Aluminium foil, stainless steel and paper can be kept in an air fryer, but here are things that you should never
Air fryers can be confusing when it comes to knowing which materials are safe to use inside them. If you’ve ever stopped before lining the basket with aluminium foil or placing a stainless steel bowl inside, you’re not alone. These are materials many people avoid in microwaves, yet they can often be used safely in an air fryer. That’s because an air fryer cooks with rapidly circulating hot air, while a microwave heats food using electromagnetic waves.This difference also explains why some everyday kitchen items should never go inside an air fryer. While foil, oven-safe metal cookware, parchment paper, and heat-resistant glass or ceramic can be used correctly, materials that melt, burn, or block airflow can damage the appliance or pose a safety risk.
Things you should never put in an air fryer
Plastic containers: Even if labelled microwave-safe, plastic containers are not designed for the high dry heat inside an air fryer. They can soften, melt or release chemicals.Paper towels, tissues and brown paper bags: Unlike cooking parchment, these paper products can be lifted by the circulating air and come into contact with the heating element, creating a fire hazard.Styrofoam containers: Foam packaging can melt quickly at air fryer temperatures and should never be used.Oversized containers: Large bowls or trays that cover most of the basket block hot-air circulation, resulting in uneven cooking and reducing the appliance’s efficiency.Loose parchment paper or aluminium foil: Both can be used, but never on their own. If they are not weighed down by food, the fan can blow them into the heating element.Glass or ceramic that isn’t oven-safe: Decorative or non-heat-rated dishes may crack under high temperatures and should be avoided.
What you can use inside an air fryer
Aluminium foil can be used to line the basket or wrap food as long as the food keeps it weighed down and it does not block airflow or touch the heating element. Stainless steel bowls, trays and racks are also suitable if they fit comfortably inside the basket. Oven-safe glass, ceramic dishes, and food-grade silicone moulds can be used for baking and reheating, while parchment paper is safe only when held in place by food.
Why it matters
Air fryers rely on constant airflow to cook food evenly and create a browned, crisp surface. Anything that blocks airflow, melts at high heat, or comes into contact with the heating element can affect cooking performance or pose a safety risk.Before using any container, check that it is oven-safe or heat-resistant, fits comfortably inside the basket and leaves enough room for hot air to circulate. A microwave-safe label alone does not mean the item is suitable for use in an air fryer.
