It's a question that often arises in the air fryer community. Can you use PAM in an Air Fryer? While you can use PAM in an air fryer, the better question is, should you?
That would be a resounding no! Nor should you use any other aerosol cooking spray in your air fryer. Unless, of course, you're just anxious to buy a new one.
Not only are aerosol cooking sprays one of the worst things for your health, but they're also the worst thing for all of your non-stick surfaces and Teflon pans.
Fret not! There are plenty of other alternatives that you can use instead.
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Why You Shouldn't Use PAM in Air Fryers
Aerosol spray cans like PAM, Crisco, and generic cooking sprays are almost always made from genetically modified vegetable oil like canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, or soy lecithin.
Genetically modified crops are intentionally designed to withstand the chemical warfare of harsh agents like bug and weed killers.
Even many of those labeled as 'healthy' olive oil sprays still contain lecithin. Part of the extraction process for lecithin involves using hexane, the same solvent used in glues and varnishes. There are also a number of studies that suggest soy consumption reduces testosterone.
If you're fortunate enough to find a cooking spray without any of these ingredients, you also have the propellants to deal with, which typically contain propane, butane, isobutane, or grain alcohol. As someone who values the quality of what goes in my mouth, none of these things sound appealing at all.
But if you don't care about your own health, then consider the health of your air fryer. The harsh chemical agents found in cooking sprays are notorious for ruining nonstick coatings and can permanently damage your air fryer.
While soy lecithin might keep your food from sticking, it's also known to create a sticky build-up on your non-stick coating that's near impossible to remove. Even if you could miraculously remove it, it usually takes your nonstick surface with it.
The best thing you can do to preserve the longevity of your air fryer basket is to never use aerosol sprays.
DIY Non-Stick Cooking Spray
Instead of buying pre-made non-stick aerosol cans that ruin your air fryer basket, make your own cooking spray. All you need is a spray bottle or a pastry brush. You can purchase an olive oil sprayer designed especially for cooking, or you can just use a regular old food-friendly squirt bottle.
If you do use a plain old squirt bottle, you may need to dilute your spray oil with a little water to thin it out. Commercial olive oil sprays are diluted with propellants and emulsifiers, and a commercial oil sprayer is designed for the use of thicker oils.
To use a DIY cooking spray, just fill the spray bottle with your favorite cooking oil and spray directly on your food.
Alternatively, use a pastry brush to apply a little oil to your food instead. I prefer this method since most sprayers eventually get clogged and stop working. Additionally, they're quite a pain to keep clean.
Since most baskets usually come with a nonstick coating already, you don't need to spray oil on the basket. Just apply it directly to your food.
Best Spray Oil Alternatives to PAM
It's important to realize that not all foods require cooking oil. This is particularly the case with frozen foods. When cooking meats and vegetables, however, a light coat of oil can help facilitate a nice golden crunch, as well as help keep your food moist so it doesn't dry out.
All oils have what is known as a smoke point. This is the temperature where oil chemically breaks down and will start smoking while releasing malodorous toxins into the air. It also makes your food taste much less desirable.
Refined oils generally have high smoke points because their impurities have been eliminated through intense temperatures and bleaching processes. This reduces the overall flavor, extends the shelf life, and increases the smoke point.
Raw or virgin oils, however, offer more intense flavors, but the unrefined state leaves them with a low smoke point. Smoke points usually operate within a range and can vary depending on the age of the oil, level of refinement, and fatty acid composition, among other things.
The type of oil I use largely depends on what foods I'm cooking, what temperatures I'm cooking at, and what flavor enhancements I'm looking for. These are some of my favorites and what I consider the best cooking oils for air frying.
If you're in search of oils with high smoke points, try some of these DIY oil sprays.
Avocado Oil Spray
La Tourangelle Avocado Oil Spray on Amazon
Avocado Oil has one of the highest smoke points, ranging from 520° - 570°F (271°-299°C), making it the best cooking spray for high temperatures.
Just be sure to use the refined form when cooking at a very high temperature since it has a higher smoke point.
Avocado oil has a light, rich, nutty flavor and is best when air-frying mild-tasting food like fish or cauliflower.
Safflower Oil
Spectrum Organic Refined Safflower Oil on Amazon
Made from safflower petals, this mild-flavored oil lends subtle notes of chocolate. Refined safflower oil has a high smoke point ranging from 450°-510°F (232°-266°C). I enjoy this oil with air fryer recipes that involve mild-flavored vegetables and eggs.
