Placing the liner correctly in your air fryer basket ensures proper airflow and prevents a mess while keeping your food from sticking. So, where do you put the liner in an air fryer? The short answer is simple: it goes at the very bottom of the air fryer basket, directly on the floor of the basket, not on top of the food and not under the basket. This one placement rule keeps air moving around your food and stops grease from pooling in the wrong spots.
In this guide, you will learn the exact spot for every common liner type. You will also see the mistakes that cause soggy food and burnt edges.
Where Do You Put The Liner In An Air Fryer
The liner always sits flat on the bottom of the air fryer basket. That is the only correct spot. The basket has a floor with small holes or slots, and the liner rests right on top of that floor.
Air fryers work by moving hot air in a fast circle around your food. If the liner blocks the air, your food cooks uneven. If the liner sits to high, it can touch the heating element and burn.
So the rule is plain: liner on the basket floor, food on top of the liner. Nothing else.
Why Placement Matters More Than You Think
Hot air needs to reach the bottom of your food. A liner that covers the whole floor with no holes will trap heat and steam. That makes fries soft instead of crisp.
A liner placed to high can curl up and touch the top heating coil. That is a fire risk. So keep it low and flat.
Also, a liner that is to big can block the side vents of the basket. Air needs those vents to move freely.
Where The Liner Should Not Go
- Not on the very top of the food
- Not under the basket, in the outer drawer
- Not wrapped around the basket handle
- Not touching the heating element at the top
If you put the liner under the basket, it does nothing. Grease still drips through the basket holes and lands in the drawer. So the liner must be inside the basket, on its floor.
How To Place Different Types Of Liners
Not all liners are the same. The spot is the same, but the way you set them down changes a bit. Here is how to do it for each type.
Parchment Paper Liners
Parchment liners come as round sheets with holes or as plain sheets. Put the liner flat on the basket floor. Then add your food.
Never preheat the air fryer with an empty parchment liner inside. The fan can lift a light sheet and press it against the heating coil. That can burn the paper.
Always put food on top of the parchment before you start. The weight holds the paper down.
Silicone Liners
Silicone liners are reusable and often have a raised edge. Set the silicone liner on the basket floor. Press it down so it sits flat.
Make sure the liner is smaller then the basket. If it touches the sides, air cannot flow around it. A small gap on all sides is best.
Perforated Liners And Grill Mats
Perforated liners have holes that let air and grease pass through. Place them on the basket floor, holes facing up. The holes should never face down, or they clog with grease.
Grill mats work the same way. Flat on the floor, food on top.
Aluminum Foil
Foil is not a true liner, but many people use it. If you use foil, lay it on the basket floor and poke a few holes in it. The holes let air and grease move.
Never let foil touch the heating element. And never cover the whole basket with foil, because that blocks airflow.
Step By Step: Putting The Liner In Correctly
- Pull the air fryer basket out of the unit.
- Check that the basket floor is clean and dry.
- Pick a liner that is slightly smaller than the basket.
- Lay the liner flat on the basket floor.
- Press down the edges so it sits even.
- Add your food on top of the liner in a single layer.
- Slide the basket back into the air fryer.
- Set the time and temperature as your recipe says.
That is the whole process. It takes about ten seconds.
Quick Tips For Best Results
- Leave a small gap between the liner and the basket walls
- Do not overload the basket, air needs room to move
- Shake the basket halfway through cooking for even browning
- Clean the liner after each use to stop grease build up
- Check your air fryer manual for any liner warnings
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Most air fryer liner problems come from a few simple errors. Fix these and your food will cook much better.
Using A Liner That Is To Big
A liner that touches the basket sides blocks airflow. Buy liners made for your basket size, or cut them down. A liner with a half inch gap all around works well.
Letting The Liner Float
A loose liner can fly up into the heating coil. Always weigh it down with food before you start cooking. If you preheat, remove the liner first.
Covering The Whole Basket Floor
If the liner has no holes and covers every slot, heat cannot reach the bottom of the food. Choose a perforated liner, or poke holes in foil and parchment.
Putting The Liner In The Outer Drawer
Some people drop the liner into the outer drawer, under the basket. That does nothing useful. The liner belongs in the basket, on its floor, every single time.
Stacking Two Liners
One liner is enough. Two liners trap more heat and block more air. They also make the basket sit uneven.
Frequently Asked Placement Questions
These come up a lot, so here are quick answers.
Should The Liner Go Above Or Below The Crisper Plate?
If your air fryer has a removable crisper plate, the liner goes on top of the plate. The plate lifts food off the bottom, and the liner sits on the plate surface. Food goes on the liner.
Can I Use A Liner In A Basket With A Removable Tray?
Yes. Set the liner on the tray floor, not under the tray. The tray still needs its holes clear so air can pass.
Do I Need A Liner At All?
No. Liners are optional. They save cleanup time and stop sticking. But your air fryer works fine without one, as long as you clean the basket after each use.
What If My Liner Does Not Fit?
Trim it with scissors so it sits flat with a small gap around the edge. Never fold the edges up the sides, because that blocks airflow.
Final Word On Liner Placement
The liner goes on the bottom of the air fryer basket, flat, with food on top. That is it. Keep it smaller then the basket, keep the holes clear, and never let it touch the heating element.
Do this and your food cooks crisp, your basket stays cleaner, and you avoid the burnt paper smell that comes from a liner in the wrong spot. Check the manual for your model once, then follow the same routine every time you cook.