Yes — you can use aluminium foil in most air fryers, as long as it doesn’t block the airflow or touch the heating element. Because air fryers cook by circulating hot air, the key rule is simple: never let foil cover the perforations or get loose enough to blow around. Always check your specific model’s manual, since a few manufacturers advise against it.
Important safety note
Loose foil is the real risk. If a sheet lifts in the moving air, it can hit the heating element and scorch or cause sparks. Keep foil weighed down by food and never let it flap freely.
When foil is fine to use
- To wrap or cover food (for example, to keep fish or vegetables moist), pressed snugly so it can’t lift.
- As a small liner under food to catch drips and make cleanup easier — but not covering the whole base.
- To make a foil “sling” for lifting delicate items out of the basket.
When to skip the foil
- Don’t line the entire basket bottom. Covering the perforations blocks the airflow that makes an air fryer work, so food cooks unevenly and less crisply.
- Avoid foil with acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus or anything with a lot of vinegar. The acid reacts with aluminium and can leave metallic flecks and taste.
- Don’t preheat with empty foil inside. With no food to weigh it down, it’s most likely to blow into the element.
How to use foil the right way
- Tear a piece smaller than the basket so air can still flow around the edges.
- Place it under the food, not over the whole base, and let the food hold it down.
- Leave the perforated areas as clear as you can.
- Skip foil entirely for very light foods that could shift and expose it to the fan.
A better option for many jobs
For lining and easy cleanup, perforated parchment paper is often safer than foil because it’s made to let air through and won’t react with acidic foods. See can you put parchment paper in an air fryer for how to use it correctly.
Related questions
Will foil ruin the crispiness? Only if it blocks airflow. Used as a small liner or wrap that leaves the perforations clear, it has little effect; covering the whole base will make food soggier.
Can foil damage the air fryer? Not if it’s secured and kept off the element. The problems come from loose foil moving in the airflow.
Is parchment or foil better? Parchment for lining and cleanup; foil for wrapping food or making a sling. Both are fine within the rules above — and neither should block the vents.