Can You Use Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer?

If you’ve been using your air fryer regularly, you’re probably wondering some other ways to make it even more useful. One of the things people often ask is can you use parchment paper in an air fryer. It has potential to make clean up easier and keep foods from sticking to the bottom of the basket.

The answer is yes. You can use parchment paper in the air fryer, but there are a few precautions to take and things to keep in mind to make sure you’re using it safely.

» Also see if you can use foil in the air fryer and wax paper in the air fryer.

Can You Put Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer?

While the short answer is yes, there are some caveats and safety issues that you should consider before and while you’re cooking with parchment paper in your air fryer.

First of all, the appliance was not designed to require parchment paper or foil. It has a non-stick surface and a basket to catch any drippings. There are holes in the basket that help the air circulate around the food to cook it properly.

When you introduce other elements, such as parchment paper into the process, things can go awry. Overall, the best way to cook is without it.

However, using parchment paper can have various benefits, such as easier clean-up after cooking and to keep foods from sticking to the bottom of the basket, especially when the non-stick surface has worn away.

In these situations, it might be beneficial to use parchment paper on the bottom of the basket. I use it once in a while, depending on what I’m cooking, and it’s definitely useful.

The issue to be aware of is that parchment paper can catch fire in the air fryer. The paper is so light that it can float up into the heating element without you knowing it and start a fire. If the fire catches hold, it can destroy the entire air fryer and even start a house fire.

Obviously this is a very big safety issue that should be taken into consideration every time you use parchment paper in the air fryer. It needs to be secured well in the basket, and you need to keep a very close eye on it. Never leave the room.

Why Use Parchment Paper?

One of the main reasons people use parchment paper in the air fryer is to cut down on cleaning. You can place some paper in the bottom of the basket and it will prevent food from sticking to the bottom and creating a mess in the basket.

It’s particularly beneficial when cooking messy dinners, such as these amazing air fryer ribs that have a sticky BBQ sauce that can easily burn on the bottom, or delicate things like salmon that can stick to the bottom so it’s hard to get out of the pan in one piece.

I use these super convenient parchment paper rounds in my air fryer. You can buy them in different sizes to fit your basket.

What Paper to Use

There are actually now many pre-made parchment paper squares, circles, and trays that are made for the air fryer with holes already in it. You can find one that properly fits your basket. When using parchment paper designed for use with an air fryer when cooking, you can rest easy that it won’t put your food or the machine in jeapardy.

Finally, you can also just cut your own piece of parchment paper from a roll, but it won’t have any holes in it to allow for good air circulation.

Is it Safe to Use Air Fryer Parchment Paper?

Parchment paper is safe to use with this appliance, just as it is in the oven. The same precautions should be taken.

As an added safety check, never leave the air fryer unattended when using parchment paper in the basket and make sure the paper doesn’t touch the heating element. It’s best to only use it when cooking something heavy enough to ensure the paper stays down and doesn’t float up to the top where the heating element is.

Believe me, if it touches the heating coil, it will immediately combust. To avoid this issue, you could use a silicon mat in the bottom of the basket instead. There’s no chance of it flying up and catching fire.

Do’s & Don’ts

Are you wondering how to use parchment paper in an air fryer correctly? Some practices are essential to ensure you’re using it safely and successfully.

Take a look at some important tips and tricks to consider:

• Once you’ve placed the paper in the basket, be sure you’ve set enough food on it to hold it down before turning it on, to keep it from blowing up into the heating element. Parchment paper will catch fire if it touches the heating element.
• If using a piece of parchment paper you’ve cut yourself, do what we do and poke holes in it to allow for air circulation. This isn’t necessary when using air fryer specific paper, as it already has holes in it.
• Don’t reuse used parchment paper. Once the paper is greasy, it needs to be throw out for food safety.

Final Thoughts

Knowing when and how to properly use parchment paper in an air fryer can benefit your food preparation experience. You might not feel safe doing it and that’s totally fine, or it might become your new go-to kitchen hack.

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