Lining Your Air Fryer: What You Need To Know

Air fryers have become increasingly popular, and many people are now wondering whether they can line their air fryer. The short answer is yes, you can line your air fryer with parchment paper, foil, or a silicone liner. However, there are some important things to keep in mind. First, always check your air fryer manual for specific instructions and recommendations. Second, never preheat your air fryer with parchment paper inside by itself, as it may fly around and cause a fire. Third, parchment paper should be weighed down with food to prevent it from flying around. Finally, using a liner may affect cooking time and crispness, so it is not recommended for foods that you want to get really crispy.

Parchment paper is safe to use in an air fryer

Do not put the parchment paper in the air fryer while it is preheating, as it may float up and come into contact with the heating element. Instead, add the paper at the same time as your ingredients, ensuring that the paper is weighed down by the food. Parchment paper is ideal for foods that may stick to the basket, like chicken wings, and it makes cleanup easier. However, it is important to note that using paper in an air fryer does pose some risk, so always take precautions and don't leave it unattended.

Perforated parchment paper is best for standard air fryer baskets

Perforated parchment paper is the best liner for standard air fryer baskets. It is a safe and effective liner to use in an air fryer and offers several benefits. Firstly, it saves you from a messy cleanup by preventing food from sticking to the air fryer basket. This is especially useful when cooking something breaded or dough-based, as the parchment ensures that food doesn't get stuck in the mesh or perforated holes.

Secondly, perforated parchment paper allows hot air to circulate around the food while still providing a base to trap some of the grease and food bits that usually fall through the basket. This is particularly helpful if your air fryer basket has a fine-mesh bottom, as food stuck in those small holes can be challenging to clean. The holes in the parchment paper also enable grease to drain away from the food, resulting in a crispier exterior.

When using perforated parchment paper in your air fryer, there are a few important precautions to keep in mind. Firstly, ensure that you are using food-grade parchment paper and check the maximum temperature restriction on the box. Cut the paper slightly smaller than the bottom of your air fryer basket to allow for better air circulation. Perforating and trimming the paper further enhances air circulation and reduces the risk of the paper floating around inside the unit.

If you are preheating your air fryer, add the parchment paper afterward, ensuring it is weighed down by food to prevent it from flying into the heating element and burning. Always follow the instructions in your appliance manual and be mindful of the temperature and type of paper you are using. Parchment paper has a heating limit of approximately 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so if your air fryer exceeds this temperature, it is best to forgo using a liner to avoid a fire hazard.

Additionally, perforated parchment paper is not necessary if you are using an air fryer-toaster hybrid with a mesh basket. In this case, regular parchment paper or a silicone liner can be used instead.

Overall, perforated parchment paper is a safe and convenient option for lining standard air fryer baskets, making cleanup easier and helping to prevent food from sticking to the basket.

Advantages of using an air fryer liner

Air fryer liners are a handy accessory to have, even if you don't use them all the time. They come with several advantages, which include:

Easier to Clean

The main advantage of using an air fryer liner is that they are much easier to clean than the air fryer basket itself. Silicone liners can usually go straight into the dishwasher, and disposable paper liners and foil can be thrown away. If your liner doesn't have holes in the bottom, there's also likely to be less mess in your air fryer, as cooking juices and grease will be caught by the liner.

Protects Your Air Fryer Basket

Using a liner can help to minimise scratches, stains, and grease buildup on your air fryer basket. This will extend the lifespan of your appliance and reduce the need for scrubbing.

Non-Stick Surface

Air fryer liners provide a non-stick surface that prevents food from sticking. This not only makes the cleaning process easier but also improves the appearance of your food. For example, if you're cooking chicken nuggets, a liner can prevent the coating from sticking to the air fryer basket and ripping off.

Less Oil Required

Thanks to the non-stick properties of most air fryer liners, you can use less oil, or even no oil at all, when cooking.

Allergy Protection

If you have allergies in your household, an air fryer liner can prevent contamination of the basket. However, it's important to note that the basket should still be washed thoroughly after cooking an allergen.

Disadvantages of using an air fryer liner

Using an air fryer liner can be helpful when it comes to cleaning up, but there are some disadvantages to be aware of. Here are some reasons why you might not want to use an air fryer liner:

• Increased cooking time: The use of a liner adds an extra layer between the food and the heating element, which can affect how long it takes to cook. This is true for both silicone and parchment liners, although the difference in cooking time may not be a concern for some, as air fryers are generally faster than conventional ovens.
• Food may not crisp up as desired: The liner acts as a barrier between the food and the circulating air, preventing food from getting as crispy as it would without the liner. While extending the cooking time can help achieve the desired crispness, certain recipes may never get quite as crisp as they would without a liner.
• Parchment liners can be unstable: If your air fryer requires preheating, it is advisable to avoid placing the parchment liner inside beforehand. Without food to weigh it down, the liner may blow around inside the basket.
• Disposable liners are not environmentally friendly: While disposable parchment liners are convenient, they contribute to waste and may not be recyclable, depending on your region's recycling policies. Similarly, tin foil, which is sometimes used as a liner, is also not always recyclable and can end up in general waste.
• Obstruction of airflow: The internal fans in an air fryer circulate air rapidly through the holes in the basket and crisper tray. Using a liner can obstruct this airflow, resulting in longer cooking times.
• Grease and oil buildup: When cooking greasy foods like bacon, the liner can collect a pool of grease, which some may find unpleasant. Without a liner, excess oil would typically seep through the holes in the air fryer tray, resulting in less greasy food.

Silicone liners are reusable and dishwasher-safe

Silicone liners are a great option for those who want to cut down on waste and not have to worry about whether their liner is safe to use in the air fryer or not. They are also a good alternative to parchment paper liners, which can be a fire hazard if they are left unattended, fly around the air fryer, or are not heat-resistant.

Silicone liners come in a range of different sizes and shapes, so you should be able to find one that fits your air fryer. They are typically a few millimetres thick and have holes in them to allow for better air circulation. However, flat silicone liners without walls will not prevent food from sticking to the sides of your air fryer.

While silicone liners are a great option for those looking for a reusable and dishwasher-safe liner, it is important to note that they can affect cooking times. The liner adds an extra layer between the food and the air, which can result in food taking longer to cook and not getting as crispy.

Frequently asked questions