Can We Use Wax Paper In An Air Fryer? Expert Guide

Nowadays, people are very conscious about their health. They want to enjoy yummy and delicious snacks but are very conscious of how they are cooked. They look for alternatives to unhealthy snacks. An air fryer is an alternative to the traditional deep-frying method for making savory food items. The questions regarding the use of the air fryer are very common. One such question that is asked frequently is whether one can use wax paper in the air fryer or not. The simple answer to that question is no, you cannot use wax paper in the air fryer. The coating of paraffin wax on the wax paper cannot handle the high temperatures of the air fryer. It will melt instantly if placed in an air fryer. Imagine you are waiting for your yummy dinner, but instead a fire breaks out just because of this small mistake. In this blog, you will learn why wax paper is not a suitable choice for an air fryer and what other alternative options are available in the market that you can use. 

Why can’t wax paper be used in the air fryer?

If you want to know the reason why wax paper can’t be used in an air fryer, you will first have to know how an air fryer works. The air fryer has a heating element at the top that generates a high level of heat. A fan is placed in order to circulate this heat around the food and cook it. This process takes the temperature of the air fryer up to 400℉, and this temperature is not suitable for wax paper. The paraffin coating usually melts very easily. This is what will happen to the wax paper if it is used in the air fryer:

• Wax melts instantly

The outer coating is of paraffin on wax papers. It can not bear high temperatures. At 150°F, it melts. As the temperature in the air fryer is usually at 400°F, the wax will melt quickly, and the uncoated paper will get exposed to the heating environment. 

• Fire can start

If the uncoated paper, after the wax has melted, touches the top end where the heating element is located, it will rapidly catch fire.

• Toxic smoke 

When the wax melts, it eventually drips on the basket of the air fryer and causes a very bad smell of burning chemicals. These molten chemicals can also leave a very stubborn sticky residue on the inside of the basket. 

• Contaminated food 

The wax reaches the food as the food is place directly on the paper. This food that is contaminat with wax is very harmful if consume. 

Safe alternatives that can be use in an air fryer

You don’t have to panic and worry about cleaning the basket of your air fryer after every use. There are other alternatives that can be use to line the baskets of the air fryer. Let’s go through the details of each and explore which one suits you the best:

Perforated parchment paper liner 

The most used paper for heating in the air fryer is parchment paper. This has a thin coating of food-grade silicone, which makes it the best choice for heating. It can withstand the temperature range of an air fryer. For customer convenience, pre-cut parchment paper liners are also available that are design specifically to be use for air fryers. These liners have holes in them, which lets the air circulate easily across the fryer. Thus, the food remains crispy. The following are a few user advantages of these papers:

• It is a really affordable option that is also available easily in the market. 
• You can completely discard the paper after using it, and you don’t have to wash the air fryer. 
• It is not reusable but still offers many benefits. 

Silicone mats

It is reusable and thus the best choice for you if you have regular use of an air fryer at your home. As the name suggests, they are make with silicone and fit the bottom of the fryer easily. They can handle the heat really well. They also have holes that prevent the grease from reaching the food products. The following are the pros and cons of these mats:

• It is highly sustainable.
• Heavy to settle at the bottom of the air fryer.
• It is non-stick and can be use easily.
• It might need to be wash manually.
• The crispiness of the food is reduce as compare to when it is cook with paper. 

Aluminum foil 

This is use in almost every kitchen and is the best at catching sauces, cheese, and marination effectively. It can then be remove quickly and discarded. It has the following advantages and disadvantages:

• It is completely immune to catching fire.
• It can be fitt to a basket size easily
• It blocks the air from underneath, thus slowing the cooking process.
• Prevents the liquid from spilling.
• You have to use oil spray; otherwise, the food might stick to it. 

Comparison of different liners

Here is a concise comparison of different types of air fryer liners. There are several options through you can choose:

Tips when using paper in an air fryer

If you are using parchment paper or heat-safe paper in the air fryer, it is really important to use the correct method so you don’t end up in an accident. The following are some tips that you should consider when you are using an air fryer:

• Don’t preheat with liners

Don’t place an empty food basket liner when preheating, as the air will cause the liner to move across the fryer and even touch the heating element, causing the paper to catch fire. 

• Cut the proper size of paper

If you are using rolls of parchment paper or aluminum foil rolls, don’t cut large pieces that have excess paper that can touch the top of the fryer where the heating element is present, as it can eventually catch fire.

• Weight the paper down

Remember to put the food items properly, especially on the edges of the paper. This makes sure that the corners of the paper remain in place.

• Avoid aerosol sprays

The aerosol cooking sprays have lecithin that ruins the surface of silicone mats when used frequently. You should avoid these and use cooking oils. 

• Let air circulate properly 

Leave enough space at the bottom when you place paper or aluminum foil so that the air can easily pass through. 

Conclusion 

The use of wax paper is not heat based. It is use for storing cheese or raw meat or even for rolling dough. It is very dangerous to put it in a fryer or oven. You should remove it quickly if placed in a fryer by mistake. 

At Wax Papers Canada, we offer several other options that are made to handle heat and high temperatures. You can easily use them and then discard them, such as parchment paper sheets or aluminum foil. If you use an air fryer regularly, silicone mats are the best recommend option for you. If you want to know more about wax paper in detail, you can read our article where we have given a detailed explanation of wax paper. (What Is Wax Paper Used For | The Detailed Guide)