Is It Safe to Use Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer?

I was a late adopter of the air fryer trend. I'm often slow to jump on the bandwagon with new gadgets. But when a recipe developer I follow on Instagram, whose advice I trust, posted her surprise at how useful the air fryer was, I finally decided to give it a try.

What caught my attention right away was her cleaning process—she peeled off a piece of parchment paper from the basket, and I thought, "Paper? In a fryer? That seems risky." At first glance, it seemed counterintuitive to use paper in a fryer, since common sense suggests that paper and hot oil don't mix. Was she just lucky, or was there something I missed?

What Exactly is Parchment Paper – and Is It Safe for Air Fryers?

Parchment paper might seem like something you'd use for art, but it’s actually a kitchen staple. It’s heat-resistant and typically used for baking, providing a non-stick surface between food and the pan. Since it can handle high oven temperatures, using it in an air fryer is not as surprising as it sounds.

Parchment paper can be safely used in an air fryer, provided you follow a few important guidelines.

How to Safely Use Parchment Paper in Your Air Fryer

First, make sure you're using true food-grade parchment paper. Don’t mistake it for wax paper or any other similar-looking paper product, as that could lead to a mess or worse.

Next, be aware of the maximum temperature limit for your parchment paper, which will be listed on the packaging. While it might be tempting to push the limits in the oven, you don’t want to risk a fire in your air fryer. Always check before using.

Cut the parchment paper to fit the bottom of your air fryer basket, but leave it a bit smaller than the basket's size. This ensures proper air circulation (which is key to air frying). Avoid overloading your fryer with large sheets of paper. For best results, perforate or trim the paper further to improve airflow, prevent it from floating, and help grease drain away from your food.

If you're preheating your air fryer, wait until after it's heated to add the parchment paper. Otherwise, it could get blown around in the basket, potentially touching the heating element and catching fire.

Find the full recipe here: Air Fryer Mini Peppers Stuffed with Cheese and Sausage

Parchment paper is perfect for foods that tend to stick to the basket, like chicken wings, making cleanup easier. However, if you're using it frequently or are mindful of waste, a reusable silicone liner for air fryers might be a better option. It's dishwasher-safe and eco-friendly.

Remember, your air fryer has a powerful fan and hot heating elements. Using paper in such an environment always carries some risk, so always take precautions and never leave it unattended.

What You Should Avoid Using in an Air Fryer

While air fryers are incredibly versatile, there are still a few items you should steer clear of:

Cheese

Fresh cheese has a low melting point and can’t cook evenly without getting tossed around. To avoid a gooey, sticky disaster, freeze and bread it first. Otherwise, keep your grilled cheese in the skillet.

Whole Chicken

Air fryer baskets are already on the smaller side, and recently, there have been more recipes suggesting cooking whole chickens. Even if your basket is large enough and your chicken is small enough, it’s still not ideal to overstuff the basket. Proper air circulation is key for even cooking, and with chicken, the risks of undercooked parts are especially high.

Wet Batter or Liquid Sauces

Air fryers are designed to crisp and cook food quickly, and wet batter doesn’t fit this model. It won’t crisp up properly, and too much liquid will burn or get blown around, making a mess. Save the wet batter for frying and keep the sauces for stovetop cooking. For wings, cook them in the air fryer first, then coat them in sauce afterward.

Popcorn

Popcorn kernels will get blown around in the air fryer, causing a mess and not popping properly due to the lack of consistent heat. Stick to using your microwave for popping corn.