Can You Put Paper Towel in Air Fryer? Here’s What You Need to Know.

Air fryer use has become very popular, but there are still many questions about the best ways to use them and how to keep clean up easy. Can you put paper towel in the air fryer seems to be a pretty common question, so I decided to look into what you can and can’t use in your air fryer. 

There are all kinds of air fryer models out there. Some are single layer, some look more like a rotisserie or toaster oven, but one thing they all have in common is that cleaning can be a little tricky. It’s no surprise people are looking for ways to keep them clean to start with different kinds of paper products like paper towels. Especially if you like to cook foods that leave their excess grease behind. In this blog post, I’m sharing everything I found in my search for answers, so keep reading for all the details.

Can You Put Paper Towel in Air Fryer?

First and most importantly, the answer is no, you cannot put paper towels in your air fryer. Paper towels can pretty easily catch on fire with high heat. While there is a chance you can get away with putting a paper towel in the air fryer, and some people do, it is not recommended by air fryer manufacturers. I would err on the side of caution here because there are better options that won’t pose a fire hazard. Before we get into better options, let’s take a quick look at other things you’ll want to avoid putting in your air fryer.

Other Things You Should Never Put in the Air Fryer

Because of the high temperatures used in an air fryer, there are some items you should know about that definitely shouldn’t go in there other than paper towels. This list includes foods too:

• Wax paper: during the cooking process, wax paper can melt on your food and make a mess in your air fryer.
• Batter: wet batter should not be put in an air fryer, unless it’s in the type of air fryer that has a baking option and bakeware can fit inside. 
• Sugary foods: anything made of mostly sugar (think candy) will melt and it will be disastrous for your air fryer.
• Olive oil: olive oil has a low smoke point, so that means a lot of smoke might start coming out of your air fryer if you use it. Either use less oil or opt for avocado oil and use the cooking spray kind for a light application.

Safe Alternatives to Paper Towels That You Can Use in the Air Fryer

If you insist on using something to line the bottom of the air fryer basket, you’ve got a couple of options that offer a safer alternative to paper towels or wax paper. Keep in mind that anything you put in the bottom of the air fryer to keep it clean will definitely help with excess oil and crumbs, but it will also inhibit proper air circulation in your air fryer. The air is meant to circulate all around the food, a barrier on the bottom might make it necessary for you to turn or flip your food half way through the cooking process to avoid uneven cooking. 

Here are your options for lining your air fryer basket:

• Parchment paper: a piece of parchment paper is a good option in general, but especially good for extra greasy foods. It will soak up some of the grease and make regular cleaning of your air fryer easier. When you’re making foods like chicken wings, for example, you’ll still have an issue with grease splashing upward, but you can’t cover the food completely, or you’ll cut off the air flow that air frying using to accomplish that amazing, crispy texture.
• Aluminum foil: aluminum foil is a good alternative for safety reasons and the best way to keep that air fryer clean. Cooking times can vary with this option because it’s a little thicker than the other options. 
• Air fryer silicone liners: these are great because they cut down on the mess, they allow for regular airflow, they’re reusable, and nonstick. Some food particles might still make their way through these liners, but they cut down the mess drastically. 

Tips for Keeping Your Air Fryer Clean

The way you clean your air fryer will depend on the type of air fryer you have, but there are some basic habits you can get into that will help make the next time you use your air fryer easier each time. Of course, the food items you cook and the clean up from each will vary, but keeping up with these common sense tips will still be helpful.

Wipe Down After Each Use

You might not need to deep clean your air fryer after you use it every time, but you should definitely at least wipe it down with a damp cloth. Dump any crumbs from the basket, wipe clean, wipe any food residue from bottom chamber that catches crumbs, and reassemble. 

Wash Removable Parts

Quickly wash any removable parts that the use of parchment paper or aluminum foil didn’t cover. Depending on the type of air fryer you have, this could be the basket, racks, and/or removable tray in the bottom of the air fryer. 

Don’t Leave Stubborn Messes

If you have a mess in your air fryer that can’t be taken care of with the quick, easy cleanup, be sure to address it right away. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to clean. Soak the basket in warm, soapy water until the mess wipes off. 

Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Cleaning your air fryer is a pretty straightforward process, but you’ll want to avoid these common mistakes to make your air fryer work well and last longer. 

• Using harsh cleaning chemicals: your air fryer basket has a non-stick surface, so using harsh chemicals or abrasive sponges can damage that surface. It can also leave toxic chemicals behind in the process.
• Putting the air fryer back together wet: make sure the air fryer is completely dry before reassembling. If you run it wet, it can cause it to malfunction. If you put it back together wet and leave it sitting with no air flow, it can cause mold and mildew to grow. 
• Not cleaning the heating element: it’s inevitable that grease and sauces will splash around in your air fryer and start to coat the heating element. Even if it looks clean, give it a wipe down regularly to avoid issues.

Final Thoughts

So the short answer to the question can you put a paper towel in an air fryer is no. But now you know there are other options for best results to safely use your air fryer. Using an air fryer to get that crispy texture we all love instead of deep frying foods is a great practice to enjoy our favorite foods in a healthier way. It’s also a great alternative to kitchen appliances like a traditional oven that takes much longer to preheat and cook pretty much anything. 

Hopefully my research answered your questions for air fryer use and you can enjoy all the crispy food you can eat without all the trouble cleaning your air fryer. Be sure to also read your air fryer manual because they typically have a lot of great ideas and suggestions for your specific air fryer. There also might be specific requirements for for the use of liners that you should know. 

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