Can You Use Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer? (2024)

I was late to the air fryer game. I'm late on a lot of things that involve purchasing a new or unfamiliar appliance. But I was finally convinced when a recipe developer I trust on Instagram broke down and bought one, posting her genuine marvel at the convenience.

Something that I noticed right off the bat is that during her cleanup process, she peeled a piece of parchment paper from the bottom of the basket, and I thought, "Paper? Frying? Seems dangerous." Indeed, common sense would dictate that any type of paper used in any sort of frying would be a bad idea. So, was my Instagram source just lucky? Or a master of resourcefulness?

This Allstar Has Four Air Fryers (And Loves Them All): 'I Couldn’t Go a Day Without One'

What Is Parchment Paper – and Is It Safe for the Air Fryer?

Parchment paper might sound more like a tool for drawing than for the kitchen, but it is paper safe for the oven. Its most common use is in baking, providing a handy protective layer between baking sheet and cookie or other confection for easy cleanup. It withstands pretty much all oven temperatures, so using it in an air fryer isn't a big leap.

Parchment paper is safe to use with this appliance as long as a few precautions are observed.

How to Use Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer

First, ensure what you're using is, in fact, food grade parchment paper. Accidentally swapping it with any other paper product or its similar-looking brother wax paper would be a big, messy mistake.

Next, check the maximum temperature restriction of the parchment paper — it'll be printed on the box. The oven might be a place to push the boundaries on this, but let's not try it in the air fryer. If it ignites, you'll have quite the problem on your hands.

8 Essential Air Fryer Recipes

Cut the paper to the size of the bottom of your air fryer basket. It's best to cut it a bit smaller in fact, so air can circulate more freely (air circulation is paramount to how an air fryer cooks). Stuffing the air fryer with large or excess paper willy nilly is a sure-fire way to disaster (pun intended). Perforating and trimming the paper is even better, further assisting in air circulation, allowing any grease to drain away from food as it needs to, and making it less likely the paper will float around inside the unit.

If you're preheating your air fryer, don't add the parchment until afterward, when it can be weighed down by food, or it'll fly about inside the basket, which can put it in contact with the heating element and burn it.

Can You Use Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer? (1)

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Mini Peppers Stuffed with Cheese and Sausage

Parchment paper is good for food that might stick to the basket, like chicken wings, making clean up a bit easier. If you're tempted to use parchment every day or are simply waste-conscious, consider instead a silicone liner for air fryers. They're reusable and dishwasher safe, cutting down on both waste and worry.

Above all, understanding that your air fryer contains a circulating fan and very hot heating elements is essential. Placing paper in that environment will always pose some sort of risk, so take every precaution and don't leave it unattended.

How To Convert Your Favorite Recipes for an Air Fryer

What You Shouldn't Use in an Air Fryer

Though an air fryer is versatile and feels like it can be used for anything, there are a few things that should be avoided:

Cheese

Fresh cheese has a low melting point and is too light to cook properly without being bounced about. Avoiding a stringy, sticky mess is impossible unless it's frozen and breaded. Steer clear and keep that grilled cheese in the frying pan.

Wax Paper vs. Parchment Paper: What's the Difference?

Whole Chicken

Air fryer baskets are pretty small to begin with, but some recipes for whole chickens have been circulating around the internet recently. Even if you have a large enough basket and a small enough chicken, it's just not a good idea to stuff the basket that full. Air needs to properly circulate around the food to cook it properly, and a chicken poses especially dangerous risks if all parts aren't cooked correctly.

Wet Batter or Liquid Sauces

This appliance is all about getting things cooked and crisp. Wet batter won't crisp and too much liquid will burn or blow about the heating bits. Keep the wet batter for cooking in oil and the sauces on the stove top. If you're making wings, first cook them in the air fryer, then toss them in sauce.

Popcorn

Speaking of loose particles, popcorn will surely blow about in your air fryer, causing a lot of damage. Not to mention, it won't get hot enough to pop the kernels. Save the popping for your microwave.

Related:

  • How Healthy is Air Fryer Cooking, Really? Nutritionists and Experts Weigh In
  • 6 Air Fryer Mistakes That Will Keep You From Making the Most of the Beloved Countertop Appliance
  • 12 Air Fryer Dinners That Take 30 Minutes (or Less)
Can You Use Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Use Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer? ›

Parchment paper can handle the heat inside your air fryer - up to 428°F (220°C). To get the best results, add the parchment paper to the air fryer basket at the same time as you add your ingredients. This prevents the paper from lifting up and coming into contact with the heating element while cooking.

Is it better to use parchment paper or foil in an air fryer? ›

Laurence says she always chooses parchment paper over aluminum foil in the air fryer. Parchment paper is more versatile because it is non-reactive. "Whatever food you're putting on that aluminum foil is going to react with aluminum," Laurence says.

