Baking Paper in the Air Fryer

Baking paper in air fryer baskets is safe when you use it correctly, and so is foil in small amounts. This guide explains what you can put in the basket, how to cut and place it, and the few rules that prevent smoke, burnt paper and poor cooking. It also covers silicone and paper liners and greaseproof paper.

The short version: anything lining the basket must be weighed down by food, must leave the air holes mostly open and must stay clear of the heating element. Always check the manufacturer's manual, because some machines advise against foil.

Quick answers

Material	Allowed?	Best for	Watch out for
Baking paper (non-stick)	Yes, with food on top	Fish, sticky marinades, cakes	Never put it in loose when preheating
Perforated paper liners	Yes	Everyday use, easy clean-up	Single use; remove if soaked in fat
Silicone liner or mat	Yes, if heat-safe to 200 °C	Reusable liner	Can block airflow if solid
Foil	Yes, small pieces, with care	Wrapping, shaping a tray	Not near the element; no acidic food
Greaseproof paper	Usually only if rated for ovens	Cake tins	Check the pack; wax-coated paper is not safe
Foil trays	Only if they fit with a gap	Reheating small portions	Do not touch the top or sides

Can you put baking paper in an air fryer?

Yes. Baking paper (also called parchment) is designed for oven temperatures well above the 200 °C of an air fryer. It stops delicate food such as fish sticking, and it catches drips from marinades and cheese.

The risk is the fan. A loose sheet is light enough to lift and hit the heating element, where it can scorch or even catch fire. Follow these rules:

1. Never preheat with paper inside. Preheat the empty basket, then add the paper with food on top.
2. Weigh it down. The food must cover most of the sheet before the fan starts.
3. Cut it to fit. The paper should sit flat on the base with the edges below the rim of the basket.
4. Leave gaps. Do not cover the whole basket, because air must pass under and around the food.
5. Use holes if you can. Perforated sheets are made for this, and you can also punch a few holes in ordinary paper.

Baking paper works well under salmon, cod, chicken thighs with a sticky glaze and soft bakes such as cookies.

Can you put foil in an air fryer?

This is one of the most searched questions, and the answer is yes in most cases, with limits. Foil can go in an air fryer if it is held down by food and does not touch the element.

• Use a small piece to wrap food or to make a shallow tray with turned-up edges.
• Keep the foil lower than the rim of the basket.
• Do not line the entire basket. Foil is solid, so it blocks the air and slows cooking.
• Never preheat with loose foil, as it can fly up into the element.
• Avoid wrapping very acidic food, such as tomatoes or lemon juice, as acid can react with the metal and pit the foil.
• Do not let it touch the non-stick surface with sharp creased edges, to avoid scratching.

Foil suits jacket potatoes wrapped to keep the skin soft and fish in a parcel such as cod. It is also fine for resting food loosely once it has come out. Some manuals say not to use foil at all, and if yours does, follow it.

Tin foil, aluminium foil and kitchen foil are all the same product. Foil trays follow the same rules: they only work when they fit with space on every side.

Silicone and paper liners

Paper liners are single-use sheets, often with holes, shaped like the basket. They are the easiest way to keep the basket clean and work for most foods, from chicken nuggets to sausages. They are not ideal for very crispy chips, because the paper holds moisture against the base.

Silicone liners are reusable. Choose one with holes or raised ridges so air can circulate, and one that is heat-safe to at least 200 °C. Wash it in warm soapy water after each use, as stale fat can smoke next time.

Liners change cooking slightly. Food on a liner browns less underneath than food directly on the grid, so turn it halfway and add a minute or two if needed.

Greaseproof paper

Greaseproof paper is made to resist fat but not always to resist heat. Some types are fine in an oven and some are waxed or lightly coated. Check the packaging: if it says oven-safe to 220 °C, you can use it like baking paper in an air fryer, under the same rules. If it is not marked, do not use it. See also how to clean an air fryer for dealing with greasy residue.

Keeping it safe

• Paper and foil must be pressed down by food at all times.
• Keep at least 2–3 cm between any lining and the heating element above the basket.
• Do not use kitchen roll, wax paper or plastic wrap inside the basket.
• Take out any paper that has turned dark brown or brittle.
• Remember that cooked paper can smoke if heavy fat pools on it, so pat fatty food dry first.

Frequently asked questions

Can you put foil in an air fryer?

Yes, in small pieces held down by food, away from the heating element. Do not line the whole basket or preheat with loose foil, and check your manual first.

Can you use baking paper in an air fryer?

Yes. Cut it to fit, add it after preheating and make sure food sits on top. Perforated sheets let air through best.

Can you put greaseproof paper in an air fryer?

Only if the pack says it is oven-safe. Waxed or uncoated greaseproof is not suitable, and baking paper is the safer choice.

Are silicone air fryer liners any good?

They are reusable and keep the basket clean, but choose a heat-safe one with holes or ridges so air can circulate. Wash it after every use.

Why did my paper liner catch fire or burn?

Usually it was left loose during preheating, or lifted by the fan into the element. Always put food on top and trim the paper so it stays below the basket rim.

Can you put foil trays in an air fryer?

Yes, if they fit with a gap all round and the food inside is not touching the element. Never let the foil tray touch the top of the machine.