Whatever sits at the bottom of your air fryer basket affects airflow, cleanup, and how evenly your food cooks. So its worth asking: what can you put in the bottom of an air fryer? The short answer is parchment paper, foil, a silicone liner, or nothing at all. The right pick depends on the food your cooking and how much mess you want to deal with.
Below you’ll find a full breakdown of every safe option, plus the mistakes that can damage your fryer or ruin dinner.
What Can You Put In The Bottom Of An Air Fryer
You have more options than most people realize. Each one changes how air moves around your food, so choose based on the meal.
Perforated Parchment Paper
This is the most popular choice, and for good reason. Perforated sheets have small holes punched through them, which lets hot air pass through instead of bouncing off a solid surface.
- Best for: fries, nuggets, veggies, fish sticks
- Keeps small pieces from falling through the grate
- Cuts cleanup down to seconds
- Must be weighted down by food so it does not fly up into the heating element
Regular parchment paper works too, but only if you poke a few holes in it yourself. Never use it without food on top. Loose paper can touch the heating coil and catch fire.
Aluminum Foil
Foil is fine in most air fryers, but it blocks airflow. That means food sitting directly on foil will steam instead of crisp.
- Best for: messy foods like bacon, marinated chicken, or anything that drips
- Line only the bottom, never the sides
- Leave gaps around the edges so air can still circulate
- Do not use it to cover the entire basket
One warning: acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus can react with foil and leave a metallic taste. Use parchment for those instead.
Silicone Liners And Mats
Silicone inserts are reusable, flexible, and dishwasher safe. Many come with raised ridges that lift food slightly off the base.
- Best for: sticky foods, saucy dishes, and anything that would glue itself to the basket
- Look for liners labeled air fryer safe and heat resistant to at least 400°F
- Avoid cheap versions that smell like plastic when hot
Some silicone liners have solid bottoms, which traps steam. If you want crispy results, pick one with holes or cut a few yourself.
Nothing At All
Honestly, this is often the best answer. The basket itself is designed for airflow. Adding a liner usually makes food less crispy, not more.
- Best for: wings, roasted vegetables, and anything you want browned
- Zero fire risk
- Just wash the basket when your done
Other Items People Try
Not everything belongs down there. Here is a quick rundown.
- Baking paper without holes: works, but only under food
- Coffee filters: not heat safe, skip it
- Paper towels: never, they can burn
- Metal racks or trivets: fine if they fit and do not scratch the coating
- Ceramic or glass dishes: only if the manufacturer says they are safe
How To Choose The Right Liner For Your Food
Match the liner to what your cooking. This one habit fixes most uneven-cooking complaints.
- For crispy food, use nothing or a perforated liner.
- For greasy food, use foil with the edges left open.
- For sticky or saucy food, use a silicone liner.
- For tiny pieces, use perforated parchment so nothing slips through.
- For anything acidic, skip foil and use parchment or silicone.
If your not sure, start with nothing. You can always add a liner next time.
Safety Rules You Should Never Break
A few simple rules keep your fryer working and your kitchen safe.
- Never put loose parchment or foil in a preheating basket. Airflow can lift it into the heating element.
- Always place food on top of any liner before you start cooking.
- Do not cover the entire bottom with foil. Air needs a path around the edges.
- Keep liners below the maximum fill line so they do not touch the top coil.
- Check your manual. Some brands void the warranty if you use foil.
Also, let the basket cool before you toss out a liner. Hot parchment can crumble and leave bits behind.
Common Mistakes That Ruin Results
Most air fryer problems trace back to airflow. Here is what to avoid.
Using Solid Liners For Everything
A solid sheet traps steam under your food. Fries come out limp. Wings lose their crunch. Only use solid liners when you want soft, moist results.
Stacking Liners
One liner is enough. Two or three layers block heat and slow cooking down.
Forgetting To Clean Under The Liner
Even with a liner, grease and crumbs sneak underneath. Wipe the basket after each use so buildup does not smoke or smell.
Cutting Parchment Too Small
If the paper is smaller then the basket, food slides off the edges and makes a mess anyway. Trim it to fit the base with a small border.
Cleanup Tips After Using A Liner
Liners cut cleanup time, but a little care goes a long way.
- Let the basket cool fully before removing parchment or foil.
- Toss disposable liners in the trash, not the sink, so grease does not clog drains.
- Wash silicone liners by hand or on the top rack of the dishwasher.
- Soak the basket in warm soapy water for ten minutes if residue sticks.
- Dry everything completely before the next cook.
If you skip liners entirely, a quick soak usually does the job. Nonstick baskets release food easily when they are still slightly warm.
Final Thoughts On Air Fryer Liners
So, what can you put in the bottom of an air fryer? Parchment paper, foil, silicone liners, or nothing. Each has a place. Parchment handles everyday cooking. Foil catches grease. Silicone works for sticky meals. And no liner at all gives you the crispiest results.
Pick the option that matches your food, keep the edges open for airflow, and never leave loose paper near the heating element. Do that, and your air fryer will cook evenly and clean up fast every single time.