Generally, no — you should not put paper towel in an air fryer while it’s cooking. An air fryer moves hot air at high speed, and a loose sheet of paper towel can lift off the food, blow into the heating element and catch fire. Paper ignites at a much lower temperature than most air fryers reach, so it’s a real safety risk, not just a mess. There are one or two narrow exceptions below, but for lining and grease-catching there’s a safer option.
Why paper towel is risky in an air fryer
The problem is the airflow. Unlike an oven, an air fryer relies on a powerful fan that circulates hot air around the basket. A lightweight sheet of paper towel isn’t heavy enough to stay put once that fan is running.
- It can blow into the element. If the towel lifts and touches the exposed heating element, it can scorch or ignite within seconds.
- Paper burns easily. Most air fryers cook between 300°F and 400°F. Paper can begin to char and catch well within that range, especially near the element.
- It blocks airflow. Even if it doesn’t burn, a towel covering the basket base stops hot air from circulating, so food cooks unevenly and takes longer.
- Grease makes it worse. A paper towel soaked in hot fat is more flammable, not less.
For all these reasons, paper towel is not a good liner and should never be left in an empty preheating basket.
The rare cases where it can be okay
There are a couple of narrow situations where people use paper towel safely. Even then, treat these as exceptions and watch closely.
| Use | Okay? | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Liner under food while cooking | No | Loose paper lifts into the element |
| Preheating with paper inside | No | Nothing loose should be in the basket |
| Weighed down fully by heavy food | Sometimes | Food must cover it completely, low airflow risk |
| Cleaning or drying the basket | Yes | Air fryer off and unplugged |
| Blotting oil off cooked food | Yes | Done on a plate, outside the appliance |
The safest “in the basket” case is when a single sheet is completely pinned down by a heavy item and can’t move at all — but a better choice is available, so most cooks skip paper towel entirely.
A safer choice: perforated parchment paper
If you want a liner for easy cleanup or to stop food sticking, use perforated parchment paper made for air fryers instead. The holes let hot air pass through so food still crisps, and parchment handles higher temperatures than paper towel.
Two simple rules make it safe:
- Add the parchment only once food is on top of it. Never preheat with an empty sheet inside — the same airflow that lifts paper towel will lift bare parchment.
- Keep it smaller than the basket so it doesn’t cover the edges or reach the element, and let the food weigh it down.
For more on this, see our guide to using parchment paper safely in an air fryer.
If you’re trying to catch grease
Fatty foods like bacon or wings drip a lot, and a paper towel seems like an easy fix. Instead:
- Add a little water to the drawer beneath the basket so drippings land in water, not on hot metal.
- Line the drawer, not the basket, with foil weighed down at the edges if your model allows it.
- Clean between batches so old grease doesn’t smoke.
These keep the airflow clear and remove the fire risk that paper towel adds.
Related questions
Can you put a paper towel in the air fryer to absorb grease while cooking? It’s not recommended. The towel can lift into the element and catch fire, and once soaked in hot fat it burns more easily. Add water to the drawer beneath the basket instead, and blot cooked food on a plate afterward.
Is it safe to reheat food wrapped in a paper towel in an air fryer? No. Reheating still uses the fan, so the towel can blow around and scorch. Reheat the food directly or on a small piece of perforated parchment placed under the food.
What should I never put in an air fryer? Avoid loose paper towel, loose parchment or foil that isn’t weighed down, and anything that can lift into the element or block airflow. When in doubt, keep liners smaller than the basket and always covered by food.
If a liner ever scorches or you smell burning, unplug the air fryer, let it cool, and check the basket. If damage seems to be with the element or wiring rather than the food, stop using it and contact the manufacturer.
Skip the paper towel and reach for perforated parchment made for air fryers instead, and for everyday habits that keep cooking safe and clean see how to use an air fryer or browse all our guides.