What can I line my air fryer with? ›

Parchment paper is good for food that might stick to the basket, like chicken wings, making clean up a bit easier. If you're tempted to use parchment every day or are simply waste-conscious, consider instead a silicone liner for air fryers. They're reusable and dishwasher safe, cutting down on both waste and worry.

Where do you put parchment paper in an air fryer? ›

"Within our recipes we do recommend using parchment to line the baking sheets." Rodgers said. "I use parchment often to line the basket and/or the baking pan. I find it useful especially for ease in cleaning up." She does note that you should always cut the parchment paper to fit the basket of your air fryer.

Can you put aluminum foil in the air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Can I put a paper towel in my air fryer? ›

Airflow is essential to the machine, so while a paper towel is useful for cleaning, it should not be used while cooking food in the air fryer. It can restrict the airflow of the machine and even catch fire. It's important to remember that the air inside the air fryer can get very hot.

Do air fryer liners need holes? ›

The holes are designed to allow air to circulate through the paper to create crispier food without sticking to the air fryer basket or allowing grease/oil to spill out. Without the holes, the air flow is blocked, resulting in doughy foods.

What to put on the bottom of an air fryer? ›

Lining your air fryer with parchment paper is the best way to keep your appliance clean and your food delicious. Nothing beats cooking with an air fryer to get you crispy, tender food with a fraction of the oil.

What is the best liner for an air fryer? ›

I've tested over 60 air fryers and accessories and talked to air fryer expert Samantha Erb, creator of Everyday Family Cooking, to find the best silicone liners. Our top pick is the Wavelu Air Fryer Silicone Pot because it cooks food evenly, features large handles, and is dishwasher-safe.

Are you supposed to wet parchment paper? ›

Create a wet seal between the paper and your countertop or rolling surface by misting or slightly wetting it with water or mixing the water with flour or cornstarch. Apply a light layer of butter, cooking spray, or oil on the back of the parchment paper and press it down to your surface.

Do you need to punch holes in parchment paper in air fryer? ›

Two: It involved punching holes in the parchment paper to allow for air flow, which I feel is necessary because rapidly circulated, hot air that hits the food at all angles is the entire point of an air fryer. If you cover the whole basket with parchment paper, you're defeating the purpose.

Which side goes up on parchment paper? ›

Since parchment paper doesn't have a helpful “this end up” sign with an arrow, it takes a little detective work. Just hold the paper up to the light and look for the side that's slightly glossier or shinier. It is the shiny or glossy side of the parchment paper that should be face up on your baking sheet or cake pan.

What to do if an air fryer catches fire? ›

How to put out an air fryer fire? Air fryer fires are considered as kitchen fires as Class F due to the presence of cooking oil and animal fats. It may also be possible to put out the fire with a standard Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher if there is not much oil.

Is it better to put aluminum foil or parchment paper in the air fryer? ›

You can use parchment paper in an air fryer, but with many of the same caveats as with foil (never use wax paper, as its coating can melt at high temperatures). Again, it's important to make sure the parchment is heavily weighted down by food to avoid it getting sucked into the heating element and burning.

What can you not put in an air fryer? ›

7 Foods You Should Never Cook In Your Air Fryer
  • Wet Batters. Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, plus tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. ...
  • Cheesy Items. ...
  • Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  • Baked Goods. ...
  • Greens. ...
  • Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  • Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

Can you put glass in an air fryer? ›

Whether you prefer the benefits of cooking in glass or you just use glass dishes out of habit, we've got good news – yes! You can use glass in an air fryer.

Is it better to cook on parchment paper or aluminum foil? ›

A basic saying to guide your use of papers in the kitchen: "Sweet treats need parchment sheets; grill or broil, go with foil," says Weaver. Foil conducts and distributes heat, making it able to withstand high temperatures from baking, broiling, roasting, or grilling. For anything above 400 degrees, use foil.

What to put in an air fryer to catch grease? ›

A slice of bread in the bottom of your air fryer can help collect grease without making a mess.

Is silicone mat better than parchment paper for air fryer? ›

This ensures that food is cooked evenly and prevents hot spots from forming. Finally, using a silicone mat in an air fryer can extend the life of the appliance. Parchment paper can tear easily and leave bits of paper behind, which can clog the air fryer's vents and cause it to malfunction.

Can I put fish on aluminum foil in the air fryer? ›

Wrap the foil around the fish to make two parcels, with a gap above the fish but shallow enough to fit in your air fryer basket. Preheat the air fryer to 180C. Add the foil parcels to the preheated air fryer and air fry for 7-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 6264

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.