From the book · 30 Air Fryer Hacks

Why parchment paper flies up in the air fryer, and why it's dangerous

Air fryer fans are strong, and light food like fries, nuggets or nuts isn't heavy enough to hold a paper liner down. The edge lifts, the paper flaps, and it can blow up into the heating element, where it scorches or catches fire. Preheating with an empty liner is the worst case. The fix costs nothing and uses things already in your kitchen, and the book adds the liner safety rules to follow every time.

The fix is in the book

4 more step-by-step sketches
The full method in 3 numbered parts
Exact times, temperatures in °C and °F, and safety notes
A recipe to try it: crispy fries on a liner

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Common questions

Why does parchment paper fly up in the air fryer?

The air fryer fan pulls air hard past the food. A liner with light food on it, or none at all, gets lifted at the edge and can flap up into the heater.

Is it dangerous if a liner touches the heating element?

Yes. Paper touching the element scorches and can catch fire. That's why a liner must always be weighed down and never preheated empty.

Can I preheat the air fryer with a paper liner in it?

No. An empty liner has nothing to hold it down, so preheating with one is the most likely way to blow it into the heater. Add the liner and the food together.