Air fryers are in almost every UAE kitchen now, and one question comes up again and again: can you use parchment paper in an air fryer? The short answer is yes – as long as you follow a few simple rules. Used correctly, parchment keeps the basket clean, stops sticky food (marinated chicken, fish, cheese) from burning on, and saves you scrubbing time.
The 4 rules for using parchment paper in an air fryer
- Never preheat with parchment alone. The fan can lift a loose sheet into the heating element. Always put food on top of the paper so it is weighed down.
- Don’t cover the whole basket. Air fryers cook by moving hot air. Leave a gap around the edges, or use perforated sheets, so air still flows and food crisps up.
- Stay within the temperature rating. Good parchment is rated to around 230 °C (450 °F). Most air-fryer recipes cook at 180–200 °C, which is well inside that limit.
- Use real parchment, not wax paper. Wax paper melts and smokes. Parchment has a heat-resistant, non-stick coating made for ovens and air fryers.
What parchment is great for in the air fryer
- Marinated chicken wings, tikka and shawarma-style strips that would otherwise stick
- Fish fillets and prawns that break easily
- Cheese-topped items, samosas and spring rolls that drip
- Reheating leftovers without cleaning the basket afterwards
When not to use it
Skip the paper for foods that need maximum crisping on every side (like plain frozen fries) – direct air contact gives the best crunch. And never use any paper in an empty, running air fryer.
Pre-cut sheets vs a roll
A roll curls up and is hard to cut neatly. Pre-cut sheets lie flat, are the right size every time and are much quicker on busy weeknights. Unbleached (brown) sheets are a popular choice because they skip the chlorine bleaching step.
REZUZA Pre-Cut Parchment Paper Sheets – unbleached, non-stick sheets in 8×12 and 12×16 inch sizes, ready to drop into your air fryer, oven tray or steamer.
View REZUZA Pre-Cut Parchment Paper Sheets →
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Quick answers
Can parchment catch fire in an air fryer?
Only if it touches the heating element – which happens when the sheet is loose or too big. Keep food on top and the sheet smaller than the basket.
Is parchment paper the same as baking paper?
Yes. In the UAE and UK it is usually called baking paper; in the US it is called parchment paper.
Can I reuse a sheet?
If it is clean and not brittle you can reuse it once or twice for similar foods, but replace it as soon as it darkens or tears.