I’ve been using the air fryer liners for a while now, and I’m here to tell you things I have learned about them.
The liners can be made from many materials, but the most common ones are parchment paper and silicon. They can be used with any appliance with a removable basket or plate.
Air fryer liners are a type of cooking accessory that can be used to help make cleanup after cooking easier. They are designed to line the air fryer basket and help prevent food from sticking to the basket. Additionally, they can help keep the air fryer clean by absorbing some grease and oil that can be produced during cooking.
They work so well because they don’t just slide around in the basket; they stay exactly where you put them without moving around as you take out food. Suppose crumbs or anything else falls into the basket while cooking. Cleaning up after using these liners is straightforward because everything stays right where it’s supposed to be! They’re also super-easy to wash in your dishwasher or by hand (make sure not to use harsh chemicals).
If is your air fryer dirtier than you would like it to be, check out my cleaning article here. I am sure it will help you out.
Types of air fryer liners
There are two main types of liners:
Parchment paper liners are popular for air fryer cooking because they’re inexpensive, easy to find, and not prone to sticking.
When using paper liners in your air fryer, ensure you don’t overload them with food, as this can cause them to tear apart. In addition, choose perforated parchment paper over a normal one. This is to help the hot air access the food and air fry it properly.
Silicone liners are another option for air fryer cooking. They’re more expensive than paper liners and not as readily available, but they have some benefits.
For example, silicone liners tend to heat up more evenly than paper ones, so this could be a good choice if you’re looking for a crisper result. In addition, silicone liners are non-stick. Food won’t stick to them as much as it can with parchment paper liners, so you’ll need less oil when cooking with them (and less fat means fewer calories).
There are some drawbacks to silicone liners as well. For example, they tend not to hold up well in high-heat environments like an air fryer, so if you’re looking for something that can withstand repeated use, this may not be the best choice. In addition, silicone liners can be difficult to remove from your basket (again, try spraying them liberally with cooking spray first).
Parchment Paper Liners
Parchment paper is an excellent choice for air frying. It’s made from cotton and wood pulp, which means it’s greaseproof and non-stick. You can reuse parchment paper liners multiple times before they wear out, so they’re an economical option if you plan to use them regularly.
Perforated parchment paper is easier to work with than the non-perforated version because the perforations will allow airflow around your food while it cooks. This means no more measuring or cutting! Pre-cut liners that are custom fit for your air fryer basket are also available.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Parchment Liners
Advantages:
- Great for air frying because they can be used in any air fryer
- They are non-stick
- They’re reusable
- Allow air to circulate, which helps food cook evenly.
- They’re pre-cut to fit your particular air fryer model, so all you have to do is pop them in when you are ready to use them.
Disadvantages:
- They can be expensive if you have limited access to them
- You will have to replace them once they become worn out
- They are not dishwasher safe
Silicone Liners
Air fryer silicone liners are becoming more and more popular.
There are a few reasons for this:
- They help to keep your food from sticking to the basket.
- They make cleanup a breeze.
- They can help to prevent your food from getting burnt.
If you are looking for a good quality silicone liner, keep an eye out for BPA-free and PFOA-free ones like these. They’re reusable, easy to clean, durable, non-stick, and heat resistant. They can be cut to any size and go in the microwave too! Some brands even come in different colors, like red or blue!
Silicone is also an excellent material for food storage because it doesn’t absorb flavors or odors like plastic. So if you air fry anything but are not planning to eat it straight away, you can keep it on the silicone liner without worrying.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Silicone Liners
Advantages:
- Silicone liners are easy to clean
- Dishwasher safe
- Silicone liners are non-stick
- Reusable
- Easy to store
They can be used repeatedly without losing effectiveness at eliminating sticking when frying foods like french fries or chicken tenders, unlike parchment paper, which can only be used a few times before it starts to wear out.
There isn’t much waste involved with silicone liners, as they will significantly outlast any air fryer parchment paper liner!
Silicone liners are a great option if you’re looking for a way to make your kitchen more eco-friendly. They’re reusable and dishwasher safe, making cleanup quick and easy. You can also store them easily when not in use, so they don’t take up space in your cabinets or countertop.
Disadvantages:
- It can be challenging to clean off grease from a silicone liner
- Silicone is thicker than paper, so you’ll have some waste if you don’t buy exactly what size of liner your fryer needs, as you will need to cut them to fit
- They can be more expensive if you won’t use them that much
Making Your Own Liners
Using aluminum foil, parchment paper, or regular paper, you can easily make your own liners to cover the bottom of the basket of your air fryer.
Aluminum foil:
Using aluminum foil as a liner is similar to using plastic wrap in an oven. Wrap the item you want to be cooked with aluminum foil and place it into the air fryer’s basket. You can use regular or heavy-duty foil, depending on your cooking.
Alternatively, you can fold and bend the foil into the shape of your air fryer basket and make holes in the bottom of an aluminum liner. The holes ensure the hot air is getting all around your food, cooking it evenly.
Also, you can get stylish and create sides for your little container, so it is easier to remove from the basket and carry around.
Using only clean, non-abrasive aluminum foil and not recycled or tinted varieties would be best because they will melt into your food when cooked at high heat. If possible, also try to avoid waxed paper as an alternative because it may affect the taste of whatever is being cooked.
Parchment paper:
This option is great when trying to get things crispy without them sticking together!
The approach is similar to aluminum foil but slightly more accessible.
Take parchment paper, cut it to the shape of your air fryer basket, and carefully make holes in the paper in random spots with a pencil or other sharp pointy tool to allow the hot air to flow, and you are ready to use it.
Good old white paper:
There won’t be any excellent solution when you need to place something at the bottom of your air fryer. You will most likely find your favorite solution with all those great options above. But there might be a time when you will be in a tight spot.
A regular piece of paper might be your last option at times like those.
Now, this is not the best solution and should be reserved only for those in need.
To create a substitute for the liner from paper, you can follow the same advice as with the aluminum foil one. Fold and bend the paper into the shape of your air fryer basket. Afterward, make holes in the bottom of the paper liner to ensure that hot air circulates through the food as much as possible.
To ensure that food doesn’t stick to the paper, I recommend coating it with oil from all sides.
At first glance, this might look like creating more problems and mess in your air fryer, but the oil from the bottom can be easily wiped with a paper towel.
This solution is not safe to use long-term, but for one-and-done action, it is excellent.
Conclusion
In short, the fryer liners are a great tool to save time and money cleaning up after frying. They can also help keep your kitchen clean and grease-free throughout the year!
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