Using aluminum foil in an air fryer: how-to guide

Although you can’t use aluminum foil in your air fryer, it is okay to use aluminum foil in your range with an air fry setting to make for easier clean-up. Whether you are making crispy chicken tenders in between your kids’ weeknight practices or reheating leftover pizza from the night before, air frying is a quick and delicious way to cook some of your family’s favorite foods. Read this guide to learn more about how to use aluminum foil in your range with air fry.

Can you use foil in an air fryer?

You can use foil in an oven with an Air Fry mode. Foil can be used to line a baking sheet on a rack or two below the air fry basket. This can help make clean-up easier and even help minimize the need to frequently clean your oven by catching drips and crumbs that might fall during the cooking process. If you do use a foil-lined baking sheet, be sure to leave space between the basket and the baking sheet for proper air flow. If you have enough space, place the foil-lined baking sheet a few positions below the air fry basket. Air flow on all sides of the basket is essential to the air frying process.

How to use foil in an air fryer

While it can’t be used in a countertop air fryer, aluminum foil can help make meal clean-up a little bit easier in your oven. Read on to learn how to use aluminum foil in an air fryer range.

Step 1: Position the racks

Your air fry basket should be in the center of the oven for the best air-fried results. Position the racks so that one rack is in the middle. If you are going to place a baking sheet under the air fry basket, it should be on a lower rack, with enough space between the basket and the baking sheet to allow for air flow.

Step 2: Select the Air Fry Mode on your range

Select Air Fry on your range and preheat the oven to the necessary temperature based on the food you are cooking. Refer to the package instructions for more information about temperatures and cook times.

Step 3: Prep your baking sheet

Wrap or line your baking sheet in aluminum foil and place it on the lower rack. This will be helpful in catching any drips or messes and help make clean-up easier.

Step 4: Prep your food

Read the instructions on your food’s label to help determine the cooking time and any other important instructions. Lightly oil your food, if necessary. Some foods, such as frozen foods and foods that already have fats and oils in them—like skin-on chicken—typically don’t need extra oil. Others, such as vegetables, might get crispier and nicely browned with a bit of oil. Add your food in a single layer in the air fry basket. Make sure it is spaced out within the basket to allow for proper air flow.

Step 5: Air fry your food

Allow your food to air fry in the oven until it reaches the desired internal temperature. You can use tongs to flip your food halfway through the cooking process or wear oven mitts and gently shake the air fry basket. Avoid losing heat from your oven by only flipping or shaking the food if it’s required in the recipe's instructions.

Step 6: Remove food and enjoy

Once your food is done cooking, carefully remove the basket from the oven and enjoy your air fried favorites.

Step 7: Clean up

If your air fry basket is dishwasher safe, you can place it in the dishwasher once it is cooled. Otherwise, you can hand wash it. Carefully remove the foil-lined baking sheet from the oven and allow it to cool. Once it is cool, remove the aluminum foil, folding it onto itself so you are able to trap any crumbs and messes that fell on it during the cooking process. Discard the aluminum foil and wash your baking sheet in the dishwasher or by hand.

Aluminum foil vs. parchment paper: which is better to use in an air fryer?

Parchment paper can not be used in an air fryer, but can be used in the same way as aluminum foil in an oven with air fry capabilities. You can line a baking sheet with parchment paper instead of aluminum foil and place it on a rack under your air fry basket to help make clean-up easier. You may want to use pie weights to hold down the parchment paper, so that it doesn’t blow around the oven. An Air Fry setting will use rapidly circulating air.

Explore Whirlpool^® Ranges with Air Fry

For convenience on busy nights, a Whirlpool^® Range with Air Fry might be the answer. Whirlpool^® Ranges with Air Fry Mode offer you the delicious crispiness of air-fried dishes without the need for additional kitchen appliances or the excess oil of a deep fryer. Enjoy easy clean-up with a dishwasher-safe air fry basket and an Adjustable Self-Clean cycle on select models.