Essential Oil Spray Bottles: Safe For Air Fryers?

Air fryers are a healthy alternative to deep fryers, using minimal oil to cook food. While some air fryers have a non-stick surface, a light coating of oil can help ensure your food crisps up evenly and doesn't stick to the basket. However, not all cooking sprays are created equal, and using the wrong type of oil can damage your air fryer or lead to burnt food. It is therefore important to select the right cooking spray and to use oil spray, which means that just a light mist of oil will be used instead of deep-frying.

Essential oil spray bottles are a good eco-friendly option for air fryers but they don't always produce the finest mist

Essential oil spray bottles are a good eco-friendly option for air fryers. They are also a more economical choice when it comes to choosing the right oil for your air fryer. However, they don't always produce the finest mist, and you may end up using more oil than intended.

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance for their ability to create crispy, delicious food with less oil than traditional deep frying. While some air fryers have a non-stick surface, a light coating of oil can help ensure your food crisps up evenly and doesn't stick to the basket.

There are a few ways to get oil onto your food for air frying: a spray bottle, a mister, or a refillable spray bottle. A spray bottle is a convenient option, especially if you opt for a pre-filled spray bottle. They typically come with a mister nozzle that dispenses a fine mist of oil, allowing for even coating with minimal oil use.

An oil mister is a refillable pump sprayer that allows you to use your favourite oil. It is a good eco-friendly option as you can avoid constantly buying new spray bottles. However, they don't always produce the finest mist, and you may end up using more oil than intended.

You can also refill a store-bought spray bottle with your preferred oil. This can be a budget-friendly option, but be sure the spray bottle is designed for refilling and thoroughly clean it with soapy water before adding new oil.

When choosing an oil sprayer, it is important to consider the type of sprayer, the material of the container, and the size of the vessel. Non-aerosol oil sprayers are considered superior since they don't contain any potentially harmful propellants. The most common type of container is glass, as it is naturally chemical-free, doesn't absorb smells or flavours, and has an elegant aesthetic.

It is also important to choose the right oil for your air fryer. Avocado oil, grapeseed oil, and peanut oil are good options as they have high smoke points and can handle the high temperatures of air frying without burning. Olive oil, coconut oil, and canola oil have lower smoke points and may not be the best choices for air frying.

By using an essential oil spray bottle in your air fryer, you can avoid the mess and hassle of pouring oil directly onto your food. However, keep in mind that the mist may not always be fine, and you may need to experiment to find the right amount of oil to use.

It's important to use the right type of oil in an air fryer. Avocado, grapeseed, peanut, sunflower, and safflower oil are good options

Choosing the Right Oil for Your Air Fryer

The type of oil you use in your air fryer is important. It depends on a few factors: the food you're cooking, the temperature you're cooking at, and the smoke point of the oil.

The smoke point of an oil is the temperature at which it begins to break down and release harmful compounds. This means you should choose an oil with a smoke point that's higher than the temperature you'll be cooking at.

Best Oils for an Air Fryer

Avocado oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, and safflower oil are all good options for air frying. They have high smoke points and are suitable for a wide range of dishes.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil has a very high smoke point of around 520°F (270-275°C) and a neutral flavour, making it one of the best oils for air frying. It's also rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats.

Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil has a smoke point of around 420-425°F (215-220°C) and a clean, neutral taste, making it a good all-purpose cooking oil.

Peanut Oil

Peanut oil has a pleasant, nutty flavour and a smoke point of around 450°F (230°C). It's commonly used in stir-frying and deep frying, and it's a great option for Asian-inspired dishes.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil has a light flavour and a smoke point of about 450°F (230°C), making it a good choice for a wide range of air fryer meals.

Safflower Oil

Safflower oil has a smoke point of around 470°F (240-245°C), placing it among the high smoke point oils suitable for air frying.

Other Options

Other oils that can be used in an air fryer include olive oil (refined or light olive oil, not extra virgin), clarified butter (ghee), refined coconut oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, and soybean oil.

Tips for Using Oil in an Air Fryer

• You only need a small amount of oil in an air fryer, much less than you would use for deep frying or sautéing in a skillet.
• It's best to add oil directly to the food before placing it into the air fryer basket.
• For breaded foods, spray or brush the food with oil to get even browning and prevent dry spots.
• For delicate foods like asparagus or butternut squash, toss the veggies in a bowl with a little oil before putting them in the air fryer.
• Avoid non-stick cooking sprays like PAM, as they can damage the lining of the air fryer basket. Instead, use a non-aerosol pump-style oil spray or a refillable oil sprayer/mister with a high smoke point oil.

