Can You Put Wax Paper in an Air Fryer?

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Can You Put Wax Paper in an Air Fryer?

We are going to look at the different uses for wax paper, including can you put wax paper in an air fryer. We are also going to look at parchment paper and aluminum foil to see if they are safe to use inside an air fryer. Be sure to check out the details that follow, so that you are safe when air frying, and do not contaminate your food.

wax paper roll

What is Wax Paper, and What is it Used For?

There are many different uses for wax paper, but wax paper is never used to line sheets that are going into the oven. Wax paper is a type of paper that has one side which has a wax coating on it.

Paper makes a great surface when you want to prevent a mess, or line a baking sheet with paper for things that are not going into the oven for food like fudge. 

Wax paper also works very well to wrap food that is going to be frozen. This helps to insulate the food against potential freezer burn and will help the food last longer in the freezer.  

Not only is wax paper great for food preparation and storage, but there are also various uses for wax paper around the house.

No matter if you are wanting to use wax paper to line shelves in your cupboard or refrigerator, there are many different uses for wax paper, none of which include wax paper being exposed to high temperatures. 

Is It Safe to Use Wax Paper in an Air Fryer?

Now that we have covered all of the basic uses for wax paper, is wax paper safe to use in an air fryer? No, wax paper should never be placed into an air fryer no matter what the reason

If you were to try and cook your food on wax paper in an air fryer, you are going to end up with a big mess. When exposed to the heat, the wax side of your paper will melt and create a big mess, and likely destroy your food in the process. 

You also run the risk of the wax paper catching on fire, and causing your air fryer and more to burn. Because of this, it is not safe to use wax paper in an air fryer. 

Why Not Use Wax Paper in an Air Fryer

There are several different reasons why you should never use wax paper in your air fryer. Below we are going to cover a few of the basic reasons why you should not use wax paper inside of the air fryer. 

Wax Paper Is NOT Heat-Safe. Wax paper is not safe for high temperatures. Wax paper has a coating of wax on the paper that will melt when exposed to warm temperatures, but it also is not safe when its temperature exceeds 200°F.

Not only will the wax melt and destroy your air fryer and food, but there is a chance that the paper will also catch on fire at high temperatures.

Could Cause a Fire. Because wax paper is not safe at warm temperatures, it should never be exposed to heat. Wax paper is coated in wax, and will melt, and could also cause a fire by the paper catching on fire. Do not risk heating wax paper. 

Wax Melts into Food. Not only could wax paper catch on fire, but when the wax melts, the wax can get into your food, causing your food to be unsafe to eat. 

Could Ruin Your Air Fryer. Heating wax paper in your air fryer is highly likely to ruin your air fryer. On one hand, the wax is likely to melt inside your air fryer contaminating your air fryer and food, but there’s also the chance air fryer might catch on fire because of the wax paper inside of it.

No matter how you look at it, your air fryer is likely to get ruined.

Will Wreck Your Food. When wax paper is placed in your air fryer with food and heated, the wax will melt and contaminate your food. This will make the food not safe for human consumption. 

wax paper end of the roll

Can you put foil in an air fryer?

Technically, yes you can use aluminum foil in an air fryer. However, if you choose to do so, you want to be very careful with it. Most air fryer baskets in general are designed to be nonstick, making the need for aluminum foil very low. 

Unlike in microwave, aluminum foil is not likely to cause sparks in your air fryer, however, you will want to be sure that it is securely fastened to the air fryer basket so that it does not fly up when the heat circulates and hits the coils. If your aluminum foil hits the coils, it could cause some big trouble.

If you choose to use aluminum foil in your air fryer, you will want to be sure that it is securely fastened to your food or the air fryer basket. However, we do not recommend using aluminum foil in the air fryer as there really is no need for it. 

When you use aluminum foil in an air fryer, it tends to interfere with the air circulation of your air fryer and interferes with the cooking process. 

Our recommendation: Do not use foil in the air fryer. Rather, simply place your food into the air fryer basket. 

Can you put parchment paper in an air fryer?

Unlike wax paper, parchment paper is safe to use at high temperatures and may be safe to use in the air fryer if you follow a few simple steps.

First, you want to be sure to check the packaging of your parchment paper to be sure that it is safe to heat to the cooking temperature you need.

Second, you want to be sure to poke holes in your parchment paper so that air is still able to circulate inside the air fryer.

