
Yes. Foil trays are safe to use in a convection oven. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific oven. Convection ovens cook food more quickly than traditional ovens, so be careful not to overcook your food.
Is a convection oven considered an air fryer?
A convection oven is not considered an air fryer. A convection oven circulates heated air around the food, which cooks it more evenly than an air fryer does. This is why a convection oven is often preferred for baking cakes and bread, for example. Air fryers cook the food by circulating hot air around it very quickly, which results in a crispy texture. However, new models of ovens come with an air fry option.
What do you put under an air fryer tray in the oven?
There is no need to put anything under air fryer trays when cooking in the oven. The air fryer tray is designed to be heat-resistant and can be placed directly on the oven rack. If you are using a baking dish or pan underneath the air fryer tray, make sure that it is also heat-resistant and will not melt under high temperatures.
If you only have a tray or basket with a drip tray, we suggest using a baking pan to catch any oil or crumbs that fall from the food.
What Option of Air Fryer Baskets for Convection Ovens Is Best For You?
We hope this article helped clear some things up for you! It can be tough to decide on the best air fryer basket when there are so many great options out there. But we think that any of the baskets we presented today would make a great addition to your home.
Now it's all about personal preference. Do you want something big and spacious? Or something more compact? Whatever you choose, we're sure you'll be happy with your new air fryer basket.
Thanks for reading!
Here is the list of items reviewed:
2. Gotham Steel Round Copper Air Fryer Basket
3. Taeveke Stainless Steel Baking Sheet with Rack Set
4. Gotham Steel Square Air Fryer Basket
5. EaZy MealZ Air Fryer Basket
Check out our article highlighting the top 5 reasons why the air fryer basket is an absolute must-have. From crispy delights to healthier cooking, this revolutionary accessory will transform your culinary experience.
