Yes, you can put parchment paper in an air fryer. Because parchment paper is thin, using it in an air fryer may cause you some concern. If you decide to use an air fryer, you should put foods that are heavy enough to keep down at the bottom of the basket because the hot air that blows inside the appliance can cause something that is lightweight to blow around.
When making any recipe that you want to prevent from sticking to your baking pan, whether it be baking cookies, roasting vegetables like air fryer squash, or roasting other foods, parchment paper is a useful tool to have on hand. Additionally, it can be incredibly useful when using your air fryer.
In this article, I’ll cover why using parchment paper is a good idea when using an air fryer, how to do it safely, and whether or not you should spend money on fancy air fryer parchment paper accessories.
Table of Contents
What is Parchment Paper?
Food won’t stick to your pan if you use parchment paper when you’re cooking. It can effortlessly pull away from baked goods thanks to a coating that is food-safe. To stop cookies from sticking to baking sheets, it is used to line them. Additionally, it is used to line loaf pans and cake tins so that baked goods can be removed from the pan with ease. Additionally, baking sheets can be lined with parchment paper before roasting vegetables. It is a heat-resistant paper with a nonstick surface. It is widely available. It’s available in pre-cut sizes or in rolls. You can also purchase sheets that are precisely sized to fit the basket of your air fryer.
Can You Put Parchment Paper in An Air Fryer?
Yes! “Use either rolled parchment paper or parchment that has been specially designed with holes for air fryers. It’s a great way to reduce cleaning time,” says air fryer expert author Laurie Fleming of The Essential Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners
Despite the fact that you can always use regular parchment paper in an air fryer—and it is actually advised for foods like cookies that you don’t want to fall through the grates or holes—the parchment paper liners with holes make cooking and cleanup much easier.
“The holes allow for the hot air to circulate around the food and basket, which is how food cooks in the air fryer,” explains Fleming. “But even if there are no holes, the food will still cook because of how thin the parchment paper is.” Additionally, the holes reduce the possibility of the parchment paper blowing around inside the air fryer, which could present a fire risk if it gets caught in the coils and ignites.
Parchment Paper in the Air Fryer: Is It Safe to Use?
It is safe to use parchment paper in the air fryer, just as it is in the oven. The same safety measures ought to be taken.
When using parchment paper in the basket, make sure the paper stays away from the heating element and never leave the air fryer unattended. It’s best to only use it when cooking something substantial enough to prevent the paper from floating up to the top, where the heating element is, and causing a mess.
You better believe it will catch fire the moment it touches the heating coil. Use a silicon mat in the bottom of the basket as a substitute to get around this problem. There isn’t a chance that it will fly upward and catch fire.
Why Use Parchment Paper in Your Air Fryer?
Reduced cleanup is one of the main benefits of using parchment paper in an air fryer. If you put some paper in the bottom of the basket, food won’t stick to the bottom and make a mess inside.
It’s particularly beneficial when cooking messy dishes, such as these amazing air fryer ribs that have a sticky BBQ sauce that easily burns on the bottom or delicate foods like salmon that can stick to the bottom and be challenging to remove whole from the pan.
Pros of Using Parchment Paper in An Air Fryer
- It makes cleanup simple.
- Fewer dishes to do.
- The bottom of your basket won’t collect food debris.
- Making your recipes healthier, you won’t need to use as much oil or fat.
When Should You Use Parchment Paper in An Air Fryer?
While there are various air fryer designs, Fleming points out that, in contrast to oven or paddle air fryers, basket air fryers are most frequently used to prevent food from falling through the holes in the basket. “Parchment paper is commonly used for any recipe that has breading, like shake-and-bake pork chops, or those that you need to flip, like funnel cakes, because it helps the breading stay on,” says Fleming.
Fleming asserts that you don’t need parchment paper for molded pans even though it is useful for baked goods that aren’t intended to be placed in a pan, such as cookies, biscuits, and other items you don’t want to stick to the basket or fall through the grates. “If you are using a muffin pan, scone pan, or even a donut pan, you would not need any parchment paper,” she notes. Air frying and baking have some differences, but this is not one of them.
If you’re cooking from frozen food, you can also omit the parchment paper. “Most of these foods slide out without any parchment,” Generally speaking, Fleming continues, you can use parchment paper in an air fryer to cook anything, but it’s not necessary for any foods. Although it’s not required, it might make cleanup simpler.
Where to Put Parchment Paper in An Air Fryer?
Use the parchment paper to line the basket or rack that your ingredients will sit on or in if you’re placing food directly into an air fryer. To avoid bunching and the chance of your parchment burning due to being too close to the heating element, whether you’re using regular parchment paper or air fryer-specific liners, you can cut them to the size and shape of your air fryer.
Do’s & Don’ts of Parchment Paper in the Air Fryer
Are you unsure of the proper way to use aluminum foil in an air fryer? To make sure you’re using it successfully and safely, you must follow some procedures.
Take a look at some important tips and tricks to consider:
- Before turning it on, make sure there is enough food on top of the paper in the basket to hold it down and prevent it from blowing up into the heating element.
- To allow for airflow, you can pierce holes in a piece of parchment paper that you’ve cut yourself. Since air fryer-specific paper already has holes, this step is not required.
FAQs
Is Parchment Paper Safe in the Air Fryer?
As long as you adhere to the suggested safety precautions, using parchment paper in the air fryer is safe. Use only parchment paper. Cover the basket’s bottom. Use weighty foods instead so it won’t release and fly around the basket. For best results, use pre-cut paper that has holes.
Can I Use Wax Paper in the Air Fryer?
No, using wax paper in your oven or air fryer is not advised. A waxy surface covers wax paper. The wax melts when heated. This wax has the potential to contaminate your food and coat your air fryer with an unsavory substance that will be challenging to remove.
Where Do I Buy Parchment Paper Sheets?
The local grocery store, Target, Wal-Mart, or Amazon are all places where you can buy parchment paper sheets. Because they have the most options, I like to purchase mine on Amazon.
What is An Alternative to Parchment Paper in the Air Fryer?
You could use aluminum foil in the air fryer, or you can use a silicone mat that is designed for use in the air fryer. Dishwasher safe and reusable, silicone mats.
Read about Can You Put Aluminum Foil In An Air Fryer?