Wax Paper vs Parchment Paper

Perhaps one of the reasons why you are wondering if wax paper is safe to put in your air fryer is because you were getting it confused with parchment paper. There are many differences between wax paper and parchment paper. 

Wax paper is coated in a layer of wax over the paper. Wax paper is not intended for high temperatures and said it has other uses around the kitchen and house. On average, the warmest temperature that wax paper should ever encounter should be no more than 200°F. 

Parchment paper on the other hand is coated with silicone to help give it a nonstick surface and is intended to be heated to high temperatures.

Parchment paper in general is safe to use in the oven as a baking liner and helps the food have a nonstick surface. Be sure to reference your parchment paper package before using it to determine what temperature is safe, but most types are safe to 400°F or even to 450°F. 

How to use Parchment Paper in the Air Fryer

Measure your parchment paper. First, determine what size you need your parchment paper to be. Most parchment paper will be much larger than your air fryer basket and will need to be cut down to size.

Measure the parchment paper and then cut it to size. Once cut to size, use a hole punch to punch holes throughout the parchment paper so that your air can still circulate. 

Preheat Air Fryer Without the Parchment Paper. If your air fryer requires it to be preheated, go ahead and preheat your air fryer without the parchment paper in it. 

Line, Add Food, & Air Fry. Once your air fryer is preheated, remove the air fryer basket, lined with parchment paper, and add your food. Replace your air fryer basket into the air fryer. Cook your food as needed. 

When to use parchment paper?

For most foods that you cook in the air fryer, it is not necessary to include parchment paper. However, if you are air frying extra sticky foods or food with sauces it would be handy to line your air fryer basket with parchment paper first, before adding the food.

Think of especially sticky foods, like chicken wings, lining your air fryer basket with parchment paper will help prevent your food from sticking to it. 

Caution. Please note that when you are using parchment paper to line the basket of your air fryer, it’s important that you first preheat your air fryer if needed, then add your parchment paper with holes poked into it, and immediately add your food before replacing your air fryer basket. 

The parchment paper should always have food to hold it down so that it does not fly freely inside of your air fryer when the heat is circulating. You do not want the parchment paper to touch the heating coils of your air fryer for any reason

wax paper rolled up

Tips for Parchment Paper

Avoid reusing parchment paper. It is a smart idea to never really use parchment paper, as it is likely to not keep food from sticking the second time around, and has an increased risk of catching on fire when reused. 

Check the max cooking temperature. Before using parchment paper inside of your air fryer, be sure to check the packaging for the max cooking temperature of your parchment paper. You’ll want to be sure that the parchment paper is safe to be used at the temperature your food requires. 

Cut To Size. Before you place the paper inside of your air fryer basket, be sure to cut it so that it lines the bottom of your air fryer basket nicely. 

Poke Holes. You will also want to be sure you cut, poke, or use a whole punch to add holes into the parchment paper. This is important because it will ensure the air is still circulated inside of your air fryer.

When the air circulates inside the air fryer this is what allows your food to cook nice and even. 

Make sure you have the right paper! Before using parchment paper inside of your air fryer, double-check and be sure that it is in fact parchment paper and it safe to use at high temperatures. You do not want to mistake parchment paper for wax paper. 

FAQs

What Happens If I Put Wax Paper In My Air Fryer? 

Never put wax paper in the air fryer! When wax paper is heated to warm temperatures are high temperatures, the wax bundle and contaminate your food. You also run the risk of the paper catching on fire as it is not made to withstand heat. 

Will Wax Paper Catch on Fire in an Air Fryer? 

There is a strong possibility that the wax paper will catch on fire inside an air fryer. 

What Can I Use Wax Paper For? 

Wax paper should never be heated inside of an air fryer, or oven for that matter because it is not intended for heat, there are many other great uses for wax paper.

Wax paper is useful for wrapping food for storage in the refrigerator or freezer. You can also line a countertop with wax paper to help keep your surface clean. There are many other great uses for wax paper around the kitchen, and your household in general. 

wax paper from the top of roll

Can You Use Wax Paper In An Air Fryer?

In short, wax paper should never be used inside of an air fryer. Wax paper will melt when exposed to warm temperatures, when the wax melts it will contaminate the food and possibly ruin the air fryer.

Wax paper also has a strong possibility of catching on fire when exposed to heat. Because of this, we recommend that you never use wax paper inside of an air fryer. 

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Faith
Faith Has been cooking and baking for many years! she loves to share her recipes with the world, and hopes you will enjoy them too!

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