Our pick
Reusable perforated air fryer liners (2 pack)
Why we picked it
- Holes let hot air circulate, so food still crisps
- Washable, so no stream of throwaway paper
- Saves scrubbing baked-on mess from the basket
Worth knowing
- Check the size against your basket before buying
- They still need washing, just less often than the basket
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You want to save yourself scrubbing the basket, so you reach for a sheet of foil or a paper liner. Then you remember a post somewhere saying it’s a fire risk. Is it?
The short answer: foil, parchment and silicone liners are all fine in most air fryers, as long as you follow one rule and check your manual.
The one rule: never block the airflow
An air fryer works by blasting hot air around the food from above and through the holes in the basket. Anything that covers the whole base or flaps loose stops that, so food cooks unevenly and the fan works harder. Loose paper or foil can also be lifted by the fan into the heating element, which is where the fire stories come from.
Option by option
| Option | Safe? | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Perforated parchment | Yes | Only with food on top to hold it down |
| Plain parchment | With care | Cut smaller than the base so air can pass round it |
| Foil | With care | Small pieces, weighed down, never covering the whole basket |
| Reusable silicone liners | Yes | Choose perforated ones in the right size |
| Aerosol cooking spray | Avoid | Builds up on the coating; use a refillable mister instead |
Three mistakes that cause problems
- Preheating with an empty liner inside. With nothing on top, it lifts straight into the element. Add the liner and the food together.
- Foil with acidic food. Tomatoes, citrus and vinegary marinades can react with aluminium and pit the foil. Use parchment or a silicone liner for those.
- Covering the whole basket. Leave a gap round the edge so air can move.
Baking paper or greaseproof?
In UK shops these are often sold side by side and they’re not the same. Baking paper, sometimes called parchment, has a silicone coating that handles high heat and releases food cleanly. Greaseproof paper is designed to resist fat, not heat, and can stick or scorch. For an air fryer, buy baking paper or ready-made perforated liners.
Cleaning the basket when you don’t use a liner
- Let the basket cool, then soak it in hot soapy water for ten minutes.
- Clean it with a soft sponge or brush. Avoid scourers, which scratch the coating.
- For baked-on grease, a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water left for a few minutes usually lifts it.
- Dry it fully before putting it back, and wipe the inside of the drawer while you’re there.
Check your manual before using the dishwasher. Many baskets are labelled dishwasher-safe, but hand-washing tends to keep the coating going longer.
Why sprays are the bigger issue
Aerosol cooking sprays contain propellants and additives that bake onto non-stick coatings and leave a sticky film, the same problem we cover in why your non-stick pan stopped being non-stick. A refillable oil mister gives you the same light coating with nothing else in it.
What we’d use
Disposable
Perforated air fryer paper liners (100 pack)
Good for: messy foods like marinated chicken, then straight in the bin.
Skip it if: you’d rather not buy disposables; the reusable pick above does the same job.
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Oil
Refillable glass oil spray bottle (300ml)
Good for: a fine, even coat of your own oil without aerosol additives.
Skip it if: you’re happy brushing oil on with a pastry brush.
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Tongs
Cuisipro silicone locking tongs
Good for: lifting food out without scratching the basket or tearing the liner.
Skip it if: you already own silicone-tipped tongs.
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Quick answers
Can I put a ceramic or glass dish in an air fryer?
Often yes, if it’s oven-safe and leaves room for air around it. Check your fryer’s manual first.
Does a liner make food less crispy?
A solid liner can. Perforated ones barely make a difference.
Is it safe to use foil in every air fryer?
Most manufacturers allow it with the precautions above, but a few say no. Your manual has the final word.
