Why do air fryer baskets have holes?

Author: Markus Trantow  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 17, 2025

The holes allow hot air to circulate around the food while still providing a base to trap some of the grease and food bits that usually fall through the basket.

Do air fryer liners need holes?

Air fryer liners don't need holes, but liners with holes can help with airflow and prevent food from getting soggy.

Why are people getting rid of air fryers?

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.

Why use perforated parchment paper in air fryers?

Simply put, your parchment paper has to have holes in it. This allows proper air flow through your air fryer. Disrupting the air flow can cause your air fryer to, well, catch on fire. And you don't need to call 911 over PARCHMENT PAPER.

Why does air fryer basket have holes?

The holes allow hot air to circulate around the food while still providing a base to trap some of the grease and food bits that usually fall through the basket. 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.

Do liners really affect airfrying?

Can aluminum foil go in the air fryer?

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.

Is it better to put foil or parchment paper in the air fryer?

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.

Can I put a paper towel in an air fryer?

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.

Why did my parchment paper burn in Airfryer?

"You should never use parchment in either the air fryer basket or baking pan if there is nothing to hold it down to secure it, like food, as the high velocity fans will cause the parchment to possibly touch the heating elements," notes Rodgers. That's a recipe for starting a small fire.

Why do chefs hate air fryers?

Air Fryers Reduce Taste Quality

Out of the top three reasons restaurants don't use air fryers, the taste is the leading cause. It has numerous benefits and can cook food efficiently. However, the taste can be subpar compared to other cooking methods available at the commercial level.

What is negative about air fryers?

What are Disadvantages of Using an Air Fryer? Air fryers vary in the amount of foods they can hold, but usually do not have a large capacity. Air fryers may not be convenient when cooking for large groups. Foods that are air fried have different sensory characteristics than foods that are deep fried.

What is replacing air fryers?

Ditch your air fryer and replace it with a countertop oven | CNN.

What is the best liner to use in an air fryer?

Best overall

The dishwasher-safe Wavelu is one of the best silicone air fryer liners because it keeps ingredients from coming in contact with your basket for an effortless clean-up.

What can you use instead of liners for air fryer?

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.

Why can't you use olive oil in an air fryer?

Using cooking oils that can stand up to a high temperature is key. Extra virgin olive oil is not an air fry-friendly oil due to its low smoke point, but extra light olive oil can be used for air frying because of its high smoke point.

What is the best thing to put on the bottom of an air fryer?

A slice of bread in the bottom of your air fryer can help collect grease without making a mess.

What cannot be cooked in an air fryer?

  1. Wet Batters. Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, and tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. ...
  2. Cheesy Items. ...
  3. Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  4. Baked Goods. ...
  5. Leafy Greens. ...
  6. Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  7. Too Much of Anything.

What to put in an air fryer to catch grease?

Be sure you're using a grease fighter like Dawn Ultra. To make it easier to clean the fryer post-cooking, you may also be able use disposable air fryer aluminum foil or parchment paper liners. Just make sure to check your owner's manual to confirm that they're appropriate to use with your air fryer toaster oven.

When should you not use parchment paper?

Do not ever use parchment or wax paper in the broiler. Despite its heat resistance, parchment paper can't handle the heat of any broiler, which can reach temperatures upward of 500°F. And wax paper? It should never come near the high heat of the oven or broiler.

Should you line an air fryer basket?

Whether your liner is silicone or parchment, they both help to prevent food from sticking to the air fryer basket. Food sticking to the basket not only creates a slightly more involved clean up process, but it also affects the food.

Can you put glass in an air fryer?

Whether you prefer the benefits of cooking in glass or you just use glass dishes out of habit, we've got good news – yes! You can use glass in an air fryer.

Can you put a plate in an air fryer?

There are four main types of oven-safe dishware: glass, metal, cast iron, and ceramic, though not all glass is necessarily oven-safe (as we learned with Pyrex recently). Since air fryers are again, essentially mini convection ovens, any oven-safe dish should be safe in an air fryer.

What can you put in the air fryer other than aluminum foil?

You can only use parchment paper or aluminum foil to line a baking sheet in your range and place it on the rack below where you have placed your air fry basket. Either parchment paper or aluminum foil are a good choice.

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