I Was Wrong – This $10 Non-Toxic Liner Actually Does Make Air Fryer Cleanup Faster, and I'm Not Mad About It
They still allow for even crisping, too
If there’s one part of owning an air fryer I truly dread, it’s the cleanup.
Sticky grease, burnt crumbs, and that awkward crisper tray, plus a basket that usually demands hand-washing. The whole appeal of the best non-toxic air fryers is convenience, so the last thing I want is to be hunched over the sink scrubbing residue from every corner.
Article continues belowI Was Foolish For Not Picking Up Air Fryer Tray Barriers Sooner
Rated one of the top silicone liners tested by our in-house chef, Lydia Hayman, these rectangular ones are best suited to dual-drawer air fryers with 8-10 quart capacity, such as the Ninja DoubleStack or Instant Vortex Dual Drawer, but they are also available in 8.5-inch square and 7-inch round ones too.
Even some of the best air fryers on the market come with one frustrating caveat: Their baskets are rarely dishwasher safe. Many manufacturers recommend hand washing to preserve the non-stick coating and any internal elements, which means every batch of roasted vegetables, chicken nuggets, or fries leaves you with grease to scrub.
And because the trays and grill shelves in these trays are perforated to allow for air flow, food debris easily works itself into every tiny gap. It’s terrible when you’re trying to clean it. In other words, cooking takes 15 minutes, and cleaning an air fryer can easily take another 15. That’s where silicone saviors like my $10 inserts completely change the experience.
While I previously brushed them off for fear they would block the air flow the perforated trays are designed for, it turns out that if you pick the perfect design, such as the grooved base of the reusable Pintaur ones, available from Amazon, you can still achieve perfectly crisp results without the tough clean up.
Not only do the silicone gems make cleanup dramatically easier – food slides straight off the BPA-free, non-toxic food-grade silicone when washing by hand, and they’re dishwasher-safe for good measure – but they’ve also removed my biggest hesitation about using my current air fryer in the first place.
Instead of cooking directly on a non-stick coated basket that inevitably wears down over time, I now have a protective barrier between my food and the coating, giving me far greater peace of mind while I cook. While I am in the process of converting to all non-toxic kitchen appliances, it's an expensive undertaking, and these $10 baskets offer an affordable stand-in in the meantime.
Another unexpected benefit is how much more relaxed cooking becomes. Instead of worrying about sauces burning onto the tray, the barrier silicone basket contains everything neatly in one place. They are particularly useful for anything from crumb-coated foods to oily vegetables to sticky marinades. For something that costs so little, that’s a surprisingly big quality-of-life upgrade.
Plus, they help you be more sustainable at home as they can be reused hundreds of times.
What to Shop
If your air fryer is already your go-to for quick mid-week meals or last-minute baking, the right accessories can take that convenience to the next level. From reusable barrier tools that save you from endless scrubbing, to single-serve ramekins that increase cooking versatility, these tools make using your small kitchen appliance even easier – and less stressful.
I’ve curated some of the top-rated air fryer accessories so you can spend more time enjoying perfectly cooked meals, with less time spent scrubbing.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
If you own the popular Ninja Max XL air fryer in the standard 5.5-quart size, these silicone inserts will match the circular basket. They also fit into square baskets and can be used in the microwave and oven for steaming and baking. Dishwasher safe.
These square inserts are a fit for standard five to six-and-a-half-quart air fryers, such as the Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL and are also dishwasher safe. Outside of your air fryer, these can be used for baking, roasting, frying, or serving food.
Our chef, Lydia, found that these miniature Dutch ovens (cocottes) are ideal for baked eggs or even small breads and baked goods in your air fryer, and worked well for serving guests elegantly. Staub's selection is dishwasher safe and stackable.
While air fryers need less oil and therefore allow for healthier cooking, a light spray can help to achieve perfect crispiness and even browning. Rather than using a store-bought spray oil, packed with additives that coat and damage your baskets, load your regular oil into this pour-and-spray bottle.
Shaking the tray isn't always enough for perfect results. For the foods you need to flip mid-cook for even crisping, a set of silicone tongs is your best friend. They will not scratch the sides of non-stick baskets, preventing flaking and premature wear.
Ideal for air fryer baskets over 4-quarts, these silicone molds are perfect for baking in your small appliance, including breakfast bites or mini muffins. Made from non-toxic BPA-free silicone, they are safe in the oven, microwave, instant pot, dishwasher, fridge, and freezer.
Even with a suitable barrier in your tray, it is best to clean your air fryer every few uses to shift grease and prevent a fire hazard. Avoiding common air fryer cleaning mistakes is key to the longevity of your appliance, especially the coating.
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