Get ready to learn more about oil sprays that work for an air fryer and learn which one works the best!
Which oil spray is the best for the air fryer? Which one do you prefer? What about all the smoke points?
These are all the things we are going to address today in this post. This is one of the questions I get asked the most when it comes to using an air fryer, so today it’s all going to be discussed!
Why do you need oil for the air fryer?
Oil is used in the air fryer to get a similar taste and texture as you would with deep fried foods. It also helps keep the foods moist during the cooking time.
The difference is that with an air fryer, you are able to use an oil spray instead of using a quart of oil and submerging the foods.
While you could easily get away without using oil at all in an air fryer, the food will likely taste much better with at least the oil spray.
What is a Smoke Point?
Smoke Points in regards to oils are the point in which the oil starts to smoke.
This means it can greatly alter the taste and texture of any given food and it can also destroy nutrients within the oil too.
Not only that but if you exceed a smoke point of an oil, it becomes highly flammable.
What oil sprays work for an air fryer?
My absolute favorite sprays to use are Pompeian Cooking Sprays, they have a variety and they a wonderful high-quality that you can find at your local store.
I have been using these sprays for many years and have become extremely loyal to them. There are 4 in particular that I plan to focus on today.
These include Avocado, Coconut, Grapeseed, and Olive Oil Sprays.
I’m listing each of the smoke points here below.
Avocado Oil Spray – 450*F
Grapeseed Oil Spray – 400*F
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Spray – 350-375*F (Varies depending on quality.)
Coconut Oil Spray – 350*F
Our go-to oil for the air fryer is the Grapeseed Oil Spray from Pompeian.
Grapeseed oil is not only high heat but it’s also full of good health benefits too!
I will say that I do use their olive oil spray regularly as well without an issue; however, that one has a lot of controversies too because it is not as high heat as the other options.
The majority of foods I make in the air fryer are not much higher than 375*F, which I believe is why the Olive Oil Spray tends to work just fine; however, if you want to have a go-to that does have a high smoke point, choose one such as Grapeseed Oil Spray.
Personally, I do not use Avocado Cooking Oil Spray due to a food allergy; however, this is also a good option for most people.
Can you use a spray bottle for the oil?
The oil you choose to use, can be added to a spray bottle or mister.
Generally using a bottle or mister is going to give you the best price as it’s actually going to be more economical to purchase a large jar of oil, then pour it into the mister.
The cooking oil sprays typically cost more than the actual jar or bottle of oil.
As you can tell from this article it is very important to choose oil sprays that work for an air fryer, being sure to keep in mind the smoke point.
Be sure to check out the recipe index for more air fryer recipes!
can sprays harm the air fryer if so what about butter
I haven’t had any harm mine, prefer them to butter.
I make clarified butter which has a smoke point of 500 versus regular butter that will burn at 275. Once the water and solids are removed it is my go to choice for frying and air frying. I have used off brand spray oils such as olive oil and vegetable oil and everything still sticks to the coated air fryer surface. So I would avoid many off brands of spray oil and stick to tried and proven brands such as Non Stick Pam or higher quality. If I do use an oil it is a high quality Avocado oil.
I broiled salmon. Tray will not clean. What xan I do
I usually use Dawn Dish Soap to clean mine.
PAM and similar sprays will cause your air fryer to vhop or flake! You should spray your food with oil via an oil sprayer you can buy on Amazon.
Never use aerosol spray cans in your air fryer. Aerosol spray cans (like Pam and similar brands) are known to cause chipping in many Air Fryer baskets. The aerosol cans have harsh agents that just don’t mesh with the coating on most baskets.
Pompeian Sprays are non-aerosol, I agree you should not use pam.
I have washed mine and there still is meat on it. I washed it in Dawn soap It still has a film on it from the chicken that I had air fried can you help me from how to prevent this.
I would let it soak really well with dawn dish soap in very hot water and see if that helps get it off.
I was looking at buying a bottle made for spraying oil for air fryer for same reason as described above, as some can spray products can damage the inner coating surface. I am thinking it is the propellent added that causes the damage. Can anyone answer to this. I have two types of can sprays, Canola oil (ingredients include propellent) and Avocado oil (nothing but AO no propellent). So if I am correct, I am going to stop my search to purchase a bottle with spray handle attachment that I would fill with oil of choice.
You are correct, you’d just want to watch the smoke points for any oils that you use. I typically use Pompeian Sprays, but you can use avocado oil with a spray bottle as well.