Parchment Paper and Foil in the Air Fryer
Parchment paper and foil can make an air fryer easier to use. They stop sticky food from welding itself to the basket, catch sugary drips, and cut down on scrubbing. They can also cause trouble, because an air fryer has a strong fan and a heating element a few inches above the food. A light sheet of paper or foil that is not weighed down can lift off and touch the element.
This guide explains what is safe, what is not, and how to use each option so the air still flows around your food.
Can you put parchment paper in an air fryer?
Yes, in most models, if you follow three rules. Always check your manual first, since a few manufacturers advise against paper altogether.
- Never preheat with loose paper. Put the parchment in after the air fryer is hot, with the food already on top, or place the food on the paper and lower both into the basket together. Paper alone in an empty basket can fly up into the element and scorch or ignite.
- Weigh it down with food. The food holds the paper in place. If part of the sheet is uncovered, tuck it under the food or trim it.
- Leave a gap around the edge. Cut the sheet about 1 inch smaller than the basket on every side so air can move past it. Do not let it climb up the walls of the basket.
Check the temperature rating on the box, too. Most parchment is rated for oven temperatures well above what air fryers use, but brands differ.
Perforated liners and homemade holes
An air fryer works because air passes through the bottom of the basket. A solid sheet blocks that airflow, so the underside turns soft. Perforated parchment liners, sold as rounds or squares with small holes, let air through while still catching crumbs and drips.
You can make your own. Fold a piece of regular parchment, snip small holes with scissors, and trim the sheet to fit. The same rules apply: no preheating with it in the basket, and food on top at all times.
Our recipes use perforated parchment where food would otherwise stick or fall through. Cookies go on a round cut 1 inch smaller than the basket with a few holes poked in it, and the liner goes in only after the empty air fryer has preheated to 330 °F. Bagels and cod also work well on a perforated round, as long as the food is on top of it. For bacon, the liner is fine, as long as the strips are on top before the basket goes in.
Wax paper and other paper to avoid
Do not use wax paper. The wax coating melts and can smoke at air fryer temperatures. Brown paper bags, paper towels, and plain paper plates are also poor choices, since they are light enough to be blown into the element. Use parchment made for baking, or skip paper.
Can you put foil in an air fryer?
Usually yes, with the same caution. Foil is lighter than it looks and can fly up if it is not held down.
- Fold it over a pan or dish. Crimp foil tightly around the rim so the fan cannot lift it. That is how our banana bread and brownies use a foil tent: the pan goes in first, and the foil is crimped over it partway through baking, once the top is already golden.
- Do not cover the whole basket bottom. A solid layer of foil traps grease and stops the air from reaching the underside, so food steams.
- Keep acidic food off the foil. Tomatoes, citrus, vinegar, and wine-based marinades can react with aluminum, pit the foil, and affect the flavor. Use parchment or a dish instead.
- Think about the result you want. Foil traps steam. Wrapping a potato softens the skin and can add about 5 minutes, which is why we recommend cooking baked potatoes bare for crisp skin. A closed packet is useful when you want softer food, such as asparagus with a little butter at 375 °F.
If your manual says no foil, follow it.
Silicone liners and mats
Silicone liners are reusable. Look for ones with holes or raised ridges, so air can reach the underside of the food, and check the label for a maximum temperature. Some are made for the basket, and others are meant for a tray in an oven-style model, so match the product to your machine. Wash them after every use, since a greasy liner will smoke the next time it heats.
Silicone muffin cups are a handy variation: our muffins bake in them at 320 °F, and they sit in the basket without lifting.
Glass, ceramic, and metal dishes
A dish is the safest way to cook anything wet or crumbly, because it cannot fly around.
- Oven-safe glass and ceramic: Fine in most air fryers, if the dish is labeled for oven use. Avoid sudden temperature changes, such as setting a hot dish on a cold or wet counter.
- Metal pans and ramekins: Good for cakes, cheesecake and quiche. Choose a size that leaves space around the sides.
- Fit first: Set the empty dish in the basket and slide it in before you start. It must clear the heating element by at least an inch or two.
Quick comparison
| Option | Best for | Avoid with | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perforated parchment | Cookies, fish, bagels | Preheating empty | Lifts into the element if loose |
| Solid parchment | Pan liners, lining a cake pan | Food that needs crisp bottoms | Blocks airflow |
| Foil tent or cover | Cakes, breads, casseroles | Acidic food | Lifts if not crimped |
| Silicone liner | Sticky or sugary food | Missing the temperature rating | Smoke if greasy |
| Glass or metal dish | Eggs, batters, saucy dishes | Dishes that are not oven-safe | Needs clearance around it |
What not to do
- Do not use aerosol cooking spray on a nonstick basket; the propellants can damage the coating. Brush a little oil on the food instead.
- Do not put paper or foil in the basket while the air fryer preheats.
- Do not wrap food so tightly that the air cannot circulate.
Frequently asked questions
Can parchment paper catch fire in an air fryer?
It can if it touches the heating element. That usually happens when loose paper sits in an empty basket during preheating. Put the food on the parchment right away, and trim the paper so it is smaller than the basket.
Do I need holes in the parchment?
Not for everything. Holes help air reach the underside, so use them for breaded foods, fish, and cookies. For a pan liner, solid parchment cut to fit inside the pan is fine.
Can I line the whole basket with foil?
It is better not to. Foil over the whole bottom blocks airflow and traps grease. Use a small piece under the food, or a perforated liner.
Is it safe to put a glass dish in an air fryer?
Yes, if the dish is labeled oven-safe and fits with space around it. Do not move a hot dish onto a cold or wet surface. Greasy liners and dishes are easier to deal with once you know how to clean an air fryer.
