The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Oils for Your Air Fryer
Cooking with an air fryer has revolutionized kitchens worldwide, offering a healthier way to enjoy crispy, delicious foods. As a passionate air frying enthusiast, I can confidently say it’s one of my favorite cooking methods. But did you know that selecting the right oil is crucial for achieving the best results and maintaining your appliance? Not all oils are created equal when it comes to the high-heat, circulating environment of an air fryer. Understanding the nuances of different oils can significantly enhance the flavor, texture, and even the health profile of your air-fried dishes.

You might be wondering why you can’t just grab any bottle of oil from your pantry when air frying. While there are countless cooking oil options available, some perform significantly better than others in the air fryer. The key factors to consider are the type of food you’re preparing, the cooking temperature, and most importantly, the smoke point of the oil you choose.
Ready to dive deeper into the world of air frying? Explore more essential information by checking out our articles on the benefits of air frying or a comprehensive guide on how to use an air fryer.
Table of Contents
- Why Do I Need Oil in an Air Fryer?
- What Does It Mean for Oil to Have a Smoke Point?
- What Are the Best Oils to Use in the Air Fryer?
- How Much Oil Do You Use When Air Frying Foods?
- Can I Use PAM Cooking Spray for the Air Fryer?
- Can I Use Olive Oil in the Air Fryer?
- Can I Use an Oil Sprayer for the Air Fryer?
- Looking for Easy Air Fryer Recipes?
Why Do I Need Oil in an Air Fryer?
It’s a common question: “Wait, oil? I thought the whole point of air frying was to avoid oil!” And you’re not entirely wrong. Air frying significantly reduces the amount of oil needed compared to traditional deep frying. However, saying you don’t need any oil at all for most recipes is a misconception.
While you certainly won’t use oil in the quantities required for deep frying, a small amount is often essential for achieving that desirable golden-brown crispiness and even cooking. Think of it as a light coating rather than a submergence. This minimal application helps create the crunchy exterior that makes air-fried food so appealing, mimicking the texture of fried food without the excess fat. It also aids in seasoning adhesion and prevents food from sticking to the basket.
If your head is spinning with all this information, don’t worry! We’re breaking it all down in this comprehensive guide to make your air frying experience simple and successful.
There are, however, exceptions. Foods that typically don’t require additional oil are often those that come pre-packaged and frozen. Many frozen items like tater tots, french fries, chicken nuggets, and pizza rolls already contain oils as part of their manufacturing process or are pre-fried. For these convenient foods, you generally don’t need to add any extra oil spray.

What Does It Mean for Oil to Have a Smoke Point?
Understanding an oil’s smoke point is perhaps the most critical factor when selecting an oil for your air fryer. The smoke point refers to the temperature at which an oil or fat begins to break down and produce continuous bluish smoke. When an oil reaches its smoke point, it not only imparts a burnt, unpleasant flavor to your food but can also release harmful compounds called free radicals and acrolein, which are unhealthy to consume.
Different oils have varying smoke points, meaning they can withstand different levels of heat before smoking. This is particularly important for air frying because air fryers operate at high temperatures, typically ranging from 300°F to 400°F (150°C to 200°C), with powerful circulating hot air. Using an oil with a low smoke point in a high-temperature air fryer can quickly lead to a smoky kitchen, bitter-tasting food, and potentially a damaged appliance due to residue buildup.
To help you navigate this, we’ve compiled a handy list of common cooking oils and their respective smoke points. While you can use almost any oil in an air fryer for certain applications, choosing the right oil for the specific recipe and temperature you’re cooking at will ensure the best, safest, and tastiest results every time.
What Are the Best Oils to Use in the Air Fryer?
To simplify your choice, we’ve organized a list of popular cooking oils, starting with those that have the highest smoke points and are generally best for air frying, and moving down to those with lower smoke points that require more careful consideration or are better suited for lower temperature cooking.
Choosing an oil with a high smoke point for air frying is paramount. It allows you to cook at the required temperatures without the oil burning, which ensures your food cooks properly, tastes great, and avoids any unpleasant odors or harmful byproducts. Here’s a detailed look at the best oils to keep in your pantry for your air fryer:
- Avocado Oil – Smoke Point: 570 degrees Fahrenheit (299°C).
