Best overall for easier cleanup: reusable silicone baskets. Best for compact storage: foldable silicone baskets. Best without another accessory: the original air fryer basket. This 2026 guide compares each air fryer baking paper alternative, including Crispform silicone baskets, by cleanup, airflow and the food you cook.
- The best air fryer baking paper alternative for containing sticky residue is a reusable silicone basket.
- Crispform silicone baskets suit home cooks who want less scrubbing of their air fryer basket.
- The original perforated basket is best when airflow underneath food matters more than containing drips.
- Use metal bakeware or aluminium foil only when your air fryer instructions permit them.
Why this matters
Baking paper separates food from the basket, but replacing it is not simply a choice between disposable and reusable materials. A solid liner also changes where juices collect and how air reaches the underside of your food. The right replacement depends on whether you are cooking sticky chicken, loose vegetables or something that needs a baking dish.
For your 2026 kitchen, start with the problem you actually want to solve. If it is burnt-on sauce, a washable container makes sense. If it is pale undersides, another solid layer is not automatically an improvement.
Crispform silicone baskets are best for home cooks seeking a reusable liner to reduce scrubbing of the original air fryer basket. You still need to wash the liner and check the appliance for grease or splashes.
What makes the best air fryer baking paper alternative?
- Residue containment: Raised sides help keep sauces and crumbs inside a removable container rather than directly on the basket.
- Airflow: An uncovered perforated basket leaves its openings exposed. Solid liners and pans change that cooking arrangement.
- Fit: The accessory must sit properly without interfering with the drawer, heating element or the clearances required by the appliance instructions.
- Cleaning: Consider the part you will wash after dinner, not just the part that stays cleaner.
- Storage: A folding accessory addresses cupboard space; a rigid dish needs a permanent storage spot.
- Cooking purpose: A liner for sticky food and a dish for batter solve different problems. Neither replaces every function of the original basket.
Alternatives at a glance
For 2026, choose by the job rather than treating every material as an interchangeable paper replacement. The order below prioritises containing residue, then storage, exposed airflow and specialist cooking uses.
| Alternative | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silikonkorgar till airfryer — 2-pack + pensel | Sticky everyday cooking | 2 reusable silicone baskets and 1 basting brush; dishwasher-safe baskets | A solid liner changes airflow beneath food |
| Hopfällbara korgar 3-pack | Compact storage | 3 foldable silicone baskets | Folding does not eliminate the need to check cooking fit |
| Original air fryer basket | Exposed airflow beneath food | Uses the appliance’s existing cooking surface | Food residue lands directly on the basket |
| Suitable metal baking pan | Batters and dishes needing a container | Holds ingredients that cannot sit on an open basket | Covers the area beneath the pan |
| Aluminium foil, where permitted | Occasional shaping or wrapping | Can be shaped around a suitable cooking task | Disposable and subject to appliance restrictions |
1. Reusable silicone baskets: best for sticky everyday cooking
Silikonkorgar till airfryer — 2-pack + pensel contains 2 reusable silicone baskets and 1 basting brush. The baskets are non-stick and dishwasher-safe. They provide a removable container for food that would otherwise leave residue on the original basket.
This is the closest match to the reader who wants to stop scrubbing baked-on marinade after dinner. It changes where the mess collects, rather than removing washing from the process. Check the basket fit and the applicable use instructions before cooking.
Reusable silicone basket pros:
- Reusable rather than discarded after each meal.
- Raised sides provide containment for food and cooking residue.
- The named set includes a brush for applying sauces or oil.
- Dishwasher-safe cleaning is stated for this set.
Reusable silicone basket cons:
- A solid base changes airflow underneath the food.
- Collected juices can keep the underside of food wet.
- The liner itself still needs cleaning after use.
Best for: Sticky marinades, glazed foods and cooks who prioritise keeping residue off the original basket.
Verdict: Buy for residue containment; use the original basket when exposed airflow is the priority.
2. Foldable silicone baskets: best for compact storage
Hopfällbara korgar 3-pack offers 3 foldable silicone baskets. Its distinct advantage is storage: a collapsible basket gives you an alternative to keeping another full-height accessory in the cupboard.
Choose this format because you need the folding function, not because folding guarantees better cooking. Once opened, the basket still needs to fit your appliance correctly. The cooking trade-off remains the same as with other solid liners: containment instead of an exposed perforated base.
Foldable silicone basket pros:
- Foldable construction addresses storage between meals.
- Reusable baskets replace repeated use of disposable liners.
- The pack contains 3 baskets.
Foldable silicone basket cons:
- Folded storage size does not establish compatibility with your drawer.
- A solid cooking surface still changes airflow beneath food.
- Collapsing the basket does not replace washing and drying it.
Best for: Cooks who want a reusable liner but have limited cupboard space.
Verdict: Buy when compact storage is the deciding factor.
Crispform offers both formats: the brush set for cooks who want that accessory included, and the folding set for cooks prioritising storage. Choose between those practical differences before adding either to your kitchen.
3. The original basket: best for exposed airflow beneath food
You do not always need a replacement liner. Cooking directly in the original perforated basket leaves its openings uncovered and avoids inserting another solid surface beneath the food.
This is the starting point for foods where you want moisture to escape rather than collect in a liner. Avoid overcrowding and follow the appliance’s instructions for turning or shaking food. Direct basket cooking does not guarantee crispness, but it removes the liner as a variable.
Original basket pros:
- Keeps the existing perforations exposed.
- Requires no separate liner to fit or store.
- Avoids disposable paper for that cooking session.
Original basket cons:
- Sticky food can leave residue directly on the basket.
- Small pieces can fall through openings.
