I swear by air fryer liners for easy cleanup – these are my top picks and ones to avoid

If you're tired of cleaning your air fryer basket every time you cook, or you're just trying to keep that layer of non-stick coating in good condition, you've come to the right place. As a trained cook and air fryer obsessive, I've tested the best air fryers on the market – and now I've turned my hand to the accessories that make them easier to use and last longer.

The best air fryer liners not only provide a protective layer to your appliance, they catch residual cooking oil and crumbs to make cleaning quicker and easier. In my quest to find the best, I tested the most common types of air fryer liners – silicone baskets, paper sheets, and perforated liners. I cooked classic French fries and air fryer dishes that are notoriously irritating to clean, like sticky marinades and melted cheese.

To my surprise, I hated the perforated liners (more on that below) and loved the reusable, silicone baskets the most. Here's a quick list of the winners – you'll find options for your air fryer's size and shape further down the page, so you can find the right fit.

The best air fryer liners 2024

These liners will cover all your air fryer cooking needs. Combined, they make a dream team.

The air fryer lines to avoid

Perforated liners are supposed to aid crispiness, but in my comparison tests, they weren’t any better than silicone liners with grooves.

Flat paper liners were the worst of the bunch. They are incredibly lightweight, so if not weighed down by heavy food, they can float up or cover your food– reducing crispiness and at worst, catching fire. Plus, marinades, crumbs and oil still leaked through to the basket – I had to clean the air fryer basket after every use.

They do help drain away oil – which may be appealing to some – but if you’re concerned about oil intake, I’d recommend using an ultra-fine spray bottle from Flairosol, and your fryer’s crisper plate as normal to let excess oil drain to the bottom. For an easy cleanup, line the bottom of the basket with a paper basket to catch any excess oil. Simple.

Notes from the test kitchen

Here are the juicy details of my tests, plus my liner recommendations for the unique size and shape of your air fryer. I used the Ninja Double Stack Air Fryer, which is my personal favorite.

1. Silicone basket liners with grooves

I was surprised by how much I loved using the silicone liners. I preferred designs with raised grooves, since they made my fries ultra crispy and it was easy to drain out the collected cooking oil.

The handles are so easy to use – but hot to touch straight away, so you just need to wait a couple of minutes for them to cool quickly. When I removed the liner, the plate underneath was spotless.

They were easy to clean in the dishwasher, but if you wash by hand, you'll need to scrub in between the grooves. For sticky marinades and melting chocolate, I'd recommend paper liners instead.

Shop the best silicone basket liners

Choose these for bacon, fries, fish cakes, nuggets and more. Make sure to measure your air fryer first to pick the correct size.

2. Parchment paper baskets

Paper baskets are incredibly convenient and disposable, making cleanup a breeze for foods like cheesy fries, air fryer s'mores or cookies. just toss them in the trash after use. Choose food-safe, unbleached paper like the options below.

They can be tricky to lift out, especially when filled with food. They're not a good option for small portions, because they need to be weighed down by food to stop them floating around in the hot air. If they fly up near the heating element, you'll risk a fire hazard.

Also, paper baskets don't have perforated holes or raised grooves to promote airflow and crispiness, but I didn't notice a huge difference in texture in my tests. If you're concerned about losing crispiness (particularly on fries or breaded foods), I discovered a great hack. You can place a paper basket underneath your crisper plate. You'll benefit from the crisper holes and the paper basket will catch all the mess at the bottom, saving you the effort of cleaning the air fryer basket beneath.

One last point, since they're not reusable, they could get expensive to buy repeatedly. I'd actually recommend owning an assortment of silicone liners, paper baskets and ramekin containers – then you can just use the paper for very messy meals.

Shop the best paper liners

Choose these for cookies, doughs, sticky marinades, and melting air fryer s'mores. Make sure to measure your air fryer first to pick the correct size.

3. Air fryer-safe ramekins

If you're making single-serve desserts like molten lava cakes, crème brûlée, baked eggs, or smaller portions of dishes such as mini casseroles or soufflés, you'll want to choose a good set of air fryer-safe ramekins.

Their individual size makes portion control easy and they're also great for meal prep. I tested porcelain and ceramic ramekins, as well as silicone molds. I found that porcelain and ceramic withstand high heat and distribute it evenly, so your food is air-baked to perfection. Just make sure to compare the temperature threshold on your ramekin to the temperature required for your recipe, so they're safely compatible.

My particular favorite was the adorable Staub cocotte dishes. I used them to bake eggs; they are so elegant to serve guests. I lined the dish with oil, cracked in the egg with a little salt, pepper and parmesan, then the eggs were ready in under 10 minutes.

I also loved the OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups. They were perfect for egg bites and muffins, which popped out effortlessly from the non-stick surface. Plus, I wasn't nervous about their fragility or breakage in the air fryer. They are dishwasher-safe, so cleaning was effortless, too,

Shop the best air fryer ramekins & molds

Choose these for desserts, baked oats, eggs and more. Make sure to compare the temperature on your recipe with the heat threshold of your ramekin, so they are compatible.

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4. Perforated flat sheets

Many people are tempted to use perforated liners, thinking the holes will enhance crispiness and reduce oil. The latter is true – when I tested, I found that a lot of oil slipped away into the bottom of the drawers. This might be healthier, but it doesn't provide the effortless clean-up I'm looking for.

Plus, the perforations made zero difference in crisping up my food. If you're looking to drain away oil, you're better off just using your air fryer’s crisper plate as normal and lining the basket underneath with a disposable paper basket.

I also found the flat paper liners slide around when you shake the basket (posing a safety hazard if they shift near the heating element) and they can end up covering your food. They can’t be easily lifted out, tumbling out amidst the food when you're serving.

The silicone liners I tried were a bit sturdier. They are non-stick, so if you don't have a non-stick air fryer, the silicone flat liners could help if you need to flip food for baking. However, I'd probably recommend using parchment paper baskets above for baked goods – it's a time-tested method for a reason.

All things considered, I'm not sure they are worth the hassle – my top suggestion is to invest in a mixture of grooved silicone and paper baskets, using the hack I have suggested above to create crispy food and easy maintenance on all occasions.

FAQS

Can you use foil in the air fryer?

For the most part, yes. Some air fryer manufacturers warn against using foil, so check your brand's manual first. When placed correctly at the bottom of the air fryer basket, foil can collect grease and breadcrumbs to be disposed of later. However, if not used correctly, foil can have some troublesome side effects.

Can silicone air fryer liners go in the dishwasher?

Yes, most silicone air fryer liners are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a dream. These liners are designed to withstand high temperatures and are made from food-grade silicone, so they can easily be placed on the top rack of your dishwasher for quick and convenient cleaning. Before placing your silicone liner in the dishwasher, double-check the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure it’s safe for your specific liner.

Where to buy air fryer liners?

Amazon, Target and Walmart have tons of options. You can get all these liners, as well as ramekins and baking molds to fit a wide range of brands, so you can find the right fit for your specific appliance. Plus, they have most of the air fryer accessories I wouldn't be without. Like tongs, spray bottles, and more.

Are air fryer liners safe?

Yes, if used correctly. Parchment paper liners specifically designed for air fryers are made to handle high temperatures. To ensure safe use, always check that the paper liner’s heat resistance matches your air fryer’s maximum temperature – most are safe up to 425°F (218°C).

Since paper liners are lightweight, you need to place enough food on top to prevent the liner from flying up and contacting the heating element. Never use them while your air fryer is preheating, as this can also pose a fire hazard.