Read This Before Putting Parchment In An Air Fryer

For many home cooks, foodies, and amateur chefs the air fryer has quickly become a kitchen essential and a counter-top staple that has allowed for quick and healthy recipes. From breakfast to dinner, and even dessert, the list of what an air fryer can cook seems to get longer by the day as we're constantly being introduced to new air fryer content on TikTok and blogs alike. 

While it's no secret that air fryers have become our go-to kitchen tool, there are limits to what this miracle appliance can and cannot do. As tempting as it may be to think you can put just about anything in an air fryer, let's first safely consider what we can place inside – including regular household items like parchment paper.

Although you might know the ins and outs of using parchment paper, let's remember an air fryer is a whole different ball game and oven rules do not exactly apply here.

Before you go lining the air fryer basket, there are a few things you should know about parchment paper and air frying. When it comes to parchment paper, sometimes there's just no avoiding it as some recipes specifically call for its use – and for that, we're thankful, as it's easy to avoid sticky messes (via Buzzfeed). Although placing parchment paper inside an air fryer is completely acceptable, you should be very careful when using it, according to the Food Network.

Why all the fuss? For starters, parchment paper can block the air inside the fryer from circulating. Not to mention, small parchment paper pieces can fly around during the cooking process and get stuck to the heating element. The best way to go? Using air fryer parchment paper that's already perforated and ready to go (via Insider). Save yourself the risk and the mess, and stick to this more sustainable way of using an air fryer!.