Do you ever look at your golden-brown air-fried food and wonder if you are using the best oil? Many people think air fryers use no oil, but a little bit makes food crispier and tastier. Choosing the right oil is important. Some oils smoke too easily in the high heat of an air fryer. Others might not taste good with your favorite recipes. It’s confusing to know which oils are healthy and which ones work best for that perfect crunch.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will show you exactly which oils stand up to the air fryer’s heat. You will learn which oils add great flavor and which ones you should skip. Stop guessing and start cooking with confidence! Keep reading to master the art of oil selection for your air fryer.
Top Oil For Air Fryer Recommendations
- For Food and Beyond: Handcrafted from premium avocados, this emerald green oil is wonderful in salad dressings, on fresh cut fruit or grilled fish. It's also great for skin and hair!
- Pure Artisan Oil in Spray Form: La Tourangelle Artisan Cooking Sprays are chemical-free and alcohol-free sprays, providing you with easy application and quality you can taste.
- Delicious and Versatile: Our oils make it easy to create distinctive dishes for professional chefs, novice cooks, and foodies. Great for salads, meats, pastas, and more!
- Gourmet and Sustainable: La Tourangelle's natural artisan oils provide the perfect touch to make a delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We are passionate about making high-quality ingredients that are good for the table, community, and planet. Through artisan production methods and nature-friendly tin packaging, we want to empower people to cook like they care.
- Flavors of the World: From Extra Virgin Olive Oil and sustainably produced Grapeseed Oil, to award winning Toasted Sesame Oil, La Tourangelle brings the best oils and flavors from around the world straight to your kitchen.
- All-Natural Ingredients: Made with pure oil, free of additives and artificial flavors.
- High Smoke Point: Stands up to temperatures as high as 450°F, perfect for high-heat cooking.
- Versatile: Great for air fryers, roasting, grilling, baking, and more.
- GREAT FOR COOKING: Our refined avocado oil is the perfect all-purpose cooking oil. It is great for fried dishes, and it makes a nice base for a homemade salad dressing when cold
- EVERYDAY VERSATILITY: This cooking oil is useful for just about anything, making it olive oil's match in every way. Use it for frying, sauteing, baking, and more
- LIGHT FLAVOR ENHANCER: This useful cooking oil has a subtle and smooth flavor compared to traditional vegetable oil, enhances the flavors of food, and has only 10g of monounsaturated fat per serving
- NO ADDITIVES: No additives: Refined, Non-GMO and gluten-free, this oil contains no additives. Carefully sourced to deliver a clean flavor, this oil is perfect for keto and paleo diets
- EDUCATE YOUR TASTEBUDS: BetterBody Foods products combine better-for-you ingredients with delicious flavor. We are committed to nutritious, wholesome foods made with clean, simple ingredients
- Convenient Cooking Spray: Made with a blend of high-quality avocado oil and MCT oil from coconuts, Primal Kitchen Air Fryer Spray adds flavor to air-fried chicken breast, veggies, fries, and more.
- No Mess, Less Stress: Our quick-spray formula makes it easy to add flavor directly to your food. Simply spritz directly on your food to add a bold, distinct flavor with extracts of familiar seasonings like garlic, onion, and black pepper.
- No Chemical Propellants: Our delicious Air Fryer Oil Spray is free from chemical propellants and silicone, so you can feel good using it to make family meals.
- Ingredients with Integrity: Primal Kitchen Air Fryer Spray is Certified Paleo, Keto Certified, Whole 30 Approved, and Non-GMO Project Verified.
- The Perfect Cooking Companion: If you're cleaning up your kitchen and looking for new pantry staples, adding this spray oil to your lineup is an easy update.
- AIR PRESSURE ONLY: Pompeian cooking sprays contain no propellants or additives, providing you the best-tasting, highest-quality oil to help you Eat and Live Well.
