Glass meal prep containers are the answer.

Yes — glass or ceramic containers without their plastic lids work in both. The air fryer is just a small convection oven, so anything marked oven-safe is air fryer-safe. That’s the loophole.

Most glass meal prep containers (Pyrex, borosilicate, tempered glass) handle both just fine. Microwave them uncovered or with a paper towel, then pop the same dish in the air fryer at 300–375°F. Just don’t go straight from the freezer into a hot air fryer — let it sit on the counter a few minutes so the glass doesn’t crack. And always take off the plastic lid before any reheating, because that lid is the weak point.

Two things to watch out for: “microwave-safe” does not mean oven-safe, so check for a temperature rating on the bottom. And skip stainless steel bento boxes — they’re great for the air fryer but awful in the microwave.

So you don’t need a special gadget. Just buy glass containers that say they’re oven-safe, and you’re covered for both.

Your lunch’s future is bright, but your plastic lid may not be.