If you are a new user of this versatile machine then you might be wondering whether you can put aluminum foil in the air fryer or not. It has created a lot of confusion for people who know about the workings of an air fryer. It cooks your delights by enveloping your food in hot air that helps to cook it evenly.
This is the reason why we have written this detailed guide on whether you can put aluminum foil in an air fryer or not.
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Can You Put Foil In An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can put foil in your air fryer just like a convectional oven. Just wrap your food in aluminum foil and put it in the air fryer without worrying about making any changes. However, there are a few things that you should be considerate about while using foil in your air fryer. Make sure to never wrap any acidic food in the foil. As the food would heat up, it would release juices that would be collected on the foil. This would decompose the foil and might also leave a few particles of the foil in your food. If that happens, this could be hazardous to your health.
Apart from that, you can just wrap your salmon or chicken without worrying about things going wrong in the air fryer.
Safety
There are a few things that you must ensure while putting foil in your air fryer. Otherwise, it might damage the machine or result in uneven heating of your food.
If the heating coil is at the bottom of the machine, then placing aluminum foil might hinder the free circulation of air in your fryer. This would result in an unevenly cooked food. Also, this can damage your air fryer, as the blockage of air would divert the air to other parts of your machine which might damage the parts that are not made to withstand the continuous blow of hot air.
However, if the heating element is placed at the top, then you can easily follow your favorite recipes without making any changes. This would also collect any juices spilled from your food in the process, making it easier to clean the machine once you are done with cooking.
Also, it is essential that you never put aluminum foil in the fryer without placing any food on it. As the fryer might suck the foil. This might damage the fan and most probably, you’ll have to get your favorite air fryer repaired.
The food should also be wrapped properly in the foil so the juices are contained while cooking. If you, however, fail to properly seal the food while wrapping it with aluminum foil, you might experience unevenly cooked food. As the food air would make its way in through unsealed pockets.
Is It Safe To Cook With Aluminum Foil
Yes, the aluminum foil is marked safe by the CDC to wrap your favorite food. You can just wrap your favorite meat and vegetables in the foil without being concerned about the health of your loved ones.
However, we consume 1 to 10mg of aluminum per day through processed foods and water. Thus, extensive use of foil would increase the quantity consumed by a wide margin. Also, the intake of aluminum particles is linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Hence, the usage of aluminum foil to wrap almost all of your foods might pose a long-term threat to your health.
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Cooking Acidic Food in Foil
Wrapping acidic or spicy foods in the foil might decompose the aluminum and leave a speck of the foil on your food. The food would still be safe to eat. However, you might experience a metallic taste that would ruin the whole flavor of your delight.
Thus, foods with vinegar, tomatoes, and spices must not be wrapped unless you’re a huge fan of the metallic taste.
Perforated Parchment Paper
This might amaze you but yes, there are perforated parchment papers designed for air fryers. These parchment papers have holes that allow the hot air to evenly cook your food without making a mess.
They are can be used with all kinds of food due to their heat resistant nature. Also, they absorb the juices dripping from your food in the cooking process. This takes away the hassle of spending a good half-an-hour in cleaning the machine once you are done with cooking.
You can also make your perforated parchment paper. For this, all you’ll need is a regular parchment paper and a cutter with perforated blades. Otherwise, you can just grab 100-200 pieces from your nearest stores for just a few dollars.
Related Questions
Can you put foil in power air fryer? Yes, you can safely use aluminum foil in power air fryers. Apart from that, Gourmia, Philips, Nuwave and Gowise air fryers are also marked safe for foils.
Can you use parchment paper in an air fryer? Yes, it is safe to use parchment paper in your air fryers as long as the paper is not blocking the flow of air. It is also advisable to use perforated parchment papers that are specifically designed for air fryers to yield even more delicious results.
Can you use a paper towel in an air fryer? The short answer is No! A paper towel might block the flow of air. Also, the hot air circulating in the air fryer can reach up to 400 F. Thus, if you use paper towels in your air fryer, there is a serious risk of starting a fire. This would pose a serious threat to the safety of your loved ones.
Conclusion
After reading this guide, we are certain that you would have an answer to the question “can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?”. If you are not blocking the heating element or the flow of air, then you are good to go. Also, avoid wrapping acidic foods with the foil as it would ruin the whole taste of your food.
Once you have all these measures in your mind, you are good to experiment with different foods in this versatile machine.