Coating Oil-Fried Items: Air Fryer Techniques And Tips

Air fryers have become increasingly popular due to their versatility and ability to produce healthier, cheaper, and crispier food compared to deep fryers. While air fryers can be used without oil, a small amount of oil can enhance the flavour and texture of your food. However, it is important to consider the type of oil, the smoke point of the oil, and the temperature at which you are cooking.

Should you use oil in an air fryer?

Air fryers are a healthier and cheaper alternative to deep fryers. They work by circulating hot air around the food, producing similar results to deep fryers but with less oil.

The role of oil in cooking

Cooking oil lets food cook at higher temperatures than water and distributes heat faster. It adds flavour and depth to food, and locks in moisture, resulting in a juicy bite.

The role of oil in an air fryer

You don't need to use oil in an air fryer in the same way as you would for deep frying, and definitely not in the same quantities. However, a small amount of oil can keep your food moist and provide a golden brown colour.

When choosing an oil, consider the smoke point (the temperature at which the oil begins to smoke), the food you are cooking, and the temperature you are cooking at. Avocado oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil are good options for air frying as they have high smoke points. Extra virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point, so it's best used for recipes under 375°F.

How to use oil in an air fryer

• Toss your food in a few teaspoons of oil and seasoning before putting it in the air fryer. This works well for fresh meats and vegetables.
• For breaded foods, spray the food with oil each time you flip it to ensure an even coat.
• Brush melted butter onto foods that call for it, like hot sandwiches or dough-based recipes.
• Never use non-stick spray as it can damage the air fryer's non-stick coating.
• If you want to spray the air fryer basket with oil, remove the basket and hold the spray bottle a few inches away to avoid getting overspray in the cooking chamber or on the heating element.
• Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure the oil coats the food evenly.

Oil-free alternatives

Air fryers will produce crispy results without oil due to the small space and hot circulating air. If you want extra moisture or crispiness, you can spray your food or the air fryer basket with a little cooking spray.

Pros and cons of using oil in an air fryer

Air fryers have gained popularity as a healthier alternative to deep fryers. While deep fryers use large amounts of cooking oil, air fryers wrap food with hot air circulated by a fan, producing similar results to deep-fried food but with less oil.

Pros:

• Flavor and crispness: Oil adds flavor and depth to food. Highly flavored oils like extra virgin olive oil or peanut oil impart an earthy taste. Oil also helps the exterior of the food achieve a rich brown color and a crispy texture.
• Moisture: Using oil in an air fryer can help keep your food moist, especially when cooking fresh meats and vegetables.
• Non-stick layer: Misting the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil creates a non-stick layer, preventing foods like fish, chicken, or vegetables from sticking to the cooking surface.

Cons:

• Greasy food: Using too much oil can make your food greasy. Frozen foods that already contain oil, like french fries or pizza rolls, may not need additional oil.
• Smoking: Using low-smoke-point oils, such as flaxseed oil, or allowing oil to touch the heating element, can cause smoking and an undesirable finish to your food.
• Fire hazard: Hot oil can be dangerous and pose a fire risk. Always use high-smoke-point oils and follow safety precautions when using oil in an air fryer.

While air fryers can produce crispy results without oil, a small amount of oil can enhance the flavor and texture of your food. It is important to use the correct type of oil and apply it directly to the food or the air fryer basket sparingly to avoid excess grease and smoking.

The best oils for an air fryer

Air fryers are a healthier and cheaper alternative to deep fryers. They work by wrapping food in hot air that circulates with the aid of a fan, similar to convection heating. This produces a similar result to deep-fried food, but with less oil.

When using an air fryer, you should consider the type of food you are cooking, the temperature you are cooking at, and the smoking point of the oil.

Smoke Points

The smoke point of an oil is the temperature at which the oil begins to smoke. This is important because using an oil with a low smoke point can introduce off-flavours and destroy nutrients.

