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Can You Put Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer?

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Immad Amir
Written by
Immad is a talented home cook and editorial director at Specially Fried. With his culinary expertise, love for gadgets and creative flair, he brings a fresh perspective to the world of food blogging.
Reviewed by

Amelia is the kitchen appliance expert behind Specially Fried. She thoroughly reviews the latest appliances, making sure readers have access to the best appliance insights.

Can You Put Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer
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Cooking something greasy in an air fryer can make a big mess in it. We absolutely dread cleaning up a dirty and greasy air fryer after cooking something. We use parchment paper in baking, and you may wonder if you can put it in an air fryer too.

Yes! You can put parchment paper in an air fryer if you are cooking something that is going to stick to the fryer basket.

It is a super useful accessory that you can spread on the bottom of the fryer basket to collect any excessive grease. For instance, it would be really helpful if you are cooking wings dipped in a sauce that would make an absolute mess in the air fryer without parchment paper.

However, you need to be aware of some things and other potential hazards. All of the important tips and tricks are mentioned in the article below to guide you to the fullest!  

Where do you put parchment paper in an air fryer?

Carefully line the parchment paper in the air fryer basket before putting in any other ingredients.

After lining the basket with parchment paper, you can put the food in and cook it per your air fryer’s directions.

Important tips for using parchment paper in an air fryer

Using an accessory like parchment paper can come in really handy, but there are some complications that you should be aware of. Below are some important tips you should keep in mind while using parchment paper in an air fryer.

Check the max cooking temperature

Check the maximum heat or temperature your parchment paper can endure before you begin using it. Ensure that it is safe to use at your preferred temperature so that nothing catches fire while it is in the air fryer.

Double-check if you are using the right kind of parchment paper

Do your research about the specific type of parchment paper you have, and don’t use anything that you think might work the same because it won’t! (Wax paper, for example). Make sure that you have the right paper.

Measure twice, cut once

This is a piece of common advice for a number of applications.

Measure and cut your parchment paper according to the size of your air fryer basket, as it might be bigger. We suggest cutting the paper a little smaller than the actual size of the basket to ensure a smooth flow of air.

You don’t want to overstuff your air fryer with excessive parchment paper as it may block some airflow and lead to a fire hazard.

Use the paper after pre-heating

Putting the parchment paper directly in the basket without having any food to weigh it down may cause it to fly up and get burnt by the heating element. Therefore it is only safe to be used when you’re putting in your food and not during the pre-heating process.

Read the instructions on your air fryer

Always read the instruction manual of the air fryer before putting anything in it. The same goes for parchment paper. All machines are different, and paper too. So you need to be aware of what you’re doing and be super careful.

Why you should use parchment paper in an air fryer

It’s not absolutely necessary to use parchment paper in an air fryer, but it can come in handy for the following reasons:

Easy cleanup

Using parchment paper makes it really easy to clean up the mess afterward. It catches most of the oil and grease that may drop off from the food. However, using perforated parchment paper may cause some of the grease to drop, but it will easily catch most of it.

Extend the life span of your air fryer basket

Since the parchment paper catches most of the grease, it makes it easier to clean the air fryer basket. It requires light scrubbing; however, without parchment paper, you might have to do some harsh scrubbing to get rid of the grease.

Prevents food from sticking

Although most air fryers are nonstick, some food might stick to the basket due to wear and tear. The use of parchment paper will prevent that.

Easier to flip food

Your food might sometimes stick to the bottom, making it difficult for you to flip it. The non-stick surface of parchment paper will keep the food from tearing while you flip it.

Can parchment paper catch on fire?

The right parchment paper will not catch fire. It might get dark due to the heat, but its high resistance to heat will prevent it from catching fire.

However, the use of something else like wax paper can be dangerous. Wax paper melts at prolonged high temperatures and thus can even catch fire.

Difference between air fryer parchment paper and regular parchment paper

The main difference between air fryer parchment paper and regular parchment paper is that air fryer parchment paper has perforated holes in it. The holes ensure a smooth flow of air. Your food will turn out to be crispier and juicier if you use an air fryer parchment paper.

How to make your own air fryer parchment paper

You can make your own air fryer parchment paper with regular parchment paper. Follow the steps below:

  1. Measure and cut the regular parchment paper a little smaller than the actual size of the air fryer basket.
  2. Use a hole puncher/ punching machine to punch multiple holes in the paper. Keep some distance between the holes.
  3. Only use the parchment paper after you have pre-heated the air fryer.

Even though you can make your own at home, it is more time-consuming, and therefore, it is better to purchase pre-made air fryer parchment papers.

Air fryer parchment paper alternatives

Aluminum foil and Silicone perforated air fryer liners are good alternatives to air fryer parchment paper.

Aluminum foil can be used with specific foods in the air fryer. Other than that, if you are looking for something sustainable and dishwasher safe, then you can use reusable silicon perforated air fryer liners and baskets. 

Are baking paper and parchment paper the same?

Yes, baking paper and parchment paper are basically different names for the same thing that is used in cooking. 

Can I use wax paper in the air fryer?

Absolutely not! Wax paper is coated with wax and is not resistant to the high temperatures of the air fryer like your parchment paper is. Putting wax paper in an air fryer will definitely make it melt.

Can you use butter paper in the air fryer?

Yes! Baking butter, butter paper, bakery paper, and parchment paper are all different names of the same type of accessory, so it is safe for use.

Can I put paper towels in the air fryer?

No, using paper towels in an air fryer is not advisable. Paper towels are unsafe in an air fryer as they will block the airflow in the air fryer, and they might end up overheating the fryer or flying up to the heating element and making it ignite.

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?

Yes, aluminum foil is safe for use in an air fryer with some specific foods. Acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus elements can react with aluminum. Therefore, parchment paper or silicon baskets are better options as they will not interfere with the cooking process.

Concluding our thoughts

Even though an air fryer has many pros, such as its health benefits and quick cooking, we all dread the cleanup process afterward. However, after going through this article, we are sure that you will be able to make use of parchment paper correctly to make cleanup easier! Happy air frying.


Immad Amir
Written by
Immad is a talented home cook and editorial director at Specially Fried. With his culinary expertise, love for gadgets and creative flair, he brings a fresh perspective to the world of food blogging.
Reviewed by

Amelia is the kitchen appliance expert behind Specially Fried. She thoroughly reviews the latest appliances, making sure readers have access to the best appliance insights.

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