Keto Means
Photo by Olena Bohovyk Pexels Logo Photo: Olena Bohovyk

Can I put foil in an air fryer?

Is It Safe to Use Aluminum Foil in the Air Fryer? It is absolutely safe to use aluminum foil in your air fryer. In fact, it can make cooking with the air fryer easier.

Can you eat 4 day old chili?
Can you eat 4 day old chili?

It might be a good idea to take a look at the time you cooked the dish. If your leftover chili has not been refrigerated for more than three days,...

Read More »
Do bodies sit up and scream when cremated?
Do bodies sit up and scream when cremated?

We think this is an urban legend. We've witnessed many cremations and never heard a scream. But then again, cremation retorts aren't silent either....

Read More »

Aluminum foil is a workhorse in the kitchen. The heat-conducting sheet can drastically reduce cooking times and messes, and it can be utilized to clean the bottom of your oven, your stovetop, and even your grill grates. Plus, it doesn't just help you make dinner at home; anyone who has made a foil packet meal on a camping trip can testify to aluminum foil's use as a culinary tool far outside your home.

But is it OK to use aluminum foil in smaller, extremely hot appliances like your air fryer? And how, exactly, does one go about air frying with aluminum foil?

Is It Safe to Use Aluminum Foil in the Air Fryer?

It is absolutely safe to use aluminum foil in your air fryer. In fact, it can make cooking with the air fryer easier. Put aside your worries about your air fryer catching on fire, and focus on all the ways using aluminum foil there can help you: Utilizing aluminum foil in the air fryer will cut down on mess and significantly reduce overall cleanup time. Those pesky crumbs and sticky sauces will never stand a chance.

How to Use Aluminum Foil in the Air Fryer

First, check your air fryer model's instruction booklet. "You do want to be mindful of your appliance," says Kelly Jones MS, RD, CSSD, LDN. The machine's creators may have tips on the best ways to use aluminum foil. They may also provide a list of things to avoid. Then, consider your machine. Aluminum foil in an air fryer toaster oven could line the baking sheet or drip pan. In a toaster oven with a drawer or basket, you could line the bottom of the drawer, or you could line the tray that sits in the drawer.

If you are using foil, here's how to insert it:

Fold the sides of your aluminum foil so it is smaller than the basket and fits snuggly.

Is blue cheese keto?
Is blue cheese keto?

Some of the best cheeses to eat on the keto diet are cheddar, Gouda, blue cheese, and goat cheese due to their suitable high fat and low carb...

Read More »
How long does it take to reset your metabolism to lose weight?
How long does it take to reset your metabolism to lose weight?

It may take you some time to increase your metabolism — three months is a reasonable timeframe to expect to see changes. If you are having a hard...

Read More »

Insert the foil or wrap it around the part you want to cover. Don't place foil over the fan or heating element. This will block the airflow and heat and prevent the device from cooking properly.

When to Use Aluminum Foil in the Air Fryer

"Aluminum foil may help if you're cooking eggs in the air fryer, but don't have a small enough metal tray to put in," Jones says. Creating cups with aluminum foil keeps the eggs compact and on the foil to cook without getting messy or slipping through mesh baskets. "It's also good for reducing cleanup from items like wings that may easily stick, or foods that have breading that can fall through spaces in the basket and overcook," she says. Think: chicken nuggets, mozzarella sticks, or onion rings. To be fair, sometimes aluminum foil isn't an option due to the model or size of the air fryer, so in those cases, you'd want to upgrade to a larger model or just use a different material. "For smaller air fryers, if you're concerned with cleanup, it may be better to use parchment paper when possible so as to not interfere with airflow and the cooking process," she suggests. You can't always fold the sides of the aluminum foil easily due to lack of space within the air fryer unit. However, the parchment paper won't work for all kinds of foods, so you may want to go with an alternative cooking method instead. "This wouldn't work for items like eggs or anything with more liquid," she says. Or, head to the store and buy a larger air fryer that can accommodate the foil.

Related:

Do you lose weight right away on keto?
Do you lose weight right away on keto?

Anecdotally, people report losses within the first week of anywhere from 1 pound (0.5 kg) to 10 or more pounds (5 kg). The larger you are, the more...

Read More »
Why is my poop sticking to the toilet?
Why is my poop sticking to the toilet?

Sticky stool is usually a sign that your diet needs some adjustment — maybe a little less fat or some more water. But sticky stool can also be a...

Read More »
What 2 fruits go well together?
What 2 fruits go well together?

6 Power-Packed Fruit Combos to Fuel Your Morning Anti-inflammatory plate: Cherry, pineapple, blueberry. ... Immune-boosting plate: Grapefruit,...

Read More »
What are lazy Keto Foods?
What are lazy Keto Foods?

A lazy keto diet consists of low-carb foods like meat, fish, full-fat dairy and non-starchy vegetables, but limits high-carb foods such as bread,...

Read More »