Can wax paper go in the air fryer

Can you use parchment paper in an air fryer? It’s a question we’re asked an awful lot, and in our opinion, yes, you can indeed use parchment paper in an air fryer – if you’re careful. In fact parchment paper is one of the accessories for air fryers we turn to time and time again (read our full list of useful buys for your air fryer here).

What is parchment paper – why use it in the air fryer?

Parchment paper is a form of relatively oven safe paper that’s used most commonly in baking. The paper is treated to make it non stick, plus it can also withstand certain oven temperatures too. Parchment paper can be a great application in the air fryer when cooking up sticky and greasy items. Food products that might otherwise stick to your air fryer basket – e.g. chicken wings in a sticky sauce – won’t stick at all to the parchment paper.

Not only does this make things simpler, and less messy – it means there’s also less cleanup when you’re finished cooking too!

General Tso’s chicken reheated in air fryer

Check the max cooking temperature

Before using parchment paper in your air fryer be sure to compare the maximum temperature it can sustain against the temperature you cook food in your air fryer at. Our preferred paper (Reynolds, see below) can be heated safely through to 425F. Given the Cosori air fryer we cook with maxes out at 400F we feel pretty safe that nothing will ignite. Still, please see step four of this list.

Make sure you have the right paper

See the Wikipedia on parchment paper. Don’t accidentally use a different type of paper – for example wax paper. Make sure you’re using food grade parchment paper.

Measure twice, cut once

Popular advice for a variety of applications. Simply put, your parchment paper may be bigger than your air fryer basket. Don’t end up stuffing oversized paper into your fryer – always measure your paper first. I like to cut the paper just a little smaller than the basket size itself. This lets the maximum amount of air flow circulate. Bunging up your fryer with paper is of course a fire hazard!

Don’t use the paper during pre-heat

Speaking of which, only add the paper to the air fryer, once it can be weighted down by a suitably hefty piece of food. If you use parchment paper during the pre-heat, or indeed not sufficiently weighted down – it’s liable to fly up into the heating element and burn. This takes us to the most important point.

Always be safe

Always! Consult your air fryer manual, manufacturer and understand what you’re doing. All machines are different, paper too. Please be careful! Air fryers contain circulating fans and extremely hot heating elements – paper can of course ignite. Never leave your air fryer unattended.

Where to buy parchment paper

Most grocery stores will stock this common cooking staple. That said, we’ve definitely been perplexed at times to find it missing at our own stores. If that’s the case for you, or you just want simple convenience, you can easily order it here from Amazon for five bucks or so (we get a small referral fee too if you purchase from that link).

Another option is to buy pre-measures and cut parchment paper. I also use this product line from Vancens, available in both circular and square formats depending on the style of your air fryer (affiliate links, we get a referral fee).

Many individuals are finding lots of new techniques for cooking with air fryers, which circulate hot air to cook food quickly. Air fryers are great for individuals looking for a simple, healthier alternative to deep-frying. Still, some of these new experimenters wonder if it’s safe to put wax paper in an air fryer when cooking. Unfortunately, that’s not a good idea, but here are some alternatives.

Before getting started
Buying the right items for air frying
What is an air fryer?
What is the meaning of parchment/wax paper?
What specific types of fryer parchment/wax paper?
Using parchment paper
Why use air fryer wax paper?
Contrasts with wax paper or regular baking paper
Ensuring safe cooking with an air fryer
Ideas for correctly using air fryer parchment/wax paper
Popular reasons for air fryers
Can you put wax paper in an air fryer basket?

Before getting started

The basics of cooking with these fryers include a few key safety measures.

You’ll want to avoid non-sticky rice, lettuce, and highly chopped vegetables not coated in a sauce. Good recipes for an air fryer include handmade veggie burgers, meatballs, or adding food in compact shapes.

The variety of things you can fry is vast, like frozen food and other things. If you’re using oil, you will want to be using a sparse amount. The point of the air fryer is to make good food without too much oil.

As with any electrical cooking device, be sure to monitor your food as it cooks. Note if any strange smoke or smells are coming from the fryer and turn it off, checked for any problems.

Buying the right items for air frying

When you first look for air fryers, consider ones with positive reviews that measure up to your safety standards and size preference. There are personal fryers and ones with multiple quart capacities that can be great for a larger family or parties. The cost can range from a used one at around $30-35 upwards to hundreds of dollars.

The type of fryer will matter when considering if you want one with an automatic stopping timer, varied settings, digital interfaces, and additional safety features that will benefit when using specific cooking options.

What is an air fryer?

An air fryer has electrical heating elements at the bottom of its base. This helps evenly distribute air circulation to cook anything that is fryer safe fully. In addition, there are coils above that are heated in a heating unit and are blown when increasing temperature.

Air fryer chambers help heat up foods quickly, cooking with airflow in the basket. Be sure to read the air fryer manual before beginning cooking.

