If you are wondering about the best oil for air fryer, and which oil works best, you have come to the right place! There's nothing better than crispy, golden-brown air-fried food. Many people gravitate toward air frying rather than the traditional deep-frying method because of the health benefits and the rapid cooking times.
One of the biggest health benefits is that air fryers require little to no oil to produce quality results. Though oil is not required, a small amount can still be used for even better results. There are many cooking oils on the market, but which is the best oil for an air fryer?
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How Does An Air Fryer Work?
Air fryers utilize convection heating, which means that hot air wraps around the food, producing a fried texture. The process of deep-frying foods means that foods are submerged in hot cooking oil that moves around the food from hot areas to cooler spots, producing even cooking and a uniform texture.
Air fryers use a similar principle, except they use hot air instead of cooking oil for similar results. A fan blows the hot air around a small cooking chamber to replicate hot oil. The food cooks evenly and ends up with a golden brown and crispy texture, almost identical to deep frying.
Is Oil In An Air Fryer Necessary?
Oil is unnecessary to make perfectly crispy foods in an air fryer, but a little oil in the basket goes a long way. You can also use cooking spray for the same result. Even if a little oil is used in an air fryer, it is a much healthier option than deep frying.
Deep Frying Vs. Air Frying
Deep-fried foods are submerged in hot cooking oil between 375℉-425℉, usually for just a few minutes. The hot oil traps moisture inside the food while the exterior crisps. The oil adds flavor to the fried foods and produces the signature crunch and flavor profile fried foods are known for.
Air fryers use the same principle as deep frying, except that they surround the food with hot air instead of hot oil. This process is called convection heating, and it is the same process as a traditional oven.
The difference between a traditional oven and an air fryer is its size and fan placement. The fan circulates the hot air around the food, which "submerses" it. The fan in a traditional oven is placed in the back, while air fryers have the fan at the top of the cooking chamber.
The smaller cooking space and the fan placement allow the hot air to fully wrap around the food, mimicking the hot oil from deep frying. This also allows for faster cooking times, a major selling point for air fryers.
Related: Are Airfryers Really Healthier Than Deep Fat Fryers?
Different Types of Oil
The best oils to use in an air fryer are those that have a high smoke point. An oil's smoke point is when the liquid stops shimmering and starts to smoke. Different oils have different smoke points, and it is a good idea to use cooking oil with a higher smoke point than the temperature the food is cooking so the oil does not burn.
When cooking oil starts to smoke, it burns and leaves an off taste in the food. Vegetable oil is the most common because of its neutral flavor and high smoke point. Other oils that can be used for air fryers are peanut oil, canola oil, light olive oil, extra light olive oil, and avocado oil.
Note that extra virgin olive oil is not a good choice!
The smoke point of different oils
A handy chart is a useful tool when deciding which oil to use in your air fryer. Vegetable and olive oil are the most commonly used oils. Peanut oil is great for French fries as long as no one has a peanut allergy. Here are the most commonly used oils for cooking and their smoke points:
- Vegetable Oil: 400℉
- Peanut Oil: 450℉
- Canola oil: 435℉
- Avocado oil: 520℉
- Olive oil: 450℉
- Grapeseed oil: 421℉
- Coconut oil: 450℉
- Sunflower oil: 450℉
- Sesame oil: 400℉
- Soybean oil: 450℉
- Safflower oil: 450°F
- Rice Bran Oil: 450°F
Peanut Oil
Peanut oil has a sweet and nutty flavor and is the best oil for air-frying French fries. It is also Kosher and has a high smoke point. The downside is that people with nut allergies cannot have it, so you need to check for guests' allergies before frying with it.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is hands-down the best oil for air fryers because of its high smoke point and neutral flavor. It is also packed with healthy fatty acids. Make sure to use refined avocado oil, as the smoke point of unrefined avocado oil is much lower.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is one of the most economical cooking oils and has a neutral flavor, making it one of the most common oils in the kitchen.
