Contrary to popular belief, air fryers do use oil. It is still an integral ingredient that enhances the flavor of your food and recipes. Of course, you should only use the best oil for air fryers if you want to get the most desirable results.
Let’s discuss more about these oils so that you will be able to maximize their use.
The Best Oil For Air Fryers
Keep in mind that not all oils are suitable for air fryers. Otherwise, you can just pick any oil and lard bottle you see in the grocery.
The primary qualification for an oil to become a compatible fit for air fryers is a high smoke point. The smoke point, also known as the flashpoint, is the quality of the oil that makes it resistant to blazing at high temperatures.
Specifically, there are types of oils that start smoking and burning when they are exposed to high temperatures. Since air fryers are notorious for generating heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, such an incident could happen.
When you use an oil with a high smoke point in your air fryer, smoking won’t become an issue. Of course, that would make your food tastier.
Here’s a guide when it comes to the specific smoke points of oils. It will also tell you what oil is suitable for your air fryer, depending on the recipe that you are making.
Olive Oil – 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
Example: Filippo Berio, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This olive oil provides a well-balanced and highly rich flavor to your delicacies. It is made from cold-pressing olives. It produces a pleasant aroma that will make your air-fried dishes extra tasty and appealing. Furthermore, it’s free from cholesterol, trans fat, gluten, GMO, sugar, and sodium. Because of its subtle flavor and scent, it fits nicely in various recipes.
Sesame oil – 350 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit
Example: Kadoya 100% Pure Sesame Oil
The Kadoya 100% Pure Sesame Oil is excellent for air fryers, thanks to its high smoke point. It is great for dressing, vinaigrettes, and dressings. It is an organic product and doesn’t contain chemicals and concerning compounds. Overall, it generates a pure and crisp taste to the food. That’s perfect for frying and roasting!
Vegetable oil – 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Example: Crisco Pure Canola Oil
The flavor and texture of the Crisco Pure Canola Oil are definitely light. It enables versatility in cooking, especially in air fryers. It can be used in various cooking needs, from baking to frying. You can also utilize it for marinades and dressings. You will appreciate that it does not have a greasy feel. And the mere fact that it’s free from cholesterol and harmful contents make it great for every kitchen!
Peanut oil – 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Example: Crisco Pure Peanut Oil
With the Crisco Pure Peanut Oil, you will be able to cook your favorite air fryer recipes. It features zero grams of trans fat, which makes it a healthy choice. Since it has a light taste, it is perfect for various frying needs. Since it is a Crisco oil, expect that it doesn’t have a greasy texture.
Grapeseed oil – 390 degrees Fahrenheit
Example: GrapeOla Grapeseed Oil
This authentic oil from Spain is a fine option for grapeseed oil. It is downright clean and light-tasting, making it a flexible cooking oil for frying, baking, and sauteing. It boasts a high smoke point of 420 degrees Fahrenheit, which is generally higher than the smoke point of other grapeseed oil. Keep in mind that it is a non-GMO oil.
Avocado oil – 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
Example: Chosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil
The Chosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil flaunts its delicious and pure taste. Made from refined avocados of Central Mexico, you can expect that this cooking oil is ideal for frying and baking needs. You can also use it for dressings and marinades, making it a guaranteed workhorse in the kitchen. Surprisingly, this avocado oil claims that it has a smoke point of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sunflower oil – 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Example: Native Harvest Expeller Pressed Non-GMO Sunflower Oil
The Native Harvest Expeller is delicious and clean sunflower oil. It has been refined in high heat so that it can showcase stability in high-temperature frying and baking. It has a light texture and offers a neutral scent. This cooking liquid is also free of chemicals and other unhealthy contents. In short, it is a perfect pair for air fryers.
Do Air Fryers Need Oil?
The short answer to this question is yes.
So if you are going to use oil in an air fryer, why do many people still claim that it is a healthier option for ovens, grills, and frying pans? Of course, the answer lies in the quantity of the oil that should be used on it.
You see, unlike other cooking methods where you need the food in oil to fry them, air frying only needs at least a tablespoon of oil. It can fry or bake food with the same flavor and quality, even without the need for deep frying.
In some cases, people don’t use oil anymore. They just rely on the superheated air to cook their ingredients. But if I were you, I would still add a little bit of oil to ensure that my recipes will still produce the expected taste that I want.
Furthermore, most of the oil used in air fryers are pretty healthy. For example, the ones that I featured here do not even contain cholesterol, trans fat, GMO, and other harmful contents that could affect your well-being.
And since you are using them only in small quantities, you will not get bothered with their presence. Again, the availability of these air fryers enables people to cook particular dishes without heavy dependence on oil. That’s one compelling reason why this cooking utility is a healthy investment on your part. I suggest that you should consider getting one now.
How To Use An Air Fryer Oil?
Most of the air fryers sold on the market today advertise that you don’t need oil before you can use them. Should you follow that advice?
Well, as I said, air fryers are designed to work even in the absence of oil. If you are a health-conscious individual, that should be the route that you need to take. However, if you are concerned about the flavor of your food, then it is proper that you put oil on your recipes. Of course, it doesn’t have to be excessive. The right amount doesn’t have to exceed multiple tablespoons.
When using oil in your air fryer, the following should be considered:
- If you are cooking meat, make sure that you dry it first with a clean paper towel. After that, use a sprayer or brush to add a layer of oil to it.
- If you are preparing salads and veggies, you have to mix them first with the oil in a separate bowl before you put them in the air fryer.
- Never put too much oil in your ingredients. Otherwise, it will cause dripping and burning.
- Do not forget to set the appropriate temperature in the air fryer, depending on the kind of oil you are using. You should match the temperature with the smoke point of the oil to prevent the latter from blazing.
- Do not spray the oil in the cooking chamber of the air fryer. It should be added only to the food, and not on the machine.
Conclusion
Using the best oil for air fryers can bring the best out of your recipes, regardless if it is just simple chicken wings or french fries. With the right oil, you will be able to prepare your food in such a delectable and healthy fashion.
If you are not certain regarding the amount of oil that you should use, you might want to get an air fryer cookbook. It gives exact recommendations to the amount and quantities of ingredients that you should use to create a perfect dish from your air fryer.
I hope that you find this guide useful. If you have other questions, ask me in the comment section below!