Air fryers have become a popular kitchen staple, thanks to their ability to cook meals quickly and healthfully. While nobody would say an air fryer is difficult to use, there's one thing that can be a chore: cleanup.
Air fryer liners are a simple and effective solution to minimize any mess, prevent food from sticking, and keep your air fryer basket in great shape. You can purchase either disposable liners or reusable ones, depending on your needs.
In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about the best air fryer liners, from what's available to their benefits and the top 5 options we've found.
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What are Air Fryer Liners and Why Do You Need Them?
When you use your air fryer, food typically goes directly into the air fryer's basket. Grease, crumbs, and other messes can then accumulate on and under the basket.
Liners make it simple to clean up: Simply remove the used liner and throw it away or, if it's one of the reusable liners, put it in the sink or dishwasher. Air fryer liners come in a range of materials, including parchment paper and silicone. You can use them every time or only when you're cooking something messy.
Keeping some air fryer liners on hand can help you keep dinner cleanup to a minimum and make you more likely to use your air fryer in the first place.
Types of Air Fryer Liners
While there are quite a few brands of air fryer liners available, two main options are most popular:
Disposable liners are usually made of parchment paper. They're lightweight, easy to use, and good for those who just want to throw the mess away in the trash. One potential disadvantage is that they need to be weighed down well by the food; otherwise, they'll tend to fly upwards in the air fryer.
Reusable liners are made of silicone. Silicone liners are both eco-friendly and cost-effective, and they come in various sizes to fit different air fryers. They're often dishwasher safe, making them an extremely convenient choice.
Related: Can Put Aluminum Foil In An Air Fryer? An In-Depth Guide
Benefits of Using Air Fryer Liners in Your Air Fryer Basket
You might think it doesn't really matter whether or not you use air fryer liners. In one sense, you're right: You can certainly choose to use your air fryer without a liner. There are some benefits that you should be aware of, though:
1. Easy To Clean
First, the best air fryer liners make it easier to clean up after cooking dinner. Your liner will catch food debris, sauces, and grease, eliminating the need for you to scrub your air fryer basket and cooking tray. While it might not be an issue when you're cooking something relatively dry, like frozen fries, it can make a big difference if you're reheating greasy burgers or cooking chicken wings.
2. Protective Layer
Next, liners provide a protective layer that keeps your air fryer basket free from scratches and wear. If you're using a metal utensil to flip over your food, you risk scratching the basket each time. A liner will help keep that nonstick coating intact.
Speaking of sticking, most of the time, you'll be working with nonstick liners. Next time you want to air-fry sticky glazed salmon filets or something similar, it will slide right off, keeping all of your food together and not stuck to the basket.
3. Versatile
Finally, you'll enjoy more cooking versatility. If you're planning on cooking chicken for dinner and then want to pop some egg tarts into the fryer for dessert, there's no need to scrub down the appliance in between. Simply change out the liner.
This is also a benefit if you have food allergies in your household; you can feel more secure that you aren't contaminating the fryer basket beyond the limits of safety. (We do recommend washing the air fryer well if you are dealing with a food allergy, however, even if you are using a liner!)
Related: Your Easy Guide On How To Turn On An Air Fryer For Crispy Food
Top 5 Best Air Fryer Liners
Best Parchment Paper Liner
Vailnd Air Fryer Paper Liners - The Vailnd Air Fryer Liners made the top spot among parchment paper liners. Each pack contains 125 disposable parchment paper liners, and their size is suitable for 3 to 5-quart air fryers.
These are made from food-grade parchment paper, and they're nonstick. They're also oil-proof and waterproof and can tolerate temperatures up to 428 degrees, so you'll be able to use them for most air fryer applications.
One reviewer said these liners don't leak even when cooking greasy foods, such as bacon. Another said they have made her kitchen "peaceful once again" because there are no more fights with her spouse and child about not cleaning the air fryer properly.
