Can you put parchment paper in an air fryer? Why some brands say no

Yes, parchment paper can go in some air fryers—but not all of them. The deciding factor is your appliance’s instructions, followed by the paper’s heat rating and whether it can stay clear of the heating element. For recipes such as air-fryer zucchini fries made with coconut flour, a liner may make cleanup easier, but it is not necessary for cooking.

Never preheat an air fryer with a loose sheet of parchment inside. The fan can lift lightweight paper into the heating element, where it may burn. Even when your model permits liners, the paper must fit properly, stay under food and leave room for air to circulate.

Why do some air fryer brands say yes while others say no?

There is no universal rule because air fryers have different basket designs, heating elements and airflow paths. For example, Philips says baking paper and foil are not recommended in its Airfryers. Its concerns include blocked airflow and paper being pulled toward the heater.

Cosori, by contrast, provides instructions for using parchment in air fryers while warning against contact with the heating element. Reynolds Kitchens also sells perforated parchment liners intended for certain basket-style air fryers. Its air fryer liner guidance says to weigh them down with food and keep them below the product’s temperature limit.

That is why a package labeled “air fryer safe” does not automatically override an appliance manual. Check your specific model, not just the brand name or a general online tip.

Which types of paper liners are suitable?

Liner	When it may work	Main caution
Perforated parchment air fryer liner	In a compatible basket-style model that permits liners	Keep it flat, weighted down and within its labeled temperature rating.
Regular baking parchment cut to fit	Only if your air fryer manual permits it and the paper is rated for the cooking temperature	A solid sheet can obstruct airflow and may shift.
Bowl-shaped disposable paper liner	Only if the liner maker and appliance instructions permit that shape	Raised sides or a solid bottom can affect air circulation and browning.
Paper liner during empty preheating	Never	Unweighted paper can blow into the heating element.
Parchment liner in a toaster-oven-style air fryer	Only if that specific appliance and liner are approved for one another	Common basket-style liners may be unsuitable; Reynolds advises against using its liners in toaster-oven-style units.

How do you use parchment safely in an air fryer?

Only follow these steps if your appliance manufacturer allows parchment or paper liners:

1. Read the manual first. Look for restrictions on parchment, liners, foil and blocked air vents. If the manual says not to use paper, cook without it.
2. Check the liner’s packaging. Confirm that it is intended for your air fryer style and that its maximum temperature covers your recipe. Some Reynolds air fryer liners, for instance, are rated up to 400°F on the air-fryer setting.
3. Preheat without paper. If your recipe calls for preheating, heat the empty appliance first. Do not insert an unweighted liner while the fan runs.
4. Fit the liner inside the cooking area. Keep it away from the heating element, basket edges and any openings that need to remain clear. Do not let corners flap upward.
5. Place food on top immediately. Arrange enough food across the liner to hold it securely in place. Do not leave uncovered paper hanging beyond the food.
6. Allow air to move. Avoid covering every opening in a perforated tray or crowding the basket. Check the food for even browning and doneness as directed by your recipe.

Does parchment paper make air-fried food less crispy?

It can. Air frying depends on hot air moving around the food, especially underneath it. A solid sheet can reduce that circulation, and a bowl-shaped liner can collect moisture or drippings. That may leave the underside of fries, breaded vegetables or chicken less crisp than it would be on an open tray.

Perforated liners are designed with holes to preserve some airflow. They can be useful for sticky marinades or delicate foods, but the holes do not guarantee identical results to cooking directly on the basket. When maximum crispness matters, try the food without a liner if your cookware instructions allow it.

Can you use regular parchment instead of an air fryer liner?

Possibly, but do not assume that parchment rated for a conventional oven is automatically suitable for an air fryer. The paper’s heat limit is only one part of the decision; the moving air and nearby heating element matter too.

If your appliance explicitly allows ordinary parchment, cut it to sit flat within the basket, keep it below the paper’s stated temperature limit and weigh it down with food. If you cannot prevent the paper from moving or blocking vents, skip it. A purpose-made perforated liner may be easier to fit, but only in a model where liners are allowed.

Can you put parchment in an air fryer toaster oven?

Not by applying basket-air-fryer advice automatically. A countertop oven with an air-fry function may have a different rack arrangement and exposed heating elements. Reynolds explicitly says its basket-style parchment air fryer liners are not recommended for rectangular or toaster-oven-style air fryers. Consult that oven’s manual and the liner manufacturer before using any paper.

What should you do if the paper starts smoking or moving?

Stop the cooking cycle and follow your appliance’s safety instructions. Do not reach into a running air fryer or touch hot components. Once the unit is safely off and cool, remove the paper and check whether it shifted, contacted a hot surface or exceeded its heat rating. Do not reuse a scorched liner.

Paper liners also are not a substitute for cleaning: grease and food debris can still accumulate in the appliance and should be removed according to its care instructions.

Quick answers to common air fryer parchment questions

Can I preheat my air fryer with parchment paper inside?

No. Preheat without a loose liner. If paper use is permitted, add the liner only when you can immediately weigh it down with food.

Is parchment safe at 400°F in an air fryer?

Some air fryer liners are rated up to 400°F, but others may have different limits. Check both the exact liner packaging and your appliance’s instructions. A 400°F rating does not make a liner safe in a model that prohibits paper.

Do you need holes in air fryer parchment paper?

Holes help air move through a liner. They are useful in perforated-basket designs, but they do not replace the need for food to weigh down the paper or for manufacturer approval.

Can parchment paper be reused after air frying?

Follow the package instructions. Reynolds’ disposable air fryer liners are intended for single use.

Bottom line: The safest answer starts with your air fryer model. Where paper is permitted, use a compatible heat-rated liner, preheat without it, secure it under food and keep airflow clear. Where paper is discouraged, cook directly on the approved tray or basket instead.

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