Baking Parchment In An Air Fryer: Safe Or Not?

Air fryers are a great way to cook food quickly and healthily. They use an electric radiator and a high-velocity fan to circulate hot, dry air around your food. But what about using baking parchment in an air fryer? Well, the short answer is yes, you can use parchment paper in an air fryer, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Firstly, parchment paper can help prevent food from sticking to the air fryer basket and can make clean-up easier. It's also a more sustainable option than using aluminium foil. However, it's important to make sure that you're using food-grade parchment paper and to check the maximum temperature restriction to avoid any risk of ignition. Parchment paper should always be weighed down by food to prevent it from flying around inside the air fryer and coming into contact with the heating element, which could cause a fire. Perforated parchment paper is also recommended to improve airflow and help the food cook evenly.

Perforated parchment paper is available to buy

You can buy perforated parchment paper inserts from Amazon, or you can make your own. To make your own, you'll need parchment paper, a rotary cutter with a perforating blade, a self-healing mat or thick cardboard, and a gallon zip-top bag for storage. Simply use the rotary cutter to perforate the parchment paper, then cut it to the size of your air fryer basket.

When using perforated parchment paper in your air fryer, it's important to take some precautions. First, ensure that you're using food-grade parchment paper and not wax paper or any other type of paper product. Check the maximum temperature restriction on the parchment paper box, and don't exceed this temperature in your air fryer. Cut the paper to fit the bottom of your air fryer basket, and perforate and trim the paper to assist with air circulation and grease drainage.

Don't add the parchment paper to your air fryer while it's preheating, as it could float up and come into contact with the heating element. Always place food on top of the parchment paper to weigh it down.

Amazon offers a variety of perforated parchment paper options, including:

• Air Fryer Parchment Paper, Set of 100, 6-inch Air Fryer Liner/Bamboo Steamer Paper/Perforated Parchment Paper for Air Fryer, Steaming Basket and More (7/8/9/10 Inch Available)
• Air Fryer Disposable Paper Liner, 100PCS 7.9 Inch Air Fryer Liners Round, Parchment Paper for Air Fryer Non-stick Oil-proof Water-proof, Paper liners for air fryer, Steamer, Baking, Microwave, etc.
• Air Fryer Paper Liners Round 9 Inch, 125Pcs Parchment Paper for Baking, Air Fryer Disposable Paper Liner for Microwave, Non-Stick, Oil-proof and Water-proof for Easy Cleanup (125, 9''Round)
• Katbite Parchment Paper Air Fryer Silicone Liners 8 Inch for Air Fryer Basket, 2 Pack Silicone Air Fryer Liners, Reusable Silicone Air Fryer Liners Baking Parchment Paper

You can make your own perforated parchment paper

Using parchment paper in an air fryer can be dangerous if the paper is left uncovered during the preheating stage. The paper can be sucked into the heating element and catch fire. However, if you're looking to line your air fryer with parchment paper, you can make your own perforated parchment paper at home.

To make your own perforated parchment paper, you will need the following:

• Parchment paper
• A pair of safety scissors
• A paper hole punch or perforator
• A round or square-shaped cake pan (optional)

• Place the insert of your air fryer basket or any square or round cake pan that is about the same size or slightly smaller than your air fryer basket on the parchment sheet.
• Trace the shape of the basket and cut it out with a pair of scissors.
• Fold the cut-out parchment paper in half, then fold it again to create four equal sections.
• Nip off the tip with the perforator to create a hole in the middle.
• Gently perforate around the edges of the folded paper, trying to space the holes evenly.
• After perforating the edges, fold the paper one more time and make some perforations in the middle area.
• Open up the folded, perforated parchment paper and it's ready to use.

You can also make perforated parchment paper by folding a piece of parchment paper in half and then folding it twice more to create a thin triangle. Hold the triangle over your cooking vessel with the pointed end lined up in the middle. Cut off the end to make it round and fit your air fryer. Cut little triangles along the edge about 2.5 cm/1" apart to create holes. You can also use a hole punch to create the holes.

Once you've made your perforated parchment paper, it's important to remember that you shouldn't put it in the air fryer without any food on it to weigh it down. The lightweight paper will fly around in the air fryer and can get caught in the heating element. Always use the parchment paper when you are ready to start cooking, not during the preheating stage.

Don't preheat the air fryer with parchment paper inside

While parchment paper is safe to use in an air fryer, it is important to exercise caution. Parchment paper is a safe and effective liner for your air fryer, but it should not be left unattended in the appliance while it is preheating.

If you are preheating your air fryer, do not add the parchment paper until afterward, when it can be weighed down by food. If you add the parchment paper before preheating your air fryer, it will fly around inside the basket and could come into contact with the heating element, causing it to burn. This is a safety hazard and could potentially start a fire.

To avoid this, always add the parchment paper after preheating your air fryer, and ensure that it is weighed down by food. Keep the parchment paper away from the heating element, and cut it to the size of the bottom of your air fryer basket, or slightly smaller to allow for better air circulation. Perforating and trimming the paper can also help with air circulation and grease drainage.

Additionally, make sure to use food-grade parchment paper and check the maximum temperature restriction printed on the box before using it in your air fryer. Parchment paper can be heated to around 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so if your air fryer heats up to 500 degrees, it is best to forgo using a liner as this could pose a fire hazard.

Weigh down parchment paper with food

Weighing down parchment paper with food is essential when using an air fryer. The high-velocity fans in the appliance can cause the paper to blow around and touch the heating element, which could start a fire. Therefore, it's important to ensure that the parchment paper is weighed down by food before preheating the air fryer.

When using parchment paper in an air fryer, it's crucial to cut the paper to fit the basket. It's recommended to cut it slightly smaller than the basket's bottom to allow for proper air circulation, which is essential for the air fryer's cooking process. Perforating the paper can further assist in air circulation and grease drainage, leading to a crispier finish.

To avoid safety hazards, always weigh down the parchment paper with food and keep it away from the heating element. The paper should be added to the air fryer only after preheating, as the high temperatures can cause it to ignite if it's not secured in place. Even with food on top, it's crucial to ensure the paper doesn't touch the heating element to prevent burning.

Additionally, it's important to check the maximum temperature restriction of the parchment paper. Exceeding the recommended temperature, which is typically around 450 degrees Fahrenheit, can pose a fire hazard. Parchment paper is safe to use in air fryers as long as these precautions are followed.

Parchment paper is not recommended for Philips Airfryer

Parchment paper is not recommended for use in the Philips Airfryer for several reasons. Firstly, the airflow inside the Airfryer is crucial to its cooking performance. If you cover the bottom of the basket with parchment paper, it will disrupt the airflow, resulting in diminished cooking results.

Secondly, if you place parchment paper in the bottom of the pan where grease and dirt are collected, it will further disrupt the airflow and negatively impact the cooking process.

Another important consideration is that if you put parchment paper in the Airfryer without placing food on it, the paper could be sucked into the heating element and burn. This can be a safety hazard and cause damage to your appliance.

To ensure the optimal performance of your Philips Airfryer and to avoid potential issues, it is best to avoid using parchment paper. Instead, you can use alternative options such as silicone liners or aluminium foil, ensuring that they do not block the airflow or come into direct contact with the heating element.

Frequently asked questions