One of the kitchen’s mainstays is aluminum foil. The heat-conducting sheet can be used to clean the grates on your grill as well as the bottom of your oven and stovetop, greatly reducing cooking times and mess.
Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?
The short answer is “yes.” When was the last time you remember (if ever!) you put aluminum foil in your microwave, it’s a scary thought. An air fryer, however, operates differently.
When the cooking process starts, hot air is moved around with a fan to crisp and brown your food without using any oil. You don’t need to be concerned about aluminum foil igniting because air fryers use hot air rather than electromagnetic radiation.
Please continue reading for more information.
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Is It Safe To Use Aluminum Foil In An Air Fryer?
Using aluminum foil in your air fryer is completely safe. In fact, it might make using an air fryer to cook food simpler.
Put your concerns about your air fryer catching fire to the side and concentrate on all the benefits of using aluminum foil instead: Using aluminum foil in the air fryer will reduce mess and drastically shorten cleanup time. Sticky sauces and bothersome crumbs have no chance.
How Does An Air Fryer Operate?
An air fryer is merely a small countertop convection oven that crisps and browns food quickly, according to Blue Jean Chef chef Meredith Laurence.
However, this appliance and a conventional oven differ significantly in one important way.
“There’s a fan that blows hot air right next to a heating element, while in a regular oven, a fan blows hot air all around, but it’s not in direct relationship to the element,” Laurence says. “Convection cooking is therefore much more intense and direct when done in an air fryer.”
How To Use Aluminum Foil In The Air Fryer?
Check the instruction manual for your specific air fryer model first. “You do want to be mindful of your appliance,” says Kelly Jones has the following degrees: MS, RD, CSSD, and LDN. The designers of the machine might know the best applications for aluminum foil. A list of things to stay away from may also be provided.
After that, think about your device. The drip pan or baking sheet in an air fryer toaster oven could be lined with aluminum foil. You could line the tray that rests in the drawer of a toaster oven that has a drawer or basket, or you could line the bottom of the drawer.
If you are using foil, here’s how to insert it:
- To make your aluminum foil fit snugly inside the basket, fold the sides inward.
- Insert the foil there or wrap it around the area you want to cover.
- Do not cover the heating element or fan with foil. This will obstruct heat and airflow and prevent the appliance from cooking as intended.
When To Use Aluminum Foil In The Air Fryer?
For foods that are prone to sticking, like eggs, adding a sheet of foil to the air fryer is especially beneficial.
“Aluminum foil may help if you’re cooking eggs in the air fryer, but don’t have a small enough metal tray to put in,” According to Jones, making cups out of aluminum foil keeps the eggs organized and on the foil so they can cook without spilling or slipping through mesh baskets.
“It’s also good for reducing cleanup from items like wings that may easily stick, or foods that have breading that can fall through spaces in the basket and overcook,” she says. Try to picture onion rings, chicken nuggets, or mozzarella sticks.
Fair enough, there are times when using aluminum foil isn’t an option because of the model or size of the air fryer; in those situations, you’d either want to upgrade to a larger model or simply use a different material.
“For smaller air fryers, if you’re concerned with cleanup, it may be better to use parchment paper when possible so as to not interfere with airflow and the cooking process,” she suggests. Due to a lack of room inside the air fryer unit, you can’t always fold the sides of the aluminum foil easily.
It’s possible that you’d prefer to use a different cooking technique since parchment paper won’t work for all types of food. “This wouldn’t work for items like eggs or anything with more liquid,” she says. Alternative: Purchase a larger air fryer that can fit the foil from the store.
Avoid Placing Acidic Foods On Aluminum
There are some foods to avoid when using foil with any type of heating source. Aluminum is a reactive surface that can react negatively with ingredients that are very acidic.
“They react with the foil and start to break it down, so you’ll actually have aluminum in your food,” she says. “That’s not only unpleasant, but it’s also bad for you.”
Tips For Using Foil In Your Air Fryer
Here are three tips to use aluminum foil in your air fryer safely and effectively:
- Leave the holes exposed. “You’re really hindering the best effects of an air fryer when you cover those holes in the bottom of the basket,” Laurence says. “They are there for a reason—to allow air to circulate flawlessly all the way around the food’s surface, including the bottom.” You’re essentially top browning your food when you cover the perforations rather than fully cooking it.
- Create a foil sling. Laurence advises creating a narrow strip by folding a long piece in half twice.”Then I can simply tuck those handles in so that when the food is cooked, I can remove them and remove it from the air fryer once more. I’ll use those as handles to put something into the air fryer.”
- Crumble up the foil. Food can be brought nearer the heating element by using foil as well. “If you’re cooking a steak and you want to get a really brown crust, you could crumble up foil so that it’s very uneven and then you could put that in the basket,” she says. “In order to get a better brown on the steak, you place it on top of that, elevating it just enough to be closer to the heat source.”
Consider Trying Parchment Paper
Since parchment paper is not a reactive surface and food is less likely to stick to it, Laurence advises using it over foil whenever practical.
Additionally, it is better for the environment. Retailers even offer circles-perforated parchment paper made specifically for air fryers.
“Always opt for parchment paper over foil, except when you want to elevate your food or if you’re using that foil as a sling,” Laurence says. “If not, cover the food with foil to keep it warm after it is removed from the oven.”
Aluminum Foil Vs. Parchment Paper
To make cleanup simple, use parchment paper or foil in your air fryer. A better alternative, though, would likely be parchment paper.
Some acidic foods should not be air-fried with foil—we’re looking at you, tomatoes and citrus fruits. According to Insider, foods with a high acid content may react with foil, and the acids may dissolve the aluminum. When air-frying these foods, parchment paper is your best option because it is not a reactive material, despite not being as simple to cut and mold as aluminum foil. Additionally, it isn’t as likely to adhere to food like foil can.
Failing that, using foil in the air fryer is a good choice. You can even use your creativity to create tiny trays to get a golden-brown crust on whatever you’re cooking!
Final Words
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Many thanks for reading.
