Top 7 Best Oil to Use in an Air Fryer

Did you know that using the wrong oil in your air fryer could be sabotaging your meals? While many home cooks reach for their regular cooking oils, the best oil for air fryer cooking needs to withstand temperatures well above 400°F without smoking.

In fact, popular choices like butter (300°F) and unrefined coconut oil (350°F) start smoking at surprisingly low temperatures, potentially ruining your carefully prepared dishes. However, oils like avocado oil, with its impressive 520°F smoke point, can handle the intense heat of air frying while adding minimal calories through its light coating.

We’ve tested and analyzed the top oils that excel in air fryer cooking, considering factors like smoke point, health benefits, and flavor impact. Whether you’re making crispy chicken wings or perfectly seasoned fries, choosing the right oil makes all the difference in achieving that golden-brown finish without any burnt taste.

Top 7 best oil to use in an Air fryer :

Avocado Oil

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Avocado oil stands at the top of the list when selecting the best oil for air fryer cooking due to its exceptional characteristics that make it ideal for high-temperature cooking methods.

Avocado oil smoke point and air fryer compatibility

Avocado oil boasts an impressive smoke point of 520-570°F, making it the undisputed champion for high-heat air frying. This remarkable heat tolerance means your food cooks perfectly without the oil breaking down or producing acrid, toxic smoke that can ruin both flavor and nutritional value. Because air fryers typically operate between 350-400°F, avocado oil provides a comfortable safety margin that other oils can’t match.

Additionally, its neutral taste profile allows the natural flavors of your food to shine through rather than competing with them. For those concerned about application, avocado oil works excellently both as a light coating brushed directly onto food or as a spray to coat the air fryer basket.

Health benefits of avocado oil in air frying

When it comes to nutritional profile, avocado oil offers impressive health advantages. It contains more than 80% saturated and monounsaturated fats, making it a heart-healthy choice comparable to olive oil but with better heat stability.

Unlike many other cooking oils, avocado oil:

• Is packed with healthy fatty acids
• Contains low levels of saturated fat
• Provides high levels of monounsaturated fats that support heart health

Consequently, using avocado oil in your air fryer allows you to enjoy crispy textures with up to 80% fewer calories than traditional deep frying. Nutritionists recommend unrefined, cold-pressed avocado oil for maximum health benefits, though all varieties remain stable at air fryer temperatures.

Best uses of avocado oil in air fryer recipes

Avocado oil truly shines across virtually all air fryer applications. Specifically, it excels when making:

• Crispy vegetables: Toss broccoli florets with avocado oil, spices, and parmesan for a crispy, flavorful side dish
• French fries: Experts consider avocado oil the top choice for achieving perfect air fryer french fries
• Breaded foods: Spray breaded items generously with avocado oil to achieve golden, crispy exteriors

Most importantly, avocado oil’s versatility extends to virtually any recipe requiring high-heat cooking. Unlike specialized oils that work for specific dishes, avocado oil performs consistently across everything from roasted vegetables to breaded meats, making it the most practical all-purpose option for air fryer enthusiasts.

Ghee (Clarified Butter)

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Ghee, a traditional form of clarified butter, offers a fascinating alternative for those seeking the best oil for air fryer cooking, especially if you’re after rich, buttery flavor without the burn.

Ghee smoke point and stability in air fryers

With an impressive smoke point of approximately 485°F (250°C), ghee stands as a remarkably resilient option for high-temperature cooking. Unlike regular butter, ghee undergoes a clarification process where manufacturers remove water content and milk solids, leaving behind pure, concentrated fat. This unique composition makes ghee exceptionally stable during air frying, primarily because it contains over 50% saturated fat that resists oxidation.

Furthermore, ghee’s structure allows it to withstand the intense heat of an air fryer without burning or smoking, making it particularly suitable for cooking at low to medium temperatures. As a bonus, just one teaspoon per pound of food can replace unhealthy spray oils, providing excellent coverage while using minimal quantities.

Ghee’s digestive and metabolic health benefits

Among ghee’s most notable attributes is its butyrate content. While present in small amounts (about 1%), butyrate serves as the primary fuel source for colon cells. For individuals with irritable bowel syndrome or colon issues, ghee may prove beneficial since these conditions often involve insufficient natural butyrate production.

