If you want to know what paper can you use in an air fryer, the short answer is parchment paper made for baking. Parchment paper in an air fryer works only when it is perforated and weighted down to prevent it from flying into the heating element. Regular printer paper, wax paper, and newspaper should never go inside. They can burn, melt, or catch fire fast.
This guide shows you the safe papers, the risky ones, and how to use each type without starting a small fire in your kitchen.
What Paper Can You Use In An Air Fryer
Not every paper survives the high heat and strong fan inside an air fryer. The fan is the main problem. A light sheet of paper can lift up, touch the heating coil, and scorch in seconds. So you need paper that is heat resistant and heavy enough to stay flat.
Here are the papers that are safe when used the right way.
Parchment Paper
Parchment paper is the best choice for most air fryer cooking. It is coated with silicone, so it handles heat up to about 420°F to 450°F. It also resists oil and moisture, which keeps your basket cleaner.
But plain parchment paper is light. If you cut a loose square and drop it in, the fan will flip it up into the heating element. That is a real fire risk.
To use it safely:
- Buy pre-cut perforated parchment liners made for air fryers.
- Or cut your own sheet with small holes punched in it.
- Always place food on top of the paper so it stays weighed down.
- Never preheat the air fryer with an empty parchment liner inside.
Perforated liners let hot air move through. Without holes, the paper blocks airflow and your food cooks unevenly. It can also trap steam and make things soggy.
Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil is not paper, but it is worth mentioning becuase many people confuse the two. Foil is safe in an air fryer and it stays put. It handles high heat and does not fly around.
Use foil for messy foods like fish, wings, or anything with sticky marinade. Just do not cover the whole basket. Air needs to flow around the food. Also avoid foil with acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus for long cooks, since it can react and leave a metallic taste.
Baking Paper
Baking paper and parchment paper are often the same thing. In many stores the names are used interchangeably. Check the label for a heat rating. If it says oven safe to 425°F or higher, it is fine for most air fryer recipes.
The same rules apply. Weight it down. Add holes. Do not let it touch the top heating coil.
Wax Paper And Other Papers To Avoid
Some papers look like parchment but are not. Keep these out of your air fryer:
- Wax paper: the wax coating melts at low heat and can smoke or catch fire.
- Printer paper: it is not food safe and burns easily.
- Newspaper and magazine pages: the ink is toxic and the paper is flamable.
- Paper towels: they are thin, they fly, and they can scorch.
- Brown paper bags: they are not rated for high heat and can ignite.
- Cardboard: it can smolder and release fumes.
If you are unsure about a paper, check the package. If it does not list an oven-safe temperature, do not use it.
How To Use Parchment Paper In An Air Fryer Safely
Follow these steps every time you cook with paper.
- Measure the basket. Cut a liner that fits the flat bottom, not the sides.
- Punch small holes across the sheet. A hole punch or fork works fine.
- Place the liner in the basket before you add food.
- Put food on top right away. The weight keeps the paper from lifting.
- Leave a small gap around the edges so air can still move.
- Skip the preheat with an empty liner. Preheat first, then add paper and food.
If you see the paper start to curl or rise, open the basket and press it down with your food. Never walk away from a new batch in the first minute.
Common Mistakes With Air Fryer Paper
Most air fryer paper problems come from a few simple errors. Avoid these and you will be fine.
- Using a loose sheet with no food on top.
- Covering the entire basket and blocking airflow.
- Using wax paper by mistake.
- Letting paper touch the top heating element.
- Reusing a greasy, torn liner.
- Cutting the liner too big so it touches the sides and curls.
A torn or burnt liner should go straight in the trash. Do not try to reuse it.
Do You Even Need Paper In An Air Fryer
No, you do not. Many foods cook great right on the basket. Paper is mostly for easy cleanup and for stopping small items from falling through the grate.
Skip the paper for:
- Bacon and fatty meats that drip.
- Foods you want crispy on the bottom.
- Anything that needs strong air flow all around it.
Use paper for:
- Small veggies that fall through the holes.
- Sticky glazed foods.
- Marinated chicken or fish.
- Anything that would leave a hard mess to scrub.
Final Word On Air Fryer Paper
Parchment paper is the safe pick, as long as it is perforated and held down by food. Foil works too and never flies. Wax paper, printer paper, and newspaper are never safe. Keep the paper flat, keep it away from the heating coil, and your air fryer will stay clean and fire-free.
When in doubt, leave the paper out. The basket works fine on its own, and no meal is worth a kitchen fire.