Cleaning a greasy basket gets old fast. I used to scrub baked-on cheese every night. Finding the best liners for air fryers changed my kitchen routine. They catch the mess and save you time.
Not all liners work well, though. Some block the hot air. Others get soggy and tear. I tested several types to see what really holds up. Here is what I found during my tests.
BYKITCHEN Disposable Paper Liners
These look like giant cupcake wrappers. They are made from thick, unbleached parchment paper. You get a huge stack inside a clear plastic box.
| Pros | Cons |
| Toss straight in the trash | Creates daily waste |
| Holds messy, greasy liquids | Blocks some bottom airflow |
| Keeps basket totally spotless | Can fly up if empty |
Personal Experience
I used these in my Ninja air fryer last week. I cooked sticky teriyaki wings for dinner. The sweet sauce usually burns onto the metal grate. This time, the paper caught every single drop.
The sides of the paper stayed perfectly upright. It did not collapse onto the cooking chicken. I pulled the paper out after the timer beeped. The metal basket underneath was completely clean.
Who Should Buy
These are great for very busy families. If you hate doing dishes, buy these. They save so much time on crazy weeknights. You just cook, eat, and toss the paper away.
They are not for people wanting zero waste. You will throw one away every single time. But for pure convenience, they are hard to beat. I keep a box nearby for messy meals.
WaveLu Silicone Air Fryer Pot
This is a thick silicone bowl. It has raised wavy lines across the bottom. It comes in a few bright and fun colors.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very durable and thick | Hard to wash out grease |
| Saves buying daily paper | Gets extremely hot |
| Handles wet, runny foods | Food sits closer together |
Personal Experience
I bought this to stop throwing away paper. The silicone feels very thick and strong. I baked some fresh salmon fillets in it. The fish cooked perfectly without sticking to the bottom.
Washing it was a bit annoying, honestly. Grease hides deeply in the bottom grooves. I had to scrub it firmly with a brush. It is dishwasher safe, but hand washing is much faster.
Who Should Buy
This pot fits people who cook wet foods. It holds sticky sauces and marinades very well. It is also great for baking small cakes. The high sides keep runny batter nicely contained.
Eco-friendly cooks will love this reusable option. You buy it once and use it forever. Just be careful when taking it out. The silicone stays hot for a very long time.
Lotteli Square Silicone Mats
These are flat silicone mats with lots of holes. They sit flat on the bottom grate. They look just like a thick mesh screen.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great hot air movement | Does not protect the sides |
| Very easy to store | Needs soaking sometimes |
| Keeps food very crispy | Sauces leak right through |
Personal Experience
I tried these for making frozen french fries. The holes let the hot air move freely around. My fries turned out very crisp and golden. The mat stopped them from sticking to the metal.
Later, I cooked some marinated chicken thighs. The juices dripped right through the open holes. I still had to wash the heavy main basket. These mats only protect the very bottom flat surface.
Who Should Buy
Buy these if you mostly cook dry foods. They are absolutely perfect for fries and nuggets. They stop soft breading from tearing off. Your food will stay crunchy and look nice.
They store easily in a thin kitchen drawer. They take up almost zero cabinet space. Just wash them with warm and soapy water. They dry super fast on a normal dish rack.
Reynolds Kitchens Air Fryer Liners
These are flat squares of white parchment paper. They have small holes punched evenly through them. You get a flat cardboard box of them.
| Pros | Cons |
| Trusted brand quality | Hard to fit round baskets |
| Good air flow holes | Only protects the bottom |
| Easy to peel food | Can burn if left empty |
Personal Experience
These feel very thin but surprisingly strong. I used them for simple breaded pork chops. The holes helped the bottoms get perfectly brown. The paper did not tear when I lifted the meat.
You must put food on them right away. Never preheat your machine with empty paper inside. The fan blew one up to the heating element once. Always weigh them down heavily with your food.
Who Should Buy
These fit people with square oven-style fryers perfectly. They drop right onto the metal wire racks. They save you from scrubbing burnt crumbs forever. You just peel them off and throw them out.
Bakers will also really like these simple sheets. They keep sticky cookies from ruining the grates. They are cheap and very easy to find. They are a solid basic choice for most kitchens.
How to Choose the best liners for air fryers
There are two main choices to make. You must pick either paper or reusable silicone. Paper is fast but makes daily trash waste. Silicone lasts forever but needs heavy scrubbing sometimes. Think carefully about your normal daily habits.
Then, look closely at your cooking basket shape. Match the liner shape to your specific machine. A square liner folds weirdly inside a round basket. Proper fit means better hot air flow. Always measure your main basket first.
Final Verdict
The BYKITCHEN paper bowls are my top pick for speed. They catch everything and save my sanity on busy nights. If you want zero waste, get the WaveLu pot. Both options make kitchen life much easier.