If you love your air fryer but hate cleaning it, then air fryer liners might be just what you are looking for! By popping an air fryer liner into your air fryer you can save time and also protect your air fryer while cooking healthy meals for your family.
Air fryers have become the must-have kitchen appliance and so it is understandable that add ons such as liners, are available too. But are they necessary? One of the selling points of air fryers is how easy they are to clean so what is the point of a liner? Obviously by lining the basket in your air fryer will keep it cleaner and if you really want no fuss cooking, a paper liner will mean no cleaning at all because you can just throw it away.
What is an air fryer liner?
They are exactly what they say they are; they line the inside of your air fryer during cooking by sitting on top of the crisper plate to act as an extra layer. However, there is more to them than that. You can choose from paper or silicone liners and there is a wide range of sizes and shapes to suit your air fryer. You can even get air fryer liners that can be cut to size, or are perforated for efficient air flow.
Paper or silicone air fryer liners?
Paper air fryer liners really do reduce the cleaning because you can throw them away after cooking, and so they make the whole experience of using your air fryer truly zero fuss. However, while that sounds great it is not very eco-friendly, and also, buying single-use liners adds to the running cost of an appliance that is famed for being economical to run. Another factor to consider is how tough they are. Paper liners are not very sturdy to use and while they will contain an omelette, will they keep a sloppy bolognese from leaking?
Silicone air fryer liners are far more sturdy and durable. They are not single-use and so much more environmentally friendly too. However, that does mean you still have washing up to do to clean the liner. Silicone is a simple material to keep clean though and can be wiped easily with soap and water, and should be able to go in the dishwasher. With silicone liners, you might have to buy a few to have a variety of sizes and shapes.
Best air fryer liners at a glance
•Best reusable silicone air fryer liners: Reusable silicone liners, £8.99
•Best round paper air fryer liners: PORTENTUM Air Fryer Liners, £5.99
•Best perforated paper air fryer liners: 120 pcs paper air fryer liners, £6.45
•Best cut to fit air fryer liners: NoStik air fryer liners, £10
•Best large air fryer liners: Lakeland air fryer liners, £12.99
If you are looking to simplify cooking family meals then an air fryer has proved to be a real help and adding air fryer liners will not only save you time when cleaning up but will also protect your air fryer to ensure it lasts you and your family for a good while. We have rounded up some of the best paper and silicone air fryer liners to help you decide what is best for you.
Best air fryer liners 2024
Best silicone basket air fryer liner
Lakelandwww.lakeland.co.uk
This silicone air fryer liner makes air fryer cleaning quicker and easier, plus it has handles either side for easy lifting, as well as ridges on the inside to help airflow. Made from silicone it is long lasting and dishwasher safe.
One trusted reviewer said: "I bought two, one for my Mum as part of her Christmas and she thinks that it is fantastic, ideal for one person and fits her air fryer perfectly. She also says that she did not think that anything could improve the crispness of the food - but this does. The other one was for myself and I have to mirror her comments. Perfect size for single portions."
Pros
- Ridges on the inside
- Handles for easier lifting
Cons
- Some reviewers said it was a bit small
Best reusable silicone air fryer liners
AmazonThese are the perfect air fryer liners to replace and protect the non-stick surface on the bottom of your air fryer basket. They will prevent food from sticking to the coated surface and prolong the life of your air fryer. The perforated design also supports the air flow in your air fryer to ensure crisp, even cooking.
A verified reviewer said: "The 8.5 inch liners fit my air fryer shelves perfectly. Easy to clean and stopped food sticking. When cooking pastries they were a little soft underneath, but easy to solve by flipping them over for a few minutes."
Pros
- Ensures even cooking
- Easy to clean in the dishwasher
Cons
- Residue gets through to the air fryer
Best dual pack of silicone air fryer liners
AmazonAlthough these air fryer liners have been specially designed for the Ninja Foodi air fryer, they can also be used for baking, grilling, and microwaves. Made from high-quality silicone, we like that they are 100% healthy, non toxic and odourless. Plus they are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
One reviewer commented: "Liners are a good fit, easy to clean and do the job of lining a Ninja Airfryer. Expensive for a liner. Need to adjust cooking time, silicone doesn't conduct heat as well as metal. Overall a good buy."
Pros
- Dual pack
- Suitable for other appliances
Cons
- Increase the cooking time
Best round paper air fryer liners
AmazonThis pack of 100 air fryer liners is perfect for simplifying cooking and they work well with a variety of foods from chips to chicken and vegetables. They come in a size of 16 - 20cm which is perfect for family cooking.
A reviewer said: "Thin paper trays but pretty robust. Ideal for pizza, nachos, garlic bread etc... anything that could run or have grease it stops. Seems to make chips better as well. Leaves the air fryer just needing a wipe down."
