The air fryer is quite a versatile machine regarding what items you can put inside it. However, that does not mean you can put in everything that you can get your hands on. This might have you thinking about whether you can use wax paper in an air fryer; well, can you?
No, you can’t use wax paper in an air fryer. An air fryer reaches high temperatures when cooking but wax paper is not heat-safe. It is only meant for wrapping at room temperature or less.
So, let’s take a detailed look into why wax paper should be avoided and what you can use as a substitute.
Why can’t you use wax paper in an air fryer?
Wax paper is a very useful kitchen item that helps you store food, but it is not safe for air fryers. Here are a couple of reasons why you can’t use it in an air fryer:
Not heat safe, can cause fire
Wax paper is not meant for cooking. If its temperature exceeds 200 degrees Fahrenheit, the wax on the wax paper melts and becomes unsafe. Moreover, considering that this paper is not resistant to heat, it can get very hot when put in an operating air fryer and possibly catch fire.
Damage and dirty the air fryer
Now that we know that the wax on the wax paper can melt at high temperatures, if you put this paper inside an air fryer, the wax will get all over the air fryer basket and be extremely difficult to clean!
Contaminate the food
It’s obvious that when the wax will melt inside the air fryer, it will get on the food. No one wants to eat waxy food, right?
Substitutes for wax paper
Instead of wax paper, you can use other kitchen papers in an air fryer like parchment paper and air fryer liners.
Moreover, other items that you can use in an air fryer include:
- Ceramics
- Silicone molds
- Ramekins
- Wooden skewers or toothpicks
- Tempered glass
The cooking principle for both air fryers and ovens is the same; therefore, things that you can’t use in a regular oven cannot be used in an air fryer as well.
Why is parchment paper safe in an air fryer but not wax paper?
The reason parchment paper is safe but not wax paper lies in their difference. Wax paper is coated with wax and is not heatproof, meaning that it cannot withstand high temperatures.
When subjected to high temperatures, the paper will begin to curl and will catch fire. You can use it to wrap food items and store them in the refrigerator, but it cannot go in the air fryer.
Meanwhile, parchment paper is coated with silicone. This means its surface is heat-resistant and non-stick. So, even if it is exposed to high temperatures, it still does not curl up or burn.
Can you also put napkins in an air fryer? Learn here.
Conclusion
Wrapping up and storing your food items is one thing, but using wax paper to cook in an air fryer is downright dangerous. The wax can get into your food and ruin the insides of your air fryer. So, it would be better if you opt for other papers like parchment paper or air fryer liner that will do a way better job.