Our air fryer has become a complete mess after my son and his friends used it to cook greasy chicken wings without placing any parchment paper underneath, unlike me.
One positive outcome of the situation was that I spent thirty minutes instructing them on how to create their own perforated parchment paper for future independent cooking endeavors. Their reason for not placing anything inside the air fryer was that they believed it was not possible.
Well. As it turns out…
If you want to use parchment paper in an air fryer, make sure it is perforated so that the air can circulate properly and cook the food evenly. Using regular parchment paper can block the airflow, and it’s crucial to ensure that the parchment paper is held down by the weight of the food to prevent it from entering the fan or heating element.
It is crucial to understand the proper usage and advantages of parchment paper in an air fryer. As with any appliance that generates heat, it is essential to exercise caution when performing any task. Therefore, we will discuss this topic in detail.
How To Place Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer
The placement of parchment paper in an air fryer depends on the type of food being cooked. Generally, it is recommended to place the parchment paper in the basket and put the ingredients on top, making sure that the weight of the ingredients keeps the paper in place.
By doing so, the paper can gather any liquids that the food might release, any crumbs that may drop, and still maintain adequate air circulation.
When cooking marinated or saucy foods in an air fryer, it is advisable to fold the parchment paper to form a rim on the sides, similar to a pizza crust, which will keep the juices inside the basket and prevent them from splattering all over the air fryer.
It is crucial to ensure that any paper put in the air fryer is securely held down, as the circulating air may cause small pieces of paper to be thrown into the fan or heating element, potentially causing a fire or harming the appliance. Therefore, it is essential to take precautions and prevent such incidents from occurring.
Perforated parchment paper allows some juice to drip through its small holes, but most of the liquids and crumbs will be gathered on the paper instead of the basket or tray base, making it a convenient option.
Is It Safe To Put Parchment Paper in the Air Fryer?
Yes, it is completely safe to utilize parchment paper in an air fryer. The reason being that parchment paper is treated with silicone, which provides it with heat-resistant, non-stick, and greaseproof features. Majority of the parchment paper brands can endure temperatures ranging from ~420-450 degrees Fahrenheit, making it an ideal choice for use in an air fryer.
Parchment paper is crucial for air fryer liners because it allows for proper heat circulation, which is necessary for the air fryer to function. Furthermore, unbleached parchment paper is a great option as it does not contain chlorine, making it ideal for those who want to minimize chemical exposure during cooking.
As long as the parchment paper does not come into direct contact with the heating element or get sucked into the air fryer’s fan, it should not pose a significant risk during air frying.
Perforated Parchment Paper For An Air Fryer
Perforated parchment paper is more effective than regular parchment paper when used in an air fryer due to the cooking technology employed by the appliance.
There is a belief that using regular parchment paper in an air fryer can significantly impede the proper circulation of air. This is because when a piece of regular parchment paper is placed in the basket, covering it entirely, it obstructs the air fryer’s capacity to cook the food from below and on the sides.
The pattern of holes covering the perforated parchment paper distinguishes it from regular parchment paper, enabling hot air to circulate freely throughout the air fryer’s entire cavity.
Although regular parchment paper allows for easy airflow, using perforated parchment paper ensures that the ingredients are evenly cooked from all sides. However, I have achieved excellent outcomes in both the air fryer and dehydrator using both types of parchment paper – perforated and regular.
When using regular parchment paper in an air fryer, it is important to remember to flip the ingredients at least once during cooking to ensure they are evenly cooked on all sides.
Perforated paper is the better option. If you intend to use your air fryer frequently, it’s recommended to purchase a set of pre-cut perforated parchment papers.
If you don’t want to spend much, you can purchase ready-made parchment paper inserts for air fryers on Amazon, or alternatively, you can opt to create your own at home, and I will guide you through the process.
Do I Need to Use Perforated Parchment Paper?
Using regular parchment paper in an air fryer is not recommended, but you can use perforated parchment paper instead to eliminate the risks. This way, you won’t have to worry about any potential hazards and can enjoy hassle-free cooking.
When using regular parchment paper in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that it does not obstruct the airflow and hinder the cooking process. If this happens, adjustments may need to be made to the cooking time, but it can be difficult to determine by how much. It is crucial to be aware of potential issues when using regular parchment paper in an air fryer.
