Air fryers make weeknight cooking easier, but scrubbing baked-on grease from the basket is nobody’s idea of fun. That’s where liners come in—and after testing options from Tesco, Lidl, and Dunnes across Ireland and the UK, a few patterns emerge. The choice isn’t as simple as disposable versus reusable; heat resistance, fit, and regional pricing all play a role. Here’s what the data and independent tests actually show.
Pack Size: 50 liners ·
Material Options: Parchment or Silicone ·
Key Feature: BPA-free non-stick ·
Fits Fryers Up To: 5L ·
Reusable Types: Silicone mats
Quick snapshot
- Silicone liners are reusable for hundreds of cycles (Kitchen Curated testing)
- Parchment liners are oil-proof and allow best crispiness (Fritaire air fryer blog)
- Tesco Disposable Liners heat resistant up to 220°C (Tesco UK official product page)
- Foil safety varies by air fryer model
- Exact Dunnes Stores availability remains unconfirmed
- Tesco Clubcard offer valid 2026-01-22 to 2026-02-03
- Silicone adoption growing as more buyers weigh upfront vs long-term cost
Six fact patterns stand out across Irish retailers: shape compatibility, capacity limits, safety certifications, available retailers, regional price variations, and reusable versus disposable trade-offs.
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Common Shapes | Square and circular | Tesco UK product listing |
| Max Capacity | 5L air fryers | Tesco UK household section |
| Safety Certs | Food-grade BPA-free | Tesco UK official product page |
| Top Retailers | Tesco and Lidl Ireland | Market research |
| Material Types | Parchment or Silicone | Which? independent testing |
| Regional Price Ireland vs UK | Silicone: €6.50 vs £4.50–£5.00 | Tesco Ireland official product page |
Is it worth using liners in an air fryer?
Pros and cons of air fryer liners
Whether liners are worth it depends on how you use your air fryer. Which? testing found silicone basket liners are best for preventing mess and sticking, and they’re reusable and dishwasher safe. Parchment liners, however, are hassle-free since you simply bin them after use. The trade-off is that paper liners let grease seep through more easily, making them less effective for truly mess-free cooking.
Upsides
- Reduce cleaning time significantly
- Keep food from sticking to basket
- Parchment allows best crispiness for fries
- Silicone reusable for hundreds of cycles
Downsides
- Silicone may reduce air circulation
- Paper liners can let grease through
- Silicone costs more upfront
- Some models may not fit perfectly
When liners make cleaning easier
Liners shine when cooking sticky or greasy foods. Kitchen Curated notes that silicone promotes airflow with perforations or ridges for even crisping. The catch is that silicone may require an oil spray for best results, unlike parchment where a little oil is already integrated. For quick weeknight meals, parchment wins on convenience.
The implication: if you cook fries or breaded items regularly, parchment delivers the crispiest results. If you mostly cook saucy dishes or want to minimize cleanup, silicone pays off over time.
What’s the best thing to line your air fryer with?
Parchment paper vs dedicated liners
The two main contenders are parchment paper and dedicated silicone or parchment liners made specifically for air fryers. Tesco sells Disposable Air Fryer Liners (100 pack, 22×14×4.5cm) made from 38gsm oiled paper for £6.99, heat resistant up to 220°C, and made from 100% virgin natural cellulose, non-toxic and eco-friendly. They come in rectangular, round, and square shapes for versatile fit.
Parchment delivers the best balance of crispiness and easy cleanup, according to Fritaire’s air fryer blog. But dedicated silicone liners won’t curl or scorch the way loose parchment might.
Silicone mats for reuse
Silicone liners reduce crispiness due to the thicker barrier but offer easy cleanup and reusability. Kitchen Curated reports they’re reusable for hundreds of cycles, reducing waste compared to single-use parchment paper. Tesco Round Silicone Air Fryer Insert costs €6.50 in Ireland, safe up to 200°C, and is dishwasher safe. Lidl Ireland sells Silvercrest Silicon Air Fryer Inserts with handles and ridged bottom.
The pattern: silicone costs more upfront but pays for itself quickly versus ongoing parchment purchases. The trade-off is bulkier storage and potentially slower heat transfer due to silicone’s low thermal conductivity.
Is it better to use parchment paper or air fryer liners?
Performance differences
Which? independent lab testing found paper liners allow grease to seep through, making them less effective for zero-mess cooking. Silicone basket liners prevent this but may reduce air circulation, requiring stirring mid-cook. Kitchen Curated notes parchment paper has a lower heat threshold and can scorch above 200°C, while silicone withstands higher temperatures without warping. However, Air Frying Foodie found in head-to-head testing that air fryer burgers tested better on parchment for even cooking.
Cost and availability
Tesco POLYLINA 20 Air Fryer Paper Liners cost £2.50, greaseproof and disposable. Currently there’s a Tesco Clubcard offer: Any 3 for 2 on POLYLINA liners, valid from January 22, 2026 to February 3, 2026. Tesco offers Square Silicone Air Fryer Insert for £5.00 and Round for £4.50 in UK, compared to €6.50 for the same Round silicone in Ireland.
Why this matters: Irish buyers pay a notable premium on silicone. The regional gap means the same product costs roughly 22% more across the Irish Sea.
| Type | UK Price | Ireland Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLYLINA Paper (20 pack) | £2.50 | — | Tesco UK POLYLINA product page |
| Disposable Liners (100 pack) | £6.99 | — | Tesco UK disposable liners page |
| Round Silicone Insert | £4.50 | €6.50 | Tesco Ireland silicone insert listing |
| Square Silicone Insert | £5.00 | — | Tesco UK air fryer accessories section |
Can I put foil as a liner in my air fryer?
