Air Fryer Cooking: Can You Use Foil?

Air fryers are a convenient way to cook food without the mess of oil and with minimal cleanup. But can you wrap food in foil before placing it in the air fryer? The short answer is yes, you can put foil in an air fryer, but there are some important safety considerations to keep in mind.

Yes, you can use foil in an air fryer, but only in the basket

Air fryers are like miniature ovens, so if you would use foil in an oven, you can use it in an air fryer. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you are using foil safely and effectively.

Firstly, never let the foil touch the heating element. This is a fire hazard and could be extremely dangerous. Always ensure the foil is weighted down so it doesn't blow around the basket. You can do this by ensuring the food is spread across the foil. Alternatively, you can create a foil sling by folding two strips of foil in half to make them sturdier and crossing them in the basket. This will also help you to remove the food from the fryer.

Secondly, avoid using foil with acidic ingredients. Acidic foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, and anything marinated in vinegar or citrus juice can cause the aluminium to leach into your food. While the amount of aluminium ingested would be minimal, it is best avoided.

Finally, be aware that using foil may interfere with the airflow in the air fryer, preventing the food from cooking as quickly and evenly. This is because air fryers cook food by circulating hot air around a tight space. Therefore, it is recommended to only use foil when necessary and to use the provided air fry basket when possible, as this is designed to allow ample airflow.

If you are looking for an alternative to foil, you can use parchment paper or a silicone liner. Parchment paper is better for the environment and won't react with acidic ingredients. However, it can burn if it touches the heating element, so always ensure it is weighed down. Silicone liners are reusable, easy to clean, and unlikely to cause a fire hazard.

Foil is a great way to minimise mess and speed up clean-up

If you're cooking in batches, lining your air fryer basket with foil will save you from having to clean it between each batch. You can also use a foil "sling" to help you move delicate foods in and out of the fryer. To make one, fold two strips of foil in half to make them sturdier, then place them in a cross shape in the basket. Put your food in the centre, and the ends of the strips will be handles for moving the food. Just make sure to tuck the handles during cooking so they don't flap around and touch the heating element.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using foil in an air fryer. Firstly, don't let the foil touch the heating element, and make sure it's weighted down so it doesn't blow around the basket. Secondly, avoid using foil with acidic ingredients like citrus fruits, tomatoes, or anything marinated in vinegar or citrus juice. The acid can break down the aluminium, causing it to leach into your food. Finally, don't use foil if it's not necessary, as it can interfere with airflow and affect cooking performance.

Foil can be used to secure items that may roll around or drip through the basket

If you're cooking something saucy, like chicken wings, you can line the basket with foil to catch any drips and make cleanup easier.

You can also use foil to reheat leftovers that are already wrapped in foil. For example, you can reheat breakfast burritos wrapped in foil directly in your air fryer.

However, it's important to note that using foil can interfere with the airflow in your air fryer, which can affect cooking performance. It can also be a fire hazard if it's not secured properly and blows around. So, while foil can be useful in certain situations, it's not always the best option for cooking in an air fryer.

It is not recommended to use foil with acidic foods as they can react with the aluminium

While it is possible to use foil in an air fryer, it is not recommended to use it with acidic foods. Acidic foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, bell peppers, and anything marinated in vinegar or citrus juice can react with the aluminium, causing it to leach into your food. This can affect the taste of your food and is not ideal for your health.

If you are cooking acidic foods in an air fryer, it is best to avoid using foil. Instead, you can use parchment paper or the air fryer basket to cook your food directly. Parchment paper is a non-reactive surface, so food is less likely to stick, and it won't interfere with the airflow in the same way that foil can. It is also better for the environment. You can also purchase reusable silicone air fryer liners, which are easy to clean and unlikely to cause a fire hazard.

If you do choose to use foil in your air fryer, it is important to follow certain safety protocols. Only put the foil in the air fryer's basket, not the drawer, to avoid a fire hazard. Never preheat the air fryer with a foil-lined basket, and avoid covering the holes in the basket, as this will hinder airflow and affect cooking performance.

Parchment paper is a better alternative to foil as it is not a reactive surface

While it is possible to use foil in an air fryer, there are some drawbacks. Foil can block airflow, which is essential for the air fryer to cook food properly. Foil is also not suitable for cooking acidic foods, as the acid can break down the foil, causing it to leach into your food.

Cut the paper to size, slightly smaller than the bottom of the air fryer basket to allow for good airflow. Perforating the paper can further assist with airflow and grease drainage. It's also important to weigh down the paper with food to prevent it from flying around and burning.

Parchment paper can be useful for cooking foods that may stick to the basket, like chicken wings, making cleanup easier. However, it is not sturdy enough for liquid items, so you may need to use foil or a silicone liner for these types of foods.

Overall, while foil can be used in an air fryer, it is essential to follow safety guidelines, and parchment paper is a better alternative in many cases due to its non-reactive surface and ease of use.

Frequently asked questions