Cooking with air fryers is a healthier alternative to deep-fat frying and frying in a pan since they utilize very little oil. Minimal oil use is ideal for fried food with a fraction of the oil and fats. But since there is still a need for some oil, it can be challenging to know where it is best.
You’re going to have to use a little oil when utilizing an air fryer. But you could be a bit puzzled about where to put the oil. Well, you may either put it directly into the food and add it to the basket or put the oil over the food if it is already in the basket.
Where are you putting the oil in the fryer? The inquiry may appear simple, but it can be one of your first blunders to use the fryer without knowing the answer to this frequently asked question. And if you don’t use the air fryer properly, you miss the incredibility of this kitchen device.
Do You Put Oil in Air Fryer for Fries?
Nobody can ever deny it—air fryers are fantastic. It provides you crisp, salty French fries with half the fat and calories you would expect in a regular restaurant or McDonald’s run within minutes. And on the taste, there is no understanding. You may also add herbs and spices to your herbs and use ingredients out of the box to shake things up.
If it can be oil or fat in your oven, you can use your air fryer. Both are not too different, which usually means that you may depend on the safety of a given mix of oil and oven while using your air fryer.
However, it’s all about how you utilize your air fryer to produce this magical, slim-down edge “fried” bliss. Unfortunately, you won’t get the taste and texture you’re hoping for if you make those widespread blunders with your air fryer.
How Much Oil Do I Put in my Air Fryer?
During the frying process, you will only need to use a few sprays of oil – this is up to a tablespoon-worth, depending on the type of food you cook.
To obtain a good oil distribution, you are recommended not to put the oil straight into the apparatus itself when cooking with an air fryer. While it works pretty well in theory, other techniques ensure that good oil coverage is available.
This is also quite sensible if you want to minimize dishes and put the oil directly into the air fryer. It is endorsed that you add it to the meal you cook and sprinkle oil over the food slowly while it is in the basket. Again, try getting a good layer because the oil helps create a crispy external layer.
Generally, there are three typical techniques of putting oil:
- Drizzle the oil by hand – Usually, this approach is the least tidy of all methods because you have less control over where the oil goes. In a small bowl, place a generous amount of cooking fat. Mix your herbs, season, or marinate, only if you want to. Pour the mixture lightly on your food – remember to drizzle it, and don’t do a hard pour!
- Basting brush or silicone brush – Brushing or basting cooking oil is a cleaner method. Additionally, it is easier to distribute oil using a brush. If your kitchen has a basting brush, you might dip it into your oil and brush your meal with some oil.
- Spray bottle – Put your oil in a clean spray bottle or an oil mister. Slowly spray it on the food and place it in the fryer. You can spread the basket directly, but you must ensure that other portions of the fryer do not splash.
What Is the Best Oil to Use in an Air Fryer?
Since air fryers can reach temperatures ranging from 176 to 204°C (350-400°F), selecting the suitable air fryer oil is advised. The right air fryer oil can help in retaining its health properties at high temperatures while incorporating its flavors without exceeding the smoking points.
Why do smoking points matter while using oils?
The temperature at which it burns or smokes is a smoking point for oil. Oils that have reduced smoking spots, such as olive oil and extra virgin olive oil, will lose many of their significant nutritional advantages if cooked at high temperatures.
The more refined your oil is, the higher the smoke point. For instance, extra virgin olive oil has a higher smoke than regular olive oil. The fats with the most significant smoke points are vegetable fats. This is because these oils often do not have much solid content and are also highly processed.
Best flavor-infused oils
While various oils are best for higher frying temperatures, your favorite aromas should also be considered when cooking in the fryer. For example, you don’t want avocado oil when prawns are cooked. However, since shrimps can cook at a lower temperature, high-quality coconut oil (350°C) will be utilized in the fryer to enhance the flavor of your fried prawns.
You may also use infused oils, such as cayenne infused olive oil, fantastic for spicy food. Also, fruit oils incorporated into fish or chicken are enjoyable to use. However, always cool infused oils, especially if you add the spices yourself, rather than buying pre-flavored variations.
High-quality air fryer oils
Higher quality oils are more expensive, more delicious, bring health advantages, and can be used in small amounts. One of the numerous returns of utilizing an air freezer is that you can use a far higher quality oil than you would if you were deep-frying. So while it comes with a heavier price tag, using a table cube or two of premium oil is actually cost-efficient than filling a deep fryer with the items.
Listed below are some oils that you can use for air frying:
- Sesame oil: 175 to 210°C (350-410°F)
- Avocado oil: 190 to 205°C (375-400°F)
- Grape seed oil: 195°C (390°F)
- Olive oil: 205°C (400°F)
- Vegetable oil: 205 to 230°C (400-450°F)
- Peanut oil: 230°C (450°F)
