Air Fryer Oil: What You Need To Know

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, offering a healthier alternative to deep-fat frying. But can you use oil in an air fryer? The answer is yes, you can use oil in an air fryer, but it's important to use the right type of oil and the correct amount. Oils with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, sesame oil, or grapeseed oil, are recommended. A light coating of oil can help create a crispy texture and enhance the taste of your food. However, it's important to note that air fryers do not require oil to function, and some pre-fried frozen foods may not need any additional oil.

How much oil to use in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook food without using too much oil. However, a small amount of oil can go a long way in keeping your food moist and providing a golden brown colour.

Most manufacturers recommend adding 5 ml to 30 ml of oil when cooking with an air fryer. This is because oils store and transmit heat better than other types of fat, allowing you to fry food quickly and evenly.

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.

For fresh meats and vegetables, toss the food in a few teaspoons of vegetable oil or olive oil along with your seasoning before putting it in the air fryer.

For recipes that call for butter, like hot sandwiches or anything that incorporates dough, use a pastry brush to ensure you're evenly coating your food before cooking in the air fryer.

When using an air fryer, avoid cooking sprays as they can damage the air fryer's non-stick coating and make the pan unsafe for use. If you need to use a cooking spray, spray the food directly before turning on the air fryer.

When to add oil to an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to reduce the amount of oil used for cooking. However, adding a small amount of oil can help keep your food moist and provide a golden brown colour. Here are some tips on when to add oil to your air fryer:

Preparing the food

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. Do this in a separate bowl before transferring the food to the air fryer basket.

Type of food

The type of food you are cooking will determine whether you need to add oil to your air fryer. Frozen foods, such as frozen fries, pizza rolls, or other high-calorie frozen foods, already contain oil, so adding more is rarely needed. For fresh meats and vegetables, a light coating of oil can help keep them moist and promote browning.

Non-stick basket

If you are worried about your food sticking to the air fryer basket, you can add a small amount of oil to the basket before adding your food. However, if you are using a cooking spray, avoid spraying it directly onto the basket as this can damage the non-stick coating. Instead, spray it directly onto the food before turning on the air fryer.

Recipes with butter

If you are making a recipe that calls for butter, such as hot sandwiches or dough-based dishes, use a pastry brush to evenly coat your food with melted butter before cooking in the air fryer.

Amount of oil

Most manufacturers recommend adding 5 ml to 30 ml of oil when cooking with an air fryer. This amount can help promote even cooking and faster frying without making your food too greasy.

Type of oil

The type of oil you choose can depend on the taste you want to achieve. Some oils, such as deodorized avocado oil, organic virgin sesame oil, and grapeseed oil, are neutral in taste and suitable for spicy or strong-flavoured recipes. Other oils, like extra virgin olive oil and organic cooking sunflower oil, have a stronger taste and can enhance the flavour of milder foods.

The best oils for an air fryer

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook food quickly and healthily. While air fryers don't require oil in the same way as deep frying, a small amount of oil can help keep your food moist and give it a golden colour.

When choosing an oil for your air fryer, you should consider the smoke point of the oil and the temperature you will be cooking at. The smoke point is the temperature at which the oil begins to break down and emit smoke. If the oil reaches its smoke point, it will affect the taste of your food. Therefore, it's best to use an oil with a higher smoke point than the temperature you are cooking at.

• Avocado oil has a very high smoke point of around 520°F (271.1°C or 570°F, according to another source) and a neutral flavour.
• Ghee (clarified butter) has a smoke point of 482°F or 485°F, according to different sources. It is commonly used in French and Indian cuisine.
• Light olive oil has a smoke point of 465°F-470°F. It has a neutral flavour and is produced using heat after the first pressing of virgin oil from olives.
• Sunflower oil has a smoke point of 450°F and is rich in vitamin E and unsaturated fats. It has a light flavour, making it a good option for air frying.
• Peanut oil has a pleasant nutty flavour and a high smoke point. It is commonly used in stir-frying and deep frying.
• Grapeseed oil has a smoke point of 420°F-421°F and is a byproduct of winemaking. It has a clean taste, making it a good all-purpose cooking oil.
• Refined coconut oil has a smoke point of 400°F. It is important to choose refined coconut oil over unrefined, which has a low smoke point of 350°F.
• Vegetable oil has a smoke point of 400°F.

Some other options include safflower oil, canola oil, and soybean oil.

Oil alternatives for an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook food without using a lot of oil. However, a small amount of oil can help keep your food moist and provide a golden brown colour.

If you are looking for alternatives to oil in your air fryer, here are some options:

• Non-stick cooking spray - Look for a cooking spray that is low in saturated fats and free of unhealthy chemicals. Avoid aerosol sprays as they can damage the air fryer basket's non-stick coating.
• Brush with oil - You can brush the air fryer basket and food with a small amount of oil using a pastry brush. This method is suitable for cooking fresh meats and vegetables.
• Toss food in oil - Before placing food in the air fryer, toss it with a few teaspoons of vegetable oil or olive oil in a bowl.
• Spray oil - Using spray oil is a great way to use minimal oil while still achieving that fried taste and texture.
• No oil - Oil is not always necessary, especially for frozen foods that already contain oil, such as frozen fries, pizza rolls, or other high-calorie frozen foods.

Some specific oil alternatives include:

• Apple cider vinegar - It has a high smoke point and a mild flavour, making it suitable for both sweet and savoury dishes.
• Lemon juice - Lemon juice has a high smoke point and a strong flavour, perfect for savoury dishes. It is also a healthy option, containing vitamin C.
• Ghee - Ghee, or clarified butter, is commonly used in French and Indian cuisine. It has a high smoke point, making it suitable for air frying.
• Vegetable shortening - Vegetable shortening has a high smoke point and a neutral flavour, making it a good option for both sweet and savoury dishes.

Remember, when choosing an oil or alternative, consider the smoke point, flavour, and how it will pair with your food.

Oil and an air fryer's non-stick coating

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many amateur chefs adopting them as their go-to kitchen appliance. They are versatile, allowing you to bake, dehydrate, broil, air fry, roast, and more. One of the biggest sources of confusion for new air fryer users is whether or not to use oil, and if so, how much and where to use it.

Firstly, it is important to note that you should never pour oil directly into the pan of an air fryer. The oil should only be added to the ingredients themselves. This is because the cooking chamber of an air fryer is small and reaches very high temperatures, similar to a deep fryer. Adding oil directly to the pan can damage the air fryer's non-stick coating and make it unsafe for use.

When preparing ingredients such as freshly peeled potatoes or chicken, adding a small amount of oil can create a crispy layer and enhance the flavour of your dish. It is generally recommended to use between 5 ml and 30 ml of oil when cooking with an air fryer. Oils are exceptionally effective in an air fryer as they store and transmit heat better than other types of fat, resulting in faster cooking times.

To add oil to your ingredients, use a bowl to toss your food in a few teaspoons of vegetable oil or olive oil, along with your seasoning, before placing it in the air fryer. This method works well for fresh meats and vegetables. For larger ingredients, such as drumsticks or meat, lightly brush oil onto the outside or use an oil spray to create a single layer. Avoid using excess oil, as it will drip into the pan during the cooking process.

In summary, while air fryers do not require oil to cook food, adding a small amount of oil to your ingredients can improve the taste and texture of your dish. Always remember to add oil to your ingredients in a separate bowl and never directly into the air fryer's pan to avoid damaging its non-stick coating.

Frequently asked questions