Parchment Paper In Air Fryer: Safe Or Not?

Air fryers have become a popular alternative to deep frying, but can you use parchment paper in an air fryer basket? The short answer is yes, but there are several important precautions to take. Firstly, ensure that you are using food-grade parchment paper and check the maximum temperature restriction printed on the box. Cut the parchment paper to fit the bottom of your air fryer basket, and perforate it to assist with air circulation and grease drainage. Only add the parchment paper to the air fryer after preheating, and always weigh it down with food to prevent it from flying into the heating element and catching fire. While parchment paper is a safe and effective liner for air fryers, it is not recommended for regular use as it can block airflow and interfere with cooking.

Perforated parchment paper is designed for air fryers

Air fryer parchment paper has perforated holes in it to help with air circulation. The holes also allow grease to drain away from the food, giving it a crispy exterior. This is especially useful for dishes where grease needs to drain away from the food, such as breaded or dough-based recipes.

If you don't have parchment paper with holes in it, you can try punching holes in regular parchment paper yourself. However, it's important to ensure that the paper is not too large and doesn't cover the entire bottom of the air fryer, as this will block airflow and grease drainage.

Additionally, it's important to weigh down the parchment paper with food to prevent it from flying around inside the basket and coming into contact with the heating element. Parchment paper can withstand temperatures of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, but it's important to check the maximum temperature restriction on the box before using it in an air fryer.

For baked goods or steaming purposes, a reusable silicone liner can be used instead of parchment paper to cut down on waste.

Don't preheat the air fryer with parchment paper inside

Parchment paper is a safe and effective liner to use in an air fryer. However, it is important to take certain precautions to avoid safety hazards. One key precaution is to avoid preheating the air fryer with parchment paper inside. Here's why:

When preheating an air fryer, the appliance should only be turned on without any food or other items inside. If parchment paper is added before the food, it can blow around inside the basket and come into contact with the heating element. This can cause the paper to burn or, in a worst-case scenario, catch fire. Therefore, it is recommended to add the parchment paper only after the air fryer has been preheated and is ready for the food to be added. This way, the paper can be weighed down by the food and kept away from the heating element, reducing the risk of fire.

Additionally, it is important to ensure that the parchment paper is cut to the correct size. It should be slightly smaller than the bottom of the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation. Stuffing the air fryer with excess paper can restrict airflow and lead to disaster. Perforating the paper can further assist with air circulation and grease drainage, resulting in a crispier finish for your food.

Moreover, always check the maximum temperature restriction of the parchment paper before using it in an air fryer. Parchment paper has a heating limit of around 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and exceeding this temperature can pose a fire hazard. Therefore, if your air fryer heats up to a higher temperature, it is best to forgo using parchment paper liners.

In summary, while parchment paper can be safely used in an air fryer, it is crucial to follow these precautions to ensure a safe and positive cooking experience.

Don't let the paper touch the heating element

Using parchment paper in an air fryer can be a risky affair. The paper can fly around in the basket and come in contact with the heating element, burning or catching fire. Therefore, it is essential to take precautions to prevent the paper from touching the heating element.

Firstly, ensure that you only add the parchment paper to the air fryer after preheating, and only when you are ready to put the food in. This is because the paper needs to be weighed down by food, or it might fly around inside the basket.

Secondly, cut the parchment paper to the size of the bottom of your air fryer basket, or slightly smaller. This will help ensure that the paper does not come into contact with the heating element.

Thirdly, consider using perforated parchment paper, or make holes in the paper yourself. This will assist with air circulation and allow grease to drain away from the food.

Finally, always ensure that the paper is weighed down by food. This will prevent it from flying around and coming into contact with the heating element.

By following these precautions, you can help ensure that the parchment paper does not touch the heating element in your air fryer, reducing the risk of fire or burning.

Don't use the paper for recipes with wet batter

While parchment paper can be used in an air fryer, it is not recommended for regular use. This is because it can block the airflow of the fryer, which is essential to how the appliance cooks. This can be especially dangerous when cooking recipes with wet batter, as the moisture can blow about the heating elements and cause damage.

Wet batter will not crisp in an air fryer, and too much liquid will burn or blow about the heating elements. For this reason, it is best to keep wet batters for cooking in oil and sauces for the stove top. If you are making wings, for example, cook them first in the air fryer and then toss them in sauce.

If you do choose to use parchment paper in your air fryer, make sure it is food-grade parchment paper and cut it to the size of the bottom of your air fryer basket. It is also important to check the maximum temperature restriction of the parchment paper, as printed on the box. Do not exceed this temperature, as the paper could ignite. Perforating and trimming the paper can help with air circulation and prevent the paper from flying about inside the unit.

Additionally, do not add the parchment paper to the air fryer while it is preheating, as it could fly about and come into contact with the heating element. Instead, add the parchment paper to the air fryer at the same time as your ingredients, so that it is weighed down by the food.

Parchment paper is better for the environment than aluminium foil

Yes, you can use parchment paper in an air fryer basket, but it is not recommended for regular use. Although temperatures in the air fryer are no worse than in a hot oven, there is a risk of the paper flying up towards the heating element and burning or catching fire. This can be mitigated by only adding the paper after preheating, ensuring it is weighed down by food, and cutting it to size so it doesn't obstruct airflow. Special parchment paper designed for air fryers has perforated holes to aid with circulation.

In addition to being better for the environment, parchment paper is also better for your health. Experts believe that we ingest more aluminium than our bodies are built to handle. A 2012 study suggests using aluminium foil for packaging only and not for cooking. According to the study, certain foods with varying acidity cause differing amounts of aluminium to leach into food, and spices were observed to contribute even more to the leaching of aluminium. High concentrations of aluminium have been found in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, and it is hypothesised that aluminium may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's.

Parchment paper is also more convenient for cooking and baking. It is a non-stick surface, meaning that food will not stick to it, and it is tolerant of very high heat, usually up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also less expensive than aluminium foil.

Frequently asked questions