Can You Put Aluminum Foil in an Air Fryer?

Air fryers are a reliable and popular kitchen appliance today. Many come with accessories that allow you to do more than just fry food. But can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? The answer is yes. But you should know the dos and don’ts beforehand. And of course, there are a few safety tips you should follow. So let’s get started with safety.

But first, let’s talk about what’s so great about using an air fryer in the first place. If you own one, you already know how convenient they are. Many do not even need to be preheated. Just turn them on, put your food in, and set the timer. In no time, you’ll have a piping hot snack or meal ready for your family.

But air fryers also serve another purpose. They are great for reducing fat in your diet without sacrificing flavor. That’s because very little or no oil is used during the cooking process. By using less oil, you can also save 70-80% of the calories.

Is Aluminum Foil Safe In An Air Fryer?

Air fryers are simply small convection ovens. But before you even try to use aluminum foil in your air fryer, check your owner’s user manual first. Depending on the model of your fryer, there are certain materials that you simply cannot use.

Many air fryers have a non-stick coating inside the basket and perhaps the tray. The use of foil can combine with some non-stick coatings. PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is used in the manufacture of nonstick coatings. Be sure to refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions.

Two Major Safety Concerns

When using foil, it’s important that you leave about an inch extra to curl up creating sort of a basket or tray. This will prevent any oils from dripping into the bottom of the air fryer.

1. Do not allow the foil to come in contact with the complete sides of the air fryer. The sides of your air fryer contain holes to allow air to circulate. If the air holes are blocked, the air will not circulate properly.
2. Do not place foil loosely inside. If the aluminum foil flies around inside the fryer, it can come into contact with the heating element and cause a fire.

You could also wrap the foil around the basket. But, again, you must be careful that the foil doesn’t come in contact with the sides of the air fryer.

There’s another school of thought that says you can also poke holes in the foil as well. It will probably depend on what you’re cooking. If you place holes in the foil, any oils will drip down below making clean up a little messier. But it may make your food a little crispier. As I said, it all depends on what you’re cooking.

Blocking Air Circulation

If you block the air circulation, your air fryer essentially turns into a mini oven. This means that the food may not cook evenly and will probably take longer to cook.

Using Parchment Paper

In some cases, it may be better to use parchment paper (baking paper) instead of foil. It works the same way as foil and prevents your food from sticking to the air fryer basket, making cleaning much easier.

Parchment paper can still catch fire, so it’s important not to place it too close to the heating element. Alternatively, you can buy perforated parchment paper liners that have holes in them to allow air to circulate.

Finally, if you are using your own parchment paper, make sure that it is perforated so that the air can circulate.

Tips For Using Foil In Your Air Fryer

•  Make sure you place food on top of the foil so the foil isn’t loose to fly around.
• Make sure the foil doesn’t touch the heating unit.
• Only use a single layer of foil.

Step by Step: How to Safely Put Foil in your Air Fryer

The important thing to remember here is to use only a single layer of foil and make sure that the air can circulate freely. Don’t block air by using too much foil or making double layers.

1. Cut a piece of foil that extends about an inch beyond the size of the basket.
2. Place the foil on the bottom of the basket, leaving about an inch on the sides. This will prevent hot fat from dripping into the bottom. Be sure to use as little foil as possible.
3. Place the food in the basket, making sure it is not overcrowded.
4. Close the fryer and allow your food to cook
5. When the timer goes off, open the air fryer and carefully remove your food

Make sure there is enough space around the food to allow the hot air to circulate freely.

Avoid These 4 Mistakes When Using Foil In An Air Fryer

1. Avoid blocking air circulation. If air circulation is obstructed, food will not cook properly.
2. Make sure that the heating element does not come into contact with the foil.
   Do not place the foil loosely inside.
3. Do not use aluminum foil with any liquid batters.

The most important thing when using aluminum foil is to use it only in the basket.

Don’t Use with Acidic Foods

Any kind of acidic food reacts with aluminum foil. If you use aluminum foil along with tomatoes, citrus fruits, vinegar, or peppers, these foods will actually begin to break down the foil. As a result, you may be consuming aluminum. This is not good for your health.

Conclusion

Using aluminum foil in your air fryer can go a long way in the cleanup process. Any drippings will remain in the foil and will keep your food from sticking to the basket. Using foil can also create better flavor.

As long as you follow the guidelines above, using foil to cook food in your air fryer is perfectly acceptable.

Have you ever used foil in your air fryer? Would you be tempted to try it? Let us know by leaving a comment below.