Oil Spray In Air Fryers: Safe Or Not?

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy way to cook food. They use hot air circulated around the food to cook it, giving it a crispy texture similar to deep-fried food but with minimal oil. While some foods that are already frozen and contain oil, like chicken nuggets, French fries, and pizza rolls, don't require additional oil, most recipes benefit from a small amount of oil. This gives the food a nice golden colour and keeps it moist during cooking. However, it's important to note that not all oils are suitable for air frying. The type of oil used depends on factors such as the food being cooked, the cooking temperature, and the smoke point of the oil.

When it comes to using oil spray in an air fryer, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is generally recommended to avoid using non-stick cooking sprays like PAM or other aerosol sprays. These sprays can contain chemicals and emulsifiers like soy lecithin that can damage the non-stick coating of the air fryer basket or tray. Instead, it is advisable to use a non-aerosol pump-style oil spray or a refillable oil sprayer/mister filled with a high smoke point oil like avocado oil, peanut oil, or sunflower oil. These options allow for better control over the amount of oil used and prevent potential damage to the air fryer's surface.

Cooking spray can damage the air fryer's non-stick coating

Cooking sprays can damage the non-stick coating of an air fryer. This is because they often contain soy lecithin, an emulsifier that is less stable than high smoke point oils. At high temperatures, lecithin will deteriorate, potentially ruining the surface of the air fryer. Lecithin can also build up on the air fryer's surface, resulting in a sticky spot that is hard to remove and can degrade the coating.

In addition, cooking sprays can negatively impact the taste and look of food in the air fryer, causing discolouration and an off flavour.

To prevent sticking in an air fryer, it is recommended to use a high smoke point oil such as avocado, canola, peanut, sesame, or sunflower oil. A little goes a long way, and these oils can be applied to the air fryer basket using a non-aerosol spray bottle, a silicone brush, or a paper towel.

It is also possible to toss the food itself in a light coating of oil before using the air fryer, ensuring that the oil used has a high smoke point. Other options include using air fryer liners, racks, or trays, or making a foil packet for the food to cook in.

Non-aerosol pump-style oil sprays are safe to use

Air fryers are a fantastic, healthier alternative to deep frying. They use hot air to cook food, and only require a fraction of the oil that would be used in a deep fryer or skillet.

While some foods don't need any oil at all, others benefit from a light coating to give them a nice golden colour and to keep them moist.

So, what's the best way to add oil to your air fryer?

Non-aerosol pump-style oil sprays are a great option. These sprays don't contain propellants or chemicals, so they're safe to use on your air fryer basket or racks. You can buy a non-aerosol spray that contains a suitable oil, such as avocado oil, or you can buy a refillable oil sprayer and fill it with your own oil.

If you're using a refillable sprayer, it's important to choose an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, or light olive oil. Oils with a low smoke point, such as flaxseed oil, walnut oil, or butter, are better suited to drizzling over finished dishes.

When using a non-aerosol pump-style oil spray, simply pull out the basket and spray any area that will touch the food. Then, lightly spray your food before placing it in the fryer.

You can also use a non-aerosol spray bottle, a silicone brush, or a pastry brush to apply oil to your food or basket.

It's worth noting that you should avoid using nonstick cooking sprays, as these can damage the lining of your air fryer basket.

Oil helps food retain moisture and build a crispy crust

Oil is an essential ingredient when cooking with an air fryer. While air fryers are marketed as a healthier alternative to deep frying, using a small amount of oil can go a long way in keeping your food moist and providing a crispy crust.

Air fryers cook food by circulating hot air around it. This method of cooking can often dry out the food, so oil helps to retain moisture. Oil also helps to create a crispy, golden crust, similar to deep-fried food.

When using oil in an air fryer, it is best to lightly coat the food itself with oil rather than the air fryer basket. This is because cooking sprays can damage the non-stick coating of the air fryer. The lecithin in cooking sprays can build up and cause sticking, staining, and even ruin the non-stick surface. Instead, use a non-aerosol spray bottle, a silicone brush, or a paper towel to apply oil to your food.

It is also important to choose an oil with a high smoke point, as the temperature in an air fryer can get very high. Avocado oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, and light olive oil are all examples of oils with high smoke points.

By using a small amount of oil with a high smoke point, you can ensure that your food comes out moist and crispy, without damaging your air fryer.

Oil the food, not the pan

While air fryers don't always require the use of oil, it can be beneficial to add a small amount to keep your food moist and provide a golden brown colour. However, it's important to note that you should not spray the air fryer basket or racks with cooking spray as it can damage the non-stick coating. So, how should you go about adding oil to your air fryer?

Firstly, it's important to choose the right type of oil. High smoke point oils, such as avocado oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, and light olive oil, are ideal for air frying as they have a higher smoke point than the temperature of the air fryer. This means they won't burn and affect the taste of your food.

When it comes to adding oil to your air fryer, the best approach is to oil your food, not the pan. You can do this by tossing your food in a bowl with a few teaspoons of oil and seasoning before placing it in the air fryer. This method is ideal for cooking fresh meats and vegetables. Alternatively, you can use a brush to coat your food with oil, or use a non-aerosol spray bottle to lightly coat your food.

If you're worried about your food sticking to the air fryer, there are a few other options to try. You can use air fryer liners, such as disposable parchment paper liners or reusable silicone liners, which don't require the use of oil. Another option is to use metal racks or trays that keep your food elevated, preventing it from touching the bottom of the basket.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you're using oil correctly in your air fryer, resulting in delicious and crispy food without damaging your appliance.

High smoke point oils are best

When using an air fryer, it's important to consider the smoke point of the oil you're using. The smoke point is the temperature at which an oil begins to break down and emit smoke. When an oil reaches its smoke point, it undergoes a chemical breakdown that releases gas and other byproducts, which can cause the oil to develop an undesirable burnt flavour. This can affect the taste of your food.

Therefore, it's best to use oils with a higher smoke point than the temperature you are cooking at. Avocado oil, for example, has a very high smoke point of 520°F, making it one of the best oils to use in an air fryer. Other high smoke point oils include peanut oil, sunflower oil, and light olive oil.

If you use a low smoke point oil, such as flaxseed oil or walnut oil, it will start smoking before you reach your desired temperature, affecting the taste of your food. Low smoke point oils are better suited for drizzling over finished dishes or making salad dressings.

When using oil in an air fryer, it's also important to use a small amount. Air fryers require a fraction of the amount of oil used in deep frying or sautéing. You can lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket and food with oil.

Additionally, avoid using nonstick cooking sprays like PAM, as they can damage the lining of the air fryer basket. Instead, opt for a non-aerosol pump-style oil spray or a refillable oil sprayer filled with a high smoke point oil.

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