- Cleaning must suit the basket’s surface and manufacturer instructions.
Best for: Foods that benefit from exposed airflow and cooks willing to clean the original cooking surface.
Verdict: Hold off on buying a liner if airflow is your main concern.
4. A suitable metal baking pan: best for batters and contained dishes
A metal baking pan is a cooking vessel, not just a protective sheet. Use an appropriately sized pan when the recipe needs to hold batter, sauce or ingredients that cannot rest directly on a perforated basket.
Only use bakeware permitted by your appliance instructions, with the required clearance. A pan changes heat exposure and blocks the basket area beneath it, so do not assume a recipe written for loose food will cook identically inside a dish.
Metal baking pan pros:
- Holds ingredients that need a contained cooking vessel.
- Reusable across suitable cooking tasks.
- Provides a defined shape for baking.
Metal baking pan cons:
- Covers the basket area beneath the pan.
- Needs suitable dimensions and clearance.
- Can leave baked-on residue on another surface that requires washing.
Best for: Cakes, batters and recipes specifically suited to a baking dish.
Verdict: Buy for a recipe that needs a pan, not merely to line the basket.
5. Aluminium foil: best for occasional shaping or wrapping
Aluminium foil is an alternative only where your air fryer instructions allow it. Its useful distinction is flexibility: you can shape it for a permitted cooking task rather than relying on a fixed basket or pan.
Do not use foil to cover ventilation openings or line areas the manufacturer says to leave clear. Keep loose foil away from the heating element, and avoid direct contact with acidic foods such as tomato or lemon. Follow the appliance’s guidance rather than assuming oven habits transfer unchanged.
Aluminium foil pros:
- Can be shaped for a specific cooking task.
- Can contain drips where that use is permitted.
- Does not require storing a rigid accessory.
Aluminium foil cons:
- Remains a disposable alternative.
- Can obstruct airflow if positioned incorrectly.
- Is unsuitable for direct contact with acidic foods.
Best for: Occasional, manufacturer-approved uses that require shaping or wrapping.
Verdict: Skip as your everyday reusable replacement; use only for an approved task.
Check the setup before cooking
A good material in the wrong position is still the wrong setup. Follow this sequence whenever you introduce a liner or pan, including one that appears to fit comfortably.
- Read instructions: Check both the appliance guidance and the accessory’s care and use guidance. Confirm that the intended material and use are permitted.
- Check fit: Place the accessory in the cold basket. Confirm that the drawer closes normally and the accessory does not interfere with appliance parts.
- Keep vents clear: Follow the manufacturer’s required positioning and clearances. Do not improvise a lining for the drawer base or heating area.
- Load food: Arrange food for the recipe and accessory you are using. Do not assume a solid liner behaves like the exposed basket.
- Clean and dry: After safe cooling, wash the used parts according to their instructions and dry before storing.
Watch where the liquid goes
A liner can keep sauce off the original basket while holding that sauce against the food. Those outcomes are connected. If the underside is sitting in liquid, adding cooking time alone does not remove the reason it stays wet.
For food that needs a drier finish, reconsider the cooking setup rather than automatically choosing a thicker liner. For sticky dishes, accept that containing the juices is part of the liner’s purpose. Match the setup to the meal.
How the alternatives rank
The 2026 ranking prioritises reusable residue containment because that is the closest substitute for paper used to reduce cleanup. Foldable baskets take the storage slot, while the original basket takes the exposed-airflow slot. Metal bakeware and foil serve narrower cooking purposes.
This is a use-case ranking, not a claim that one material produces the best result for every recipe. Fit, permitted use and the food’s need for drainage should decide your final choice.
Which alternative should you choose?
Choose a reusable silicone basket if your main frustration is scrubbing sticky residue from the original basket. Crispform silicone baskets match that cleanup-focused use case; the folding format adds a storage reason to choose it.
For 2026, keep the original basket as an active cooking option rather than covering it by default. Use a pan when the recipe needs a vessel, and reserve foil for uses your appliance instructions expressly permit. You do not need the same setup for every meal.
FAQ
What's the best air fryer baking paper alternative?
A reusable silicone basket is the best alternative when your priority is containing sticky residue. The original perforated basket is the better starting point when you want its airflow openings uncovered.
Can I use my air fryer without baking paper?
Yes, you can cook suitable foods directly in the original air fryer basket according to the appliance instructions. Expect food residue to collect on that surface rather than on a removable liner.
Are silicone baskets better than baking paper?
Silicone baskets are better suited to repeated use and containing residue inside raised sides. They still need washing, and a solid base changes airflow beneath the food.
Which Crispform set should I choose?
Choose Silikonkorgar till airfryer — 2-pack + pensel for 2 reusable baskets with a basting brush. Choose Hopfällbara korgar 3-pack when foldable storage is your priority; check fit and use instructions before choosing either.
Can I replace air fryer paper with aluminium foil?
Only use aluminium foil if your air fryer instructions permit the intended use. Keep required airflow paths clear, prevent loose foil from reaching the heating element and avoid direct contact with acidic food.
Can I use a metal baking dish in an air fryer?
Use a metal baking dish only when your appliance instructions permit that bakeware and it fits with the required clearance. A dish is useful for batter or contained recipes, but it covers the basket area underneath it.
Why does food stay wet underneath a silicone liner?
A solid silicone liner can collect cooking juices beneath the food. If you need a drier underside, review the food arrangement and whether direct basket cooking better suits the recipe.
One last thing
A cleaner original basket does not mean there is nothing left to clean. Remove the accessory after cooking and check beneath it once the appliance has cooled safely. Make that check part of your routine, even when the liner contains most of the visible mess.