Can Parchment Paper Be Used in an Air Fryer?

On this page (9 sections)

1. How do you use parchment paper in an air fryer safely?
2. Can parchment paper go in an air fryer basket?
3. What parchment paper should you use in an air fryer?
4. What foods work well with parchment paper?
5. When should you avoid parchment paper?
6. Does parchment paper affect cooking results?
7. How should you place parchment paper in an air fryer?
8. Can you use parchment paper in an air fryer oven?
9. What is the safest way to use parchment paper in an air fryer?

Yes, parchment paper can be used in an air fryer when food holds it down and the paper stays below the basket or tray rim. Cut it to fit, keep it away from the heating element, and check the air fryer's manual for any limits.

Parchment paper can help reduce sticking and make cleanup easier, but it changes how air moves around the food. Use only enough paper to support the food, not a loose sheet that can lift during cooking.

How do you use parchment paper in an air fryer safely?

Use parchment paper after preheating, with food placed on top of it. The food's weight helps keep the paper in place while the fan runs.

Cut the paper to match the flat cooking area. Trim any excess that could curl toward the top of the chamber, and don't let it extend above the basket or tray.

Keep parchment away from the heating element. In many air fryers, the heating element sits above the food, so loose paper can rise into it.

Don't use parchment as a liner during an empty preheat. Add it only when the food is ready to hold it down.

Can parchment paper go in an air fryer basket?

Yes, parchment paper can go in an air fryer basket if the paper is sized for the basket and does not block needed airflow. A solid sheet may reduce browning underneath food compared with cooking directly on a perforated basket.

Perforated liners can allow more air through the base. Even with holes, the paper must stay flat under the food and remain below the heating element.

Avoid covering the basket's side openings. Air fryers depend on moving hot air, and too much coverage can affect cooking results.

For a closer look at ready-cut options, see our guide to best air fryer parchment paper liners.

What parchment paper should you use in an air fryer?

Choose parchment paper with a heat rating that meets or exceeds your cooking temperature. The paper should be intended for baking and should fit the appliance without large loose edges.

Do not confuse parchment paper with wax paper. Wax paper is not the same cooking liner and can melt or smoke when exposed to high heat.

Read the paper's package instructions before using it. If the air fryer's manual gives a lower limit or different guidance, follow the appliance instructions.

For a reusable cooking surface, an air fryer-safe pan may be a better fit than paper. The right choice depends on whether you need easier cleanup, better airflow, or support for soft foods.

What foods work well with parchment paper?

Parchment works well under small foods that stay in place, such as baked goods, breaded pieces, and foods that may stick to a basket. It can also help catch crumbs and light drips.

Avoid using it as a way to cover food completely. A full wrap can limit air movement and may change how the food cooks.

Parchment is especially useful when cooking batter-based foods that need a flat surface. For disposable cup liners, compare parchment paper muffin liners.

The Yomvzake Air Fryer Muffin Pan provides 2 round cups in carbon steel, with a food-grade nonstick coating and a heat rating up to 446°F.

Its stated pan dimensions are 7.08 x 7.08 x 1.1 in, and each cavity has a 2.75 in top diameter. Greasing or spraying the pan is recommended, and the pan is dishwasher friendly.

Use this type of pan when parchment would sag or fail to hold a shape. For other small baking projects, compare the best cake pan for air fryer options and choose a pan that fits your appliance.

When should you avoid parchment paper?

Avoid parchment paper when the sheet cannot stay under the food or when it would block too much airflow. Small, light foods may not weigh enough to hold it down.

Skip it if the paper is torn, folded into a loose corner, or larger than the cooking surface. Replace any liner that has scorched edges or damage.

You should also avoid parchment when the appliance manual prohibits it. Air fryer designs vary, so the manual's instructions take priority over general advice.

If food needs a rigid surface, use an air fryer pan or tray instead. The DEGOVIN Air Fryer Pans for Oven set includes a raised stainless steel mesh basket and tray sized 14.88 x 10.98 in, along with 30 parchment papers and a cooking guide.

