Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with high microporos?ity and relatively high thermal stability are potential thermal insulation and flame-retardant materials. However, the diffculties in processing and shaping MOFs have largely hampered their applications in these areas. This study outlines the fabrication of hybrid CNF@MOF aerogels by a stepwise assembly approach involving the coating and cross-linking of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) with continuous nanolayers of MOFs. The cross-linking gives the aerogels high mechanical strength but superelas?ticity (80% maximum recoverable strain, high specific compression mod?ulus of ~?200 MPa cm3 g?1, and specific stress of ~?100 MPa cm3 g?1). The resultant lightweight aerogels have a cellular network structure and hierarchical porosity, which render the aerogels with relatively low ther?mal conductivity of ~?40 mW m?1 K?1. The hydrophobic, thermally sta?ble MOF nanolayers wrapped around the CNFs result in good moisture resistance and fire retardancy. This study demonstrates that MOFs can be used as effcient thermal insulation and flame-retardant materials. It presents a pathway for the design of thermally insulating, superelastic fire-retardant nanocomposites based on MOFs and nanocellulose.