The Best Air Fryer Liners

We liked that these disposable liners were truly nonstick, and we loved the convenience of not having to clean them—or the air-fryer basket. They were sturdy enough to hold hefty burgers and salmon fillets as we transferred them from the air fryer but were thin enough for heat to penetrate the food. Their sides were also low enough to allow heat to flow around food efficiently. Best of all, they were compatible with the size and shape of our winning air fryer and didn’t waste an inch of cooking space.

This set includes three different designs of silicone liners; we chose to test the model that’s intended for use with most foods. The best design trait of this liner was the sides, which were short enough to allow circulating air to reach food yet tall enough to effectively contain grease. The superthin silicone design conducted heat better than thicker models, and its network of short raised bumps elevated food so that air could flow under it. These factors kept cooking times quick. The liner was also effectively nonstick and easy to clean. Two downsides: This liner wasn’t quite large enough to cover the entire cooking surface of the basket, causing fries to occasionally spill over its edges, which then required a quick wipe-down of the basket after use. The liner’s low sides also made it a bit difficult to remove from the basket when it was hot; we recommend removing cooked food and then letting the liner cool down before folding in the corners and lifting it out.

The low sides of these pie plate–shaped liners encouraged airflow and efficient heat transfer, allowing food to cook quickly and evenly. The sides kept grease and sticky glaze contained, and the liner material was truly nonstick. The liners crumpled slightly around the food we cooked in them, which occasionally made it difficult to grab onto the liners and remove food without spilling.

Resembling a square baking dish, this liner contained drippings effectively and kept us from having to scrub our air-fryer basket. It was fairly easy to wash, releasing most cooked-on messes after a rinse in the sink and a trip through the dishwasher. We also liked its handles, which were easy to grab with tongs when removing food; its relatively low sides; and its 1.5-millimeter-thick silicone construction, which promoted airflow and heat transfer. Unfortunately its small size reduced cooking space; food was cramped and cooked a bit unevenly.

We liked that this cylindrical silicone liner trapped every bit of grease and drippings, meaning we didn’t have to clean our air fryer’s basket and cooking tray. Unfortunately, the liner itself, which wasn’t completely nonstick, was a hassle to clean. Sugary, cooked-on glaze didn’t rinse off easily, and stubborn bits remained on the silicone even after multiple trips through the dishwasher. We found ourselves scrubbing the silicone liner more than we would have cleaned our air-fryer basket. This liner’s high sides hindered air circulation, and its 3-millimeter-thick silicone kept heat from reaching food efficiently, increasing cooking time.

Though this model’s slightly raised edges were designed to help contain some food drippings, its holes prevented any meaningful grease containment. We were also perplexed by its long silicone spikes, ostensibly meant to keep food upright and provide airflow. In reality they just took up space and got in the way. This thin liner didn’t affect cooking time or quality, but it also didn’t help us eliminate any cleanup.

Food stuck badly to these nonstick liners, and grease and crumbs got through the holes and tumbled off the edges. These factors rendered them useless at reducing cleaning time. The liners were also too small for our air-fryer basket, despite being the largest size available from the brand.

Though easy to insert and dispose of, these perforated, flat paper liners had little to offer when it came to preventing messes. Grease and sticky glaze seeped through their holes, and they crumpled around food and made removing salmon and burgers difficult. Though they didn’t delay cooking time or affect food quality, they also didn’t offer any advantages that made them a worthwhile purchase.