The air fryer has become a wildly popular piece of kitchenware recently.
Hundreds of thousands of people recently flocked to Aldi to grab themselves a bargain model, and Lidl have said they will be bringing back their own air fryer that went down a storm last year.
Not only can they save you some money – perfect in the current cost of living crisis – they are also quick and easy to use if you want to whip up some delicious recipes.
As with any kitchen tool, the first thing you should do is work out what goes in it – and what shouldn’t.
Here is what you need to know about which materials can be used inside an air fryer, and which ones can’t.
Can you put tin foil in an air fryer?
Tin foil is perfectly safe to put in an air fryer so long as you follow some simple safety tips.
Aluminum foil can be used in an air fryer, but it should only go in the basket.
This is because an air fryer works by convection, using a fan to blow hot air onto the element to heat the fryer.
If the foil is just placed on the bottom of the fryer, it could blow around and become dislodged, causing it to come into contact with the element and start a fire.
Acidic foods react with the material, so they should not be used when cooking tomatoes, peppers, or citrus.
What materials can you use in an air fryer?
The general rule of thumb is that any materials you can use in an oven, you can also use in an air fryer.
Like aluminium foil, baking paper can be used in an air fryer – you can even get different-sized paper inserts for the perfect fit.
You can use any ovenproof dish or mold in the air fryer, whether it is made of glass, ceramic, metal, or silicone.
Stainless steel pots and pans are also safe to use in an air fryer so long as any additional parts, such as the handles, are not made of materials that could melt like plastic.
Copper containers and cast iron skillets are also perfectly safe to use in an air fryer.
Another popular piece of kitchenware, the pizza stone, is also safe to use in the fryer so long as it fits.
If you’re into baking, you can use silicone or paper cupcake cups or molds to create delicious cakes, muffins, and more in an air fryer.
What materials can’t be put in an air fryer
While there are lots of things you can put in an air fryer, there are some materials you should steer clear of.
When cooking food, you cannot heat it up in plastic containers, such as Tupperware or plastic takeaway containers.
Just like in an oven, the hot air in the air fryer would cause the containers to melt.
Wood also cannot be put into an air fryer as it could become damaged and poses a fire risk.
Any cookware that has a non-stick coating should not be used in an air fryer.
This is because the oil used during cooking can break down the protective coating.
MORE : How much oil should you use in an air fryer and what types can you use?
MORE : Is it cheaper to use an air fryer or the oven? How much they cost to run
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