- FULL-BODIED, ROBUST TASTE: Pompeian’s propellant-free cooking sprays are farmer crafted and ideal for any meal that starts with a sauté and ends with a drizzle. Pompeian Organic Robust EVOO Spray is perfect for salads, pasta and drizzling!
- IMPORTED, FIRST COLD PRESSED EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL: Certified for Authenticity by the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA).
- 100% FARMER CRAFTED: Quality from The Olive Oil People since 1906.
- COMMITTED TO QUALITY: Pompeian Organic Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil is USDA Certified Organic, Naturally Gluten Free and Non-Allergenic, Kosher, and Non-GMO Verified by the Non-GMO Project.
- AIR PRESSURE ONLY: Pompeian cooking sprays contain no propellants or additives, providing you the best-tasting, highest-quality oil to help you Eat and Live Well.
- 100% AVOCADO OIL: Pompeian’s Avocado Oil Cooking Spray is perfect for high-heat cooking.
- MILD, NUTTY FLAVOR: Pompeian’s propellant-free cooking sprays are ideal for any meal. With its mild, nutty flavor & high smoke point, Pompeian 100% Avocado Oil Cooking Spray is perfect for stir-frying, roasting & grilling!
- FARMER CRAFTED: Quality from The Olive Oil People Since 1906.
- COMMITTED TO QUALITY: Pompeian 100% Avocado Oil is Naturally Gluten Free and Non-Allergenic, Kosher, and Non-GMO Verified by the Non-GMO Project.
- LIGHT TASTE OLIVE OIL: Expertly crafted by The Olive Oil People, this light tasting, subtle olive oil is made from olives grown and nurtured by our family of farmers.
- LIGHT, SUBTLE TASTE: Pompeian Olive Oils are ideal for any meal that starts with a sauté and ends with a drizzle. With its light, subtle taste, Pompeian Light Taste Olive Oil is perfect for frying and baking!
- 100% FARMER CRAFTED: Quality from The Olive Oil People since 1906.
- A GREAT SUBSTITUTE FOR BUTTER: Pompeian Light Taste Olive Oil is a healthy, simple swap for butter, margarine and vegetable oil, that won’t compromise the taste of your favorite dishes and foods.
- COMMITTED TO QUALITY: Pompeian Light Taste Olive Oil is Naturally Gluten Free and Non-Allergenic, Kosher, Non-GMO Verified by the Non-GMO Project and Certified for Authenticity by the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA).
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Air Fryer Oils
Using the right oil in your air fryer makes food crispy and delicious. An air fryer cooks with hot air, not deep oil. Still, a little bit of oil helps food brown and stops it from drying out. Choosing the wrong oil can lead to smoke or bad flavors. This guide helps you pick the best oil for your air frying adventures.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for air fryer oil, look for these important things:
1. High Smoke Point
This is the most important feature. The smoke point is the temperature at which an oil starts to burn and smoke. Air fryers get very hot, often reaching 400°F (204°C). You need an oil that stays stable at these high heats. If the oil smokes, it creates an unpleasant smell and can release unhealthy compounds.
2. Neutral Flavor
Most of the time, you want the flavor of your food to shine, not the oil. Look for oils with a neutral or very light taste. Strong flavors like extra virgin olive oil might burn easily or overpower your chicken wings or vegetables.
3. Stability (Resistance to Oxidation)
Stable oils do not break down quickly when heated. Oils rich in monounsaturated and saturated fats are generally more stable than oils high in polyunsaturated fats. Stability keeps the oil healthier during cooking.
Important Materials: Which Oils to Choose
The “material” here refers to the type of fat in the oil. Different oils work better than others in the high heat of an air fryer.
- Avocado Oil: This oil has a very high smoke point (around 520°F or 270°C). It is very stable and has a mild taste. It is a top choice for air frying.
- Refined Sunflower or Safflower Oil: These are usually refined for high heat. They have neutral flavors and decent smoke points.
