Meet the Liners Transforming Air Fryer Cooking
If you're tired of scrubbing air fryer baskets after every meal, you're not alone. Cleanup used to be the worst part of air frying, but things are changing, fast. The air fryer liner market keeps expanding, but not all options out there are worth your time—or your leftover crumbs. Recent hands-on testing in well-equipped home kitchens reveals which air fryer liners actually make your life easier and your dishes crispier for 2025.
So, which liners go above and beyond? For most everyday cooking needs, two standouts really shine: silicone baskets and paper sheets. Both are purposely designed to keep oil, crumbs, and sauce from sticking to your air fryer, letting you lift your food out with zero fuss. Silicone drains excess oil away and is endlessly reusable. Paper liners, on the other hand, are great when you want a one-and-done solution—just toss them out when dinner’s done. They're also a favorite among anyone juggling multiple dishes, since they make the post-meal rush a breeze.
The Power Players: Ramekins, Molds, and More
The world of liners isn't just for chicken wings and fries. Once you get into desserts or more delicate dishes, you want something a bit different. Enter the sturdy ramekins and versatile molds. Porcelain ramekins really earn their keep here; they retain heat so well that you get an unbeatable finish—think perfect lava cakes with gooey centers, or oat bakes that come out golden and crisp around the edge. They get hot, stay hot, and give you those true oven-class results without overheating your kitchen.
Love baking? Silicone molds are game changers for anything soft and sticky—cupcakes, muffins, mini frittatas, or crustless quiches. They’re naturally non-stick, so your delicate bakes won’t end up mangled on the bottom of your fryer. You can pop out each treat in one piece, no matter how gooey or cheesy your recipe gets. Plus, they fit snugly in most air fryer baskets and can go straight into the dishwasher.
If you’re after smaller batch bakes or high-heat egg dishes, check out the ceramic cocottes—think personal-sized Dutch ovens. Staub and similar brands are leading the pack, offering compact, heavy-duty ceramics that bake evenly and stack efficiently. They're fantastic for breakfast bakes or small loaves, and they stand up to the dishwasher without a problem.
When picking a liner, always double-check that the material can handle the same temperatures as your go-to recipes. Most air fryer liners have listed heat thresholds, so don’t risk melting your silicone or scorching those paper sheets by ignoring the numbers. You want easy cleanup, not a sticky, burnt mess.
There are still liners out there that make things worse, either by blocking air circulation for soggy fries or by forcing you to chisel away baked-on gunk. While the newest reviews don’t call out the worst offenders by name, it’s clear you should avoid any liner that’s too small, too flimsy, or tough to clean. Your best shot? Stick to silicone, paper, porcelain, or sturdy ceramic—paired thoughtfully with your dish and your air fryer’s limits.
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