Can You Put Aluminum Foil in Your Air Fryer?
Using even a small piece of aluminum foil could make or break your air-fried dish
When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more.
Aluminum foil is a culinary gift that keeps on giving. You can use it to broil, bake, and grill everything from baked potatoes to roasts to a whole head of cauliflower. But what about when you air-fry those foods? Should you use the foil? Do you even need it?
Air fryers, much like your standard oven or toaster oven, can be used to heat and reheat foods that could benefit from being wrapped in, or placed on top of, foil.
Thing is, the design of an air fryer is meant for use without such products: “Manufacturers design the inner basket with small slots or holes so the hot air can flow around the food easily and allow for any drippings or fat to fall into the catch pan below it,” says Larry Ciufo, the Consumer Reports test engineer who oversees air fryer testing.
And while the manuals for some of the models in our air fryer ratings do not mention the use of foil at all, some advise not to use aluminum foil in any part of the air fryer.
So it’s not exactly cut-and-dried. Check your manual first. If you’re in the clear, as a general rule use foil in your air fryer’s basket sparingly.
Top Air Fryers From CR's Tests
Here’s a look at three impressive models that earn high marks in our tests, listed in alphabetical order.
BEST TIME TO BUY:
