While air fryers have only been around for a short period of time, they have exploded in popularity pretty quickly. Not only are they a healthier and cheaper alternative to deep fryers, but people are also discovering how versatile they are.
Air fryers don’t just air fry; they bake, reheat food, and do so much more. But can you put oil in an air fryer? If so, why would you want to?
Today, we’ll look at adding oil to air fryers. Can it be done? Why do some people do it? Is it beneficial? Along with looking into this culinary conundrum, we will also look at delicious air fryer recipes to try.
Jump to:
- What Are Air Fryers?
- Types of Air Fryers
- The Role of Oil in Cooking
- Can You Put Oil in an Air Fryer?
- The Dos and Dont’s of Using Oil in an Air Fryer
- How To Use Pam Cooking Spray When Air Frying
- Oil-Free Alternatives for Air Fryers
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Air Fryer Recipes and Cooking Tips
- To Oil or Not to Oil in an Air Fryer
What Are Air Fryers?
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Air fryers were introduced as a healthier alternative to deep fryers. The concept is simple. While deep fryers use cooking oil during the cooking process, an air fryer wraps food with hot air that circulates with the aid of a fan, similar to convection heating.
So, instead of food being unhealthy from all the added oil, air fryers produce similar crispy results as a deep fryer, only healthier.
Besides being healthier, there are many benefits to cooking with an air fryer. They are safer, don’t emit much ambient heat, and produce delicious food. Air fryers are also cheaper to operate and have fast cooking times.
Air Fryer Misconceptions and Myths
They are a great addition to any kitchen, and once you discover the multiple cooking methods you can use them for, they will soon become your go-to kitchen appliance. That said, there are a couple of misconceptions and preconceived notions about air fryers that should be clarified.
1. Air fryers fry food.
Air fryers work by convection heating, not actual frying. A heating element and a fan are located at the top of the cooking chamber, which circulates heat around the food. The small space allows the air fryer to heat up faster and, consequently, cook the food in less time.
2. Air fryers are only for fatty foods.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. Air fryers can cook just about everything you can put into them. I often air fry vegetables, starches, and even fish.
3. The more accessories you get, the better.
Although I love and often use multiple air fryer accessories, this is just not true. A lot of the time, less is more. A simple toaster oven or classic-style air fryer can do more than you think. Plus, it will be less intimidating to use, so you’ll have more fun experimenting with it.
Types of Air Fryers
- Single basket style
- Dual basket style
- Toaster oven style
There are also accessories you can purchase, like a rotisserie basket, dehydrator rack, or vegetable rack.
Each type of air fryer has a wide array of functions, but the dual basket has perhaps the most options available. You can use two different cooking methods simultaneously at different temperatures, and the food gets cooked at the same time.
Ninja DZ201 Foodi DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer on Amazon
I enjoy using the toaster oven style because it also allows me to dehydrate, bake, and cook bigger items like a whole chicken. Plus, there is plenty of room for a whole chicken or turkey.
Size is a big factor in air fryer design that range from one to over six quarts. An air fryer with a three to four quarts capacity is about average for four to six people.
Buying the correct size is important because you don’t want to overcrowd an air fryer (hot air cannot flow properly). On the other hand, if your air fryer is undersized, you will have to cook in multiple batches.
The Role of Oil in Cooking
The role of cooking oil in cooking is that it lets food cook at higher temperatures than water allows. It also distributes heat faster and adds flavor and depth to food. Cooking oil provides food with a crispy finish while locking in moisture, resulting in a juicy bite.
There are many types of cooking oils, each with its own distinct properties and flavor. Other than flavor, one key feature to consider is their smoke point.
The smoke point is the point when the oil begins to smoke. This is important to know when cooking because you want to use an oil with a higher smoke point than the temperature you are cooking at.
Using an oil with a low smoking point introduces off flavors and destroys nutrients. Let’s look at different cooking oils and their smoke points.
Cooking Oil Smoke Points
- Avocado Oil – 570°F / 299°C
- Peanut Oil – 450°F / 232°C
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 410°F / 210°C
- Olive Oil-400°F/204°C
- Vegetable Oil / Canola Oil – 400°F / 204°C
- Grapeseed Oil - 390°F/199°C
- Coconut Oil – 350°F / 176°C
- Butter – 250°F / 121°C
While clarified butter is a popular fat to use for pan frying, it has a low smoke point and should be avoided for deep frying or air frying. The most common cooking oils to use for any type of frying are very high smoke point oils like vegetable oil and canola oil.
The higher smoke point oils are perfect for air fryer temperatures up to 400°F. What’s more, they have a neutral flavor, which allows the natural flavor of the food to be the star.
As mentioned, the best oils, like peanut oil, add flavor and depth to food. This type of oil adds great flavor to French fries, but many restaurants shy away from using it for the safety of those with nut allergies.
Extra virgin olive oil imparts great flavor to fried foods, but refined olive oil is expensive. As such, most restaurants stick to vegetable oil or canola oil for frying.
Cooking oils produce a signature crispy skin, which is why cooks use them for frying. Pam cooking spray produces similar results, but you have to apply the spray directly to the food, which is where the air fryer shines.
Related: How to Reheat Fries in Air Fryer
Can You Put Oil in an Air Fryer?
