An air fryer is an incredibly convenient cooking appliance to have in your kitchen. It’s safe and easy to use. Plus, you can cook anything with it, from snacks to desserts, even meals!
That said, you may have bought a new unit for yourself and are just learning how to use them. So naturally, you have questions like, “Can you put wax paper in an air fryer?”
If you have some of these questions about air frying, I’ve got you covered. Stick around, and we’ll discuss using air fryers properly and throw in some practical air frying tips.
Mixing Paper Wax and Air Fryers?
Let’s just get this out of the way first: NO, you can’t put paper wax in an air frying machine. I know you have a lot of good recipes in your mind using paper wax but don’t.
Wax papers are food-safe, and you can use them for several cooking and storing methods. However, they aren’t made resistant to heat, so using them in an air fryer isn’t advisable.
What Is Paper Wax Made Of?
Paper wax is a combination of tissue paper and paraffin wax. Manufacturers force the food-grade wax into the paper pores to create the coating.
But this same wax can melt from the heat of your air fryer, which can mess with your food. Sure, it’s non-toxic and safe, but do you really want paper mixed in your snack?
Another risk of using paper wax is that it can easily catch fire. So, using it in an appliance that circulates hot air to cook is a bad practice that could result in a smoky mess.
Don’t they use paper wax when baking, though?
Yes. Some people use paper wax when baking cakes, muffins, brownies, and quick breads. However, these recipes cover the paper wax completely with batter to prevent burning.
Are There Alternatives to Paper Wax?
Yes, there are alternatives you can use instead of paper wax. A parchment paper, for instance, can do exceptionally well when used with an air fryer.
Parchment paper is another food-grade cooking material. Makers coat them with silicone, so unlike paper waxes, they’re heat resistant and won’t melt or catch fire inside the air fryer.
It can tolerate temperatures as high as 428℉ (220℃). And professional bakers and home cooks have been using parchment paper for years.
Here’s a tip for using parchment paper with an air fryer: add it simultaneously with your food. Don’t put the parchment paper in before placing your food on top.
This method will prevent the parchment from moving and contacting the air fryer’s heating elements. Parchment papers inside an air fryer should always have food on top.
3 Things You Should Avoid With Your Air Fryers
Now that you know not to use paper wax, are you curious about what other things you should avoid with air fryers? Here are three things you shouldn’t do when using your air frying appliance:
1. Avoid Excessive Oil
The common practice when cooking is to pour oil into the pan before adding the food. Air fryers, however, don’t need much oil to cook your food to the perfect golden brown color.
2. Avoid Wet Batter
Air fryers don’t work well with food that has a wet batter. The battered food won’t set as well as when submerged in oil. It’ll be a dripping mess, and you’re food won’t turn crispy.
3. Avoid Air Frying Cheese
As surprising as it sounds, air fryers don’t actually “fry” your food. For this reason, cheese without coating will simply melt into a puddle inside your air fryer pan.
Final Thoughts
Air fryers are my favorite miracle workers in the kitchen. These versatile little appliances can save you so much time preparing food, that’s for sure.
Still, it’s best if you avoid using paper wax and other fire-hazard materials with them. Use parchment paper and save your food from the smoky mess!
