Air fryers use less cooking oil, making them the best appliance for creating healthy food.
There are multiple oils that you can use in an air fryer. Some recipes require no oil, while for some, you need to add 1-2 teaspoons of it. Moreover, breaded food needs 1-2 tablespoons of oil to create a crispy texture.
The best oils for air fryers are those with a high smoke point. They can withstand high heat and also prevent the development of carcinogens.
Avocado oil, olive oil, peanut oil, grape seed oil, sunflower oil, and canola oil are some of the best oils for air fryers. It’s better to avoid using canola or coconut oil as they contain trans and saturated fats.
Today I’ll talk about the best oils that can be used in an air fryer. You need to read this blog till the end and figure out the best oil for your air fryer.
Let’s get started, guys.
What Is the Purpose of Oil in an Air Fryer?
You might be thinking, “What about oil? I’m Air Frying to avoid using oil.”
You do not need to use as much oil as you would for deep frying foods, and certainly not in the same quantities. But you do still need to use a little oil when completing most of your recipes.
Foods that do not require the use of oil are often frozen. Oil is already a byproduct of the manufacturing process in most frozen foods such as tater tots, french fries, chicken nuggets, and pizza rolls.
What Is the Meaning of Oil Having a Smoking Point?
The temperatures at which the heat causes the oil or fat to smoke are known as smoking points for fats and oils. Varying oils have different heat thresholds at which they begin to smoke.
As a result, we’ve compiled a helpful list for you to utilize when using the Air Fryer. In the Air Fryer, you may use practically any oil, but you should use the proper oil for the recipe you’re about to create.
Vegetable Oil: The Best Oil For Air Fryer
Vegetable oil, unlike its name, is not extracted from vegetables but seeds, nuts, and grains.
Some of the most popular vegetable oils are:
- Olive
- Sunflower
- Avacado
- Peanut
- Soybean
- Canola
- Grapeseed
- Sesame
Most vegetable oils are excellent to use in air fryers. They have high smoke points and won’t burn at high temperatures. Moreover, they provide a crispier texture to food than most oils.
Vegetable oils have a smoke point that ranges from 350 to 450 F. They are also a cost-effective alternative to other expensive oils. They provide several health benefits, enhance the food flavor, and improve heart health. Plus, they are free from trans fat, which is good for your health.
You may check this article to learn more about the use of vegetable oil in the air fryer.
Look at the best vegetable oils you can use in an air fryer.
1. Olive Oil
Unlike the popular myth, olive oil is safe for cooking or frying. This study about oil has debunked the confusion that olive oil is an unhealthy option for cooking due to its smoke point.
Not only is olive oil safe to use in the air fryer, but it also has numerous health benefits.
Its smoking point ranges from 347 F to 464 F, depending on the quality and grade of the oil. Both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are present in olive oil. It is best to use in foods with strong flavors, like those that incorporate garlic or onion.
On the other hand, extra virgin olive oil contains the most healthful phenolics and antioxidants. It has a smoke point of 325 F to 375 F, making it another great option to use in the air fryer.
Olive oil is one of the healthiest oils due to its high content of minerals, antioxidants, and heart-healthy fats.
2. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil has a more neutral flavor than olive oil and doesn’t alter the taste of your food. However, it offers food a faint avocado flavor, which is perfect for avocado lovers.
Moreover, avocado oil has a high smoking point of 375-400 F. It offers many health benefits and is best for air fryers.
Avacado oil is high in vetamic E and oleic acid. It's best for stir-frying, deep frying, or using in the air fryer. 3. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is a fantastic oil to use with your air fryer. It gives a sweet and nutty flavor to fried food.
Peanut oil is recommended for deep-frying because of its high smoke point. Using it in an air fryer will give your food the same flavor as a traditional deep-fried dish but in a somewhat healthier form.
Peanut oil is ideal for air fryer recipes that call for chicken, onion rings, and foods with mild flavors. It also offers numerous health benefits. Due to the high concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids in it, it lowers blood sugar levels and the risk of heart disease.
Note: Don’t use peanut oil if you’re allergic to peanuts
The main benefit of using peanut oil for air frying is that it has a high smoke point of 450 F. This cooking oil will give your dish a crispier texture and a mild nutty flavor.5. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is another fantastic option because of its superior taste and high smoking point. It gives perfect crispiness to breaded food like fried chicken, fried fish, nuggets, sweet potato, and french fries.
Sunflower oil is an unprocessed oil that complements both savory and sweet dishes. It contains a lot of vitamin E and polyunsaturated fat.
Moreover, it is rich in monounsaturated fat and has a mild flavor that goes well with a range of foods. It’s also a helpful substitute for those attempting to lower their cholesterol level.
Thus, sunflower oil is an entirely plant-based oil that is widely accessible and a fantastic option for anyone allergic to other oils.
6. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is the best if you want to give your air fryer food a smoky and toasted flavor. It is used in various Asian cuisines and goes well with sweeter meals.
This oil is a healthy option and can add a little flavor to any of your meals. It contains fatty acids and antioxidants. It has many health benefits, including preventing diseases and improving your immune system.
Sesame oil offers many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It's the best choice for those who want to switch to a healthy diet. 7. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a healthy vegetable oil substitute. It is perfect for an air fryer because it has a relatively neutral flavor. It won’t make much difference to the taste of the food you cook in the air fryer.
Moreover, it has a high smoke point and creates a crispier texture. Before adding grapeseed oil, preheat the air fryer to 400 F for the best results.
Grapeseed oil is one of the healthiest oils for air fryers. It is a rich source of vitamin E and omega-6 polyunsaturated fats.Smoke Points Of Different Oils
| Oil | Smoke Points |
| Olive Oil | 375°F/190°C |
| Avacado Oil | 375-400°F/190-205°C |
| Peanut Oil | 450°F/230°C |
| Grapeseed Oil | 390°F/195°C |
| Sesame Oil | 350-410°F/175-210°C |
| Vegetable Oils | 400-450°F/205-230°C |
Which Oil Should You Avoid?
Coconut oil and canola oil have some health benefits, but they have a high amount of saturated and trans fat, which is unhealthy for your body.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is an oil you shouldn’t use in an air fryer because it burns quickly. It has a low smoke point of 350 F. However, feel free to use coconut oil if you’re using your air fryer at a low temperature and want to give your meal a coconut flavor.
Canola Oil
Canola oil is slightly fattier than other oils. It is an excellent oil to use in an air fryer because it has a very light nutty flavor and is not unhealthy.
Due to its high smoke point and bland flavor, it works well in both savory and sweet foods.
Canola oil works well in air fryers and can be used to air fry fried chicken, fish, french fries, or sweet potato fries. It is a good substitute for people monitoring their cholesterol levels because it contains little saturated fat.
To summarize, canola oil has many benefits, but Its disadvantages outweigh its benefits.
Here you can read a detailed article about oils that you should not use in the air fryer.
Here’s a short video on a guide to using oils in an air fryer.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, I’d mention;
- We can use multiple oils for air frying foods. Some of them work best, while others come afterward.
- Olive oil, avocado oil, peanut oil, canola oil, sesame oil, and sunflower oil are some of the best vegetable oils for the air fryer.
- When you use too much oil, it drips from the food and comes into contact with the air fryer fan. It leads to damage to the internal part of the air fryers. Therefore, the quantity of oil should be as small as possible.
- Apply oil to the food using a brush or oil spray.
- Regarding food safety, utilizing an air fryer with a bit of oil is still preferable to deep frying.
- When cooking in an air fryer, use a sprayer or a brush to apply as little oil as possible.