Best Air Fryer Liners – My Top Picks After Cooking 50+ Messy Meals (And What to Avoid)
- Beril Yilmaz
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
If your air fryer basket is constantly caked in grease or your dinner cleanup routine involves a lot of scrubbing, you're not alone. While air fryers are celebrated for their convenience, the post-cook mess can be a real chore. That’s why air fryer liners have exploded in popularity—and after weeks of testing everything from silicone cups to disposable mats and creative hacks, I’ve pulled together the ultimate list of what’s worth buying (and what to skip entirely).
As someone who uses an air fryer almost daily—from crisping vegetables to cooking salmon with sticky glazes—I’ve put every liner to the test. I tested with greasy foods, crumbly breading, and sweet sauces to see which liners could handle the mess and which actually improved the cooking results. Some surprised me (in a bad way), and others are now permanently part of my kitchen toolkit.
This guide is a no-fluff breakdown of the best air fryer liners available in 2025. Whether you own a dual-drawer behemoth or a compact model for one, there’s a liner here that fits your appliance and makes post-dinner cleanup effortless. Plus, I’ll show you some smart storage solutions, budget-friendly tips, and the ones that are just plain dangerous to use.
1. Best Air Fryer Liners: Silicone Cups Are the MVP of Daily Cooking
Silicone liners aren’t just trendy—they actually work. My favorite by far are the individual silicone cups that resemble oversized muffin molds. Unlike big silicone baskets (which I found a bit awkward for certain foods), these cup-style liners offer more flexibility. You can use just one or fill the entire air fryer with them depending on your meal size. I used them for chicken meatballs, tofu bites, and even mini meatloaves.
Why they work:
They’re oven-safe, dishwasher-safe, and don’t hold onto food smells.
They make portion control easy and keep your air fryer basket totally clean.
Grease collects at the bottom of each cup, so your food doesn’t sit in oil.
I especially loved using them for meal prep. I made three batches of different protein bites at once—chicken, lentils, and salmon—using separate cups so the flavors didn’t mix. The raised ridges inside some of the better silicone cup options also helped reduce sogginess by allowing air to circulate around the food. Just avoid the flimsy, thin versions that collapse or twist mid-cook.
Best air fry liners 2025
MOST DURABLE | BUDGET - FRIENDLY |
 |  |
Bakerpan XL Silicone Cups | Amazon Basics Silicone Muffin Cups |
Firm, food-grade silicone that doesn't warp at high temps. | Budget-friendly and surprisingly durable. |
2. Best Air Fryer Liners: Mesh Mats for Next-Level Crisping
If you're all about texture, reusable mesh liners are your new best friend. These thin, non-stick mats are typically made of PTFE-coated fiberglass (safe for air fryer temps) and are a game-changer for breaded or crumb-coated foods like mozzarella sticks, battered tofu, or hash browns.
Unlike solid liners, mesh mats let air flow from below the food, helping it crisp up evenly—without sticking to the basket. They also reduce flipping time and are super easy to rinse clean or pop in the dishwasher.
Why they shine:
Boosts airflow underneath for crispy results.
Food lifts right off—no more scraping stuck bits.
You can cut them to size for any air fryer.
A heads-up: these don’t contain oil or sauces, so they’re not ideal for anything super drippy like bacon or wings with marinade. Use them when you want a fry-like crunch without the crumbs stuck to your basket for days.
Best air fry liners 2025
MOST VERSATILE | MOST DURABLE |
 |  |
Cozihom Mesh Air Fryer Mat | Airware Reusable Air Fryer Liners |
Comes in a set of three, easy to cut to your shape. | Non-stick, dishwasher-safe, and durable. |
3. Best Air Fryer Liners: Foldable Silicone Grids for Messy Meals
These are relatively new on the market—flat silicone grids that fold up into a makeshift basket. I tested a few options and was shocked by how useful they are for messy meals like cheesy nachos, saucy pasta bakes, or sticky stir fry leftovers.
Why they impressed me:
Flexible sides make it easy to lift food out, even when it's super saucy.
The grid-like texture helps separate grease from food.
Folds flat for storage and fits most air fryer basket shapes.
They work best when you don’t need super crispy results but want easy cleanup. I also loved using them for reheating leftovers, especially things like pasta or chili that might normally drip through a basket.
4. Best Air Fryer Liners: The Ones to Skip—Here’s What Didn’t Work
Some liners promise a lot and deliver very little. These were the worst offenders in my tests:
Flat Parchment Paper Without Weight
If you’ve ever had a paper liner fly into the heating element, you know how risky this can be. Without heavy food to weigh it down, these lightweight sheets float, burn, or worse—block airflow and ruin your meal.
Cheap Silicone Mats That Flop
Some silicone liners are too thin to hold their shape. I tried one brand that literally collapsed when I placed veggies inside, folding in on itself and smothering the food.
Aluminum Foil Hacks
While technically usable in some air fryers, foil doesn’t allow for airflow and can lead to soggy bottoms. Worse, if it touches heating elements, it becomes a hazard.
5. Best Air Fryer Liners: Bonus Tips for Storage and Cooking Success
Don’t Preheat With Liners Inside
Always load your liner after preheating the air fryer. This prevents damage and reduces fire risk.
Get A Liner Caddy Or Drawer Organizer
To avoid clutter, I keep all my liners—silicone cups, mesh mats, foldables—in a compact drawer organizer. It saves time and space.
Use Liners To Meal Prep Multiple Dishes
With silicone cups and ramekins, you can batch-cook several meals in one go, dividing protein, carbs, and veggies easily.
6. FAQs About the Best Air Fryer Liners
Can I use parchment paper in my air fryer?
Yes, but only if it's made for air fryers and you place food on top of it to keep it weighed down. Never preheat with empty parchment inside.
Are silicone liners safe?
Definitely. Just make sure they are made from food-grade silicone and rated to withstand temps up to 450°F.
What’s the easiest liner to clean?
Silicone cups win here—they’re dishwasher-safe, and nothing sticks to them.
Where can I buy the best air fryer liners?
Amazon, Target, and Walmart all stock great options. Look for brands with good reviews and multiple size options to match your air fryer model.
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Final Thoughts
The best air fryer liners aren’t just about mess prevention—they help make your cooking more efficient, flavorful, and fun. Whether you want maximum crispiness or minimum cleanup, there’s a liner out there to fit your air fryer and your lifestyle. My top pick? Silicone cups all the way for daily use, with a few mesh mats or foldables thrown in for variety.
