There's no getting around it: air fryer baskets are a pain to clean. They hog dishwasher space, and frequent machine washing can damage the nonstick coating. That's where silicone air fryer liners come in, making cleanup simple while delivering perfectly crispy results.
I've tested over 60 air fryers. My top pick for the best silicone air fryer liner is the Wavelu Air Fryer Silicone Pot; it has convenient large handles, a dishwasher-safe design, and enhances your air fryer's cooking performance. The Lotteli Kitchen Reusable Silicone Air Fryer Liners are another solid choice. Their perforated design lets excess oil drain away for healthier cooking, though you may need to lightly clean the crisper plate and basket.
If you want to upgrade your air fryer, check out our guides to the best air fryer and best small air fryer.
Our top picks for the best silicone air fryer liners
Best overall: Wavelu Air Fryer Silicone Pot — See at Amazon
Best perforated: Lotteli Kitchen Reusable Silicone Air Fryer Liners — See at Amazon
Best flat: Infraovens Air Fryer Liners — See at Amazon
Best baking cups: OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups — See at Amazon
Best overall
The dishwasher-safe Wavelu keeps ingredients from coming in contact with your air fryer basket for an effortless clean-up.
What we like
What we don't like
The best air fryer liners should make cleaning your air fryer easier. Yet, many liners have holes that allow oils and fats to drip through, leaving a mess. The $20 Wavelu Air Fryer Silicone Pot is made from a solid piece of silicone without holes, so you won't have this problem.
Initially, I was concerned that the lack of holes would cause food to hold onto its fat and hinder even cooking. However, the Wavelu features a silicone grill and slopes to the peripheries of the pot so oils drain to the sides. In my tests, food cooked just as evenly and quickly with this BPA-free silicone pot as without.
The Wavelu comes in two sizes: large for air fryers between 3 and 5 quarts and extra large for units over 5.3 quarts. Lastly, I liked that the handles stick up enough to grab them easily without oven mitts.
Best perforated
The Lotteli's perforations help grease drain from food into the air fryer basket, making for a lower-fat meal.
What we like
What we don't like
I spoke with Samantha Erb, the air fryer expert behind Everyday Family Cooking, who recommended the Lotteli Kitchen Reusable Silicone Air Fryer Liners. They come in an $11 three-pack and are flat, perforated pieces of BPA-free silicone that allow for oil drainage and airflow for even heating. They come in four sizes to fit an array of air fryers, including round, square, and rectangular baskets.
One disadvantage of flat, perforated air fryer liners is that oils pass through the liner and collect in the basket, requiring cleaning. Consequently, the main benefit is that debris won't stick to the crisper plate, which can be even harder to clean with its narrow openings.
Best flat
The Infraoven liner's structure is flat enough for optimal airflow but has a raised lip to keep grease from dirtying the machine.
What we like
What we don't like
The Infraovens Air Fryer Liners set has three mats: a flat black grilling mat, a black mesh mat, and a red mat with raised cylinders. The red is the best silicone air fryer liner because it has a low-profile lip that keeps grease from escaping and making a mess while allowing air to flow around the food.
The low-profile design makes it hard to remove the liner when it's hot, so your best bet is to simply remove the food. The set is available in four sizes, ranging from 7.5 inches to 10 inches square, and priced from $12 to $15.
Best baking cups
You can use this set of durable silicone baking cups to shape muffins, cupcakes, and more expertly. They're nonstick, so they can be washed easily.
What we like
What we don't like
Silicone baking cups are useful in any kitchen, even if you don't have an air fryer. I like the OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups because they have little tabs on the sides, making them easier to remove from an air fryer without burning myself or disturbing the contents. Plus, at $12 for a dozen, they're quite affordable.
I like to use the OXO baking cups to make egg bites for breakfast. If you do this, don't fill the cup more than halfway since the contents will expand as they heat. If ingredients might overflow the cups, you may want to put a separate liner underneath. I liked how easily the cups released the egg bites, and the clean-up was a snap.
Types of silicone air fryer liners
Perforated: A liner with perforations helps with airflow, producing crispier foods faster. The downside is they release oils into your basket, though still less than if you didn't use a liner at all.
Basket: A silicone basket is the best for simple cleanup because oil from your food collects at the bottom of the liner. Unfortunately, this does reduce airflow, making it harder for foods to crisp up.
Ramekins: Silicone ramekins, also called baking cups or egg bite molds, are great for individual portions. They can be tricky to lift out of basket air fryers, and you may want to add another liner underneath to catch any overflow.
Air fryer liner FAQs
Are silicone liners safe for air fryers?
Yes, all the liners we recommend are made of food-grade silicone. It is the same type of material used for silicone baking molds, utensils, and mats. Check the manufacturer's information for the maximum oven-safe temperature.
Can you put foil in an air fryer?
Yes, you can put foil in an air fryer. To ensure safety, placing foil exclusively in the air fryer's basket and not in the drawer is important. Placing foil in the drawer can result in it being blown around by the circulating hot air, potentially causing a fire hazard. Never preheat the air fryer when the basket is lined with foil to prevent potential risks.
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