Do You Need a Non-Stick Spray for Air Fryers? 6 Alternatives That Work Great!
While air fryers do not need oil, some recipes and foods can be cooked better and tastier with a little bit of oil. There are numerous options with cooking oils for air fryers but what about using a non-stick spray for air fryers?
Air fryers already have a non-stick coating on the basket and in the inside cavity but people like to use these handy sprays as they make the job easier.
But is the coating inside the air fryer safe from non-stick sprays? Let’s find out!
Why Do You Need Oil in an Air Fryer?
Even though air fryers are supposed to cook food without oil, a little oil will not hurt the machine and the food will likely taste better and closer to its deep frying variants.
As you are using a small quantity of oil as opposed to deep frying, the health benefits of using an air fryer are still there.
This minimal oil also produces a golden brown and crispy outer layer on food that may not be achieved by just air frying the food willy-nilly.
Why You Should Not Use Non-Stick Sprays in Air Fryers
Most non-stick aerosol cooking sprays contain a substance called soy lecithin which destroys the existing non-stick coating in the air fryer and the basket.
This chemical adds a fatty layer on top of the non-stick coating and is impossible to remove. To clean the air fryer, you will have to scrub harder which may damage the air fryer’s non-stick coating itself.
The non-stick coating on the basket of the air fryer itself resists the food from sticking to it so there is no useful need for the non-stick cooking spray.
If you have to add a little oil to your air fryer before cooking, other alternatives are more suitable.
Alternatives to Non-Stick Sprays for Air Fryers
There are many alternatives to aerosol cooking sprays that are healthier and especially safer for your appliance.
You want to choose an oil with a high smoke point. The smoke point is where the oil starts to burn and produces smoke. As the air fryer reaches high temperatures, an oil with a higher smoke point will be able to handle the heat.
Six oils with smoke points that are above 350*F:
- Olive oil
- Avocado oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Coconut oil
- Canola oil
How to Apply Oil in an Air Fryer Without a Spray?
When it comes to using oil in an air fryer, there are a couple of ways to do it.
If your food has seasoning, you can add some oil to the mix which will not only make sure that your seasoning sticks to the food but also produces a crispy exterior.
On the other hand, if your food does not have any seasoning, take a paper towel and lightly dampen it with a little oil.
Now, spread that oil inside the air fryer and the basket. Make sure that your paper towel is not heavily damped as your purpose is to spread a light coat of oil inside the basket.
Lastly, if you still envy the easy use of cooking sprays, you can buy a sprayer and fill it with your cooking oil. Spray the oil inside the basket and spread it around with a paper towel for an even coating.
To Sum Up
While non-stick cooking sprays may be handy in usability but are not safe for cooking products that already have a non-stick coating. This is why there is no need for worrying about food sticking to your air fryer basket.
Many oils can be applied to the basket without damaging its outer coating.
Do comment below on what type of oil you use while cooking in your air fryer!
About The Author
Hassaan Hamid
Head Writer at FoodJenga. Content Writer with an interest in Technology, Sports, Aviation, Books, Gaming, Cars, Travel, and Wrestling.