Any kind of plastic, even if it's labeled “microwave-safe” or “oven-safe”, should never be used in an air fryer. The high heat of the air fryer can cause plastics to melt and release harmful chemicals. It's best to keep plastic far away from this appliance.
It's generally not recommended to use microwaveable plastic in an air fryer. While some plastics are designed to withstand microwave heat, air fryers operate at higher temperatures and can cause certain plastics to melt or release harmful chemicals.
Any food with a wet batter should not be placed in the air fryer. You also want to avoid putting food that has a wet batter, like corndogs or tempura shrimp, in air fryers.
Choosing the right type of packaging to use in your air fryer not only helps ensure food safety but also improves cooking efficiency. Aluminum containers, heat-resistant glass, silicone trays and other environmentally friendly materials are the top choices you should consider.
Aluminum foil can be used in an air fryer or air fryer oven, but it should only go in the basket. Think foil in air fryer equals small piece that does not block air flow! The air fryer pushes hot air all around the food. If the air is blocked by foil, it cannot cook the food properly.
Airflow is essential to the machine, so while a paper towel is useful for cleaning, it should not be used while cooking food in the air fryer. It can restrict the airflow of the machine and even catch fire. It's important to remember that the air inside the air fryer can get very hot.
A slice of bread in the bottom of your air fryer can help collect grease without making a mess.
Paper plates, paper towels, and wax paper shouldn't be used because they can catch fire under the air fryer's extreme heat. The intense heat source is too much for these materials to handle.
You can use any ovenproof dish or mold in the Airfryer, whether it is made of glass, ceramic, metal or silicone.
“Foil can be such a great tool to keep your air fryer clean,” says Clare Andrews, air frying expert and author of The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook. The foil also prevents food sticking to the bottom of the basket, making sure you get the whole of your delicious dish on your plate and not at the bottom of the air fryer.
Risks such as acrylamide formation, electrical malfunctions and toxic coatings can all result from using an air fryer and be a source of potential harm. Similarly, while they are supposedly healthier, air fryers are often used to cook processed foods which can give the illusion of eating better.
According to the food expert, “bacon is a fatty food, and when it is cooked in an air fryer, the fat can drip down and cause smoke or splatter”. “This can make the bacon difficult to cook evenly, and it can also produce a lot of smoke and odours,” she explained.
While an air fryer can technically take a burger patty from raw to cooked, the exterior won't brown as quickly as it would on, say, a grill, which means medium-rare (and even medium) burgers are out of the question. You also won't get that irresistible char.
It depends on the specific bag and air fryer oven model, but generally, it's not recommended. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food at high speed using a heating element. When you use a roasting oven bag in an air fryer basket, you might block that air from moving freely.
Can I Use a Kitchen Towel or Dishcloth Under My Air Fryer? While a kitchen towel or dishcloth might absorb oils or spills, it's not the best option for heat protection. Instead, use a heat-resistant mat or trivet to ensure your countertop stays safe.
The liners are especially helpful if you have an air fryer basket with a fine-mesh bottom—food stuck in those little holes is so hard to clean out. You'll have a lot less cooked-on mess that will take almost no effort to wash off. Most times a swish of soapy water in the air fryer basket is enough to clean it.
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.
Oven-safe containers like small metal baking pans, stainless steel pots, or aluminum muffin tins can be used in air fryers. These containers are great because they can handle high temperatures without bending or melting.
If your glass mug or dish has survived in the microwave or oven before, it likely won't break in the air fryer. Even still, we recommend holding your dish up to the light to check for cracks or scratches before using glass bakeware in an air fryer. Safety first!
Opt for Pyrex® Glass Dishes for Your air fryer
Pyrex® borosilicate glass can withstand the very high temperatures generated by the air fryer, guaranteeing even cooking without any risk of cracking, shattering, or warping.
You can use any ovenproof dish or mold in the Philips Airfryer, whether it is made of glass, ceramic, metal, or silicone. You can also use silicone or paper cupcake cups or molds to bake cupcakes, muffins, or small gratins.
Before you fire up your old-school cooker though, Nice says you can maximise your air fryer space by finding trays and dishes that make the most out of the room inside. “You can use any vessel you would use in an oven to cook in an air fryer.
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.