Air Fryer Oil Use: What You Need To Know

Air fryers are a versatile appliance that can bake, dehydrate, broil, air fry, roast, and more. While you can cook in an air fryer without oil, adding a small amount of oil can keep your food moist and provide a golden brown color. The amount of oil used depends on the type of food being cooked and can range from a few sprays to 1 tablespoon. It is important to note that the oil is added to the food and not directly to the air fryer basket.

How much oil to use in an air fryer

Air fryers are a healthier and cheaper alternative to deep fryers. While air frying, you can use anywhere from a few sprays to one tablespoon of oil, depending on the type of food you are cooking.

Where to Put the Oil

When air frying, put the oil on the food, not in the basket. For example, if you are cooking fresh meats and vegetables, toss your food in a few teaspoons of vegetable oil or olive oil along with your seasoning before putting it in the air fryer.

You can use any oil in an air fryer that you can use in an oven. This includes vegetable oil, olive oil, coconut oil, canola oil, and more. However, it is important to consider the smoke point of the oil, which is the point at which the oil begins to smoke. Use an oil with a higher smoke point than the temperature you are cooking at. For instance, avocado oil has a smoke point of 570°F/299°C, making it suitable for air fryer temperatures up to 400°F.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using lower smoke point oils
• Not preheating the air fryer
• Touching the heating element with an oily brush
• Overcrowding the air fryer basket
• Allowing the cooking oil to touch the heating element

Oil-Free Alternatives

Although most manufacturers recommend using a little oil while air frying, it is not necessary. Air fryers will produce crispy results without oil due to the small space and hot circulating air. If you want to add a little extra moisture or crispiness, you can spray your food or the air fryer basket with a little cooking spray or look for cooking sprays that are low in saturated fats.

Where to put the oil

When using an air fryer, the general consensus is that you do not need to add oil to the appliance itself. Instead, you should add oil to the food you are about to cook. This can be done by tossing your food in a few teaspoons of vegetable or olive oil in a bowl before placing it in the air fryer. This method is best for cooking fresh meats and vegetables.

If you are cooking something that requires butter, such as hot sandwiches or anything with dough, brush melted butter onto the food before placing it in the air fryer.

If you are cooking breaded food, such as chicken tenders, you can use a cooking spray. However, you should only spray the food directly and not the basket of the air fryer, as this can damage the non-stick coating and make the pan unsafe for use.

Some foods, such as frozen fries, pizza rolls, and other high-calorie frozen foods, already contain oil, so adding more is unnecessary and can make your food too greasy.

If you are worried about your food sticking to the air fryer, you can use a light coating of oil, but this is not always necessary, especially if your air fryer has a non-stick coating.

Which oils are best for an air fryer

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy way to cook food, as they require minimal oil and clean-up. While not all foods need oil when cooked in an air fryer, most recipes benefit from some oil to keep food moist and give a nice golden colour.

When choosing an oil to use in an air fryer, it is important to consider the smoke point of the oil, which is the temperature at which the oil begins to break down and emit smoke. The smoke point should be higher than the temperature you are cooking at.

Some of the best oils to use in an air fryer include:

• Avocado oil: With a smoke point of 520°F, avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavour. It is also rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats.
• Light olive oil: Refined olive oil, or light/extra light olive oil, has a higher smoke point than extra virgin olive oil. Light olive oil has a smoke point of 465-470°F and a neutral flavour.
• Clarified butter (ghee): Clarified butter has a smoke point of 482°F and is commonly used in French and Indian cuisine. It is a good option for air frying as it has a high smoke point.
• Sunflower oil: Sunflower oil has a smoke point of 450°F and is rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fats. It has a light flavour and a high smoke point, making it a good choice for air frying.
• Peanut oil: Peanut oil has a pleasant, nutty flavour and a high smoke point. It is commonly used in stir-frying and deep frying.
• Grapeseed oil: With a smoke point of 421°F, grapeseed oil has a high smoke point and a clean taste, making it a good all-purpose cooking oil.
• Refined coconut oil: Refined coconut oil has a smoke point of 400°F. It is important to choose refined coconut oil over unrefined coconut oil, which has a low smoke point of 350°F.

Other options for oils to use in an air fryer include safflower oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, and soybean oil.

Should you use cooking spray in an air fryer?

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance due to their versatility and ability to cook food with little to no oil, making them a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. While you can use oil in an air fryer, there is much debate about whether cooking spray should be used.

The case against cooking spray

Some experts advise against using cooking spray in an air fryer, as it can damage the appliance. Cooking sprays often contain soy lecithin, an emulsifier with a low smoke point that can deteriorate at high temperatures, leading to a build-up of residue on the air fryer's basket or tray. This build-up can be challenging to remove and may eventually ruin the non-stick surface, causing food to stick. Additionally, cooking sprays can affect the taste and appearance of food, potentially causing discolouration and an off-putting flavour.

Alternatives to cooking spray

To prevent food from sticking without using cooking spray, you can lightly coat the air fryer basket with a high smoke point oil, such as avocado, canola, peanut, sesame, or sunflower oil. You can also oil your food directly before placing it in the air fryer, ensuring you use an oil with a high smoke point. Other alternatives include using air fryer liners, metal racks, or foil packets to elevate your food and prevent it from sticking to the basket.

The case for cooking spray

Despite the potential drawbacks, some people still choose to use cooking spray in their air fryers, opting for sprays like PAM or other aerosol spray oils. Some users claim that cooking spray helps achieve crispy food and easy clean-up without damaging the non-stick surface. However, it is essential to clean the air fryer properly after each use to prevent any build-up of residue.

Final thoughts

While cooking spray may be convenient, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether to use it in your air fryer. If you choose to use cooking spray, ensure you select a product without soy lecithin and clean your air fryer regularly to prevent any potential damage to the non-stick surface.

How to oil an air fryer basket

When to Oil an Air Fryer Basket

Air fryers do not always require oil. Some foods you cook in an air fryer already contain oil, and any excess can make your food too greasy. Oil is rarely needed for frozen foods that already contain oil, such as frozen fries, pizza rolls, or other high-calorie frozen foods. However, a small amount of oil can help keep your food moist and provide a golden-brown colour.

When oiling an air fryer basket, it is best to toss your food in a few teaspoons of oil in a separate bowl before placing it in the basket. This method works best for cooking fresh meats and vegetables. For recipes that call for butter, such as hot sandwiches or anything that incorporates dough, use a pastry brush to ensure you are evenly coating your food before placing it in the basket.

What Type of Oil to Use

You can use vegetable oil or olive oil in an air fryer basket. If you are looking for an alternative to oil, you can use cooking spray, but be sure to spray the food directly and not the basket, as this can damage the air fryer's non-stick coating.

Cleaning an Oiled Air Fryer Basket

It is important to clean your air fryer basket regularly, as oil can build up over time and become difficult to remove. The best way to clean an air fryer basket is to use a standard dish soap detergent with high degreasing properties, such as Dawn, and a soft-bristled brush or sponge. Be sure to avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive sponges, as these can damage the non-stick coating.

Frequently asked questions