Negative comments focused on the liner blowing around while cooking, potentially touching the heating element. This can be avoided by not using the liner during the preheat cycle and also being sure that your food is holding it down well on all four corners.
Related: Can You Put Metal in an Air Fryer? Safety Tips And More!
Best Silicone Air Fryer Liner
Loveuing Reusable Silicone Basket - The Loveuing Reusable Silicone Basket Liner earned the distinction of the best silicone liner. These are crafted from food-grade silicone and are heat-resistant to 450 degrees. This one is the 8.5-inch size, and it will fit most air fryers larger than 5.3 quarts.
You'll like that this is a dishwasher safe liner, and the high sides contain any mess from sauces or crumbs.
Positive comments focused on ease of cleanup after using the air fryer. They prevent sticking and fit well in a standard air fryer. One commenter said, "I've finally found a silicone liner that's the perfect fit for my 8" fryer." They said that the molded raised lines kept food out of any accumulated oil and allowed for better heating.
A few users mentioned that the liners could be more rigid, as the sides were a bit flimsy and floppy, so this is something to look out for. If you can push some of your food up against the sides of this thinner silicone liner, that should help the liner keep its shape.
Also see: Can You Put Oil in an Air Fryer? What You Need to Know
Best Perforated Silicone Liners
Lotteli Kitchen Air Fryer Liners - Since most basket air fryers have perforations, we looked at the variety of perforated liners available. The Lotteli Kitchen Air Fryer Liners earned the distinction of the best perforated silicone liners. They have strategically placed holes, allowing airflow for better air circulation.
This set of three is meant for air fryers that are at least five quarts. In addition to the liners themselves, each package includes a magnetic sheet with cooking times and temperatures for common foods, which adds convenience, particularly if you are new to air frying.
One reviewer noted, "They fit perfectly and the food does not stick to them at all. Cleanup couldn't be easier!" Another said that if food got crispy on the mat, it would fall off easily.
A couple of reviewers mentioned that the mats allow food to fall through and stick to the air fryer basket underneath. This is to be expected with any perforated liner, though. Another said that the liners tend to wrinkle and stretch out, but overall, users were happy with their purchase.
Also read: What To Put Under Air Fryer To Protect Counter
Best Perforated Parchment Liners
DNSSY Air Fryer Parchment Disposable Liners - If you're looking for perforated parchment liners, the best liner in that spot went to DNSSY Air Fryer Parchment Disposable Liners. These are made of unbleached natural food-grade wood pulp, making them a good option for eco-conscious users. They're perforated to allow for hot air to flow and heat-resistant up to 450 degrees.
You'll find that these are an economical option if you're looking for disposable liners; they cost less than many of the other brands and contain 200 liners per package, which is a lower price per piece than many air fryer liners.
One user said that the holes are small enough to prevent most crumbs from falling through. Several mentioned that the liners didn't fit their air fryer perfectly but that they still worked. Be sure to measure your air fryer baskets before purchasing.
As with other parchment paper liners, several people mentioned these flying up during cooking. This is a common issue with all disposable liners; keeping the cooking surface covered with food will make it easier to keep it in place.
Best Round Silicone Liners
Buauty 3-Pack Air Fryer Silicone Liners - While many air fryer baskets are square in shape, you might have a round one. The Buauty 3-Pack Air Fryer Silicone Liners are eight inches in diameter and made from 100% food-grade silicone. They're flexible and non-stick, and they have a nice 2-inch raised ridge and handles for convenience.
These air fryer liners can withstand temperatures up to 428 degrees, and they can be used in the oven and microwave as well as the air fryer, making them a versatile choice for the kitchen.
One consumer loves the versatility and likes that they easily remove all of the food at once from the air fryer. They do warn, however, that the handles do get hot.
Another stated that their family will use the air fryer more often now since cleaning it is easier. Their family member was avoiding the air fryer due to not wanting to deal with cleanup.
One customer, however, says that they aren't easy to clean and that they "pick up stains like nobody's business." While they're dishwasher safe, the person said they don't come clean enough that way, so they prefer to handwash them.