Ghee
Spectrum Organic Refined Safflower Oil on Amazon
Ghee, also known as clarified butter, is made by heating butter and separating the water and milk solids from the butter fat. It's healthy, nutty, and nourishing.
Its smoke point is in the 450°-485°F (232°-252°C) range. I prefer using ghee in air-frying recipes that are generally enhanced with a buttery flavor. Its subtle caramelized and nutty notes make it a great option for zucchini chips or stuffed mushrooms.
Peanut Oil Spray
365 by Whole Foods Market, Oil Roasted Peanut on Amazon
Peanut oil is my go-to oil when I'm looking for that deep fryer taste. Its high smoke point in the 450°F (232°C) range makes it the perfect choice when I'm in the mood for air-fried foods like homemade french fries or “deep-fat fried” foods like chicken, fish, or shrimp.
Sunflower Oil Spray
365 by Whole Foods Market, Oil Roasted Peanut on Amazon
Sunflower oil is very neutral and doesn't have an obtrusive taste at all. This is the perfect oil when you're looking to retain the unobstructed natural flavors of your fresh vegetables. Sunflower oil has a smoke point equivalent to peanut oil and works well for 'baked or broiled' air fryer recipes.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Spray
Pompeian Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Spray on Amazon
EVO oil sometimes gets a bad rap because many believe that heating olive oil releases toxic compounds and eliminates all the health benefits. What most people don't know is that EVO oil has a pretty high smoke point making it the perfect choice for your food or your air fryer basket.
Unrefined EVO oil has a natural smoke point as high as 410° F (210°C) and can safely sustain high heat without releasing toxins. It's totally safe to spray a little EVO oil to prevent food from drying out.
Other Spray Options
The more air fryer recipes you experiment with, the more you'll come to recognize which oils you like to use on which foods. Although I rarely use them, these oil sprays are also an option to use in your air fryer. I have nothing against using them; I just prefer the taste of others in the same temperature range.
- Light or Extra Light Olive Oil has a smoke point around 450°-470°F (232°-243°C).
- Grapeseed Oil has a smoke point between 420°-425°F (215°-218°C).
- Refined Coconut oil has a smoke point between 400°-450°F (204°-232°C).
Oils You Should Avoid
Avoid using oils with a low smoke point altogether. As already mentioned, due to their GMO and BHT content, vegetable oil like canola oil or corn oil should never even cross your mind.
These are some additional oils that you should never use in your air fryer due to low smoking points:
- Butter
- Margarine
- Bacon grease
- Shortening
- Lard
Tips to Keep Food From Sticking to Your Air Fryer
Obviously, coating your food with an oil spray before placing it in your air fryer is one way to keep your food from sticking. But feel free to try some of these additional air fryer tips to keep your food from sticking to your air fryer basket.
Use a Liner
You could bypass the extra virgin olive oil or grapeseed oil altogether and purchase premade paper liners instead. Unfortunately, it comes with an added expense that you might not wish to pursue.
Depending on how often you use your air fryer, paper liners could become costly. Perhaps consider washable silicone liners instead.
Perforated foil and parchment paper are also an option.
Related: Can You Put Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer?
Season Your Basket
Many home cooks use oil to season their air fryer baskets the same way they do cast iron skillets. Some prefer coconut oil, but I prefer to use an oil with a higher smoke point. I use avocado oil since it has a relatively neutral flavor. To cure the surface of your air fryer basket, follow these steps:
- Make sure your air fryer basket is clean and dry.
- With your basket inside, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204°C).
- Once heated, remove the basket.
- Using a paper towel, gently rub a little oil over the surface of your basket. Exercise caution; it will be hot!
- Place the basket back in the air fryer and allow to heat for an additional 3-5 minutes.
- Routinely repeat the process as necessary.
Periodically Shake Food
Sometimes just giving the contents of your basket a vigorous shake during the cooking process is sufficient enough to keep your food from sticking. Certain foods like chicken wings and french fries can easily be unstuck with intermittent shaking.
If shaking alone doesn't completely work, you can also use a wooden spatula to gently dislodge the food. It's always easier to dislodge sticky foods early on rather than after a full cooking session.
Using PAM in an Air Fryer: A Viable Option, but Proceed with Caution
Using PAM in your air dryer only decreases its lifespan. Instead, spray natural cooking oils with high smoke points, or consider seasoning your air fryer to prevent sticking. Try using some DIY air fryer oils with these great recipes:
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