What is the meaning of parchment/wax paper?

Wax paper is “a waterproof and grease-resistant paper produced by treating ordinary paper with concentrated sulfuric acid.” However, it is not heat-resistant enough for an air fryer.

Parchment paper, on the other hand, will work in an air fryer. Often, people use the two terms interchangeably, but in this case, it is important for selecting the one to use in your cooking.

Parchment paper is a compound of anti-stick polymers that stop it from sticking to an oven. This paper is processed into thin baking sheets, which tolerate high temperatures. So if you put parchment paper under your food it helps with easy cleaning up, and you simply have to dispose of the used parchment paper.

What specific types of fryer parchment/wax paper?

The air fryer parchment paper consists of perforated parchment paper, where manufacturers punch holes, explicitly designed for such fryers. As a result, the heating element won’t burn the parchment paper in the air fryer’s cooking basket.

Being heat-manufactured to have perforated holes, many brands of parchment paper come precut to sizes designed for these fryers.

When considering using wax paper in an air fryer, remember it’ll catch food crumbs and drippings to prevent making a mess.

Using parchment paper

You need airflow, so the right paper must be smaller than the basket size. Without food on parchment paper, it may catch fire, making it a fire hazard. You never want to preheat wax paper, and it isn’t necessary to preheat these fryers at all.

Why use air fryer wax paper?

The right paper in an air fryer wax paper ensures that food will not stick to the holes in the air fryer basket, where the food will cover the paper. It delivers chef-quality without messes. You can cut your own air fryer parchment paper from preauthorized, non-regular parchment paper rolls. Always give space in the fryer where the perforated parchment paper does not overlap in your air circulation.

Contrasts with wax paper or regular baking paper

The difference when you use parchment paper is that the holes are predrilled. It is simple to buy square or round air fryer parchment paper on Amazon, in bulk/packs of 100. It can be a fun way to bake, like cookies, in an air fryer basket.

Ensuring safe cooking with an air fryer

The purpose of an air fryer varies based on needs, individual preferences, and convenience. Since these fryers make food with air, you do not need much oil or butter. Therefore, this makes it a healthy alternative to getting delicious meals, using “dry air”, instead of deep-frying items.

Due to the circulation of hot air, preparing cooked food in this manner requires specific types of foods, like air fryer french fries and chicken wings, to have the maximum amount of space to cook evenly. You can cool oiled food with a paper towel or use parchment paper with a paper towel.

Important air fryer tips include that just the air fryer basket is dishwasher safe. Clean-up is easy and can be done by hand. Often comes with a few more recipes in the pamphlet accompanying the machine.

Ideas for correctly using air fryer parchment/wax paper

Air fryer parchment papers shouldn’t be waxed, yet resembles traditional wax paper. Alternatively, you can use aluminum foil, following the same size and placement safety measures with food on top. Aluminum foil is similar to making perforated parchment paper.

Use frying-specific non-stick materials every time; replenish your paper after use. Wash, or at least rinse, the air fryer rack/basket when dirty, so leftover food is not a fire hazard.

Popular reasons for air fryers

These fryers emerged in popularity because it provides healthy food, without excess calories, effort, or time. It’s popular for health, and for cutting out excess fats. The rise in air fryer popularity made it ubiquitous in many households.

New ones come with industry-tested warranties and manuals made by popular companies. Since many people already have fryers, they are often on sale. In addition, new recipes are available online due to their popularity.

When buying one, you will soon learn about the many types of cooling racks, basket accessories, and complimentary items, like air fryer wax paper.

Can you put wax paper in an air fryer basket?

Yes, put wax paper in the air fryer basket if you are sure that the wax/parchment paper is perforated and designed specifically to allow airflow. Ensure that the wax paper is cut or designed to be slightly smaller than the basket to allow for airflow and avoid fire hazards.

Please note: It’s very important to double-check your air fryer’s instructions on what can and cannot be placed in it. As with any electrical product, there is the potential for a fire if it’s not used correctly.

Related: Can Wax Paper Go in the Microwave?

What can I use instead of parchment paper in air fryer?

Therefore, to find the perfect parchment paper substitutes for air fryers, you should look for something that is resizable, can withstand heat, and is structured. The answer is aluminum foil. For cooking veggies, meats, or foods that do not involve dough or baking, you can use aluminum foil as it is.

What can I line my air fryer with?

Lining your air fryer with parchment paper is the best way to keep your appliance clean and your food delicious. Nothing beats cooking with an air fryer to get you crispy, tender food with a fraction of the oil.

Can you use wax paper instead of parchment?

Wax paper features a thin, waxy coating on each side that makes it both nonstick and moisture-resistant (though it tends to absorb more water than parchment). It's a great substitute for parchment if you're looking to save money, as parchment paper usually ends up costing twice as much.