Yes — food-grade, heat-safe silicone liners, moulds and baking cups are fine in an air fryer, as long as you stay within the silicone’s temperature rating and don’t let it block the airflow. Silicone is designed for oven and freezer use, so the heat inside a typical air fryer is well within what quality silicone can handle. The two things that actually matter are the material’s heat limit and leaving room for hot air to circulate.
Which silicone is safe
Look for silicone that’s labelled food-grade and lists a maximum temperature. Most kitchen silicone is rated somewhere around 425–450°F (about 220–230°C), which covers nearly every air fryer recipe. A few points worth checking before the first use:
- It should be a solid, single piece. Liners, moulds and baking cups are ideal.
- Avoid thin, flimsy sheets that lift easily in the airflow.
- Skip anything with unknown ratings — cheap, unlabelled silicone is the one thing to be cautious about, since you can’t confirm its heat limit.
Genuine food-grade silicone shouldn’t give off an odour in normal use. A strong smell or any melting means the piece isn’t rated for the temperature you’re cooking at, so stop and check its limit.
Silicone vs parchment: which to use
Both work, but they suit different jobs. Silicone is reusable and holds its shape; parchment is disposable and molds to the basket.
| Silicone liner/mould | Parchment paper | |
|---|---|---|
| Reusable | Yes, washes and lasts | No, single use |
| Airflow | Rigid, keeps its shape | Can lift if not weighed down |
| Best for | Wet batters, eggs, muffins, saucy foods | Sticky foods, quick line-and-toss |
| Cleanup | Wash by hand or dishwasher | Throw away |
| Crisping | Less crisp on the base | Similar |
The big advantage of silicone is with loose or wet foods — muffin batter, eggs, marinated pieces or anything saucy — where it acts as a proper container. For a lighter touch or sticky items, see our guide to using parchment paper in an air fryer.
How to use silicone the right way
- Check the temperature rating on the silicone and keep your cook below it.
- Choose a piece that fits the basket with space around the edges — don’t wedge it in.
- Never preheat with an empty liner loose in the basket; put food in it first so it can’t lift.
- Leave airflow room. Hot air needs to move around and under the food, so don’t cover the whole base or block the vents.
- Cook as normal, then check for doneness — silicone can slightly slow browning on the base, so times vary and you may want a minute or two extra.
Because the base under a liner crisps a little less, foods you want very crisp (fries, wings) often do better straight in the basket. Save silicone for the wet, sticky or portioned jobs it’s best at.
A note on doneness and temperature
Cooking times and temps in any air fryer recipe are starting points, not exact promises — models vary. Always judge by the food, and use a thermometer for anything where safety depends on it. Standard safe internal temperatures are 165°F (74°C) for poultry, 145°F (63°C) for whole cuts of pork, beef and fish (with a short rest), and 160°F (71°C) for ground meats. Silicone doesn’t change these targets — it just changes how you contain the food.
Cleaning silicone
Silicone is easy to look after. Let it cool, then wash it in warm soapy water or on the top rack of the dishwasher. Baked-on grease wipes off more easily than it does from metal. Keeping both the liner and the basket clean also prevents smells and smoke — our air fryer cleaning guide covers the basket and element too.
Related questions
Will silicone melt in an air fryer? Not if it’s food-grade and you stay within its rated temperature. Melting or a strong smell means the piece isn’t rated for that heat — stop using it and check the limit. If a silicone accessory that’s within its rating still deforms, contact the manufacturer rather than continuing to use it.
Does silicone stop food from crisping? It slightly reduces crisping on the base where the food sits, because air can’t reach that surface. For maximum crunch, cook directly in the basket; for muffins, eggs or saucy foods, the trade-off is worth it.
Can I use silicone baking cups for muffins? Yes — they’re one of the best uses for silicone in an air fryer. Fill them, space them out so air can move between them, and check for doneness a little early since times vary by model.
In short, food-grade silicone is a safe, reusable option within its temperature rating — just keep the airflow clear. For a disposable alternative see using parchment paper in an air fryer, and keep everything fresh with our air fryer cleaning guide.