Air fryers have revolutionized the way we cook, allowing us to prepare crispy, healthier dishes with little to no oil. But when it comes to using parchment paper, there’s some confusion about whether it’s safe or effective. Let’s break down when and how you can use it in your air fryer, and when it’s best to skip it. Parchment paper is a favorite tool for many air fryer enthusiasts. It helps prevent food from sticking to the basket or tray, making cleanup a breeze. For delicate foods like fish, baked goods, or even vegetables, parchment paper provides a non-stick surface that helps maintain the food’s shape while still achieving that crispy texture air fryers are known for. In addition to preventing sticking, parchment paper can help ensure your food cooks evenly. Since air fryers cook food by circulating hot air around it, parchment paper allows this airflow to remain uninterrupted. Dreo
Why Use Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer?
Parchment paper, also known as baking paper, is a heat-resistant, silicone-coated sheet that’s a staple in many kitchens for its non-stick properties. In an air fryer, it serves multiple purposes. First, it prevents sticky or delicate foods—like fish fillets, breaded chicken, or cookies—from adhering to the basket, which can be a pain to clean. Second, it catches drippings from greasy foods like bacon or wings, reducing the mess and protecting the air fryer’s non-stick coating. Finally, it can make transferring certain foods, like pizza dough or delicate pastries, easier without losing their shape. Unlike wax paper, which can melt or catch fire due to its wax coating, parchment paper is designed to withstand high temperatures, typically up to 428°F (220°C), though some brands can handle up to 450°F. Always check the box for the specific temperature limit before using it in your air fryer.
How to Use Parchment Paper Safely in an Air Fryer
Using parchment paper in an air fryer is generally safe, but it requires some care to avoid potential hazards. Here’s a step-by-step guide to doing it right:
Cut to Fit: Measure and cut the parchment paper to fit the bottom of your air fryer basket or tray. It should be slightly smaller than the base to allow hot air to circulate freely around the edges. Excess paper that sticks up the sides can flap around and potentially touch the heating element, which could cause scorching or, in rare cases, a fire.
Use Perforated Paper: Perforated parchment paper, with pre-cut holes, is ideal for air fryers because it allows better airflow, ensuring your food cooks evenly and gets that coveted crispy texture. You can buy pre-made perforated liners or make your own by punching holes in regular parchment paper using a hole punch or skewer. This step is especially important for foods like fries or wings, where grease needs to drain away to achieve crispiness.
Weigh It Down: Never place parchment paper in the air fryer without food to hold it down. The high-velocity fans in air fryers can cause loose paper to fly up and contact the heating element, posing a fire risk. Always add the parchment after preheating and place food on top immediately to secure it.
Mind the Temperature: Most air fryers operate at temperatures between 350°F and 400°F, which is within the safe range for most parchment paper. However, avoid exceeding the paper’s temperature limit (check the packaging). If your recipe calls for high heat (above 428°F), consider skipping the parchment or using an alternative like a silicone liner.
Don’t Overcrowd: Overcrowding the basket can block airflow, leading to uneven cooking and potentially causing the parchment to overheat in spots. Arrange food in a single layer with space for air to circulate.
Monitor Closely: Especially the first few times you use parchment paper, keep an eye on the air fryer to ensure the paper isn’t lifting or burning. If you notice smoke or a burning smell, remove the paper immediately using tongs.
For a visual guide, check out this helpful tutorial on using parchment paper safely: YouTube.
When to Skip Parchment Paper
While parchment paper is useful, it’s not always necessary or ideal. For foods that benefit from direct contact with the air fryer basket, like chicken wings, drumsticks, or pizza, parchment can reduce crispiness by limiting airflow to the food’s underside. In these cases, a light spray of oil on the basket can prevent sticking without compromising texture. Additionally, avoid using parchment paper for very light foods, like herbs or small quantities of lightweight ingredients (e.g., a single mozzarella stick), as they may not be heavy enough to keep the paper in place. For high-temperature recipes exceeding 450°F, parchment paper may scorch, affecting the flavor and texture of your food. In such cases, consider alternatives like aluminum foil (for non-acidic foods) or reusable silicone liners, which are heat-resistant and dishwasher-safe.
Alternatives to Parchment Paper
If you’re out of parchment paper or prefer a different option, here are some alternatives:
Aluminum Foil: Foil can be used in air fryers, but it’s less ideal than parchment because it blocks more airflow, potentially leading to soggy results. It’s best for catching drippings in oven-style air fryers or wrapping foods like fish en papillote. Avoid using foil with acidic foods (e.g., tomatoes, citrus) to prevent aluminum leaching.
Silicone Liners: Reusable silicone air fryer liners are eco-friendly, non-stick, and heat-resistant up to 450°F or higher. They’re perforated for airflow and can be tossed in the dishwasher, making them a sustainable choice for frequent air fryer users. Amazon offers a variety of options.
No Liner: For many foods, a quick spray of avocado or olive oil on the basket is enough to prevent sticking. This method preserves maximum airflow and crispiness, though it may require a bit more scrubbing during cleanup.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the biggest mistakes is using wax paper instead of parchment paper. Wax paper’s coating melts at high temperatures, creating a mess or fire hazard. Always double-check you’re using parchment paper. Another error is placing parchment in the air fryer during preheating without food to weigh it down, which can cause it to fly into the heating element. Lastly, don’t reuse heavily soiled parchment paper, as grease or food residue can burn or affect the flavor of your next dish.
Tips for Specific Foods
Baked Goods: Parchment paper is excellent for air fryer cookies, biscuits, or pastries, as it prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy. Use perforated paper to ensure even cooking.
Delicate Proteins: For fish or breaded items like chicken tenders, parchment paper helps maintain shape and prevents tearing when flipping. Pull the paper halfway through cooking for crispier results.
Greasy Foods: For bacon or wings, parchment catches drippings, but ensure it’s perforated to allow grease to drain away, preventing soggy food.
Pizza or Dough-Based Foods: Place parchment under dough to transfer it easily, but remove it halfway through cooking to crisp the bottom.
You can use parchment paper in an air fryer, but there are some important safety rules you must follow. Our food editor gives his tips. So for this final test, I decided to weight the parchment paper down before setting the fryer to as hot as possible for as long as possible. I needed something that could take plenty of high heat—and since we don’t lack for great cast-iron here at Country Living, I grabbed one of the tiny little pans featured in our skillet s’mores recipe and used it to keep the parchment in place. Then I set the air fryer to 20 minutes at 400°F and let it go to town. The result: When I pulled the tray out at the end, the paper was slightly darker, but not really very much. Here’s a side-by-side comparison with a sheet of fresh paper: While the parchment is slightly darker, it’s far from burnt. Because air fryers have such small trays, you’ll never need to cook food for very long in them. So you should feel perfectly safe using parchment paper in your air fryer, as long as there’s enough food on top to weigh it down. Country Living
Add a Comment