However, it's pretty tempting to throw aluminum foil in there to catch any drips and make clean-up even easier, but is that allowed? The short answer is yes, you can put aluminum foil in the air fryer.
The best way to clean an air fryer is to remove the basket and tray and wash with warm, soapy water in the sink. Wipe the interior and exterior with a damp cloth, and dry everything thoroughly before you reassemble.
Aluminum foil is not always conducive to the way that an air fryer functions. Because the hot air is intended to circulate around the perforated basket, wrapping your food in aluminum foil may result in an uncooked dish.
ALTERNATIVES TO ALUMINUM FOIL IN THE AIR FRYER Parchment paper is a wonderful alternative to aluminum foil for both oven baking/roasting and air-frying. Unbleached parchment paper carries none of the toxicity concerns of aluminum foil and can be used in all the same applications as foil.
"Put a slice of bread on the bottom of your air fryer," Kang said. "It's a green alternative to foil for catching grease and drips for easier clean-up." In order to minimize food waste, you may want to only use this technique when cooking especially greasy foods (like bacon), and also use bread slices that are stale.
Only put a layer of foil in the bottom of the air fryer basket where your food sits, not on the bottom of the air fryer itself. Air fryers work by circulating hot air, which originates at the bottom of the fryer. Lining it with foil can constrict the air flow and your food won't cook properly.
Parchment paper is good for food that might stick to the basket, like chicken wings, making clean up a bit easier. If you're tempted to use parchment every day or are simply waste-conscious, consider instead a silicone liner for air fryers. They're reusable and dishwasher safe, cutting down on both waste and worry.
Parchment Paper. You can use foil or parchment paper in your air fryer to make cleanup easy. However, parchment paper is probably a better option. Some acidic foods should not be air-fried with foil—we're looking at you, tomatoes and citrus fruits.
CAN YOU COOK FISH IN AN AIR FRYER? Yes. Fillets of equal size are the best option, since this will yield the most consistent cooking, but you can also cook fish wrapped in tinfoil. You can also cook fish cakes and fish fingers in an air fryer – especially important if you have young children.
While air fryers are popular, the most expensive models can start to get a little pricey, which could undermine their status as a budget item. Taking to social media to share their opinions, many people have revealed that they reckon halogen ovens are the best option for frugal cooking.
Ideally, your air fryer should be cleaned after every use in order to avoid charred food and gunk buildup. But there are certain parts where an occasional cleaning will suffice. "The parts of your air fryer that must be washed after each use are the basket, tray and pan," says Bedwyr.
'People choose to buy air fryer liners for a variety of reasons but mostly for the time saved on cleaning up,' explains Dennis Digwa, appliance expert at RGBDirect. 'By preventing food from sticking directly to the basket, liners can contribute to keeping the air fryer in better condition over time.
There are two main reasons to use foil in your air fryer: simple clean-up and easy food removal. Foil is particularly helpful when cooking items that may stick to the basket, such as meats, eggs, and breaded foods. You can simply lift these items out by the edges of the foil.
Lining your air fryer with parchment paper is the best way to keep your appliance clean and your food delicious. Nothing beats cooking with an air fryer to get you crispy, tender food with a fraction of the oil.
It's also a more sustainable option than lining your air fryer with aluminum foil. Lining your air fryer basket with a round of parchment paper is the perfect way to keep your air fryer squeaky clean and slash the time it takes to clean up. It just got a whole lot easier to make air fryer chicken drumsticks!
Use a perforated tray or basket
To ensure that your food gets proper airflow throughout the cooking process, always use the perforated air fryer basket that came with your appliance. This helps your food get crispy on its entire surface area.
During the air frying process, if you pull out the chicken and notice any dry flour spots on the chicken, spray those spots lightly with oil. The breading will never crisp up if it doesn't have a tiny bit of oil to hydrate it.
Oil transfers heat much more efficiently than air, and a thin layer on food ensures good browning and even roasting. A drizzle or a quick spritz is all you need for restaurant-quality fries and golden brown fried chicken. When reheating pizza or other leftovers, though, you don't need any extra oil.
Brussels sprouts are the best place to start your air-fried vegetable journey. They crisp up beautifully and take no time at all. If you're making these for a crowd, we suggest frying them up in batches as overcrowding the basket can lead to soggy results.
Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.