Moreover, ghee contains virtually no carbohydrates, potentially decreasing insulin resistance. Additionally, since the clarification process removes milk proteins and solids, ghee becomes suitable for many people with lactose intolerance or milk allergies.

When to use ghee in air fryer cooking

I’ve found ghee particularly excellent for recipes requiring a rich, buttery flavor. Its nutty, caramelized taste adds remarkable depth to:

• Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines where its distinctive flavor complements traditional spices
• Crispy air-fried chicken wings where its rich profile enhances the caramelization process
• Dishes where you want neutral-tasting options (alongside avocado oil and light olive oil)

For best results, apply ghee directly to food before placing it in the air fryer basket, allowing its concentrated flavor to infuse during cooking while promoting that coveted golden-brown finish.

Light Olive Oil

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Light olive oil emerges as a practical solution when looking for the best oil for air fryer cooking, balancing affordability with excellent heat tolerance.

Light olive oil vs extra virgin olive oil in air fryer

In contrast to extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), light olive oil has undergone refinement that significantly improves its heat stability. Light olive oil is essentially extra virgin olive oil that has been treated with heat to neutralize its flavor. This refinement process creates a crucial difference: while EVOO has a smoke point of only around 375°F, light olive oil can withstand temperatures up to 465°F without breaking down. Given that most air fryers operate between 350-400°F, this distinction makes light olive oil a far superior choice over its extra virgin counterpart.

Light or extra light olive oil typically contains only 5-10% virgin olive oil blended with refined olive oil. Although this processing reduces some nutritional benefits, it creates an oil ideally suited for high-temperature cooking methods.

Smoke point and flavor profile of light olive oil

The smoke point of light olive oil ranges between 390°F-470°F, providing ample headroom for most air fryer recipes. This high tolerance for heat ensures your food cooks properly without the oil degrading or producing harmful compounds.

Regarding flavor, light olive oil offers a notably bland profile compared to EVOO’s distinctive taste. This neutral character makes it ideal for recipes where you don’t want the oil’s flavor competing with your seasonings or the natural taste of your ingredients.

Best dishes to use light olive oil in air fryer

Light olive oil excels in air fryer applications where crispy textures are desired. For instance:

• Baked goods: Its tasteless profile makes it perfect for air fryer baking where stronger-flavored oils might interfere
• Crispy vegetables: Light olive oil helps achieve the golden exterior without introducing competing flavors
• Breaded items: Its ability to withstand high heat makes it excellent for creating crispy coatings

For optimal results, either brush the oil lightly on food or use an even coat of cooking spray made from light olive oil. This approach ensures even coverage without excessive oil use, maintaining the health benefits of air frying.

Refined Coconut Oil

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Refined coconut oil deserves a place in your pantry as another excellent best oil for air fryer option, offering unique properties that set it apart from other cooking fats.

Refined vs unrefined coconut oil for air frying

When selecting coconut oil for your air fryer, the refined variety clearly outperforms its unrefined counterpart. Refined coconut oil boasts a superior smoke point of 400-450°F, making it suitable for air fryer temperatures, whereas unrefined coconut oil handles only up to 350°F, falling short for higher temperature cooking.

Through additional processing, refined coconut oil undergoes steam deodorization and clay filtering (often called “bleaching,” though no actual bleach is used). This creates a neutral-tasting product without the distinctive coconut flavor that might otherwise clash with your recipes. For those concerned about nutritional differences, rest assured – both refined and unrefined versions contain similar ratios of MCTs and fatty acids.

Coconut oil’s MCTs and brain health benefits

What truly distinguishes coconut oil from other air fryer options is its medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) content. Unlike long-chain fatty acids, these MCTs are absorbed directly from the small intestine and can be immediately utilized for energy. This unique property makes coconut oil particularly beneficial for brain function.

Indeed, studies show that coconut oil consumption may improve cognitive function in those with Alzheimer’s disease, especially when part of a Mediterranean diet. Additionally, MCTs provide a quick energy boost that supports brain function and promotes clearer thinking.

Ideal air fryer recipes for coconut oil

I’ve found refined coconut oil particularly excellent for:

• French fries – Creates beautifully golden, crispy exteriors
• Granola – Adds subtle richness without overpowering other flavors
• General air frying – Works well at medium to high temperatures

For recipes where you want a hint of coconut flavor, the unrefined version works below 350°F, nonetheless, refined coconut oil remains the practical choice for most air fryer applications, primarily because of its higher heat tolerance and neutral flavor profile.