Pros
- Pack of 100
- Stops grease from getting to the air fryer
Cons
- A bit thin
Best perforated paper air fryer liners
AmazonFor fuss free cooking these parchment liners are made of high quality food-grade silicone oil paper. We liked that they are non-sticky, waterproof and oil-proof. The perforations help to speed up the steam circulation in the air fryer for speedy cooking. Plus each liner measures 21 x 14 cm which makes them ideal for lots of models, in particular the Ninja foodi dualzone 2-basket air fryer.
A verified tester said: "Save a lot of mess and help keep air fryer draw clean. Does not stop circulation of air like some products."
Pros
- Good for air circulation
- Waterproof and oil proof
Cons
- Some reviewers thought they needed to be wider
Best bowl shaped paper air fryer liners
AmazonThese great bowl shaped air fryer liners are brilliant for keeping your air fryer clean. They don't have holes and are specially designed to stop the air fryer basket from getting greasy without leaving residue. Our testers also liked that they make transferring the food to a plate easier.
A reviewer, Steph, said: "I got these for my dual drawer airfryer as I am too busy to cut normal greaseproof/baking paper through the week. They keep things clean when making certain recipes.
Also double up as cake tin liners. Really important not to put them in when preheating the airfryer though as this is a fire risk."
Pros
- Double as cake tin liners
- Grease proof
Cons
- Some reviewers said the edges curled
Best cut to fit air fryer liners
John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
This pack of two rectangular liners for your air fryer can be cut to fit your air fryer. We like that one liner keeps the outer basket of your air fryer clean and the other prevents food from sticking to your air fryer's inner basket. With integrated handles, it makes it easy to lift the liners easily out of the baskets. They are easy to clean and you can use them again and again.
One reviewer, Gary, said: "Bought these when buying an air fryer and am very pleased that I did. Really easy to use. Cut the liner to fit the basket, makes the fryer easier to clean and the liners themselves are very easy to clean. A must with an air fryer. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend them."
Pros
- Easy to clean and reusable
- Integrated handles
Cons
- Some reviewers said you have to be careful cutting them
Best large air fryer liner
Lakelandwww.lakeland.co.uk
This large air fryer liner can be cut to size, and it is made with non stick PTFE coating to really make cooking with your air fryer mess free and efficient. Perforated for air flow to ensure effective cooking, we like how this air fryer liner is easy to clean and is even microwave, oven and freezer safe.
One tester, Susan, commented: "This is a ‘must’ for an air fryer. With it being larger than needed, it is easy to cut to right size thanks to the template provided. It prevents food from sticking to the fryer making it really easier to clean the baskets. I would recommend using this product."
Pros
- Non-stick coating for easy cleaning
- Oven and microwave safe too
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it was just something else to wash
FAQs
How to use air fryer liners?
If you are using silicone air fryer liners then ensure they are clean and dry before placing them in the bottom of the air fryer basket. You then place your food on top of, or in, the air fryer liner and cook the food according to the recipe or air fryer instructions. When you have finished cooking carefully remove the liner and clean it with soap and water, or if you prefer some eco-friendly cleaning products, alternatively place it in the dishwasher if it is dishwasher safe.
If you prefer paper liners, you can use these in the same way but ensure you don't put them in while the air fryer heats up because this is a fire risk. With paper air fryer liners they are typically single use and so you simply throw them away when you have finished cooking.
Do air fryer liners block air flow?
An air fryer blows hot air around to cook food so there is a risk that by adding a liner into your air fryer it can block air flow. Some users do think liners increase the cooking time, however, liners with perforations work to allow the necessary air flow and stop the cooking time being increased.
Are air fryer liners safe?
Yes, they are and most can withstand temperatures over 400 degrees. However, you must be careful with paper liners and not add them while the air fryer is heating up. If you do, there is a danger that they will fly around and catch fire. They are safe once weighted down with food.
Do air fryer liners need holes?
No, it is not a necessary requirement but they do help with air circulation. The holes are designed to allow air to circulate and they help to make crispier food without it sticking to the air fryer basket, and they also keep cooking times the same. However, some testers said the holes allow residue through to the basket and so you still have to clean, or wipe your air fryer after cooking. Without the holes there is a risk that air flow is restricted which can lead to longer cooking times or doughy food.
Do I need air fryer liners?
It is up to you! They will help with reducing the amount of cleaning, especially if you opt for paper liners. However, if you are worried about cost or waste, then paper liners are more costly and they are not very eco-friendly because they are typically single-use. Silicone liners will protect your air fryer and reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do with the air fryer basket, plus they are reusable. However, they will need cleaning. It is up to you if you think air fryer liners are worth it and what type of liner you decide is best for you.
Laura Healy is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby. She is a mum-of-two girls and loves writing about all things parenting, she is particularly interested in the toddler years and eco-friendly baby products, as well as children’s literature. She has a PhD in Creative Writing and has published short stories in the UK and Ireland, as well as previously writing freelance for her local paper.