You spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray. Midway through cooking, smoke fills your kitchen. An alarm goes off. Your food tastes burnt.
What happened? You used the wrong oil.
Not all oils work well in air fryers. Let’s talk about which ones to use and which ones to avoid.
Understanding Smoke Points
Every oil has a smoke point. This is the temperature where the oil starts to break down, smoke, and develop a burnt taste.
When oil reaches its smoke point, chemical changes occur. The oil releases smoke. It develops bitter, burnt flavors that transfer to your food. The oil also breaks down into potentially harmful compounds.
Air fryers cook at high temperatures, typically 350-400°F. You need oils that can handle this heat without smoking or burning.
Use oils with smoke points above your cooking temperature. If you’re cooking at 400°F, use an oil with a smoke point of 400°F or higher.
Sources:
- Best Oils and Oil Sprays For The Air Fryer, The Foodie Physician, November 13, 2024, https://thefoodiephysician.com/best-oils-for-the-air-fryer/
- What Are the Best Oils to Use in an Air Fryer?, Defy, December 9, 2024, https://www.defy.co.za/blog/news/what-are-the-best-oils-to-use-in-an-airfryer
The Best Oils for Air Frying
Here are oils that work great in air fryers, ranked by smoke point:
Avocado Oil – Smoke Point: 520°F
This is the winner. Avocado oil has the highest smoke point of common cooking oils. It handles any air fryer temperature with ease. The flavor is neutral, so it won’t affect your food’s taste. The downside: it costs more than other oils.
Light Olive Oil (Refined) – Smoke Point: 465°F
Light or extra light olive oil works well for air frying. It has a higher smoke point than extra virgin olive oil. The flavor is mild and won’t overpower your food.
Peanut Oil – Smoke Point: 450°F
Peanut oil stands up to high heat. It adds a subtle nutty flavor that works well with Asian-style dishes and fried foods. Skip this if anyone in your house has peanut allergies.
Canola Oil – Smoke Point: 400°F
Canola oil is affordable and widely available. Its smoke point sits right at the upper range of most air fryer temperatures. It works fine for most recipes, especially at 400°F or below.
Grapeseed Oil – Smoke Point: 420°F
Grapeseed oil offers a high smoke point and neutral taste. It’s a solid all-purpose choice for air frying.
Refined Coconut Oil – Smoke Point: 400°F
Refined coconut oil (not the unrefined kind) can handle air fryer heat. It adds a hint of coconut flavor to foods. This works well for sweet potatoes or dishes where you want that tropical taste.
Sources:
- Best Oils for Air Frying Healthy Air Fried Foods?, Air Fryer World, December 14, 2024, https://airfryerworld.com/best-oils-for-air-frying/
- Best Oil For The Air Fryer, Everyday Family Cooking, April 27, 2023, https://www.everydayfamilycooking.com/best-oil-for-air-fryer/
- What Are the Best Oils to Use in an Air Fryer?, Defy, December 9, 2024, https://www.defy.co.za/blog/news/what-are-the-best-oils-to-use-in-an-airfryer
When You Can Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil has a smoke point around 375°F. This is lower than other oils, but you can still use it in your air fryer with caution.
Use extra virgin olive oil when cooking at 375°F or below. Many recipes cook at this temperature or lower. The oil won’t smoke at these gentler heats.
The benefit: extra virgin olive oil has great flavor and health properties. If your recipe calls for lower temps, go ahead and use it.
Just don’t use it for high-heat recipes at 400°F. At that temperature, extra virgin olive oil will smoke and give your food a burnt taste.
Sources:
- Best Oils for Air Fryer, Air Frying Foodie, October 30, 2023, https://airfryingfoodie.com/best-oils-for-air-fryer/
- Best Oils and Oil Sprays For The Air Fryer, The Foodie Physician, November 13, 2024, https://thefoodiephysician.com/best-oils-for-the-air-fryer/
When You Don’t Need Oil at All
Some foods don’t need added oil:
- Frozen breaded or coated items (fries, nuggets, fish sticks)
- Fatty meats like bacon or chicken thighs with skin
- Foods you’re reheating
These items have enough fat on their own. Adding oil will make them greasy, not crispy.
Choosing the Right Oil for Your Budget
Avocado oil is the best performer, but it’s expensive. If budget matters, here’s a practical approach:
Buy avocado oil for special occasions or recipes where you want the absolute best results. Use canola oil or grapeseed oil for everyday cooking. These cost less and still work well.
Or invest in a refillable oil mister. Fill it with affordable canola oil. You’ll save money compared to buying pre-filled spray bottles.
Sources:
- Best Oils for Air Frying Healthy Air Fried Foods?, Air Fryer World, December 14, 2024, https://airfryerworld.com/best-oils-for-air-frying/
Quick Reference Guide
When cooking at 400°F: Use avocado oil, peanut oil, light olive oil, or grapeseed oil
When cooking at 375°F or below: Any of the above oils, plus extra virgin olive oil or refined coconut oil
For neutral flavor: Avocado oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil
For added flavor: Peanut oil (nutty), refined coconut oil (coconut), or extra virgin olive oil (olive)
Never use: Aerosol sprays like PAM, butter, unrefined coconut oil, or flaxseed oil
Next steps: You know which oils to use. Now you need to know which size air fryer to buy. The next post helps you choose the right capacity for your household.