Air Fryer Cooking: Olive Oil Spray Vs. Liquid Oil

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional frying methods, but they can be tricky to get the hang of. One of the most common questions people ask about air fryers is whether or not you can use olive oil cooking spray. The short answer is yes, you can use olive oil cooking spray in an air fryer, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Firstly, while air fryers don't always require oil, it can help to add a crispy texture to your food. Secondly, it's best to use a non-aerosol, non-stick pump-style oil spray with no propellants or additives, as these can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer. Finally, it's important to choose an oil with a high smoke point, as low smoke point oils can burn at high temperatures and affect the taste of your food.

Olive oil cooking spray is safe to use in an air fryer

If you want to use olive oil in your air fryer, it is best to choose a refined olive oil, also known as light or extra light olive oil, as it has a higher smoke point than other types of olive oil. Light olive oil has a smoke point of around 465°F, while extra virgin olive oil has a smoke point of around 375°F to 410°F, which is lower than the ideal temperature for air frying. Using an oil with a low smoke point can cause it to burn and affect the flavour of your food.

To use olive oil in an air fryer, it is recommended to spray it directly onto the food before placing it in the air fryer, rather than spraying it onto the pan. This is because the air fryer's hot air circulation can be disrupted by excess oil, affecting its efficiency. Additionally, most foods do not stick to the pan in an air fryer, so oil is often not necessary. If you do need to oil the pan, you can use a refillable oil sprayer or mister filled with olive oil, or simply drizzle the oil onto the pan.

There are also specific olive oil sprays formulated for air fryers, such as the Bertolli Air Fryer Olive Oil Spray, which is designed to provide a fine mist of olive oil and is safe to use on both food and pans. However, when using any type of oil or cooking spray in an air fryer, it is important to use only a small amount, as excess oil can make your food too greasy.

The type of olive oil used in the spray matters

Additionally, when using olive oil in an air fryer, it is recommended to use a non-aerosol spray or a refillable oil sprayer/mister. This is because the propellants and chemicals in aerosol cooking sprays can damage the non-stick coating of the air fryer basket. By using a refillable sprayer, you can fill it with the olive oil of your choice and control the amount and distribution of oil on your food or in the pan. This method allows for a light coating of oil, reducing oil consumption and potentially resulting in healthier meals.

It is worth noting that some people choose to toss their food in a bowl with olive oil and seasonings before placing it in the air fryer, rather than spraying the oil directly onto the food or pan. This ensures an even coating and can be a more efficient way to use olive oil in an air fryer.

When it comes to choosing the right olive oil for your air fryer, it is important to consider the smoke point and the method of application. By selecting an olive oil with a high enough smoke point and using a non-aerosol spray or tossing method, you can safely and effectively use olive oil in your air fryer.

Non-aerosol sprays are better than aerosol sprays

While you can use olive oil in an air fryer, it is not the best option. Extra virgin olive oil has a low smoke point of around 375°F, which can cause it to burn and affect the flavor of your food. Light olive oil, on the other hand, has a higher smoke point of around 465°F, making it more suitable for air frying, but it lacks the robust flavor of extra virgin olive oil.

Non-aerosol sprays, on the other hand, can be filled with pure oils that have high smoke points, such as avocado oil or sunflower oil. Avocado oil, in particular, has a very high smoke point of around 500°F-520°F and a neutral flavor, making it one of the best options for air frying. You can also use a non-aerosol spray bottle, a silicone brush, or a paper towel to lightly coat the basket or your food with oil.

Additionally, non-aerosol sprays are better for even oil distribution, preventing chipping and other damage to the surface of your air fryer. They allow you to spray a small amount of oil and disperse it evenly over the food, resulting in less oil consumption and potentially healthier meals.

Some popular options for non-aerosol spray bottles include the EVO oil sprayer and the Misto oil sprayer, which can be filled with the oil of your choice.

Olive oil cooking spray is not the best option for air frying

While you can use olive oil cooking spray in an air fryer, it's not the best option. This is because extra virgin olive oil has a low smoke point of around 375°F to 410°F, which can cause it to burn and affect the flavor of your food. When using an air fryer, it's best to opt for oils with a higher smoke point, such as avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower oil, to avoid this issue and achieve optimal results.

The smoke point of an oil is the temperature at which it starts to burn and produce smoke. Oils with low smoke points, like olive oil, are better suited for low-temperature cooking methods such as drizzling over finished dishes, making salad dressings, or sautéing. When oil reaches its smoke point, it not only affects the flavor of your food but can also produce harmful substances.

Additionally, cooking sprays containing soy lecithin or other additives can damage the non-stick surface of your air fryer. This is because soy lecithin is an emulsifier that can break down at high temperatures, leaving residue and potentially damaging the air fryer. To avoid this, look for pure oil sprays with high smoke points, such as avocado oil or sunflower oil.

If you want to use olive oil in your air fryer, it is recommended to use light or extra light olive oil, also known as refined olive oil. These types of olive oil have a higher smoke point than extra virgin olive oil, making them better suited for high-temperature cooking in an air fryer. However, even with these types of olive oil, you may not get the same robust flavor that extra virgin olive oil provides.

Other cooking sprays that can be used in an air fryer

While some sources suggest that cooking sprays should not be used in air fryers as they can damage the non-stick coating, others claim that any cooking spray can be used as long as the air fryer is cleaned properly. It is important to note that air fryers function by circulating hot air around the food, so anything that could block or disrupt the flow of air may affect the efficiency of the air fryer.

If you are looking for cooking sprays to use in an air fryer, it is recommended to opt for a high smoke point oil, as this will allow you to use less oil and avoid excess residue. Some examples of cooking sprays with a high smoke point include:

• Avocado oil spray
• Grapeseed oil spray
• Peanut oil spray
• Sunflower oil spray

It is important to note that while olive oil can be used in an air fryer, it has a lower smoke point, which may cause it to burn and affect the flavor of your food. Light olive oil has a higher smoke point, but it may not have the same robust flavor as extra virgin olive oil.

Frequently asked questions