Quick answer: Put an air fryer liner inside the basket, on top of the crisper plate or grate—not underneath it. Add enough food immediately to hold the liner down, and never preheat or run the air fryer with an empty liner inside.
Air fryer liners are ready-shaped sheets of food-grade parchment paper that sit underneath your food. They catch grease, crumbs and cooking juices, helping to make the basket easier to clean.
This guide explains how to use air fryer liners properly, where to place them, how to choose the right size and when a liner may affect crisping.
What Are Air Fryer Liners?
Air fryer liners are pre-shaped sheets of food-grade parchment paper designed to sit inside an air fryer basket.
Unlike ordinary baking paper, ready-made liners have raised sides that help contain grease, crumbs, marinades and cooking juices. There is no need to cut, fold or shape the paper yourself.
They can be particularly useful when cooking:
- Marinated chicken
- Fish and seafood
- Sausages and burgers
- Roasted vegetables
- Sticky or glazed foods
- Pastries and small cakes
- Foods that release grease or cooking juices
Liners do not completely remove the need to clean your air fryer, but they can reduce the grease and food residue left inside the basket.
What Are the Benefits of Air Fryer Liners?
Less Cleaning After Cooking
The main advantage is easier cleaning. A liner catches much of the grease, crumbs and food residue that would otherwise collect inside the basket. Once cooking is complete, it can be carefully lifted out and disposed of.
Helps Reduce Baked-On Residue
Sticky sauces, marinades and melted cheese can become difficult to remove once baked onto an air fryer basket. A liner creates a barrier between the food and the cooking surface.
Quick and Convenient
Ready-shaped liners can be placed straight into a suitable basket. There is no measuring or cutting required once you have selected the correct size.
Different Shapes for Different Baskets
Air fryer baskets are not all the same. Liners are available in rectangular, square and round designs, making it easier to find one that fits your appliance.
Do Air Fryer Liners Affect Cooking?
Air fryers cook by circulating hot air around the food. Because a solid parchment liner covers part of the bottom of the basket, it may slightly reduce the airflow reaching the underside of your food.
This does not mean you cannot achieve good results. The following tips can help:
- Use a liner that fits the base of the basket correctly.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket.
- Turn or shake the food during cooking when appropriate.
- Leave space around the food so hot air can circulate.
- Cook directly in the basket when maximum all-round crispness is the priority.
For foods such as chips or chicken wings, cooking directly in the basket may produce a crispier underside. Liners are often most useful for greasy, sticky or marinated foods that would otherwise leave stubborn residue.
How to Choose the Right Air Fryer Liner
The advertised capacity of your air fryer does not always tell you which liner will fit. Two appliances with the same litre capacity can have very different basket shapes and measurements.
The most reliable method is to measure the flat internal base of the basket. Do not measure only across the widest part at the top, as many baskets become narrower towards the bottom.
Choose a liner that:
- Matches the shape of your basket.
- Sits flat inside the base.
- Does not need to be folded or forced into position.
- Remains safely away from the heating element.
- Leaves sufficient room for the food and circulating air.
If you are also choosing a new appliance, our UK air fryer size guide explains which capacities may suit different households.
Rectangular Liners for Dual-Basket Air Fryers
Narrow rectangular liners are designed for many dual-zone air fryers with two separate cooking baskets.
One suitable liner can be placed inside each basket, helping to keep both sides cleaner when cooking two different foods. They are useful when one basket contains meat or fish and the other contains vegetables, chips or another side dish.
View our 100-pack rectangular air fryer liners.
20cm Square Liners for Square Baskets
Square liners are suitable for many single-basket air fryers with a wide, square cooking area.
AHM Electronics square liners measure 20 × 20cm. Their raised sides help contain grease and food residue while providing space for a variety of everyday meals.
Always measure the internal base of your basket before ordering, as the external dimensions of the appliance do not show its usable basket size.
View our 100-pack 20cm square air fryer liners.
20cm Round Liners for Round Baskets
Round parchment liners are designed for compatible round air fryer baskets and suitable cookware.
AHM Electronics round liners measure 20cm in diameter. They can be used in suitable single-basket air fryers or individually inside compatible dual-basket models.
Check the flat internal base of your basket before ordering rather than relying solely on the advertised capacity of the air fryer.
View our 100-pack 20cm round air fryer liners.
How to Use Air Fryer Liners Properly and Safely
Correct use is essential because an air fryer’s powerful fan can lift lightweight parchment paper if it is not securely held down by food.
- Complete any required preheating before placing the liner in the basket.
- Place the liner inside the basket, on top of the crisper plate or grate—not underneath it.
- Immediately place enough food on top to hold the liner securely in position.
- Make sure the liner remains away from the heating element.
- Cook according to your recipe and appliance instructions.
- Carefully remove the food and dispose of the used liner after cooking.
Never operate or preheat an air fryer with an empty liner inside. The circulating air could lift the parchment paper towards the heating element.
AHM Electronics parchment liners are suitable for cooking temperatures up to 220°C, but you should always follow the instructions supplied with your air fryer.
Can Air Fryer Liners Be Reused?
Disposable parchment air fryer liners are intended for single use.
Even when a liner appears relatively clean, heat, grease and moisture may have weakened the paper. Using a fresh liner for each cooking session is the simplest and most hygienic option.
Are Air Fryer Liners Better Than Ordinary Baking Paper?
Ordinary baking paper can sometimes be cut to fit, but it may curl, fold or extend too far up the sides of the basket.
Ready-made air fryer liners are already shaped and include raised edges to contain grease and residue. This makes them quicker and more convenient for regular use.
Whichever option you choose, the paper must fit correctly and always be held securely beneath enough food.
Can You Use Liners in a Dual-Basket Air Fryer?
Yes, provided the liners fit the individual baskets correctly.
Place one suitable liner inside each basket and add the food immediately. This allows you to cook two different foods while helping to keep grease and residue contained on both sides.
If your air fryer has a removable divider, the liner arrangement may depend on whether you are using two cooking zones or one large basket. Our guide to air fryers with removable dividers explains how this flexible design works.
Are Air Fryer Liners Worth Using?
Air fryer liners are worth considering if you regularly cook greasy, sticky or marinated foods and want to spend less time cleaning the basket afterwards.
They are not essential for every meal, and some foods may become crispier when cooked directly in the basket. The best approach is to use a liner when its convenience is most useful and cook without one when maximum airflow is more important.
The key is choosing the right shape, checking the measurements and always placing enough food on top to keep the parchment securely in position.
Shop all AHM Electronics air fryer liners and choose from rectangular, square and round 100-piece packs.