At the time of my first air fryer purchase, I had a lot to learn about its best uses. There was so much it could do, but I wasn’t sure what to put in it that was safe. What’s the best oil for an air fryer? This was one of the biggest questions on my mind. It was important to me that my air fryer did not break, and I did not want to risk a fire.
Cooking food in the Air Fryer is definitely one of my favorite cooking methods. This helpful guide is intended to help all air fryer owners who have also wondered about oil in their air fryers. Take a look at this list of the best oils for air fryers.
Deep Fryer Vs. Air Fryer
Submerging food in hot oil is the way deep fryers cook food. Unlike conventional cooking methods, air fryers circulate hot air around the food.
You can think of an air fryer as a mini convection oven that you keep on your countertop. Heat is circulated more efficiently around your food with its fan, making it nice and crispy. Deep-fried foods have a similar texture to air-fried ones.
With an air fryer, you can get the crisp deep-fried food you crave without using much oil. Before cooking, spray or brush a small amount of oil onto the food using an air fryer. There is a substantial reduction in calories and fat as a result.
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What Are The Best Oils To Use For Air Fryers?
The type of oil you choose should be appropriate for the recipe and temperature at which you are cooking. You can use the following oils in the air fryer.
Refined Coconut Oil- 400°F
Its unique fatty acid composition and potential health benefits have made coconut oil very popular in recent years. Choosing refined coconut oil over unrefined coconut oil for air frying will ensure that the oil’s smoke point is higher.
Aside from the oils listed above, there are many more options to choose from for the air fryer. There are many types of oils that can be used, including safflower oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, and soybean oil.
Grapeseed Oil- 421°F
The oil from grape seeds is a byproduct of winemaking. Grapeseed oil is extracted from the leftover seeds of grapes after they’ve been pressed for wine. As well as being a good source of vitamin E, grapeseed oil is high in unsaturated fats.
With its high smoke point, clean flavor, and high smoke point, this oil is ideal for all types of cooking.
Peanut Oil- 450°F
An oil made from peanuts has a pleasant, nutty flavor and a high smoke point. Fried foods are commonly stir fried or deep fried using it.
Sunflower Oil- 450°F Smoke Point
The sunflower plant produces sunflower oil by pressing its seeds. In addition to being a good source of vitamin E, it also contains unsaturated fats. It has a delicious flavor and a high smoke point, making it a good choice for air frying.
Light Olive Oil- 465-470°F Smoke Point
It is more smoke point-friendly than extra virgin olive oil to use refined olive oil, such as light or extra light olive oil. A “light” product does not necessarily have fewer calories or fat. As opposed to its dark color, light oil has a neutral taste.
Virgin olive oil is converted to light oil through heat after being pressed. Instead of the deep green color found in extra virgin olive oil, it is a golden yellow. Other types of olive oil do not have a longer shelf life and a higher smoke point, as refined olive oil does.
EVOO, which has a smoke point of 320-374°F, is not a good substitute for refined olive oil when using an air fryer. Cooking at 400°F or below allows you to use regular virgin olive oil. There is a smoke point of 410 degrees Fahrenheit for virgin olive oil.
Clarified Butter (Ghee)- 482°F Smoke Point
Clarified butter, also known as ghee, is a common ingredient used in French and Indian cuisines. The term clarified butter refers to butter that has been stripped of its milk solids and water. For air frying, ghee is a great choice instead of butter because it has a high smoke point.
Avocado Oil- 520°F Smoke Point
You should use oil in your air fryer if you want a great result. Additionally, it has a neutral taste and is rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, as well as a high smoke point.
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FAQs
How should I put oil in my air fryer?
Make sure that you put it on whatever you intend to air fry before you put it in the basket. You should first mix oil and seasonings with the main ingredient before making homemade French fries or chicken breast. After the seasoned and oiled food is placed in the basket, it can be placed safely.
Is there a smoking point for oil?
Fats and oils have smoking points, which are the temperatures when they start to smoke when heated. There are different levels of heat at which different oils will start to smoke.
In order to make it easier for you when using the air fryer, we have created a handy list below. While almost any oil can be used in the Air Fryer, it’s important to pick the right oil for the recipe you’re about to prepare.
Is it okay to use PAM cooking spray on an air fryer?
Despite what some may think, I actually appreciate PAM cooking spray. It is important to use PAM at the right time and place, and certain oil sprays may not be suitable for your Air Fryer basket.
Non stick surfaces should never be sprayed with cooking spray since it can leave a gummy, sticky surface, ruining the non stick properties. There is also a PAM version without soy lecithin that you can use.
Is olive oil suitable for use in an air fryer?
The answer is yes. Although you may have heard otherwise, extra virgin olive oil can indeed be used in an air fryer. Olive oil’s low smoking point, however, makes it best to use it only in recipes below 375 degrees Fahrenheit due to its low smoking point.
For my Air Fryer recipes, I use extra virgin olive oil since most of them are done at 375 degrees or below.
DO I need to use an oil sprayer for the air fryer?
That’s right! A non-aerosal oil sprayer is an excellent way for me to use my favorite oils. Cooking in the air fryer with fresh oils is a great way to use your favorite flavors.
The list of oils and their smoke points is intended to provide you with some information about them. Air frying doesn’t require much oil, but knowing what oils to use for your recipes when a little more oil is needed is important.