If you are new to using an air fryer and are wondering if you can use wax paper in an air fryer, then you HAVE to read this post before doing so.
I have been using my air fryer for two years, and I have never used wax paper inside my air fryer for a simple reason- wax paper is too delicate and will not last inside the air fryer.
Of course, there are some other alternatives that you can use instead of wax paper, like parchment paper or aluminum foil, but using wax paper is a NO.
So, what can you use to line your air fryers? Well, read on as I explain different ways you can line your air fryers, so there is little to no mess to clean up after each cooking session.
Can you use wax paper in the air fryer?
No, you cannot use wax paper inside the air fryer. Wax paper is a thin paper coated with wax that helps to keep food fresh at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Wax paper is not the ideal option for higher temperatures as the wax coating will melt, and it can mix with food, making it not fit for consumption.
The paper can also catch fire inside the air fryer, making it a fire hazard. Just avoid using wax paper inside the air fryer at all costs.
You can use parchment paper inside the air fryer but not wax paper. These papers are different from each other, and you cannot use them interchangeably.
Wax paper vs. parchment paper
Let’s talk about the major differences between wax paper and parchment paper.
Wax paper is a thin paper with wax coating on both sides, and the wax coating is usually soybean wax or paraffin-based wax.
It is not heat resistant, so you cannot use it while cooking where heat is involved. It is better suited for other things in the kitchen, like decorating cakes, wrapping food for the freezer, etc.
Parchment Paper, on the other hand, is a paper that is heat resistant, non-toxic, and nonstick. It is mainly used while baking and in the microwave, and its uses are endless.
It has all the functionality of wax paper and more. So, parchment paper is a silicone-coated paper which makes it heat resistant.
This is why parchment paper is not affected while it cooks in the oven or microwave, making it versatile.
Can you use Parchment Paper inside an air fryer?
Absolutely, YES! You can line your air fryer basket with parchment paper.
I recommend poking holes in the parchment papers or buying perforated parchment papers that you can use in the air fryer.
This way, the holes help the air to circulate hot air in the air fryer basket, and it won’t lift the parchment paper causing it to fly around inside the air fryer, which can be dangerous, especially if it comes in contact with the heating element.
NEVER preheat your air fryer with just the parchment paper inside it.
This will cause the parchment paper to fly around since there is no food on top to weigh it down, and if it touches the heating element, it will catch fire.
Can you use aluminum foil in the air fryer?
Heck, YES!
You can use aluminum foil in the air fryer as well. Ensure you are not cooking anything citrus, which can react with the foil.
Otherwise, aluminum foil is safe and good when you want to steam something in the air fryer.
You can even line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil and poke some holes for proper airflow. Aluminum is a good conductor of heat, so it aids in cooking food.
Can you use Coffee Filters in the Air fryer?
No. Another straight-out No is coffee filters in the air fryer.
Coffee filters are thin filter paper, and you cannot use them in an air fryer because they are not going to be able to withstand high heat.
Can you use Plates in an Air fryer?
There are different types of plates; while you can use some, not all are air fryer safe. Stick to oven-safe plates and avoid anything you think cannot withstand high air fryer temperatures.
Metal plates are good in the air fryer if they are oven safe. Ensure you leave space around the air fryer basket for proper airflow when using a plate inside an air fryer.
Do not use plates that cover the air fryer cooking basket entirely, as it can block airflow leading to uneven cooking.
Can you use Paper Towels in an air fryer?
No. You cannot use paper towels in an air fryer. Paper towels are lightweight and can fly around in the basket and get caught in the heating element, causing a fire hazard.
It would be best NEVER to use paper towels in the air fryer.
Can you use Silicone molds in an air fryer?
Silicone molds and liners are my favorite air fryer accessories. I love using silicone liners as they make cleaning the air fryer easier.
You can cook anything greasy on top of these silicone liners, especially chicken wings, or frozen food that you know will release oil when cooked.
The silicone liners form a barrier between the nonstick air fryer coating and the food, which means no stubborn grease stains on the nonstick coating.
This will help the nonstick coating last long and make clean-up easier.
Final thoughts
Do not use wax paper in the air fryer, ever! Instead, you can use parchment paper or aluminum foil, some of the best alternatives for wax paper.
You can also use silicone liners that are sold specifically for air fryers. These washable and reusable liners help make less mess in the air fryer basket, making cleaning easy.
I can easily cook two or more recipes back to back if I use proper air fryer liners so that they do not get the air fryer basket dirty.
Say NO to wax paper and use Parchment Paper, Aluminum foil, or reusable silicone liners.
Are you new to air frying?
If you are new to air frying, it can be a little tricky to figure out what works and what doesn’t work in the air fryer.
However, we have helpful posts on how to start cooking in the air fryer and what cookware you can use in the air fryer.
Then, read the post on how to use metal in the air fryer and what happens when you use paper towels in the air fryer.
Another exciting and quick read is if air fryers need oil and if you can use parchment paper inside an air fryer.
There are a few more exciting reads, but till then, enjoy my quick and easy air fryer recipes below!
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below!
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