Safety guidelines for foil
Foil safety varies by air fryer model. Most manufacturers advise against foil because it can block airflow and potentially cause hot spots. YouTube thermal testing found silicone has low thermal conductivity, potentially slowing heat transfer—foil would likely have similar or worse effects. If your model manual doesn’t explicitly permit foil, stick with tested liners.
Alternatives to foil
Parchment paper is the safer option. Tesco’s parchment liners are made from 100% virgin natural cellulose, non-toxic and eco-friendly. For higher heat needs, silicone withstands up to 200°C (220°C for Tesco’s disposable parchment). Fritaire recommends parchment if you want the best balance of crispiness plus easy cleanup.
Some air fryer manufacturers void warranties if aftermarket liners cause damage. Check your manual before using any non-approved accessory.
Is it better to use silicone or paper liners for an air fryer?
Durability and reusability
Homes & Gardens testing identified Pintaur Silicone Air Fryer Liners as best for everyday cooking with the crispiest results. Kitchen Curated reports silicone pays for itself quickly versus ongoing parchment purchases. Silicone liners are bulkier to store and have a higher upfront cost, but they’re reusable for hundreds of cycles.
Cleaning and maintenance
Tesco notes their silicone inserts should be washed before first use and cleaned after cooling if food is burnt on. They’re dishwasher safe, making maintenance straightforward. Parchment liners are hassle-free—you bin them after use. Which? notes silicone may reduce air circulation, sometimes requiring stirring during cooking.
| Feature | Parchment Liners | Silicone Liners | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Resistance | Up to 220°C | Up to 200°C | Tesco UK disposable liners page, Tesco Ireland silicone insert listing |
| Reusability | Single-use | Hundreds of cycles | Kitchen Curated testing blog |
| Crispiness Effect | Best balance | May reduce crispiness | Fritaire air fryer blog |
| Air Circulation | Unaffected | May reduce | Which? independent testing |
| Grease Containment | Can seep through | Full containment | Which? independent testing |
| UK Price (example) | £2.50–£6.99 | £4.50–£5.00 | Tesco UK POLYLINA product page |
| Irish Price (silicone) | — | €6.50 | Tesco Ireland silicone insert listing |
The pattern: parchment wins for crispiness and low commitment; silicone wins for long-term cost and mess prevention.
How to use air fryer liners correctly
Three straightforward steps cover most liner types:
- Check fit before first use. Liners come in square, round, and rectangular shapes. Tesco’s disposable liners measure 22×14×4.5cm. Make sure there’s no bunching that could block the fan.
- Pre-season silicone mats. Wash before first use. Some users apply a light oil spray for best non-stick results, especially with foods that tend to stick.
- Clean after cooling. Let silicone cool completely before washing. Tesco recommends cleaning after cooling if burnt on—the insert is dishwasher safe.
Kitchen Curated notes that silicone promotes airflow with perforations or ridges for even crisping—blocking these with poor placement defeats the purpose.
Where to buy air fryer liners in Ireland
Irish buyers have several options. Tesco Ireland stocks the Round Silicone Insert at €6.50. Lidl Ireland offers Silvercrest Silicon Air Fryer Inserts with handles and ridged bottom. No specific air fryer liner products were found at Dunnes Stores during research, so availability there remains unconfirmed.
“Choose parchment if you want the best balance of crispiness + easy cleanup.”
— Fritaire air fryer blog
“Silicone basket liner: This is the best option if you want to keep your air fryer clean.”
— Which? product testing organization
Related reading: Slow Cooker Chicken Times · Lemon Chicken Recipes
Frequently asked questions
Do air fryer liners fit all models?
No. Liners come in square, round, and rectangular shapes. Check your basket dimensions—Tesco’s rectangular liners measure 22×14×4.5cm. Dedicated silicone inserts are model-specific, while parchment can be trimmed if needed.
How do you clean silicone air fryer liners?
Tesco recommends washing before first use and cleaning after cooling if burnt on. They’re dishwasher safe, making regular maintenance straightforward.
Are air fryer liners microwave safe?
This depends on the specific liner. Most parchment liners are microwave-safe, but silicone liners designed for air fryers may not be rated for microwave use. Check the manufacturer’s instructions.
What size liners for Ninja air fryer?
Ninja air fryers typically use square or rectangular liners. Check your specific model’s basket dimensions. Many universal silicone inserts are designed to fit popular Ninja sizes.
Can liners be used for baking?
Parchment liners can be used for baking in air fryers if heat-rated. Tesco’s parchment liners are heat resistant up to 220°C. Silicone mats may not be ideal for baking as they can affect browning.
Do liners affect air flow?
Silicone liners may reduce air circulation, which Which? testing found may require stirring during cooking. Parchment has minimal impact on airflow.
Where to buy air fryer liners in Ireland?
Tesco Ireland and Lidl Ireland are the main confirmed retailers. Tesco stocks the Round Silicone Insert at €6.50. Dunnes Stores availability remains unconfirmed based on current research.
Bottom line
For Irish air fryer owners, the choice narrows to two practical paths: parchment for maximum crispiness with zero commitment, or silicone for mess-free cooking that pays off over time. Regional pricing tilts toward parchment for casual users in Ireland, where silicone costs notably more than in the UK. For heavy air fryer users cooking fries or breaded foods regularly, parchment’s heat resistance up to 220°C and superior crispiness make it the smarter default—until you’ve used enough rolls that the silicone upfront cost makes sense. For those cooking messier foods like burgers or marinated meats, silicone’s reusability and full grease containment win out.
Andrew Patel leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Downunder Brief.