Why it’s great: With the highest smoke point on our list, avocado oil is incredibly versatile for high-heat cooking. It has a neutral flavor, making it perfect for almost any dish, from crispy vegetables to chicken wings. It’s also rich in monounsaturated fats, making it a healthy choice.
- Ghee (clarified butter) – Smoke Point: 485 degrees Fahrenheit (252°C).
Why it’s great: Ghee is butter with the milk solids and water removed, resulting in a much higher smoke point than regular butter. It offers a rich, nutty flavor, perfect for adding depth to roasted vegetables, chicken, or even for making crispy potatoes.
- Extra Light Olive Oil – Smoke Point: 468 degrees Fahrenheit (242°C).
Why it’s great: This refined version of olive oil has a higher smoke point and a very mild flavor compared to extra virgin olive oil. It’s an excellent all-purpose oil for air frying, suitable for most recipes where a neutral-tasting high-heat oil is needed.
- Soybean Oil – Smoke Point: 460 degrees Fahrenheit (238°C).
Why it’s great: A common and affordable vegetable oil, soybean oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good choice for general air frying, especially for dishes where you don’t want the oil to overpower the other flavors.
- Sunflower Oil – Smoke Point: 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232°C).
Why it’s great: High oleic sunflower oil is a good option due to its high smoke point and mild flavor. It’s great for achieving a crisp texture on a variety of foods, from fries to breaded items.
- Coconut Oil – Smoke Point: 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232°C).
Why it’s great: Refined coconut oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor. It can add a subtle tropical hint if unrefined, or be completely neutral if refined. Excellent for sweet air-fried treats or for adding a unique flavor to savory dishes.
- Peanut Oil – Smoke Point: 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232°C).
Why it’s great: Known for its high smoke point and slightly nutty flavor, peanut oil is a fantastic choice for Asian-inspired air fryer dishes or for creating exceptionally crispy coatings on chicken and other meats.
- Grapeseed Oil – Smoke Point: 420 degrees Fahrenheit (216°C).
Why it’s great: Grapeseed oil has a clean, light flavor and a relatively high smoke point, making it another versatile option for air frying. It’s great for marinades and for cooking delicate foods.
- Canola Oil – Smoke Point: 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit (204-232°C).
Why it’s great: A widely available and economical choice, canola oil is a good all-around option for air frying thanks to its decent smoke point and neutral taste. It’s suitable for most general air fryer recipes.
- Vegetable Oil – Smoke Point: 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204°C).
Why it’s great: Often a blend of various oils, “vegetable oil” usually has a smoke point around 400°F. It’s a convenient and inexpensive option for everyday air frying, especially for recipes cooked at moderate temperatures.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Smoke Point: 375 degrees Fahrenheit (191°C).
Considerations: While EVOO is a staple in many kitchens, its lower smoke point compared to other oils means it should be used with caution in the air fryer, especially for recipes cooked at higher temperatures (above 375°F). For more on this, see our dedicated section below.
- Butter – Smoke Point: 200-250 degrees Fahrenheit (93-121°C).
Considerations: Due to its very low smoke point, regular butter is generally not recommended for direct use in an air fryer. It will burn quickly, creating smoke and a bitter taste. If you want a buttery flavor, consider using ghee or adding butter to foods *after* air frying.
How Much Oil Do You Use When Air Frying Foods?
The beauty of air frying lies in its ability to use significantly less oil than traditional methods. While every recipe is unique, the general rule of thumb is to use just enough oil to create a light, even coat on your food. This ensures crispiness without making your dish greasy. Over-oiling can lead to a soggy texture and excessive smoke.
- For Fresh Vegetables: A tablespoon or two, tossed thoroughly with your veggies, is usually sufficient. This creates a thin film that helps them crisp up beautifully.
- For Meats (like Chicken Wings): If I’m preparing my favorite air fryer chicken wings, I’ll typically coat them in a tablespoon or two of olive oil (or another suitable oil) in a ziplock baggie along with my chosen spices. This ensures every piece is lightly coated before it goes into the air fryer.
- For Breaded or Battered Items: For recipes like some Copycat KFC chicken, a good spray bottle is invaluable. I spray the breaded chicken lightly before cooking, and then give it another light spray each time I flip it. This ensures an even, golden-brown crust and prevents any dry, floury spots.
