Air Fryer Oil Usage: What You Need To Know

Air fryers are a versatile appliance that can bake, dehydrate, broil, air fry, roast, and more. A common question surrounding air fryers is whether or not you can put oil in them. The answer is yes, you can put oil in an air fryer. However, the amount and type of oil you use may vary depending on the food you are cooking. For example, frozen foods and meats typically do not need oil, while roasted vegetables may require a light coating of oil or butter to prevent them from drying out. It is important to note that you should not use cooking sprays like PAM in an air fryer, as they can damage the non-stick coating. Instead, use oil misters or basting brushes to apply oil directly to the food before placing it in the air fryer.

How much oil to use in an air fryer

The amount of oil you should use in an air fryer depends on the type of food you are cooking. While air frying, you can use anywhere from a few sprays to 1 tablespoon of oil.

Oil Placement

Place the oil on the food, not in the basket. For fresh meats and vegetables, toss your food in a few teaspoons of oil and seasoning in a bowl before putting it in the air fryer. For recipes that call for butter, use a pastry brush to coat your foods before cooking in the air fryer.

Oil Type

You can use any oil in an air fryer that you can use in an oven, such as vegetable oil, olive oil, coconut oil, or canola oil. However, avoid using butter or delicate cold-pressed oils, as these are likely to burn and smoke.

Foods That Don't Need Oil

Some foods do not need oil, such as most frozen foods, meats, and foods that already contain oil (e.g. frozen fries, pizza rolls). For these foods, the addition of oil can make them too greasy.

Foods That Need Oil

On the other hand, certain foods will become dry without a little oil, such as frozen dumplings, air-fried ravioli, and roasted vegetables. Spray these foods with about 1 teaspoon of oil using an oil sprayer on all sides, adding more if they look too dry during cooking.

Where to put oil in an air fryer

When using an air fryer, you don't need to add oil to the appliance itself. Instead, you should add oil to your food before placing it in the air fryer. This is different from cooking in a pan, where you would typically add oil to the pan first.

To add oil to your food, place your food in a bowl and toss it with a few teaspoons of vegetable oil or olive oil, along with your desired seasoning. This method works best for cooking fresh meats and vegetables. For foods that call for butter, such as sandwiches or dough-based recipes, use a pastry brush to ensure an even coating.

If you are cooking breaded foods like chicken tenders, you can use a cooking spray, but only spray the food directly, not the air fryer basket. This is because cooking sprays can damage the air fryer's non-stick coating, making it unsafe for use.

Some foods, like frozen fries, pizza rolls, or other frozen foods, already contain oil, so adding more can make them too greasy.

Which oils are best for an air fryer

When it comes to choosing the best oil for your air fryer, there are a few factors to consider: the food you're cooking, the temperature you're cooking at, and the smoke point of the oil.

Firstly, it's important to note that not all foods require oil when cooked in an air fryer. Frozen foods like chicken nuggets, French fries, and pizza rolls, for instance, already contain oil, so adding more is unnecessary. However, a light coating of oil can enhance the colour and moisture of certain foods.

The type of oil you use is important. Oils with high smoke points are best suited for air frying, as they can withstand high temperatures without burning and imparting an undesirable flavour to your food. Here are some examples of oils with high smoke points:

• Avocado oil: With a smoke point of 520°F, avocado oil is an excellent choice for air frying due to its high smoke point and neutral flavour. It's also rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats.
• Peanut oil: Peanut oil has a pleasant nutty flavour and a high smoke point, making it ideal for stir-frying and deep-frying.
• Sunflower oil: Pressed from sunflower seeds, sunflower oil has a smoke point of 450°F. It's rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fats and has a light flavour, making it suitable for air frying.
• Grapeseed oil: With a smoke point of 421°F, grapeseed oil is a good all-purpose cooking oil with a high smoke point and clean taste. It's also a byproduct of winemaking, making it a sustainable choice.
• Refined coconut oil: While coconut oil has gained popularity for its unique fatty acid composition and potential health benefits, it's important to choose refined coconut oil for air frying, as unrefined coconut oil has a low smoke point of 350°F.
• Light olive oil: Refined olive oil, also known as light or extra light olive oil, has a higher smoke point (465-470°F) than extra virgin olive oil. It has a neutral flavour and a lighter colour, making it a good choice for air frying.
• Clarified butter (Ghee): With a smoke point of 482°F, clarified butter, also known as ghee, is commonly used in French and Indian cuisine. It's a great option for air frying as it has a high smoke point, unlike regular butter.

In addition to these options, there are several other oils you can use in your air fryer, such as safflower oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, and soybean oil.

When using oil in your air fryer, it's recommended to lightly spray or brush it onto your food or the air fryer basket. You can also toss your food with oil before placing it in the air fryer, especially when cooking breaded foods or sticky items like salmon with skin.

Can you use cooking spray in an air fryer?

Air fryers are a great way to cook food without using large amounts of oil. However, it can be confusing to know when, if at all, oil should be used. While it is not necessary to add oil to your air fryer, a small amount can enhance the taste and texture of your food.

Non-stick coating

The air fryer's non-stick coating is essential as it helps crisp up your food and allows it to release cleanly for flipping and serving. Using cooking spray can damage this non-stick coating, resulting in sticky spots that are hard to remove and can degrade the surface.

Soy lecithin

Cooking sprays such as Pam often include soy lecithin, an emulsifier, which is less stable than high smoke point oils. At high temperatures, soy lecithin will deteriorate and can gunk up your equipment, potentially ruining the surface.

Discolouration and off-flavours

Cooking sprays can also negatively impact the taste and appearance of your food. They can cause discolouration and produce a slightly off-flavour.

Alternatives to cooking spray

Instead of using cooking spray, you can lightly coat your food with a high smoke point oil such as avocado, canola, peanut, sesame, or sunflower oil. You can also use ghee (clarified butter). Alternatively, you can use air fryer liners, racks, or trays to prevent food from sticking.

Do you need to use oil for all foods?

Air fryers are a great way to cook food without using much oil. However, some foods may benefit from a light coating of oil to keep them moist and provide a golden brown colour. The type of food being cooked is a key factor in deciding whether to use oil or not. For example, frozen foods like french fries, pizza rolls, or other high-calorie frozen foods do not need additional oil as they already contain oil. On the other hand, fresh meats and vegetables can benefit from a light coating of oil before being placed in the air fryer.

When using oil in an air fryer, it is important to note that only a small amount is needed. A few teaspoons of vegetable oil or olive oil are usually sufficient. It is recommended to toss the food in a bowl with the oil and seasoning before placing it in the air fryer. This ensures that the oil and seasoning are evenly distributed. Additionally, if a recipe calls for butter, it is best to use a pastry brush to coat the food evenly.

It is important to never use non-stick spray in an air fryer as it can damage the non-stick coating of the appliance. If a cooking spray is needed, such as when cooking breaded foods, only spray the food directly and not the basket of the air fryer.

Some people choose to use oil spray or olive oil spray in their air fryers, especially for foods they want to be crispy. This can be a good alternative to using oil, but it is important to ensure that the spray does not contain propellants, as some people are concerned about their environmental impact.

In conclusion, whether or not to use oil in an air fryer depends on the type of food being cooked. Some foods, like frozen processed foods, do not need additional oil, while others, like fresh meats and vegetables, can benefit from a light coating of oil. Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference and the desired outcome of the cooked food.

Frequently asked questions