Air Fryer Liners: What's Safe To Use?

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, but they can be a hassle to clean. Lining your air fryer basket can save you time and money in the long run. The best type of lining for air fryers is parchment paper due to its non-stick properties. Parchment paper liners with holes, however, may defeat the purpose of lining the air fryer. Regular parchment paper, cut to size, is a better option. Silicone liners are also a good choice as they are sturdy, endlessly reusable, and dishwasher-safe. For sticky marinades and melting chocolate, disposable paper liners are ideal.

Silicone basket liners with grooves

If you're tired of cleaning your air fryer basket every time you cook, air fryer liners can be a great solution. Silicone basket liners with grooves are sturdy, endlessly reusable, and dishwasher-safe. They are also safe to use, as the FDA released a statement in 1979 that silicone is safe to use while cooking. Here are some benefits and best practices for using silicone basket liners with grooves in your air fryer:

Benefits of Silicone Basket Liners with Grooves

• Promote Airflow and Crispiness: Silicone liners with raised grooves promote airflow and help make your food crispy. The grooves allow hot air to circulate beneath the food, ensuring even cooking.
• Easy Cleanup: These liners catch residual cooking oil and crumbs, making cleanup quicker and easier. You can simply remove the liner, turn it inside out, and scrub it with warm water and soap, or put it in the dishwasher.
• Versatility: Silicone liners are safe to use in the oven, microwave, or fridge, making them versatile tools in your kitchen.
• Custom Sizes: You can find silicone liners in various sizes to fit different air fryer models, such as Ninja and Instant.

Best Practices for Using Silicone Basket Liners with Grooves

• Measure Your Air Fryer: Before purchasing silicone liners, measure your air fryer basket to ensure you get the right size. Most liners are designed for specific quart ranges, such as 3- to 5-quarts or 1- to 3-quarts.
• Choose the Right Shape: Air fryer baskets come in different shapes, such as round, square, and rectangular. Try to find a silicone liner that matches the shape of your fryer. Round liners can usually be used in square fryer baskets as well.
• Handle with Care: The handles on silicone liners can get hot, so be sure to let them cool down before handling.
• Avoid Sticky Foods: While silicone liners are great for most foods, they may not be ideal for sticky marinades or melting chocolate. In these cases, consider using paper liners instead.

Parchment paper liners

When using parchment paper liners, avoid using them for small portions or during preheating, as this can also create a fire risk. Instead, opt for using a combination of silicone liners and paper baskets for crispy food and easy maintenance.

Air fryer-safe ramekins

When selecting a ramekin for your air fryer, opt for one made of porcelain or ceramic. These materials withstand high heat and distribute it evenly, ensuring your food is cooked perfectly. Additionally, porcelain and ceramic ramekins are dishwasher-safe and perfectly portioned, making them ideal for single-serve desserts, baked eggs, or small portions.

• Staub cocotte dishes: These elegant dishes are perfect for baking eggs and serving guests.
• OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups: These non-stick cups are great for egg bites, muffins, and other baked goods. They are also dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
• DOWAN 4 oz Ramekins: This set of six classic white ramekins is oven-safe and perfect for creme brulee, souffle, and pudding.
• MALACASA 8 oz Ramekins: These white porcelain ramekins come in a set of six and are oven-safe and dishwasher-safe, making them perfect for baking and serving.
• LE TAUCI 4 oz Ramekins: These arctic white ramekins come in a set of four and are oven-safe, making them perfect for creme brulee, pudding, and souffle.

By using air fryer-safe ramekins, you can easily prepare individual portions, control your serving sizes, and create delicious meals and desserts in your air fryer.

Perforated flat sheets

These liners are especially useful if your air fryer basket has a fine-mesh bottom, as food stuck in those small holes can be difficult to clean. With perforated flat sheets, cleanup is much easier, often requiring just a quick swipe of soapy water in the air fryer basket. If the food is not too greasy or saucy, the liners can be reused a few times throughout the day.

When using perforated flat sheets, it's important to ensure that the paper is weighed down by the food to prevent it from flying up and coming into contact with the heating element, which could pose a fire hazard. To avoid this, arrange the food items on the paper so that all corners are weighed down.

Tin foil

However, it is important to note that some air fryer manufacturers advise against using foil, so it is recommended to check the brand's manual before use. Foil can also interfere with the cooking process and restrict airflow. It is also worth noting that using foil can be expensive, and there is a risk of it scratching the non-stick surface of the air fryer basket.

To prevent the foil from flying around when the fan is on, it is suggested to place it under the grill and weigh it down with a suitable metal object that will not burn.

Frequently asked questions