Beef Tallow

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For those seeking traditional cooking flavors with excellent stability, beef tallow stands out as a distinctive best oil for air fryer option with origins dating back centuries.

Beef tallow smoke point and air fryer safety

Beef tallow boasts a remarkable smoke point of 400-420°F, making it admirably suited for air fryer cooking, which typically operates between 350-400°F. This high smoke point ensures the fat remains stable without breaking down into harmful compounds during high-temperature cooking.

Yet, despite its heat tolerance, using beef tallow in air fryers requires certain precautions. Hot air circulating around pooled tallow might cause it to spit, overheat, or smoke. To minimize these risks, use a deep tray that collects fat without overflowing, plus consider pouring out pooled liquid in intervals as it collects.

Nutritional profile of beef tallow

A single tablespoon of beef tallow contains approximately 115 calories and 12.8 grams of total fat. Its fat composition includes 6.4g saturated fat, 12g monounsaturated fat, and 1g polyunsaturated fat, creating a solid texture at room temperature due to its high saturated fat content.

Subsequently, beef tallow provides trace amounts of fat-soluble vitamins, including:

• Vitamin D: 0.09 micrograms
• Vitamin E: 1mg (5% DV)
• Choline: 10.2mg (2% DV)

First, it’s worth noting that according to the American Heart Association, saturated fat should be limited to 6% of daily caloric intake, with a tablespoon of beef tallow providing almost the full daily amount within a 2,000-calorie diet.

Flavor enhancement using beef tallow in air fryer

Regarding taste, beef tallow adds a distinctive savory richness that enhances the flavor profile of air-fried foods. According to one study, 67% of taste testers preferred potatoes cooked in beef tallow over those fried in common vegetable oils.

Naturally, beef tallow excels in specific air fryer applications:

• Crispy potatoes: Delivers golden exterior with enhanced earthy flavor
• Chicken wings: Provides savory depth and exceptional caramelization
• Roasted vegetables: Tossing in melted tallow before air frying achieves perfectly caramelized edges

As an additional benefit, food fried in tallow tends to be approximately 30% less oily compared to those fried in lower smoke point oils. This occurs primarily because tallow’s high smoke point allows for efficient cooking at higher temperatures, resulting in less oil absorption by the food.

Grapeseed Oil

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Grapeseed oil represents a somewhat controversial candidate among the best oil for air fryer options, offering distinctive properties worth examining more closely.

Grapeseed oil smoke point and neutral taste

Extracted from the seeds of grapes (a byproduct of winemaking), grapeseed oil features a moderately high smoke point between 390°F and 420°F. This temperature range technically places it within the safe zone for air fryer cooking, as most air fryers operate between 350-400°F.

The extraction process typically involves crushing the seeds and using solvents such as hexane to maximize oil yield. Afterward, the oil undergoes processing to create its characteristic properties.

One of grapeseed oil’s most valuable attributes is its clean, neutral flavor profile that allows your ingredients to shine without interference. This mild taste makes it particularly versatile across various culinary applications, especially when you want the natural flavors of your food to remain dominant.

Vitamin E content and antioxidant benefits

Nutritionally, grapeseed oil stands out for its impressive vitamin E content. A single tablespoon provides 3.9 mg of vitamin E, which equals approximately 26% of your daily value. This fat-soluble vitamin offers several benefits:

• Acts as a powerful antioxidant
• Potentially protects against tumor growth
• Supports nervous system health

Beyond vitamin E, grapeseed extract (GSE) contains 5-8% polyphenols including catechin, epicatechin, gallic acid, and procyanidins. These compounds possess strong antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging abilities. Certainly, studies have shown that GSE can improve oxidation stability in food products.

Best air fryer applications for grapeseed oil

Still, grapeseed oil comes with an important caveat – it contains approximately 70% polyunsaturated fats. These fats typically react with oxygen at high temperatures, potentially forming harmful compounds. For this reason, some nutritionists actually advise against using grapeseed oil for high-heat cooking.

