Air Fryer Oil Filling: Safe Or Not?

Air fryers have become increasingly popular as a healthier and cheaper alternative to deep fryers. While air fryers don't require oil to produce great results, a little goes a long way in improving the texture and flavour of food. Air fryers work by convection heating, with a heating element and a fan located at the top of the cooking chamber, which circulates heat around the food. This means that, unlike deep fryers, oil is applied directly to the food, not the basket. A small amount of oil can help keep food moist and provide a golden brown colour. However, it's important to note that you should never use non-stick spray in an air fryer as it can damage the non-stick coating.

Should you use oil in an air fryer?

Air fryers are a healthier and cheaper alternative to deep fryers. They work by convection heating, with hot air circulating around the food with the aid of a fan. This means that, unlike deep fryers, air fryers do not require oil to cook food.

However, adding a small amount of oil to your ingredients can improve the taste and texture of your food. For example, a light coating of oil can help to brown meat and prevent it from drying out. Similarly, roasted vegetables can become dry and tough without a little oil or butter.

If you want to add oil to your air fryer, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, never pour oil directly into the pan of the air fryer. Instead, add oil to your ingredients before placing them in the air fryer. You can also spray or brush oil onto larger ingredients, such as drumsticks or meat, but be sure to only use one layer as excess oil will drip into the pan.

It is also important to consider the type of oil you are using. Avoid 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.

While air fryers do not require oil, using a small amount can enhance the flavour and texture of your food. However, be sure to follow the safety precautions outlined in your user manual and always use oil responsibly when cooking.

How much oil should you use in an air fryer?

Air fryers are a healthier, cheaper, and more versatile alternative to deep fryers. They work by circulating hot air with the aid of a fan, similar to convection heating. This means that, unlike deep frying, air frying does not require oil to cook food. However, adding a small amount of oil can improve the taste and texture of your food.

Most manufacturers recommend adding 5 ml to 30 ml of oil when cooking with an air fryer. This is significantly less than the amount of oil used in deep frying. When preparing vegetables or foods that contain little or no fat, it is best to coat the food with a thin layer of oil. This can be done by tossing the food in a bowl with a few teaspoons of oil before placing it in the air fryer. Alternatively, you can use a spray bottle to mist the air fryer basket or rack with a light coating of oil.

It is important to note that you should never pour oil directly into the pan of the air fryer. This can damage the non-stick coating and make the pan unsafe for use. Instead, always add oil directly to the food or to the basket before adding the food.

Types of Oil to Use

When choosing an oil for your air fryer, it is important to consider the smoke point of the oil. The smoke point is the temperature at which the oil begins to smoke. You should use an oil with a higher smoke point than the temperature you are cooking at. Some oils with high smoke points include vegetable oil, canola oil, and avocado oil.

In addition to the smoke point, you may also want to consider the flavour of the oil. Some oils, such as extra virgin olive oil and peanut oil, have a strong flavour that can add depth to your dish. Other oils, such as deodorized avocado oil and grapeseed oil, are neutral in flavour and will not affect the taste of your food.

Where should you put oil in an air fryer?

Air fryers are versatile appliances that can cook food with little to no oil, making them a healthier alternative to deep frying. While air fryers do not require oil to cook food, adding a small amount of oil to fresh ingredients can improve the taste and texture of your dish.

When using an air fryer, it is important to note that you should never pour oil directly into the pan of the air fryer. Instead, add oil directly to the ingredients you are preparing. For example, when cooking freshly peeled potatoes or chicken, you can add half a tablespoon of oil to a bowl, mix the ingredients until they are coated, and then place them in the air fryer basket.

For larger ingredients, such as drumsticks or meat, it is recommended to lightly brush oil onto the outside of the food or use an oil spray. Only coat the food with a single layer of oil, as excess oil will drip into the pan during the cooking process.

If you are cooking homemade breaded dishes, you can add oil to the breadcrumbs by mixing it in or spraying/brushing it onto the coat of breadcrumbs. Alternatively, you can marinate meat or poultry instead of adding oil directly.

When preparing vegetables or foods with little to no fat, it is best to remove moisture from the surface before coating them with oil. The entire surface of the food should be covered with a thin layer of oil, but this should be done in a separate bowl before transferring the food to the air fryer basket.

However, when cooking fish fillets, pizza, or chicken cutlets, it is recommended to pour the oil into the bottom of the air fryer basket.

It is important to use the right type of oil in your air fryer. Avoid using butter or cold-pressed oils, as these are likely to burn at high temperatures. Instead, opt for grilling, baking, roasting, or frying oils, or even animal fat.

What types of oil can you use in an air fryer?

Air fryers are a great way to cook food quickly and conveniently. While they don't require the use of oil, adding a small amount can improve the taste and texture of your food. When choosing an oil for your air fryer, consider the type of food you're cooking, the temperature you're cooking at, and the smoke point of the oil.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil has a very high smoke point of around 520°F to 570°F, making it suitable for most air fryer recipes. It also has a neutral flavour and is rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats.

Light/Refined Olive Oil

Light or refined olive oil has a higher smoke point than extra virgin olive oil, typically ranging from 465°F to 470°F. It has a neutral flavour and a lighter colour than extra virgin olive oil.

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is a good choice for air frying due to its light flavour and high smoke point of 450°F. It is also rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fats.

Peanut Oil

Peanut oil has a pleasant, nutty flavour and a high smoke point of 450°F. It is commonly used in stir-frying and deep-frying.

Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil has a smoke point of around 420°F to 421°F and a clean taste, making it a good all-purpose cooking oil. It is also a good source of vitamin E and unsaturated fats.

Refined Coconut Oil

When using coconut oil in an air fryer, opt for refined coconut oil, which has a smoke point of 400°F. Unrefined coconut oil has a lower smoke point and may burn at high temperatures.

Other oils that can be used in an air fryer include soybean oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, and extra virgin olive oil (for recipes cooked at 400°F or lower).

When using oil in an air fryer, it is important to note that you should not pour oil directly into the pan. Instead, lightly coat or spray your food with oil before placing it in the air fryer. This will ensure your food cooks evenly and doesn't stick to the air fryer surface.

What foods should you not use oil for in an air fryer?

Air fryers are a great way to cook food without using large amounts of oil. While a small amount of oil can help keep your food moist and give it a golden brown colour, it is not always necessary to use oil in an air fryer. In fact, some foods you cook in an air fryer already contain oil, and adding more can make your food too greasy.

Frozen foods such as french fries, chicken nuggets, pizza rolls, and other high-calorie frozen foods already contain oil, so you don't need to add more.

When preparing vegetables or foods that contain little or no fat, it is best to remove all traces of moisture before coating them with oil. For best results, the entire surface of the food should be covered with a thin layer of oil. However, this should be done in a bowl first, not in the air fryer basket.

If you are cooking a fish fillet, pizza, or chicken cutlet, the oil should be poured into the bottom of the basket.

You can use any kind of grilling, baking, roasting, or frying oil in your air fryer, as well as animal fat. However, you should avoid using butter or cold-pressed oils, as these are likely to burn at high temperatures.

Frequently asked questions