Also Read: What Plate Can I Put In Air Fryer? Safe Guide
Air Fryer Liner Buying Guide
With so many types of liners available, you might feel overwhelmed. Here are some tips for choosing the best liner to make air frying easier.
- Do you want silicone liners or parchment paper liners? Parchment paper is lightweight and disposable, ideal for those who prefer a quick and easy cleanup. Thicker silicone liners, however, are good for frequent use. If you're using your air fryer a lot, silicone will be a more cost-effective purchase.
- What size and shape is your air fryer? Larger air fryers might not be well-accommodated by the parchment paper liners on the market. The same can be said for those that are an unusual shape. You'll need to look for either a silicone liner or even consider a square baking dish if that fits your air fryer better.
- Consider design features. Perforations or holes allow for more hot air to flow so you can cook your food efficiently. Raised edges help contain grease and crumbs for better mess-control. Nonstick coatings are also essential so your food is released easily.
- Look for heat resistant liners. Check the maximum heat tolerance on the packaging so be sure your air fryer liners can tolerate the temperature you're cooking at. Most recipes don't go higher than 400 or 450 degrees, so a liner that accommodates that temperature should be fine.
- Think about other features that you want. Handles or raised edges on silicone models make them easier to get in and out of the air fryer. If you want a reusable liner, you could look for one that's dishwasher safe and also microwave or oven safe, as this will extend the versatility of the product.
Related: What Plate Can I Put In Air Fryer? Safe Guide
How to Use Air Fryer Liners
Using air fryer liners is simple. First, make sure to choose the right liner so it fits your basket air fryer snugly.
Next, position the liner in the air fryer basket after preheating and before adding food. Make sure it's laying flat, and if you are using a parchment paper liner, balance your arrangement so all sides have food weighing it down.
Cook your food as usual, on the same air fryer settings you usually use and with the cooking time listed in the recipe.
Once the food is done cooking and the air fryer has cooled, you can remove the liner. Discard it if it's disposable, and wash a reusable liner with warm, soapy water or put it in the dishwasher. Dry it fully before storing it.
Also read: How To Use An Air Fryer
Where to Buy Air Fryer Liners
You can purchase air fryer liners at a variety of places, including Amazon and other online retailers. Big-box stores that sell air fryers, such as Walmart or Target, may also keep air fryer liners in stock.
You can also check specialty kitchen stores, like Bed Bath & Beyond and others that carry air fryers.
If you have a larger or smaller air fryer than standard, contact the manufacturer to find a specific silicone liner that will fit. This is easier than having to look for parchment paper liners in an unusual size.
You might consider purchasing a combination pack that includes both disposable and reusable models in the same package so you'll always have the right type of liner depending on what you're cooking and how much time you have for cleanup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, air fryer liners can be used in any model. However, it's important to measure your air fryer basket to make sure the liner you choose fits correctly.
Silicone liners are reusable and eco-friendly, so they're good for those who use their air fryers frequently. If you're looking for easy cleanup or if you don't use your fryer frequently and don't want another dish to store, parchment paper liners might be better. It depends on your personal preference.
No, it's best not to; they tend to get greasy and soiled after just one use. Also, they'll probably get wrinkled and might be torn after one use.
Each manufacturer sets their temperature range. Most are safe up to between 425 and 450 degrees. Check the product specifications for the temperature that yours can withstand to avoid damaging your air fryer or your air fryer liner.
Conclusion
Air fryer liners are great for easy food removal and air fryer protection. They are a small item to keep in your kitchen, but they can inspire you to use your air fryer more often. Whether you prefer the convenience of disposable parchment paper liners or the durability of a reusable silicone liner, you'll be able to easily find what you need.
We hope you've been able to learn more about the winning air fryer liners as well as how to choose the one that's right for your needs. Don't be afraid to experiment as you enjoy the convenience they bring to your kitchen!
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