Air Fryer Liners: The Key To Keeping Your Appliance Clean

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When I first heard about air fryer liners, I was skeptical for the simple reason that I already love my air fryer and the food it produces. I honestly doubted an additional product could improve on an extremely convenient and delicious cooking experience. It wasn’t until my husband gave me some as a stocking-stuffer last Christmas that I actually tried them out, and I realized how badly mistaken I had been.

In this post, I’ll explain how to use air fryer liners to their full potential and let you in on four of the best air fryer liners money can buy.

Why Should I Use Liners in My Air Fryer?

Air fryer liners present three huge benefits:

1. They cook things more evenly – Most air fryer liners are covered with very tiny pre-cut holes. The holes allow for even better air circulation than the walls or an air fryer’s basket. Also, since the food will not actually be resting on the hot metal of the air fryer, the outside edges never burn like they might if you were to cook without the liner. It’s the same concept as using a silicone baking sheet, wax paper, or tin foil to line the bottom of a cookie sheet in the oven.
   
2. They make cleanup easier – Even though air fryers cut down significantly on the amount of oil used in cooking compared to deep frying, they usually still require the cook to drizzle a spoon or two over the food to get that crispy texture. Plus, air fryer foods often release a bit of grease, juices, or crumbs while they’re cooking. The point is, they often make a mess on the walls of the fryer. You’re generally able to take apart air fryers and wash them by hand or in the dishwasher, but it’s even easier and more convenient to just toss out the liner used during cooking.
   
3. They prevent stickage – Air fryer manufacturers do their best to make the interiors of the appliances non-stick, but some foods – especially meats – will sometimes stick to a metal surface no matter what precautions are taken. The sleek surfaces of air fryer liners, though, are even better at nonstick than any metal, which means almost any food will slide off them after cooking like a hot knife gliding through soft butter.

So while air fryer liners are not necessities, they definitely improve the cooking experience in more ways than one. And, considering they’re such affordable products, there is really no reason not to at least try them out.

Using Air Fryer Liners

“Liner” is actually a bit of a misleading term, because it suggests you have to carefully fold and cut the material like you do when you’re lining a cake pan. In reality, though, air fryer liners are nearly always just single-piece materials that you slip into the bottom of the air fryer basket. Whereas lining a cake pan is like an arts and crafts project and takes at least a few minutes, putting in an air fryer liner takes only a few seconds.

After cooking the foods on the liner and serving them, simply remove the fryer and, if it is a one time use liner, throw it out. If it is a reusable air fryer liner, rise it off and dry it in preparation for next time.

The Best Air Fryer Liners

1. Disposable Air Fryer Liner

by [amazon link=”B09QHM3WWS” link_icon=”none” title=”NETANY” /]

[amazon fields=”B09QHM3WWS” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Air Fryer Disposable Paper Liner”]

These unbleached paper air fryer liners are the most convenient ones I’ve ever used. They’re about 7.9” in diameter and the walls are 2” high, so they basically eliminate the need for any cleanup. The paper even has a thin silicone coating, which makes it impossible for any liquid or grease to soak through. In fact, those foods will cook in their own juices, which often makes them turn out even better. The coating also makes the liners totally nonstick and ups the heat resistance to over 425 degrees Fahrenheit. What really sets these liners apart from competitors, though, is the thickness. Just a few extra grams per square meter makes a huge difference and helps make sure the paper will not tear, even when you pick it up with food on it.

IMPORTANT: Like with any paper air fryer liners, MAKE SURE not to leave this liner in the oven while it is preheating unless it is weighted down. The fan in the fryer can blow the paper-light liner into the heating element, igniting the liner and thereby ruining the air fryer.

2. Perforated Disposable Air Fryer Liner

by [amazon link=”B0937MP54Z” link_icon=”none” title=”SyeiouC” /]

[amazon fields=”B0937MP54Z” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”200pcs Air Fryer Parchment Paper”]

These liners are perforated, meaning that the hot air flow will be a little more even and will reach the bottom surface of the food. They’re ideal for foods like fries or dry vegetables that won’t leak juice or grease during cooking. Foods that do drip liquid, like meats and vegetables that have a high water content, will cook well on these liners but will also drip through the paper and make a mess.

I should also point out that the liners have an 8.5” square shape, the same dimensions as the bottoms of some air fryers.

3. Walled Silicone

by [amazon link=”B0828CNF3K” link_icon=”none” title=”WAVELU” /]

[amazon fields=”B0828CNF3K” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”WAVELU Air Fryer Silicone Pot”]

I may very well be the #1 fan of silicone in the Americas. It’s flexible, naturally nonstick, basically heatproof, durable, non-toxic, and it doesn’t look half bad. I also prefer air fryer liners with walls, because they eliminate the need for cleanup. And that’s why this model is my favorite option on this list.

My favorite feature that not all similar products have is the raised lines of silicone on the bottom. They create better air circulation, allowing air to reach all surfaces of the food without perforations in the liner. Unfortunately, the lines do not allow the food to simmer in its own juices, which is, in my opinion, one of the best things about air fryer liners. The improved crunchy texture they cause is worth the sacrifice, though. That being said, the lined bottom also allows any grease coming from the food to drip down and so makes food cooked in the liner a bit less fatty. The bottom is even sloped just ever so slightly so that the grease flows to one side of the bowl.

4. Flat Silicone

by [amazon link=”B08RCWZCBY” link_icon=”none” title=”Airware” /]

[amazon fields=”B08RCWZCBY” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Airware Aeromats Reusable Air Fryer Liners”]

If you’re looking for silicone air fryer liners on a budget, you should go with this set. It includes three vibrantly-colored wall-less silicone liners plus air fryer “cheat sheets” that show the optimal cooking times and temperatures for certain foods. It’s an especially great buy for those who have an oven-style air fryer with several racks and want a liner for each of them.

They’re great at catching residue and heatproof all the way up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The one downside is that they’re not made of the highest quality silicone so they can be a bit tough to clean, but what can you expect for the amazing price?

Air Fryer Liner FAQ 

Now to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about air fryer liners.

Wrapping Up

I love my air fryers and they’ll never be replaced. But now I know they can be made even better by adding air fryer liners during their use. I encourage you to give the liners a try, too.