Cooking foods in the Air Fryer is definitely one of my favorite ways to cook. Did you know that there are certain oils that are better than others when using the Air Fryer? Check out our list of the best oils for the Air Fryer.
You're probably wondering why you can't just use any old oil in the Air Fryer. There are tons of options out there, but there are a few that work much better than others.
You need to take into consideration what foods you are making, what temperature you are cooking at, and also the smoking point of the oil you are using.
Why do I need oil in an Air Fryer?
You might be wondering, "wait, oil? I'm Air Frying so I don't have to use oil."
You definitely do not need to use oil in the same way you would to deep fry foods, and definitely not in the same quantities. But you do still need to use a little oil when making most of your recipes.
If your head is spinning with all of that information, don't worry! We break it down for you in this post so that it's easy.
Foods that don't require the use of oil are typically those that are frozen. Most frozen foods such as tater tots, french fries, chicken nuggets, and pizza rolls already have oil as a by-product from the manufacturing process.
These are foods you don't need to spray with oil.
What does it mean for oil to have a smoking point?
Smoking points for fats and oils are the temperatures at which the heat is causing the oil or fat to smoke. Different oils have different levels of heat at which they will begin to smoke.
Because of this, we have created a handy list below for you to use when using the Air Fryer. You can use almost any oil in the Air Fryer, but you want to pick the right oil for the recipe you're about to make.
What are the best oils to use in the Air Fryer?
From start to finish, we are going to make a list of the oils you should use in your Air Fryer. We will start at the top with what we think is the best, and work our way down the list of common oils we recommend you should use last...or at least with paying close attention to the smoke point and the type of recipe you are making.
- Avocado Oil - 570 degrees Fahrenheit smoke point.
- Ghee (clarified butter) - 485 degrees Fahrenheit smoke point.
- Extra Light Olive Oil - 468 degrees Fahrenheit smoke point.
- Soybean Oil - 460 degrees Fahrenheit smoke point.
- Coconut Oil - 450 degrees Fahrenheit smoke point.
- Peanut Oil - 450 degrees Fahrenheit smoke point.
- Vegetable Oil - 400 degrees Fahrenheit smoke point.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 375 degrees Fahrenheit smoke point.
- Butter - 200-250 degrees Fahrenheit smoke point.
How much oil do you use when Air Frying foods?
While every recipe is different, I tend to use enough oil for a light coat on my foods if they need it.
For example, if I am making my favorite buffalo wings in the Air Fryer, I am coating them in oil in a ziplock baggie with spices before cooking.
If I am breading chicken, for example, some Copycat KFC chicken, I am spraying the chicken with oil every time I flip the chicken to ensure it's coated well and I don't have any dry spots remaining.
For the best results, I use a small spray bottle and lightly spray the items if needed for cooking. Most breaded, coated recipes will need a light spray from time to time.
Most processed foods you're reheating from frozen, for example, typically do not need to be sprayed with any oil.
Can I use PAM cooking spray for the Air Fryer?
Don't get me wrong, I actually love to use PAM cooking spray. But there is a time and place to use PAM, and your Air Fryer basket is not one of those places.
Cooking sprays like this should not be used on any non stick surface because it can create a gummy and sticky surface that can ruin the non stick properties of your basket.
Can I use Olive Oil in the Air Fryer?
The simple answer.
Yes, you can.
You may have heard otherwise, but you can in fact use extra virgin olive oil in the Air Fryer. However, due to the low smoking point of olive oil, it's best to be used only in those recipes that are under 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Typically most of the recipe I make are at 375 degrees or under, so I do indeed use extra virgin olive oil in my Air Fryer recipes.
Looking for Easy Air Fryer Recipes?
I love to learn- especially when I can apply it. Im old and learning new tricks takes longer. yours are direct to the point, with a rationale if I need it (I do) thank you.
Still not clear on using oils in air fryer. Do you spray the items and not the basket it self?
This is where you need to check the manual for your air fryer. Some have nonstick surfaces and don't require you to spray the basket - some do require that or your foods can stick. It just depends on your brand. As for foods, YES, you can spray your foods with oils. In fact, if you're not spraying a food that's been battered in say flour, you will have some dry flour spots on your food UNLESS you spray them. I typically use olive oil or avocado oil on my foods if that helps 🙂
First time I used an air fryer i cooked two pork loins and they came out with the out side crispy and the inside dry what did I do wrong
I just, today got my first fryer and I feel like I have never cooked before. And it's so easy looking. I tried a frozen small pizza, it baked the cheese but that's okay. So excited and I, too, am old. In my 70's, believe me this is a big deal. I haven't even had a toaster oven in my life. So fun, and a much cooler kitchen. And to not have to clean that big oven, oh my, another great reason to have an Air Fryer. Happy Frying.
I love my 360 AIRFRYER. I'm 86 years old. I was raised on red meat. I put a 1lb beef tender loin in a glass Pyrex dish. 225 temp 3hrs ( used the pulled pork recipe) it was awesome. I love this unit,now I can chew beef again.
YAY! I am so glad you love your airfryer!
Marge...75yr guy here. Got my first starter AF Aug of 2020. 2qt and loved it. Needed a much larger one. Got a nice Dash red 6qt in Feb 2021. I have found all the recipes I want online. There are hundreds of AF folks out there that can help us. I also use my 10" screen Alexa to find and show recipes.
Curious that grape seed oil is not mentioned. It has a high smoke point and is flavorless. Is there a reason not to use it? Thank you - just got a ninja foodie digital air fryer. Have not used it yet. Directions do say to spray the air fry basket so I want to use the correct oil.
You can definitely use grapeseed oil as well.
I’m wanting to purchase an “oil” sprayer and the ones I have purchased just “squirt.” Do you have a recommendation for one that really sprays? Thanks.
I don't have one that I recommend, but you should be able to find a sprayer at a local grocery store in the produce department, or if not there, I would try Amazon for sure.
I found that the long-term problem with sprayers is the TUBE, not the bottle. Now I remove the “pump” & rinse it fully with hot water & I don’t put it back in the bottle until I use it again. I use a Rabbit wine stopper (soft silicone) in the bottle between uses.
That's a great idea!!!
I love this site. My only comment is on the olive oil. I have found a store that sells olive oil that is able to be used up to about 500 degrees. I very rarely use any other oil. I get all different flavors garlic, Tuscan Herb, Greek Herb, Spicy Tuscan and many others. This changes how the foods taste. They enhance all vegetables. For my friends that don't use this store I tell them to do a little research and find the smoking point of the olive oil they use.
Thanks for what you are doing. What a service.
Hi there, that is AWESOME! If you're able to use a specialty olive oil at 500 degrees Fahrenheit, definitely do so. I also have a store here that sells flavored olive oils and I LOVE IT! However, just remember that the regular olive oils have a lower smoke point so not only does it smoke, but it also changes the flavor of the food.