So, can you put in an air fryer? If so, how much oil should you use? Cooking oils and sprays can be used in an air fryer, but unlike when deep frying, the oil is applied directly to the food. You can also apply a thin layer with a spray bottle in the air fryer basket.
Pros and Cons of Using Oil in an Air Fryer
As with anything culinary-based, there are benefits and drawbacks to using oil in an air fryer. The first consideration is what type of food you’re cooking. Other than that, you’d also want to keep in mind the results you are trying to achieve.
Pros:
- Flavor
Flavor is one of the main reasons to use oil in the first place. Highly flavored oils like extra virgin olive oil or peanut oil add depth and earthy flavor to food.
- Texture
Adding oil to an air fryer or to your food before you air fry it will allow the exterior of the food to form a rich brown color and provide crispness. Putting the oil in the air fryer basket will keep your food moist and add a subtle hint of flavor to it.
- Non-Stick
Misting your air fryer basket or rack with a light spray of cooking spray or cooking oil will create a non-stick layer so your food will not stick. This works well with fish, chicken, vegetables, or other foods that tend to stick to the cooking grate or basket.
Cons:
- Smoke
Using low-smoke point oils like flaxseed oil or using too much oil will cause smoking and an undesired finish to your food.
- Excess Calories
While adding oil does add calories to food, you only need a minimal amount for food in an air fryer, so it’s not a big concern. That’s another win for air fryers!
The Dos and Dont’s of Using Oil in an Air Fryer
Hot oil is dangerous both for the cook and for the potential of fire. As such, there are safety precautions that need to be taken. Here are some dos and don’ts for using oil in an air fryer:
Dos
- Read the user’s manual before adding oil to your air fryer.
- Use a small spray bottle or measuring spoon.
- Use the correct type of oil (with proper smoke point).
- Only use a few sprays in the basket.
- Cook in a well-ventilated area.
Don’ts
- Walk away from the air fryer.
- Overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Allow the cooking oil to touch the heating element.
Since air fryers cook at high temperatures, always use high smoke point oils. Also, make sure the air fryer is clean and dry before adding oil, or you risk excess smoking. Always keep a box of salt or baking soda nearby in case of accidental fire.
If you follow a few simple techniques, the likelihood of fire is extremely low.
How To Use Pam Cooking Spray When Air Frying
Apply Pam cooking spray directly to the food or use a spray bottle to apply cooking oil. Make sure the air fryer is preheated before you place food sprayed with oil in it, or the oil could make the food greasy or even soggy.
If you are using oil for vegetables, measure a ½ teaspoon of oil in a mixing bowl and gently toss the raw vegetables prior to air frying. If the vegetables are still dry after a couple of tosses, add ½ teaspoon more.
Continue adding ½ teaspoon increments until the vegetables are lightly coated.
If you are applying oil to the air fryer basket, measure out one or two teaspoons of oil and apply it to the basket for preheating. That way, when you add the food, both the air fryer and the oil are at the optimum cooking temperature, which will distribute the heat and the aroma evenly.
Common Mistakes When Using Oil in an Air Fryer
- Using lower smoke point oils
- Not preheating the air fryer
- Using too much oil
- Touching the heating element with the oily brush
Oil-Free Alternatives for Air Fryers
Although most manufacturers recommend using a little oil while air frying, it’s unnecessary. Air fryers will produce crispy results without oil because of the small space and hot circulating air.
If you still want that extra moisture or added crispiness, you can spray your food or the air fryer basket with a little bit of cooking spray. You can also look for cooking sprays that are low in saturated fats.
Cleaning and Maintenance
There are a couple of ways to clean air fryers after using oil in them. Soaking the basket in a strong degreaser like Dawn dish soap works great, especially with excess oil buildup. You can clean the inside with a paste made up of three parts water and one part baking soda.
Keeping an air fryer clean extends its life and prevents food buildup. Over time, the food buildup will start to stink and will produce smoke while air frying.
Related: How to Clean Ninja Air Fryer Appliances Without Losing Your Mind
Air Fryer Recipes and Cooking Tips
There are multiple air fryer recipes for both oil and no-oil air frying. You can always try these recipes using both cooking methods to see which one you prefer. The options with air fryers are nearly endless, so have fun!
Cooking Tips
- When spraying the air fryer basket with oil, remove the basket and hold the spray bottle a few inches away before spraying. This keeps overspray from getting into the cooking chamber or the heating element.
- If applying oil or cooking spray directly to the food, make sure the entire surface is coated lightly.
- Use minimal oil.
- Shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking process to make sure the oil coats the food evenly.
Air Fryer Recipes That Use Oil
There are plenty of air fryer recipes that use oil. Some of my favorites are sweet potato chips, air fryer turkey, and boneless pork chops.
Oil-Free Air Fryer Recipes
Of course, you don’t need oil for optimum results in an air fryer. Some examples are French fries, pizza, and cauliflower bites.
For optimum results when using oil in an air fryer, use Pam cooking spray or the healthiest oils, and apply just enough to coat the food. Air-fried food is even better with a little oil, but make sure you use an oil with a good flavor profile.
To Oil or Not to Oil in an Air Fryer
Can you put oil in an air fryer? Although air fryers don’t require oil to produce great results, a little goes a long way in improving the texture and flavor of the food. Whether you add oil directly to the food or in the air fryer basket, you will see significant results in the finished product.
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