Do Tray Liners Really Affect Airfrying?

Hello, air fryer enthusiasts! Recently, I spent a week testing different air frying methods, particularly focusing on the impact of using tray liners. A few viewers pointed out that tray liners might hinder air circulation, potentially affecting the cooking results. To investigate, I conducted a scientific experiment using a two-drawer air fryer to compare cooking outcomes with and without a tray liner.

The Experiment

Testing with Bread

First, I tested with bread. In one drawer, I placed a slice of white bread without a liner. In the second drawer, I used a silicone liner with another slice of bread. Both drawers were set to air fry at 200°C for 4 minutes.

Results:

• Linerless Bread: The toast was evenly cooked on both sides and crispy.
• Lined Bread: The toast was flatter and less crispy, indicating less effective air circulation.

Testing with Chicken

Next, I tested with chicken breasts. I selected two nearly identical pieces, weighing 150g and 156g, to ensure a fair comparison. One drawer contained a breast without a liner, and the other had a breast with a silicone liner. Both were air fried at 200°C for 17 minutes.

Results:

• Linerless Chicken: The breast was evenly cooked and juicy, with a slight sheen.
• Lined Chicken: This breast had a more defined crust and appeared slightly juicier, but the overall cooking was very similar to the linerless version.

Conclusion

From this experiment, we can draw a few conclusions:

1. Bread: For items like toast, using a liner may prevent optimal crispiness and even cooking. The linerless method produced better results.

2. Chicken: The presence of a liner did not significantly impact the cooking quality of chicken breasts. Both methods produced similar results, with the linered version having a slightly better crust.

Final Thoughts

Using a tray liner in an air fryer can impact certain foods differently. For crispy results, avoid using a liner for items like toast. However, for cooking protein like chicken, using a liner may not make a noticeable difference. Ultimately, the choice to use a liner depends on your preference for convenience and the type of food you are preparing.