Can You Put Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer?
Yes, with one firm rule: never preheat with an empty sheet in the basket.
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Yes
Yes, with one firm rule: never preheat with an empty sheet in the basket.
Parchment is oven-rated and useful for sticky or wet food, but an empty sheet is light enough for the fan to lift into the element. This is a yes/no and safety page, not a full recipe. Below is how people actually do it, what goes wrong, and when to use something else.
How to do it (or what to do instead)
- 1Cut or buy perforated parchment slightly smaller than the basket so air can still move around the edges.
- 2Put the food on the parchment first, then load the basket. Never preheat with a bare sheet inside.
- 3Cook as usual. If the sheet starts to lift, stop and add more food weight or switch to a liner.
- 4Bin the parchment after cooking. Do not reuse a grease-soaked sheet.
- 5Decide whether parchment paper belongs in the basket at all: Yes. Parchment is oven-rated and useful for sticky or wet food, but an empty sheet is light enough for the fan to lift into the element.
- 6Cut perforated parchment slightly smaller than the basket, put the food on top of it, and only then put it in. Never run the air fryer with a bare sheet inside.
Tips for the best results
- What to expect: An empty sheet will lift in the airflow and touch the heating element, which is a fire risk. Weighed down by food it is completely safe.
- A perforated silicone liner is reusable. Foil can work if it does not block airflow and is also weighed down by food.
Common mistakes to avoid
- An empty sheet can touch the heating element and catch fire. Food on top of a smaller sheet keeps it down.
- Ignoring the verdict (Yes) and treating parchment paper like a standard air-fryer chip.
Why this answer
Parchment is oven-rated and useful for sticky or wet food, but an empty sheet is light enough for the fan to lift into the element.
Yes. Yes, with one firm rule: never preheat with an empty sheet in the basket.
Risks and limits
An empty sheet can touch the heating element and catch fire. Food on top of a smaller sheet keeps it down.
Better alternatives
A perforated silicone liner is reusable. Foil can work if it does not block airflow and is also weighed down by food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you air fry parchment paper?
Yes. Yes, with one firm rule: never preheat with an empty sheet in the basket.
What should I do instead of air frying parchment paper?
Cut perforated parchment slightly smaller than the basket, put the food on top of it, and only then put it in. Never run the air fryer with a bare sheet inside.
What goes wrong with parchment paper in an air fryer?
An empty sheet can touch the heating element and catch fire. Food on top of a smaller sheet keeps it down.