How to use parchment paper in air fryer correctly?
The air fryer is a great new way of cooking made easy and fast, with little to no oil. Air fryer baskets are generally coated with non-stick material to make clean up a breeze. So, is there a need to line it with air fryer parchment paper?
The answer is that it is optional; however, you may want to consider using it for the following reasons.
Three reasons why you should use air fryer parchment paper
Prevents sticking
While the non-stick coating does a great job, air fryer users would have noticed that sometimes pieces of meat stick to the basket (especially around the holes of the basket). In addition, any excess marinade dripping from the food would caramelize at the bottom of the basket. This is where lining the air fryer with parchment paper would help as the food or marinade will not be stuck onto the basket. It also makes lifting the food out of the basket easier and prevents the food from being pulled apart while being lifted.
Makes clean up easy
Another benefit of using parchment paper in air fryer is that it makes clean up easier. This is because there is no food stuck in the holes so no scrubbing is required. All you need to do is throw the parchment paper away after cooking, and give the basket a light clean!
Keeps the air fryer basket in good condition for longer
Parchment paper prevents oil and grease build-up on the basket of an air fryer, therefore preventing foods from sticking to the basket. Which means there will be less deep cleaning required. In the long run, this will prevent the deterioration of the non-stick coating.
By lining your air fryer there is a distinct benefit of keeping it in a good condition but can other alternatives be used? Let’s go through the different types of liners we have on the market.
Types of common kitchen liners
Parchment paper is made from paper that has been treated with silicone making it an excellent non-stick surface. It is heat resistant up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius) making parchment paper safe to use in the air fryer. This is because most air fryers have a max temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius).
Perforated parchment paper has holes in it to allow the excessive fat drip away from your food that you are frying, roasting or baking. This particular type of parchment paper is especially useful if you want to lower the amount of oil in your food without affecting the taste and texture. The perforated nature of this paper can also help with air circulation so that your food cooks evenly and thoroughly too! Therefore, using parchment paper in the air fryer is ideal.
Baking paper
Baking paper and parchment paper is the same paper, they are just named differently internationally. Hence, baking paper is safe to be used in the air fryer however, it would be best to get perforated ones which has holes to assist with the air circulation.
Silicone air fryer liner
Silicone air fryer liners are great alternatives to parchment paper. These liners are made from silicone which is non-stick that prevents food from sticking to it. They are heat resistant and are re-usable.
The silicone liners made especially for the air fryer has holes in them to allow air circulation during cooking.
Using silicone air fryer liners are easy to clean. You can either hand wash or put them into the dishwasher, although it is advisable not to use any metal scrubbers to avoid damaging the silicone material.
This is another alternative for lining your air fryer basket. Aluminum is safe to use in the air fryer as it is not heated up too rapidly and the aluminum can handle the heat. For tips on how to use aluminum safely in the air fryer refer to our blog “How to use aluminum foil in an air fryer”.
Wax paper
This type of paper is NOT heat resistant as it is made of soybean or paraffin wax coatings. Therefore, it is not safe to be used in the air fryer as exposure to high temperatures would cause the wax paper to melt. Wax paper is only meant for wrapping food for storage.
How to use air fryer parchment paper
Pre-heat without parchment paper: Do not pre-heat your air fryer with the parchment paper. When the air fryer is on, the strong fan circulates the air around so the light parchment paper will be blown around. If it touches the heating element it may catch alight.
Put weight on the parchment paper: The air fryer fan is strong to circulate the heat therefore make sure that the food is heavy enough to weigh down the parchment paper. This will prevent it from flying or flapping around in the air fryer.
Quality of parchment paper: Make sure to use parchment paper that is approved by the FDA. Also, make sure that the parchment paper can withstand the max temperature of your air fryer.
Prolonged cooking at high temperatures: Avoid cooking for long periods at high temperatures when using parchment paper. This is because when the food is placed on top of the parchment paper, it will not be entirely covered in most cases. So, the areas where there is no parchment paper will crinkle up and darken. If it is too close to the heating element, this may burn the parchment paper if the paper cannot handle the heat anymore.
Round air fryer parchment paper
Square air fryer parchment paper
Conclusion
Parchment paper is optional for air fryers and is not necessary. However, it is a great tool to help keep your air fryer in a good condition for longer.
It is safe to use in the air fryer because it is heat resistant. But there are some things to note when using the parchment paper in the air fryer to make sure your kitchen is safe.
They assist with fat dripping away from your food and allows even cooking of the food by having holes for heat circulation. Also, using parchment paper makes clean up even easier as all you would need to do is throw the parchment paper away and wash the basket without scrubbing.
Hence, it is definitely worth it to use this method to help prevent damage to the air fryer basket over time. This will save you from having to get a replacement basket for the air fryer.
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