07 Safety and careAnswer
Can You Put Foil or Parchment in an Air Fryer? What Manuals Say
What Ninja, Cosori, Instant, Philips and Reynolds actually say about foil and parchment in an air fryer, brand by brand, with the rules each one sets.
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Spec sheet04
- Allowed
- Ninja DZ200 and Crispi Pro FAQs; Cosori Pro LE manual
- Not recommended
- Philips (baking paper and tin foil)
- Do not cover with foil
- Instant Vortex Slim basket; Ninja Foodi air fry oven crumb tray
- Common rule
- Never put paper in without food on top (Cosori, Philips, Reynolds)
Usually yes, if your manual allows it and food holds the sheet down. Ninja’s support pages and Cosori’s manual permit foil in their basket air fryers. Philips does not recommend foil or baking paper, and Instant says not to cover the basket with foil. Cosori, Philips and Reynolds all say paper needs food on top.
What each brand says about foil and parchment
This table paraphrases or quotes each maker’s own manual or support page. Model-specific guidance can differ within a brand, so check the manual for your exact model.
| Brand and source | Foil | Parchment | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Foodi 2-Basket (DZ200 FAQ) | “Yes, it is safe to use aluminum foil in the baskets.” | Not addressed | None stated |
| Ninja Crispi Pro (AS100 FAQ) | Safe in the containers; “suggested in some recipes” | Safe in the containers | None stated |
| Ninja AF100 series (AF100 FAQ) | Safe; “suggested in some recipes” | “Safe to use parchment paper in the air fryer basket” | None stated |
| Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven (SP101H guide) | Do not cover the crumb tray or any part of the oven; never on the sheet pan or broil pan | Suggested on the sheet pan for cookies | Overheating and fire risk; trapped grease |
| Cosori Pro LE (manual) | “You may use parchment paper or foil.” | Allowed | Never paper without food on top; foil lining for cleanup “except the crisper plate” |
| Instant Vortex Slim 6 QT (manual) | Do not cover the basket or any part of the appliance | Paper is listed as a combustible material not to place in the unit | Foil coverage “will cause the oven to overheat” |
| Philips Airfryer (support FAQ) | Not recommended | Not recommended | Reduced airflow; can be sucked into the element |
| Reynolds (parchment maker) | Not addressed | Yes, “if you use it correctly” | After preheating, food on top, up to 400°F |
Why the rules differ between brands
Two concerns come up again and again.
Airflow. An air fryer cooks by moving hot air. Philips says covering the bottom of the basket reduces airflow and cooking performance. Instant’s manual goes further and says foil over the basket will make the unit overheat.
Loose paper. A light sheet with nothing on it can lift in the fan’s air. Cosori says air circulation “can cause paper to lift and touch heating coils.” Reynolds calls this a fire hazard.
The oven-style Ninja is its own case. Its guide says foil on the sheet pan or broil pan “traps grease and can cause a fire.” A basket air fryer and an air fry oven are built differently, so a rule for one does not carry over to the other. See air fryer toaster ovens for how the two designs differ.
How to use foil or parchment where it is allowed
If your manual permits it, these habits line up with what the brands above say:
- Food goes on top, always. No empty sheets, not even during preheat.
- Add paper after preheating. Reynolds says to place the liner only once the air fryer has preheated.
- Leave gaps. Do not cover the whole floor of the basket. Perforated liners let air through.
- Keep it out of the grease pan. Philips specifically warns against paper or foil in the bottom pan.
- Respect the paper’s rating. Reynolds rates its liners up to 400°F. Some air fryers go higher; the Cosori Pro LE reaches 450°F.
Tip
Perforated parchment liners for basket air fryers
Shop the range
Browse current parchment air fryer liners on eBay, new condition only.
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What if your manual says nothing?
Look up the support page for your model number, which is printed on the rating label. If you still find no guidance, the safest reading is the strictest one above: no foil over the basket or tray, and no paper without food on it.
For more on keeping the basket in good shape, read how to clean an air fryer. Questions about coatings are covered in air fryer nonstick and PFAS. Everything else is in our air fryer accessories guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put aluminum foil in a Ninja air fryer?
In basket models, Ninja says yes: its DZ200 FAQ states it is safe to use aluminum foil in the baskets, and its Crispi Pro FAQ says the same for the glass containers. Ninja's Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven is different; its guide says not to cover the crumb tray or any part of the oven with foil.
Can parchment paper catch fire in an air fryer?
Reynolds, Cosori and Philips all warn that paper with no food on it can be lifted by circulating air into the heating element. Philips says it could start to burn. Keep food on top of the paper at all times.
Why does Philips say not to use foil?
Philips says covering the bottom of the basket reduces airflow and cooking performance, and that paper or foil in the bottom pan where grease collects disrupts airflow. It also warns that paper or foil without food on it can be sucked into the heating element.
Is it OK to cover the crisper plate with foil?
Manuals differ. Cosori's Pro LE care section suggests lining the basket with foil except the crisper plate. Ninja's AF100 guide includes a recipe that places foil in the basket over the crisper plate. Follow your own model's manual.
Sources
- DZ200 Series Ninja Foodi 2-Basket Air Fryer: FAQsSharkNinja
- AS100 Series Ninja Crispi Pro 6 in 1 Countertop Glass Air Fryer: FAQsSharkNinja
- AF100 Series Ninja Air Fryer FAQsSharkNinja
- Ninja Air Fryer AF100 Series Owner's GuideSharkNinja (hosted by LINCC)
- Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven SP101H Series Owner's GuideSharkNinja (hosted by HSN)
- Pro LE 5.0-Quart Air Fryer User Manual (CAF-L501-KUS)Cosori
- Instant Vortex Slim 6 QT Air Fryer User ManualInstant Brands (hosted by QVC)
- Can I use baking paper/tin foil in my Philips Airfryer?Philips
- Can I Put Parchment Paper in the Air Fryer?Reynolds Consumer Products
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