• Avocado Oil – 570°F / 299°C
• Peanut Oil – 450°F / 232°C
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 410°F / 210°C
• Olive Oil – 400°F / 204°C
• Vegetable Oil / Canola Oil – 400°F / 204°C
• Grapeseed Oil – 390°F / 199°C
• Coconut Oil – 350°F / 176°C
• Butter – 250°F / 121°C

Best Oils for an Air Fryer

When choosing an oil for your air fryer, it is best to use one with a high smoke point. Here are some of the best oils to use:

• Avocado Oil: 520-570 degrees F smoke point
• Ghee (clarified butter): 482-485 degrees F smoke point
• Extra Light Olive Oil: 465-470 degrees F smoke point
• Peanut Oil: 450 degrees F smoke point
• Sunflower Oil: 450 degrees F smoke point
• Grapeseed Oil: 420 degrees F smoke point
• Refined Coconut Oil: 400 degrees F smoke point
• Vegetable Oil / Canola Oil: 400 degrees F smoke point

Tips for Using Oil in an Air Fryer

• Unlike pan-frying, add the oil to the food before putting it into the air fryer basket.
• Only add a small amount of oil—enough for a light coat on the food.
• If you are using oil for vegetables, start with ½ teaspoon of oil and toss the raw vegetables before air frying. Add more oil in small increments until the vegetables are lightly coated.
• If you are applying oil to the air fryer basket, use one or two teaspoons of oil and preheat the basket before adding food.
• Do not use non-stick cooking sprays in your air fryer as they can damage the non-stick coating. Instead, use a non-aerosol oil mister with your oil of choice.

How much oil to use in an air fryer

Yes, you can coat items with oil in an air fryer. While air fryers are marketed as a healthier alternative to deep fryers, a small amount of oil can go a long way in keeping your food moist and providing that golden brown colour.

The amount of oil you should use in an air fryer depends on the type of food you are cooking. You can use anywhere from a few sprays to 1 tablespoon of oil. For example, frozen foods such as dumplings and ravioli need a little oil when cooking in an air fryer, otherwise, they will start to get dry. Spray food with about 1 teaspoon of oil using an oil sprayer on all sides. When shaking the basket while cooking, if the food looks too dry, spray a little more oil on it.

For roasting fresh vegetables, place the cut-up vegetables in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of oil and toss together until well coated. Leaving oil out of these dishes can cause food to become dry and possibly even tough.

Most meats do not need oil. If you need oil when cooking a food in the oven, you should use a little oil for the air fryer. For example, you can marinate meat with ingredients such as oil. However, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken bites, and most frozen foods do not need added oil when being air-fried.

How to apply oil to an air fryer

Air fryers are a healthier and more cost-effective alternative to deep fryers. They work by wrapping food in hot air that is circulated with the help of a fan, similar to convection heating. This results in a similar texture to deep-fried food, but without the added oil.

While air fryers do not require oil to cook food, adding a small amount of oil to fresh ingredients can create a crispy layer and enhance the flavour of your dish.

• Use a small amount of oil — Only a few teaspoons of oil are needed to coat your food.
• Toss your food in oil — Place your food in a bowl and toss it with a few teaspoons of vegetable oil, olive oil, or another oil of your choice. You can also add seasoning to your food at this stage.
• Brush oil onto your food — For recipes that call for butter, such as sandwiches or dough-based dishes, use a pastry brush to evenly coat your food with melted butter before placing it in the air fryer.
• Use oil spray — You can use an oil spray to coat your food or the air fryer basket with a thin layer of oil. This can help to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
• Do not use cooking spray — Cooking sprays can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer. If you need to use a cooking spray, spray it directly onto your food rather than the air fryer basket.
• Do not pour oil into the air fryer pan — Oil should only be added directly to your food, not to the pan of the air fryer.
• Use the correct type of oil — Avoid using cold-pressed oils, as these will burn at high temperatures. Instead, opt for oils with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or canola oil.
• Preheat the air fryer — Preheat your air fryer before placing oiled food inside to ensure the oil does not make your food greasy or soggy.
• Shake the air fryer basket — Shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure the oil is evenly distributed over your food.

Frequently asked questions