Using parchment paper in an 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!

Tips for using parchment paper in an 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).