Are you wondering if you can put parchment paper in an air fryer?
The quick and easy answer to this question is yes! You can put parchment paper in an air fryer. However, there are some other things you need to know before doing it.
We’ll dive into the benefits of using parchment paper in air fryers, how to perforate the sheets, and more.
I’ll also provide tips on safely using parchment paper in air fryers. Keep reading to learn more!
Can You Put Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer?
You can (and probably should) put parchment paper in an air fryer. It simplifies clean-up and helps prevent your food from sticking and burning.
However, there are a few things to remember when using parchment paper in air fryers. First, did you know there is parchment paper designed specifically for air fryers?
The biggest difference between it and regular parchment paper is it has holes. (Just like the basket of your air fryer.)
The holes help improve air circulation, cooking your food quicker and more evenly.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t use regular parchment paper in air fryers. You can simply add the holes yourself (which we’ll discuss later).
Also, be careful if your air fryer has a high-heat setting (above 400 degrees Fahrenheit). Most parchment paper can withstand temps up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, manufacturers recommend not using parchment paper in temps over 400-420 degrees. So, if you use higher heat settings, avoid parchment paper.
Why Use Parchment Paper in the Air Fryer
As mentioned, parchment paper makes clean-up easier and helps prevent sticking. Let’s look at these (and a few other benefits) more closely.
- It makes clean-up simpler. Cleaning air fryer baskets can be a pain. Those little holes collect enough grease or sauce to make a giant mess. Using parchment paper can help mitigate the mess. The paper catches much of the grease and sauce, preventing it from getting into the basket.
- It prevents sticking and burning. Don’t you hate when your chicken skin gets stuck to the air fryer basket? The oils on parchment paper prevent sticking. This means less leaving food behind and less burning from stuck-on food.
- It extends the life of your air fryer. The more you scrub your air fryer basket in the sink, the shorter its life will be. Using parchment paper means less scrubbing and less harsh detergents. (And less wear and tear overall.)
Should You Perforate Parchment Paper Before Adding It to an Air Fryer?
You should add holes to regular parchment paper before using it in an air fryer. Perforating the paper makes it more like air fryer parchment paper.
And air fryer parchment paper works better than regular parchment paper. It helps the air circulate better and is less likely to cause a fire.
How to Make Perforated Parchment Sheets for the Air Fryer
Making holes in your parchment paper isn’t difficult. You can do it with scissors, a knife, a hole punch, or any other readily available tools.
Here’s how to do it:
- Set the air fryer basket insert on top of a sheet of parchment paper. Use a grease pencil to trace the shape of your air fryer’s basket onto the paper.
- Cut the shape out of the larger piece of parchment paper. Fold the paper in half. Then, fold the paper in half again (so it’s folded in quarters).
- Use a hole puncher to make several holes (as equally spaced as possible). Open the paper and flatten it back out.
At this point, you should have a piece of perforated parchment paper that fits neatly in the basket.
Tips for Using Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer
Here are a few final tips to keep in mind when using parchment paper in the air fryer:
- Take proper precautions. Never preheat with parchment paper in the basket! With nothing to weigh the paper down, the air can cause it to fly up. It can catch on fire if it comes in contact with the heating element. Only use parchment paper in an air fryer if you have food on top of it.
- Be an even Steven. This, too, can help prevent fires. If the food is on one side, the other side might fly up and touch the heating element. Instead, ensure the food is spaced evenly on the paper. That way, it’s firmly weighed down on all sides.
- Double-check yourself. Ensure you have parchment paper and not wax paper. Wax paper is not heat-resistant. Do not use wax paper, thinking it’s parchment paper.
- Trim as necessary. Cut the parchment paper to fit the air fryer basket. If the paper is too large, the sides can fly up or hang over the edges. Again, this is a fire risk. Trim the paper to fit your basket if need be.
Parchment Paper Alternatives for Your Air Fryer
If you don’t have parchment paper, use baker’s paper instead. (Baker’s paper is actually just another name for parchment paper.)
You can also use aluminum foil or a silicone liner designed for air fryers. If all else fails, spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Again, NEVER use wax paper in an air fryer. It isn’t heat-resistant like parchment paper and can catch on fire.