- Light Olive Oil (Not Extra Virgin): Light olive oil is refined more than extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). This refining process raises its smoke point, making it suitable for most air frying tasks.
- Canola Oil: A widely available and affordable option. It handles medium-high heat well and has a neutral flavor.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
How the oil is processed greatly affects its quality for air frying.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Refined Oils: Refining removes impurities that cause smoke at lower temperatures. This makes the oil better for high-heat cooking.
- Cold-Pressed (For lower heat uses): While high-heat oils are usually refined, if you are using your air fryer at lower temperatures (like reheating or melting cheese), cold-pressed oils retain more nutrients.
- Pure Oils: Stick to 100% pure oils rather than blends, unless the blend is specifically designed for high-heat cooking.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Unrefined Oils (Like Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Flaxseed Oil): These oils have low smoke points. They burn quickly in an air fryer, creating smoke and bitter flavors.
- Polyunsaturated Fats: Oils very high in these fats (like flaxseed or walnut oil) break down easily under heat. They are best used for salad dressings.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use your oil changes what you should buy. Think about what you cook most often.
For Maximum Crispiness (e.g., Fries, Chicken):
You need an oil that resists breaking down under intense heat. Avocado oil or refined sunflower oil works best here. These oils let the air fryer do its job without adding smoky interference.
For Seasoning Vegetables (e.g., Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts):
If you are tossing vegetables before air frying, a light coating is all you need. A light olive oil works well because it adds a slight flavor while still handling the heat. Remember, you are usually only using a tablespoon or two.
Application Method Matters:
Many people find spraying the oil is better than pouring it. A spray bottle (mister) ensures a very thin, even coat. This prevents pooling, which can make food soggy instead of crispy. If you use a spray bottle, make sure your oil is thin enough to pass through the nozzle without clogging.
Air Fryer Oil FAQs
Q: Do I really need oil in my air fryer?
A: Yes, usually. Oil helps your food turn golden brown and crispy. It also prevents food like chicken breasts or potatoes from drying out completely in the hot air.
Q: What is the absolute best oil for air frying?
A: Avocado oil is often considered the best because it has a very high smoke point and a neutral taste, making it perfect for high-heat cooking.
Q: Can I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)?
A: It is best not to use EVOO for high-heat air frying (above 375°F or 190°C). EVOO smokes easily and develops a bitter taste when overheated.
Q: Should I use oil in the air fryer basket itself?
A: It is usually better to toss the food in the oil *before* placing it in the basket. Spraying a very light coat on the basket helps prevent sticking, but coating the food gives better results.
Q: Can I reuse the oil from my air fryer?
A: No. Because air fryers use high heat and small amounts of oil, it is not safe or practical to save and reuse it. Always use fresh oil for each batch.
Q: What happens if my oil smokes in the air fryer?
A: Smoking means the oil has passed its smoke point. This creates an unpleasant smell and potentially unhealthy byproducts. You should turn off the air fryer, let it cool, and use an oil with a higher smoke point next time.
Q: Are oil sprays (like Pam) safe for air fryers?
A: Many commercial aerosol sprays contain additives like soy lecithin that can build up on the non-stick coating of your air fryer basket over time. This buildup can damage the coating. It is safer to use a reusable oil mister filled with pure avocado or light olive oil.
Q: Does the oil choice affect the taste of french fries?
A: Yes. A neutral oil like canola lets the potato flavor come through. A flavorful oil, like peanut oil (if it has a high enough smoke point), can add a nice, rich taste to your fries.
Q: What about spray oils that claim to be “air fryer safe?”
A: These are generally better than regular cooking sprays because they lack the chemical propellants that damage coatings. However, check the ingredients to ensure they are mostly pure oil.
Q: How much oil do I actually need to use?
A: You need very little! For most foods, one to two teaspoons, or a light misting, is plenty. The goal is to lightly coat the surface, not to submerge the food.