How often do you use the Cuisinart air fryer in your kitchen? Air fryers are a very popular way to cook a huge variety of foods. The majority of their popularity comes from getting satisfyingly crunchy and crispy foods without all of the unhealthy side effects of a traditional fryer. While these appliances are versatile, you may be wondering what you can safely put in them to help with your cooking experience, like aluminum foil or parchment paper. For your convenience, we brought you the answer.
Yes, you can put aluminum foil and parchment paper into most air fryers. However, you have to place them in the correct place. If you don't, there can be some very adverse side effects for you and your fryer. You'll also want to think about what benefits using these in your appliance brings to your cooking experience.
Air frying your foods is a great way to make some traditionally unhealthy food more healthy! Before you throw in some foil or parchment paper, there is more information that can help you. Make sure you keep reading to learn everything about putting these things into your Cuisinart air fryer!
Using Aluminum Foil Or Parchment Paper In An Air Fryer
Placing foil or parchment paper can add significant benefits to your cooking, but only if you do it properly. You'll want to ensure that you measure out the correct sized piece of these for your fryer.
While reducing the mess is an obvious benefit of using these, another is that it will reduce the wear and tear on your air fryer's basket. So you'll have to clean it less, and it might last longer too!
Before doing this, the most important thing is to check with the manufacturer's standards for your air fryer to make sure this won't cause damage to you or your machine.
Why Can You Put Aluminum Foil Or Parchment Paper In Your Air Fryer?
These items have been used in cooking for decades in many different ways. Aluminum foil is safe for heat, and while parchment paper doesn't have as high heat resistance, it can still be used safely if done correctly.
So it makes sense that they can be used to some extent in a newer form of cooking too!
How Should You Put Aluminum Foil In An Air Fryer?
Only place the aluminum foil in the bottom of your air fryer's basket while not covering the sides of it. Air fryers work by distributing air throughout them.
If you completely cover the sides of the basket, then it stops that air from circulating. Alternatively, if you put foil at the bottom of your fryer, it can also hinder air circulation.
Both of these instances can result in negatively impacting the cooking process and damaging your appliance.
Where Do You Put Parchment Paper In An Air Fryer?
Put parchment paper in the same place that you would aluminum foil, only at the bottom of the basket and not covering the sides. Also, only place the parchment paper in as you place the food in, don't leave it there for the preheating process.
It is so light that it will blow around in the fryer and possibly get stuck against its main heating element and be a fire risk.
When using parchment paper in any heat, one major thing is that not all of them are made the same.
Different parchment paper can stand different temperatures, so make sure you pick one that states that it can handle the temperature you'll be cooking at.
Does Foil Burn In An Air Fryer?
Aluminum foil is so heat resistant that it can withstand temperatures above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Since no air fryer can get anywhere near that hot, it's safe to say that your foil will not catch on fire inside of it.
Even if the foil is placed incorrectly inside the fryer, only the appliance or food will be negatively impacted.
Can Parchment Paper Catch On Fire?
Unlike aluminum foil, parchment paper can catch on fire. However, this is only true if it comes in contact with an open flame or a direct heat source for a prolonged period of time.
If you use the correct type of parchment paper properly, there should be no risk of it catching on fire.
What Benefits Do You Get From Using Aluminum Foil In Your Air Fryer?
The number one benefit is that it can help your food taste better. Placing the food on aluminum foil ensures that the juices and oils will stay with the food instead of dripping down below.
This means that your foods will cook in these liquids and retain more flavor. Of course, doing this does negate some of the health benefits of an air fryer, but that's your choice to make.
Aluminum foil is also excellent at heat distribution and cutting down on mess. Having the foil directly under your food will help concentrate the heat so that it will cook more evenly on the top and bottom.
This also means that you can lift the foil out and toss it when you're done cooking. You don't have to worry about cleaning the frying basket as much.
Why Would You Use Parchment Paper In An Air Fryer?
The main benefit of using parchment paper in an air fryer is to help cut down on the mess. Unfortunately, it doesn't have the same heat distribution benefits as aluminum foil.
But, it does help to keep food from sticking. Parchment paper also helps get more delicate foods, like fish, out of the fryer after cooking without it tearing or falling apart.
One great type of parchment paper to try is perforated parchment paper explicitly made for air fryers. Since they are perforated, they will still let some juices through, so there might be some light clean-up after cooking.
However, the perforations still have the benefits of standard parchment while also helping with even cooking!
Click here to see this perforated parchment paper on Amazon.
Can I Use Wax Paper In My Air Fryer?
This can be a yes or a no depending on the paper and situation. Wax paper is not the same as parchment paper and generally has lower heat resistance. Wax paper might melt if it exceeds its temperature limit.
If this happens, it will ruin your food and probably the cooking basket that you put it on. So it's imperative to check the manufacturer's standards for the wax paper to see what heat it can handle.
Because of its limitations, it is not as recommended to put wax paper in your air fryer as the other two options.
However, if you have to in a pinch, you can probably get away with using it as long as you take the necessary precautions. If you do use it, make sure to follow the same rules for parchment paper.
Can You Use PAM In An Air Fryer?
Experts say that you should never use aerosol sprays in an air fryer. The sprays can damage the interior of the fryer. Sprays cause the coating on the basket to chip.
The harsh chemicals used in aerosol sprays cause this to happen. This chipping will not only shorten the lifespan of your fryer basket but also possibly cause contamination in your food.
Final Thoughts
Using aluminum foil or parchment paper in this appliance is safe as long as they are placed in the bottom of the basket and do not cover its sides. Cutting off the air circulation with anything will negatively impact your air frying experience.
Some benefits of using these additions properly include mess reduction, even cooking, and better food flavor. In the fryer, foil isn't a fire risk, and parchment paper only is if it has prolonged contact with the heating element.
With these tips, you can safely make even more delicious food in your air fryer!
For more ideas on how to get the most out of your air fryer, click on the links below!
Can You Use Flour In An Air Fryer?
How To Air Fry Potatoes – With 10 Tasty Recipes!
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