Avoid using non-stick sprays or canola oil sprays in an air fryer as they may not be able to handle the high heat

While air fryers are a great way to cook food quickly and healthily, it's important to remember that not all cooking sprays are suitable for use with them. Air fryers cook at high temperatures, so you need an oil with a high smoke point that can handle the heat without burning.

Non-stick sprays and canola oil sprays may not be able to handle the high heat of an air fryer. Non-stick sprays often contain lecithin, an emulsifier that can build up on your air fryer basket or rack over time, resulting in a sticky spot that is hard to remove and can degrade the coating. Canola oil sprays typically have a smoke point of around 400°F (204°C), which may not be high enough for all air fryer recipes.

To avoid these issues, it is recommended to use an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, or sunflower oil. These oils can handle the high temperatures of an air fryer without burning and will help ensure your food crisps up evenly. You can find these oils in spray bottles or use a refillable oil sprayer to lightly coat your air fryer basket or food with a thin layer of oil.

You can also use a basting brush or a refillable oil sprayer/mister with your favourite oil

Using Oil in an Air Fryer

Basting Brushes, Refillable Sprayers, and Misters

You can use a basting brush or a refillable oil sprayer/mister with your favourite oil when cooking with an air fryer. This is a more economical option than buying pre-filled spray bottles, and allows you to use a wider variety of oils.

Which Oils to Use

It's important to choose an oil with a high smoke point, as this is the temperature at which the oil will start to smoke and burn, which can affect the taste of your food. Oils with high smoke points include avocado oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, and light olive oil.

How Much Oil to Use

You only need a small amount of oil when using an air fryer—a few sprays or a tablespoon will usually suffice, depending on what you're cooking.

When to Use Oil

You should use oil for most frozen foods, and for roasting fresh vegetables. For example, homemade sweet potato fries, air-fried baby carrots, and air fryer potato chips will all benefit from a little oil. You can also use oil when cooking meats that you would usually oil when cooking in the oven, such as chicken.

When Not to Use Oil

You don't need to use oil for most meats, including hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken bites. Frozen foods like sweet potato fries and chicken nuggets usually contain oil already, so you don't need to add more during cooking.

How to Apply Oil

You can put oil directly on the food, or in the air fryer basket. If you're cooking something with a large surface area, like frozen chicken breasts, you might prefer to use a basting brush. For smaller foods, a refillable sprayer or mister is a good option, as this will give an even coating without using too much oil.

Some foods that can be cooked in an air fryer without added oil include hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken bites

Air fryers are a great way to cook food quickly and healthily, as they require minimal oil. While some foods, like frozen foods, don't need any added oil when cooked in an air fryer, a light coating of oil can help ensure your food crisps up evenly and doesn't stick to the basket. You can use an oil sprayer to coat your food with a thin layer of oil. When choosing an oil sprayer, avoid non-stick cooking sprays as they can damage the air fryer basket. Instead, opt for a non-aerosol pump-style oil sprayer or a refillable oil sprayer/mister.

Now, let's look at some foods that can be cooked in an air fryer without added oil, focusing on hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken bites:

Hamburgers

Air fryers are perfect for cooking hamburgers, as they can help you achieve a crispy, browned exterior without the need for deep frying. You can cook hamburgers from fresh or reheat leftover burgers in your air fryer. For the best results, use lean meat and consider using a cooking spray or a light coating of oil to prevent the burgers from sticking and to promote even cooking. Form the meat into patties and season as desired. Place the hamburgers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded, and cook at 375°F to 400°F for 4-6 minutes on each side, depending on your desired doneness.

Hot Dogs

Cooking hot dogs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a crispy exterior without the need for added oil. You can cook fresh or frozen hot dogs, and even reheat leftover hot dogs, in your air fryer. Place the hot dogs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have enough space around them for even cooking. Cook at 350°F for 4-5 minutes, or until the hot dogs are browned and slightly blistered. If desired, you can also toast the hot dog buns in the air fryer for a few minutes.

Chicken Bites

Chicken bites, also known as chicken nuggets or tenders, are a popular choice for cooking in an air fryer. You can cook them from frozen or fresh, and they come out crispy and delicious without the need for deep frying. Place the chicken bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook at 380°F to 400°F for 8-12 minutes, tossing or turning them halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through. You can also spray or brush the chicken bites with a small amount of oil before cooking to promote browning and prevent sticking, but it is not necessary.

So, there you have it! You can cook hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken bites in your air fryer without added oil, but using a small amount of oil or a cooking spray can enhance the flavour and texture of your food. Enjoy experimenting with your air fryer and discovering all the delicious dishes you can create!

Frequently asked questions