Perforated papers have numerous advantages as they are compact, handy, and appropriate for air frying. They are available in various sizes and even tailored to fit particular models of air fryers.
Although regular parchment paper is acceptable, it is recommended to use perforated paper in an air fryer for optimal results.
Why Do I Use Parchment Paper In My Air Fryer
When cooking in an air fryer, the use of parchment paper can be justified for a few reasons.
Using parchment paper in an air fryer simplifies the cleaning process by allowing for easy removal of collected grease, crumbs, and residue without having to clean the entire appliance.
Using parchment paper in the air fryer reduces the amount of burnt-on grease on the basket, thereby decreasing the frequency of scrubbing and scraping, which can potentially damage its surface and shorten its lifespan.
Thanks to the use of parchment papers, I no longer have to clean my air fryer basket with water and soap multiple times a week.
The greaseproof ones I previously bought from Amazon, which were known as Air Fryer Liners, are essentially the same as perforated parchment paper.
It is a simple task to create your own liners for the air fryer, and all the necessary materials can be easily obtained from a nearby superstore.
Material Needed:
I always purchase baking sheets that come in pre-cut circular shapes for parchment paper
Perforating Blade Rotary Cutter
Scissors
How To:
Trim the parchment paper to an appropriate dimension
Use the rotary cutter to cut through them
Finished
Perforating parchment paper is a simple process that can be done in three easy steps. Afterward, it’s important to store the perforated sheets in a convenient location, preferably in a box to prevent them from losing their shape.
You Don’t Want Grease Residue In Your Air Fryer
Using parchment paper in an air fryer can help reduce the amount of smoke that is produced. Parchment paper can also help keep food from sticking to the bottom of the air fryer basket, making it easier to clean.
Utilizing parchment paper in an air fryer can help decrease the amount of smoke that is generated. Additionally, parchment paper can prevent food from sticking to the bottom of the air fryer basket, making it simpler to clean.
To clean the basket and other accessories of an air fryer, soak them in soapy water for 15-20 minutes, scrub them, and then wipe them with a paper towel.
To clean the interior of the air fryer, use a cloth soaked in soapy water and wipe the cavity with a paper towel.
Consider using parchment paper in your air fryer to prevent the buildup of grease residue.
To prevent excessive smoke while cooking fatty foods in the air fryer, adding water to the drawer beneath the basket can help regulate the temperature of the grease and create a smoke-free kitchen.
Other Alternatives To Parchment Paper
If you don’t have parchment paper on hand, you can utilize aluminum foil in your air fryer as long as it doesn’t obstruct the bottom of the appliance. Our guidelines for using parchment paper in the air fryer can also be applied to aluminum foil, with some exceptions.
Using aluminum foil with highly acidic foods can cause it to decompose, resulting in metallic particles that can leave a metallic taste in your food.
If you do not have baking paper at home, you can use aluminum foil instead.
How Often Should I Clean My Air Fryer (Even When Using Inserts)
Whether or not you can use parchment paper in an air fryer depends on the food you are cooking. While some individuals prefer to clean their air fryer after each use, others may wait a week or longer, but it is not advisable.
Using parchment paper as an air fryer liner can significantly minimize the cleaning process. After cooking, simply remove the parchment paper and dispose of any debris it has collected, then wipe the interior of the air fryer with a piece of paper.
It only takes me around 45 seconds to clean the air fryer, and since I utilize the liners that collect grease, it’s not a big deal if I forget to clean it after one use.
Is it possible to use parchment paper in an air fryer? Absolutely, it is. Parchment paper, baking paper, and butter paper are interchangeable terms.
Is it safe to use paper towels in an air fryer? It is not recommended to put any paper towels in the air fryer during cooking. However, using them to clean up grease residue, stains, and crumbs from the air fryer is a feasible option as long as the air fryer is not in use.
Is it possible to clean the air fryer basket in a dishwasher? All detachable parts of the air fryer are dishwasher safe. However, it is important to ensure that each part is dried thoroughly before reassembling the air fryer.
Check out our reviews for Air Fryers and Accesories!
The information presented on our blog is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only and shouldn’t be seen as any kind of advice.
It is strictly forbidden to use our content, images or data without giving AirFryerBite credit by linking to the original article or obtaining written permission.
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
If you are a cooking enthusiast and would like to share your knowledge on this Blog, please go to the Contact page.
