Air fryers are great for making foods hot and crispy without a lot of oil. But can you put a paper towel in an air fryer? Or will that pose a fire risk?
The air fryer has become one of the indispensable kitchen appliances in our home. We use it to cook simple foods like bacon or garlic bread, as well as to heat up frozen items like air fry frozen pizza, chicken wings, and chicken tenders.
Plus, it’s great for larger meals like salmon or air fryer turkey meatloaf.
But what about non-food items? For example, can you put paper towels in an air fryer?
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Can you put a paper towel in air fryer?
An air fryer basically works by circulating very hot air — heating food and making it crispy in the process.
Many non-food items like silicone molds and glass and ceramic plates are safe to use in the air fryer, as long as they can withstand temperatures between 400°-450° Fahrenheit.
But generally, it is not safe to use paper towels in air fryers, as the intense heat generated during the cooking process can cause them to smoke or ignite, posing a fire hazard.
Another main reason to avoid using paper towels is that they can block the airflow, which could cause your food to cook unevenly. Any blockage of proper air circulation can also pose a further risk of fire, as heat could build up more intensely.
If paper towels are placed on top of food, they can become dangerously close to the heating element or heating coil of the air fryer, which is usually located at the top of the device.
What are safe alternatives to paper towels in the air fryer?
You might be tempted to use a paper towel in an air fryer to soak up excess oil or grease, particularly if you’re making foods like bacon or onion rings.
But one of the main benefits of air frying is that they can make foods hot and crispy with just a fraction of the oil used in pan frying or deep prying. In most cases, just spraying a small bit of cooking oil on your food is enough. So paper towels aren’t necessary.
But if you’re concerned about your food burning from direct contact with the air fryer trays, here are some good alternatives to paper towels.
Parchment paper
Parchment paper is a great option over paper towels, as it’s heat-resistant and food doesn’t stick to it. That makes it safe to use in the air fryer. You just want to make sure you cut pieces to fit well in the air fryer basket, and that they aren’t blocking any airflow.
Aluminum foil
Since it can hold up to very high temperatures, aluminum foil is another safe alternative to using paper towels in the air fryer. Like parchment paper, tin foil won’t stick to your food. And the use of foil can make clean up easier.
Silicone liners
Silicone air fryer liners also provide good protection for all types of foods. They come in various shapes and sizes and can work with higher temperatures. They also keep the air fryer’s basket clean, are easy to clean themselves, and they won’t affect cooking performance.
A silicone mat, liner, or molds also have a wide range of other benefits:
- FDA-approved molds and liners are non-toxic and food-safe.
- They can withstand a very high temperature of nearly 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- They’re flexible and easy to bend or compress, which means they’re easy to store.
- Easy to find and affordable.
Can I use paper plates in an air fryer?
No, it’s not a good idea to use paper plates in the air fryer. The flammable material could catch fire and create similar hazards as using paper towels, including blocking the hot air flow inside the appliance.
This applies to plastic plates, as well. They can melt inside an air fryer, which could also create a potential fire hazard. In addition, your food can become inedible.
Can I use paper towels at all with an air fryer?
The good news is you can use paper towels in a few ways with your air fryer, as long as you avoid actually placing them inside the appliance while it’s in use. Here are some safe options:
Pre-greasing the air fryer
You can use a paper towel If you want to spread oil more evenly on the air fryer cooking basket prior to cooking. Simply add a small amount of oil, then gently use the paper towel to pre-grease the basket, sides, and bottom of your air fryer.
Cleaning grease or crumbs from the air fryer
Another great way to use paper towels with an air fryer is to mop up any excess fat, grease, or crumbs from the bottom of the fryer after cooking. Just be sure that the air fryer has cooled completely beforehand so you don’t risk burning the paper or yourself.
FAQ
Since silicone molds are meant to be nonstick, in most cases you won’t need to grease them with cooking spray. However, if you use larger molds or ones with intricate mold patterns, greasing may help release food more evenly. And it can help with clean up when you’re done.
Yes, in most cases, tempered, oven-safe glass dishes are safe to use in air fryers. Pyrex brand glass dishes are a great option as they are made with borosilicate glass, which allows them to withstand extreme changes in temperature.
Whereas parchment is coated with a non-stick, heat-resistant silicone film, wax paper is coated with a layer of paraffin wax. The wax can melt if exposed to high heat, so you should not use it in an air fryer.
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