Olive oil
Light olive oil or extra light olive oil is refined and has a high smoke point. It is virtually the same as regular olive oil but healthier, which is a bonus.
Ghee
Ghee, also known as clarified butter, has a lot of flavor and a high smoke point. It is not vegan or dairy-free, but a little goes a long way, especially in the flavor department.
Refined coconut oil
Coconut oil is good to use in an air fryer because of its high smoke point and because it adds sweetness to the food. Because of its flavor profile, I only use coconut oil or a coconut oil sprayer with sweet foods or rice.
Safflower Oil
Safflower oil has a neutral flavor, allowing it to be used in a variety of dishes without impacting their taste. Safflower oil is high in monounsaturated fats and low in saturated fats, making it a heart-healthy option.
Rice Bran Oil
Rice bran oil has a mild flavor and is rich in antioxidants, including oryzanol, which has been linked to various health benefits. Rice bran oil contains a good balance of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and is known for its stability and long shelf life.
Oils not to use in an air fryer
Extra virgin olive oil is not recommended for an air fryer because it is not one of the high smoke point oils. Since you will most likely air fry between 375℉-400℉, you want to use cooking oil with a smoke point of at least 420℉ to be safe. The oil becomes rancid once it hits its smoke point, which is tastable in the food.
How much oil to use in an air fryer
Again, cooking oil is not necessary when air-frying, but it does add flavor and crispiness and produce faster cooking times. If you use oil rather than cooking spray, you will only need 1-2 tablespoons. I prefer to brush it on proteins like pork loins so that the seasoning and herbs stick better, and the oil locks in the natural juice of the meat for a better-finished product.
When to use oil in an air fryer
Using oil in an air fryer is subjective, but it is best when sauteing, cooking proteins, or looking for crispier foods like green beans, vegetables, and many air fryer recipes. Adding cooking oil to an air fryer with fresh ingredients like chicken or vegetables improves the taste and adds a crispy layer.
Benefits Of Using Oil In An Air Fryer
The main benefits of using oil in an air fryer basket are faster cooking times, crispier food, and oil, depending on the type you use, adding flavor. It is still a healthier option than deep frying because so little oil is needed. It also adds moisture to the food, which prevents it from drying out.
Check out some easy easy air fryer recipes here: Recipes
Cooking Sprays For An Air Fryer
A light spray of cooking spray or oil in an oil sprayer after the food is in the air fryer basket produces crispy results. I experimented with a basket of frozen French fries. I sprayed half of them and loved the end result. Now, I spray a light mist over anything I air fry, and, as a side benefit, it makes cleaning the air fryer basket easier.
How much cooking spray to use
A light spritz on all sides of the food is needed when using a cooking spray. If you are seasoning the food with herbs or seasonings, the oil helps them adhere better to the protein, another benefit.
FAQs
Reusing oil from the air fryer is possible, but it's best to strain it to remove food particles. However, fresh oil is recommended for better flavor and performance.
Walnut oil can be used in an air fryer but is better suited for medium temperatures. It's ideal for adding a nutty flavor to your dishes.
Avocado oil and grape seed oil are versatile and work well for both sweet and savory dishes due to their neutral flavors and high smoke points.
Store used oil in an airtight container and refrigerate. Always check the oil for any off smells or flavors before reuse.
Wrapping Up
Though cooking oils and sprays are not necessary for air fryer cooking, many recipes benefit from a small amount. The best oil for an air fryer is one with a high smoke point, like refined olive oil, peanut oil, vegetable oils, and ghee. Low smoke point oils break down at lower temperatures than what we fry with and turn rancid, which affects the flavor of the food.
If you want to add extra crunch and flavor to your air-fried foods, a light dose of cooking oil is a great option. Oil also makes removing the food from an air fryer basket easier, along with the clean-up. After using it once, I now use it every time I air fry because it locks in juices and flavor and produces a great crunch and flavor. Happy air frying!
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