Today we’re tackling a great question I often get asked about air fryers – can you use wax paper in an air fryer?

The short answer is no, you should not use wax paper in an air fryer. The high heat of the air fryer can cause wax paper to melt, smoke, or even catch fire. There are much better parchment paper alternatives to use instead.

Now let’s get into the details on why wax paper and air fryers don’t mix, along with the options you can use for cooking and lining your air fryer basket.

Why You Shouldn’t Use Wax Paper in an Air Fryer

Wax paper is made by coating paper with a thin layer of wax. This gives it its non-stick properties that make it so useful for tasks like covering surfaces when frosting cakes or wrapping sandwiches.

However, that wax coating makes wax paper unsuitable for high heat cooking methods like air frying.

Air fryers cook food by rapidly circulating hot air around at temperatures up to 400°F or more. Exposing wax paper to this level of heat can cause:

• The wax to melt, creating a mess in your air fryer
• The paper to burn or smoke
• The wax coating to ignite, creating a fire hazard

So for safety and to avoid damage to your air fryer, wax paper and air frying do not mix.

Use Parchment Paper Instead

The good news is that there are plenty of parchment paper options made specifically for baking and cooking at high heats. These are safe to use in an air fryer.

Look for parchment paper that is labeled as heat-resistant up to 420°F or higher. Avoid generic parchment paper, as it may only be intended for low temperature uses.

Parchment paper won’t melt or burn at air fryer temperatures. It creates a non-stick barrier between your food and the fryer basket. This makes cooking and flipping foods easier, while also simplifying clean-up.

Pro tip: To make parchment paper fit your air fryer basket perfectly, trace the basket onto the parchment and cut it to size before cooking.

Other Air Fryer Liner Options

In addition to parchment paper, you can also use:

• Silicone baking mats – These reusable mats withstand temperatures up to 480°F.
• Aluminum foil – Use foil lined carefully in your air fryer basket to avoid blocking airflow.
• Air fryer liners – You can purchase pre-made disposable liners sized to fit your specific model.

Whichever option you choose, be sure to double check that it’s rated for your air fryer’s highest temperature setting. Avoid anything with plastic or a wax coating.

Now you know why wax paper and air fryers don’t mix, and what liners you can use instead for safer, easier cooking. Time to get crisping some wings or fries!

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t use wax paper in an air fryer, as the wax can melt, smoke or catch fire at high heat.
• Use parchment paper labeled heat-resistant up to 420°F or higher instead.
• Alternatives like silicone mats, foil, and air fryer liners also work.
• Avoid generics not rated for high heat. Trace your basket to cut parchment for a perfect fit.

Let me know if you have any other air fryer questions! Until next time,