Requirements
Gamemode 0 or 2 (Survival or Adventure)
Any type of helmet
Resources needed for crafting recipe are in inventory
Steps to reproduce
Switch to Survival or Adventure mode
/gamemode survival
Obtain a helmet and put it on
/replaceitem entity @p slot.armor.head minecraft:diamond_helmet
Make sure you have 4 planks in your inventory
/give @p minecraft:planks 4
Make sure you have unlocked for example the crafting table recipe
/recipe give @p minecraft:crafting_table
Open the recipe book in your inventory and select the recipe for crafting tables
→ Your helmet will disappear. You can click on "empty" slot to grab it.
Notes
Works for any recipe shaped 2x2 or 1x2 (lever, sticks etc.)
SHIFT
click on invisible helmet causes to move it to inventory and it's still invisible
Confirmed for Window 10 Version 1607, Minecraft 17w13a.