- For Frozen Processed Foods: As mentioned earlier, most processed frozen foods (like pre-made fries, tater tots, or chicken patties) already contain oil from their manufacturing process. These usually do not require any additional oil spray. Always check the package instructions.
For the best results, I highly recommend using a small, reusable oil spray bottle. This allows you to apply a fine, even mist of your preferred high-quality oil, giving you precise control and excellent coverage with minimal usage.
Can I Use PAM Cooking Spray for the Air Fryer?
Let’s be clear: I appreciate the convenience of PAM cooking spray for many kitchen tasks. However, when it comes to your air fryer basket, specific types of cooking sprays can be problematic. The issue isn’t always the oil itself, but rather some of the additional ingredients found in many aerosol cooking sprays.
Many common cooking sprays contain ingredients like soy lecithin or other propellants and anti-foaming agents. Over time, these additives can build up on the non-stick coating of your air fryer basket, creating a sticky, gummy residue that is incredibly difficult to remove. This residue can degrade the non-stick properties of the basket, making food stick and cleaning a nightmare. It can also potentially damage the coating, shortening the lifespan of your appliance.
If you absolutely must use a canned cooking spray, look for versions that explicitly state they do NOT contain soy lecithin or other similar additives. Alternatively, choose pump-style, non-aerosol sprays that allow you to fill them with your own chosen oil.
Can I Use Olive Oil in the Air Fryer?
This is a frequently asked question, and the simple answer is: Yes, you can use olive oil in the air fryer.
There’s a common misconception that olive oil is unsuitable for air frying, but this isn’t entirely accurate. The key lies in understanding the different types of olive oil and their respective smoke points:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO): As listed above, EVOO has a smoke point around 375°F (191°C). This means it is best used for recipes that cook at or below this temperature. If your air fryer recipe calls for cooking at 375°F or lower, EVOO can be a fantastic choice, imparting its characteristic fruity flavor and health benefits.
- Light or Extra Light Olive Oil: These varieties are more refined than EVOO, which removes some of the compounds that contribute to a lower smoke point. Consequently, light olive oil has a much higher smoke point, typically around 468°F (242°C), making it a far better choice for high-temperature air frying (e.g., 400°F). It also has a much more neutral flavor.
Personally, many of the recipes I create for the air fryer are cooked at 375°F or under. In these cases, I frequently use Extra Virgin Olive Oil because I appreciate its flavor and health benefits. However, if a recipe requires higher temperatures, I always opt for an oil with a higher smoke point, such as avocado oil or light olive oil, to prevent smoking and maintain food quality.
Can I Use an Oil Sprayer for the Air Fryer?
Absolutely! Using a non-aerosol, reusable oil sprayer is, in my opinion, the absolute best way to apply oil when air frying. It’s an indispensable tool for any air fryer owner.
Here’s why oil sprayers are superior:
- Control: They allow you to apply a very fine, even mist of oil, ensuring your food gets just the right amount for optimal crispiness without becoming greasy.
- Healthier: You control the type of oil you use, opting for healthier choices like avocado oil or light olive oil, free from propellants and additives found in many canned sprays.
- Protects Non-Stick Coatings: Since you’re using pure oil without lecithin or other agents, you avoid the sticky residue that can damage your air fryer’s non-stick basket.
- Cost-Effective & Eco-Friendly: Refillable sprayers reduce waste from aerosol cans and allow you to buy larger, more economical bottles of your favorite oils.
I highly recommend investing in one. It’s the perfect way to cook with your favorite, fresh oils in the air fryer, ensuring professional-level results every time.
I hope this detailed breakdown of oils and their smoke points has been helpful. While air frying significantly reduces the need for large quantities of oil, knowing which ones to use (and how to apply them) for your specific recipes will elevate your cooking and ensure consistently delicious outcomes.
Looking for Easy Air Fryer Recipes?
Now that you’re an expert on air fryer oils, it’s time to put that knowledge to good use! Explore some of our favorite easy and delicious air fryer recipes:
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Parmesan Brussel Sprouts
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Tater Tots
Appetizers
Frozen Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
We hope this comprehensive guide on the best oils for air fryers has provided you with valuable insights. Remember, in addition to choosing the right oil, you can also utilize handy accessories like foil or even parchment paper in the air fryer for easier cooking and cleanup!
Let us know what you think in the comments below, and as always, Happy Air Frying!