Can You Put Plastic In An Air Fryer? (Find Out Now!)

Is It Safe to Put Plastic in an Air Fryer?

Risks Associated with Melting Plastic

Plastics contain all sorts of health-harming and hormone-disrupting chemical compounds that include toxic gasses like :

If we ingest any of the above poisonous substances, they can cause all sorts of health problems that lead to serious conditions like cancer or infertility.

Additionally, when these toxins are released into the air, they can cause severe respiratory issues and damage to our planet’s atmosphere. To avoid these negative reactions, it’s best to stick to air fryer-approved materials.

We’ll get more detailed below.

What Materials Can You Put in an Air Fryer?

While plastic is a huge no-no, there are other types of dishware that can be safely used inside of an air fryer.

Approved materials for most air fryers include:

Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil is a great option for air frying because it’s non-stick and won’t melt like plastic. Plus, it’s a cheap material to use whenever you want to cover a dish or cook your vegetables in a contained sauce.

Just make sure that the foil isn’t crinkled and completely covers whatever you’re air frying. If there are any gaps, the food will cook unevenly.

Parchment Paper

Parchment paper is a good alternative to foil because it doesn’t have any toxins, and it’s also non-stick. If your air fryer doesn’t come with a liner, this is a great material to use.

Ensure that the parchment paper isn’t too big, or it might not fit inside of the fryer. You can always cut it down to size if needed.

Toothpicks

Toothpicks are perfect for frying small finger foods, like shrimp or chicken nuggets. If you’re using wooden toothpicks, make sure they’re food-safe and splinter-free!

Glass or Pyrex

Glass or a Pyrex dish is the perfect choice for air frying because it can withstand high temperatures without breaking or shattering.

However, it’s important to note that you should never put a hot glass dish into cold water after heating it- this can cause the glass to shatter due to thermal shock.

Ceramic

Ceramic is another suitable material for air frying because it doesn’t conduct heat very well. This means that your food won’t cook too quickly on the outside while the inside remains undercooked.

Iron Skillets

An iron skillet can easily go into an air fryer because it distributes heat evenly and doesn’t contain any harmful toxins.

It will probably be difficult to find a skillet small enough to fit in your fryer, but if you do- go for it! Just stay away from skillets that have other components on their handles, such as plastic.

Steel

Steel is another safe metal to use inside of an air fryer. It will get hot, though! Use oven mitts when removing your food.

While most of these items are air-fryer safe, not all of these materials are approved to use with every type of air fryer. Be sure to check your appliance manual for specific instructions.

Can You Put an Air Fryer in the Dishwasher?

You can put many of the air fryer parts in the dishwasher, but definitely not the entire appliance. If you get any of the electrical components or the exterior of the fryer itself dirty, manually clean them with a damp cloth; never submerge them in water.

The parts of an air fryer that can be cleaned in the dishwasher include:

Always consult your owner’s manual first to 100% guarantee that this is a safe practice. Not all air fryers have the same requirements.

Final Thoughts

Avoid putting plastic in the air fryer due to its lower melting point and the risk of releasing dangerous toxins into your food.

Parchment paper and aluminum foil make suitable alternatives, but always consult the company’s recommendations before trying something new in your appliance!