A paper towel is great for drying food before it goes into the air fryer. It is not a good air-fryer liner. The short answer is no, do not put a paper towel in an air fryer while it is running.
Air fryers move hot air quickly. A loose paper towel can lift toward the heating element, and even a towel that stays put blocks the airflow the appliance needs to cook and crisp food evenly. Use the towel on the counter, then throw it away before the basket goes in.
Why paper towels do not belong in an air fryer
Paper towels are designed to absorb moisture, not sit beside an air fryer's heating element. Once the fan starts, a lightweight towel can shift, curl or lift. That creates an unnecessary fire risk and can leave part of the food sitting on a solid layer with very little hot air reaching the bottom.
This is also one of those moments when "but I saw somebody do it" is not especially comforting. Air-fryer models are built differently, and a short video does not tell you whether the paper moved after the camera stopped. Follow the manual for your exact appliance.
What to use instead
The right alternative depends on what you are trying to accomplish.
- To dry food: Pat the food dry on the counter, then remove the paper towel before cooking.
- To reduce sticking: Use an air-fryer-safe parchment liner only if your appliance manual permits it. Keep it below the food and never put it into an empty preheating basket.
- To catch drips: Use the basket, tray or accessory made for your model. Do not improvise with loose paper near the heating element.
- To make cleanup easier: Let the appliance cool, unplug it and clean the removable parts according to the manufacturer's instructions.
My guide to parchment paper in an air fryer explains when a liner can work and why food needs to hold it down. If you are considering metal instead, read the air fryer foil guide first.
Can you put a damp paper towel in an air fryer?
No. Damp paper can still dry out, move in the fan and block airflow. Adding water does not turn a paper towel into a heat-safe liner.
Can a paper towel go under the basket?
Do not place one under the basket while the air fryer is running unless the manufacturer specifically says that setup is safe. Grease, heat and lightweight paper are not a combination worth gambling on. The lower tray should be used and cleaned exactly as the manual describes.
Can you use paper towels after cooking?
Yes, just keep them outside the running appliance. You can move cooked food to a paper-towel-lined plate if you want to absorb surface grease. You can also use a towel during cleanup after the air fryer is turned off, unplugged and cool, provided that agrees with the cleaning instructions for your model.
Will a liner make food less crispy?
It can. Crisping depends on hot air reaching the food, including the underside. A solid liner covers some of the basket's openings, so the bottom may brown more slowly. If your food keeps coming out soft, work through the air fryer crispness guide before automatically adding more time.
The simple rule
Use paper towels to pat food dry before cooking or to drain it after cooking. Do not use them as liners, drip catchers or covers inside a running air fryer. When you need parchment, foil or another accessory, check the manual for the exact model instead of assuming every air fryer follows the same rules.
If you are still getting comfortable with the appliance, the air fryer beginner's guide covers placement, preheating, basket space and the little things that save dinner from becoming a science project.