The set has a stated upper temperature rating of 450°F and is described as dishwasher safe, with hand washing also listed in its care instructions. Its mesh design is intended to support air circulation around food.

Measure your oven or air fryer compartment before choosing a large pan. A tray that fits one oven may not fit a countertop appliance.

For a broader comparison of rigid accessories, see the best air fryer oven pan.

Does parchment paper affect cooking results?

Yes, parchment paper can affect cooking because it adds a layer between the food and the hot basket or tray. The base may brown less, and a solid liner can reduce airflow beneath the food.

Use a perforated liner when airflow under the food matters. A cooling rack used in cooking can also lift food above drips while allowing airflow.

For foods that release grease or crumbs, a tray can offer more support and make removal easier.

Don't assume parchment will prevent every spill. Keep food within the liner's area and avoid overfilling the basket.

A shallow baking tray can help with foods that spread or release liquid. For standard half-sheet pans, compare parchment paper for half-sheet pans.

The COWHERDING Baking Sheet Pan Set includes 2 stainless steel trays measuring 12.4 x 11 x 0.78 in, with a stated temperature resistance up to 480°F.

These trays are described as compatible with Cuisinart TOA-060, TOA-065, and TOA-70 toaster ovens, as well as other similarly sized air fryer toaster ovens. Check your appliance dimensions and model before ordering.

They suit readers who want a reusable surface rather than disposable paper. If you use a toaster oven instead, read can you use parchment paper in a toaster oven for the related safety points.

How should you place parchment paper in an air fryer?

Place parchment paper flat on the basket or tray, below the food, with no large edges sticking up. Add the food immediately so the sheet cannot lift into the fan or heating element.

Use scissors to trim the paper before cooking. If the food covers only part of the basket, size the paper to that portion instead of covering the entire base.

Don't push paper into a shape that touches the sides or top of the cooking chamber. Leave the vents and air path clear.

If you bake loaves or other tall foods, a rigid pan is usually easier to control. See the best loaf pan for air fryer for options designed around that use.

Can you use parchment paper in an air fryer oven?

Yes, parchment paper can be used in an air fryer oven with the same placement precautions, but the larger cavity may create more room for loose paper to move. Keep the sheet under food and away from the upper heating element.

Air fryer ovens may use racks, trays, or baskets at different heights. Place the paper on a suitable cooking surface rather than directly on a rack where it could fall or shift.

If you are deciding whether your countertop oven has an air fry function, see can a countertop oven be used as an air fryer.

What is the safest way to use parchment paper in an air fryer?

The safest method is simple: check the manual, preheat without loose paper, trim the sheet, place food on top, and keep the paper below the heating element. Stop cooking if the paper smokes, curls upward, or scorches.

Use parchment for foods that benefit from a cleaner surface, but choose a pan when the food is soft, liquid, or too light to hold the paper down. The Yomvzake pan suits small baked portions, DEGOVIN suits a raised oven air-frying setup, and COWHERDING suits reusable tray cooking.

For parchment paper in an air fryer, pick the liner only when it stays controlled and airflow remains open. Otherwise, choose a correctly sized air fryer-safe pan or tray.

Frequently asked questions

Can you put parchment paper in an air fryer while preheating?

Do not put loose parchment paper in an air fryer during preheating. Without food holding it down, the paper can lift into the heating element.

Preheat the appliance empty if the manual requires it, then add a properly sized sheet with the food on top.

Does parchment paper stop air from circulating in an air fryer?

A solid sheet can reduce airflow under food, especially when it covers most of the basket. Use a sheet that fits the food area, avoid blocking side vents, and choose perforated parchment when you need more air movement around the food.

Can parchment paper catch fire in an air fryer?

Parchment paper can scorch or catch fire if it touches the heating element or exceeds its temperature limit. Keep it under the food, trim excess paper, and check the paper's heat rating against the appliance setting before cooking.

What can you use instead of parchment paper in an air fryer?

An air fryer-safe pan or tray can replace parchment when you want to catch drips or hold soft food. Choose cookware that fits the appliance, leaves room for air circulation, and is rated for the cooking temperature.