✔ Updated · do's and don'ts, a foil vs parchment table and FAQ
Yes, you can put foil in an air fryer, but I only use a small piece in the basket and never wrap it over the food. Most of the time I reach for perforated parchment or nothing at all.
Yes, aluminum foil is safe in most basket air fryers if you use a small piece in the basket, keep it weighed down with food, and leave room around the edges for air to flow. Never put foil in the bottom of the drawer or let it touch the heating element, and skip it for acidic foods. Always check your model's manual first.
- Do: line part of the basket, with food on top.
- Don't: cover the whole basket or the drawer bottom.
- Don't: preheat with loose foil inside.
- Skip it: for tomatoes, citrus and vinegar marinades.
How to Use Foil in an Air Fryer Safely
- Use a small piece. My rule of thumb: if the foil is bigger than the food, it's too big.
- Weigh it down. Put the food on the foil before you start the fryer. Loose foil can blow into the heating element.
- Leave the edges open. Air needs to circulate around and under the food for crisping.
- Never line the drawer bottom. It blocks airflow and traps grease against the heat, which can smoke or damage the coating.
- Fold up a little rim for saucy or marinated foods so drips stay put.
When Foil Is a Good Idea
Foil earns its place for sticky glazes, cheesy toppings and delicate fish that might stick or fall through the basket. A loose foil tent over the top of a roast (tucked in so it can't fly up) also stops browning too fast.
When to Skip the Foil
Skip foil when you want maximum crunch, like fries, wings or breaded chicken, because it blocks the hot air underneath.
I also avoid foil with acidic foods such as tomato sauce, citrus and vinegar marinades. Acid can react with aluminum, pitting the foil and leaving a metallic taste.
Foil vs Parchment vs Nothing
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| No liner | Fries, wings, breaded foods (crispiest) | Sticking with delicate fish or cheese |
| Perforated parchment | Most everyday cooking, easy cleanup | Can blow up if not weighed down; don't preheat with it |
| Small piece of foil | Sticky glazes, saucy foods, fish | Blocks airflow if too big; avoid acidic foods |
| Silicone liner or ovenproof dish | Casseroles, eggs, baking | Slower cooking; leave space around the edges |
What Else Can Go in an Air Fryer?
- Parchment paper: yes, ideally perforated, always with food on top.
- Wax paper: no. The wax melts and can smoke.
- Paper towels: no. They're light enough to blow into the element and can scorch.
- Glass, ceramic and metal dishes: yes, if they're ovenproof and fit with space around them for air.
- Silicone: yes, food-grade silicone liners and molds are heat-safe to the temperatures air fryers reach.
More Air Fryer Ideas
Put your air fryer to work with my air fryer hot dogs, or browse my Ninja Foodi recipes for multi-cooker ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to put aluminum foil in an air fryer?
Yes, in most basket-style air fryers, as long as the foil is small, weighed down with food and doesn't touch the heating element or cover the drawer bottom. Check your manual, since a few manufacturers advise against it.
Which side of the foil should face up?
It doesn't matter for safety or cooking. The shiny and dull sides are just a result of how foil is made; both conduct heat the same way.
Can you put parchment paper in an air fryer?
Yes. Perforated air fryer parchment works best because the holes let hot air through. Always put food on top so it can't blow around, and never preheat the fryer with only paper inside.
Does foil make air fryer food less crispy?
It can. Foil blocks the hot air from reaching the underside of the food, so bottoms brown less. For the crispiest results, cook straight on the basket and shake it halfway.
Can I put a foil pan in the air fryer?
Yes, a small disposable foil pan works for saucy dishes if it fits with at least an inch of space around it. Expect slightly longer cooking times, since air can't circulate underneath.