Instead, consider using grapeseed oil in air fryer applications requiring lower temperatures, such as:

• Light vegetable dishes where its neutral flavor won’t overpower delicate ingredients
• Recipes where you want a clean taste without added flavors
• As part of a cooking spray or light coating rather than for extended high-heat cooking

Likewise, research suggests that combining grapeseed extract with air frying (rather than deep frying) significantly reduced harmful advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in chicken, indicating potential benefits when used appropriately.

Peanut Oil

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Peanut oil joins our lineup of the best oil for air fryer options with some unique characteristics that make it worth considering, yet require special attention for certain users.

Peanut oil’s high smoke point and nutty flavor

With an impressive smoke point of 450°F/230°C, peanut oil (also called groundnut oil) handles the high temperatures of air frying without breaking down. This high heat tolerance places it among top-tier oils suitable for air fryer cooking, where temperatures typically range between 350-400°F.

Regarding flavor, peanut oil delivers a pleasant, nutty taste profile that works exceptionally well with certain cuisines. This distinctive flavor makes it particularly valuable for Asian-inspired dishes, adding subtle depth without overwhelming your food’s natural flavors.

Interestingly, unlike some oils that absorb flavors from foods cooked in them, peanut oil maintains its integrity even when frying multiple types of foods in succession. Hence, it remains a popular choice in restaurant settings where versatility matters.

When to use peanut oil in air fryer cooking

Peanut oil truly excels when preparing homemade French fries in your air fryer. The oil’s characteristics help create that desirable golden exterior while maintaining a fluffy interior.

First, peanut oil works remarkably well for:

• Deep-fried turkey recipes adapted for air fryers
• Asian stir-fry dishes where its nutty profile complements the seasonings
• French fries and other potato dishes requiring higher temperatures

Even so, peanut oil isn’t generally considered the healthiest option compared to alternatives like avocado or olive oil. Nevertheless, its economical nature makes it appealing for those needing larger quantities for regular air frying.

Peanut oil allergy considerations

This is where peanut oil requires special attention – allergy concerns necessitate careful consideration. Primarily, it’s crucial to understand the distinction between refined and unrefined peanut oils.

Most individuals with peanut allergies can safely consume highly refined cooking peanut oil. This occurs because the refining process effectively removes almost all peanut proteins – the actual allergens that trigger reactions. In fact, the FDA specifically exempts highly refined peanut oil from allergen labeling requirements.

Alternatively, unrefined peanut oil (also labeled as cold-pressed, crude, or gourmet) still contains peanut proteins and should be strictly avoided by anyone with peanut allergies. When air frying for guests, remember that cross-contamination remains a serious concern, regardless of which type of peanut oil you use.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

Choosing the right oil makes a significant difference in air fryer cooking success. Through extensive testing and analysis, avocado oil stands out as the top performer with its exceptional 520°F smoke point and neutral flavor profile. Additionally, each oil brings unique benefits – ghee offers rich buttery taste, light olive oil provides affordability and versatility, while refined coconut oil delivers brain-health advantages through MCTs.

Above all, matching your oil choice to specific recipes ensures optimal results. Therefore, I recommend keeping at least two options in your kitchen: avocado oil for high-temperature cooking and another specialized oil based on your cooking preferences. Certainly, safety considerations matter too – particularly when using peanut oil around those with allergies or beef tallow in situations requiring careful temperature control.

Remember that successful air frying depends not just on oil selection, but also proper application. A light coating or measured spray typically works better than excessive amounts, helping achieve that perfect golden-brown finish while maintaining the health benefits of air frying over traditional deep-frying methods.

FAQs

Q1. What type of oil is best for air fryer cooking? Avocado oil is considered one of the best options for air fryer cooking due to its high smoke point of 520°F. Other good choices include light olive oil, refined coconut oil, and peanut oil, all of which can withstand the high temperatures of air frying without breaking down.

Q2. Do I need to use oil in an air fryer? While air fryers require much less oil than traditional deep frying, using a small amount of oil can help achieve a crispier texture and enhance flavor. A light coating or spray of oil on the food before air frying is often sufficient.

Q3. How much oil should I use in an air fryer? You only need a minimal amount of oil when using an air fryer. Generally, 1-2 teaspoons of oil per pound of food is sufficient. Some recipes may require even less, while others might not need any oil at all.

Q4. Can I use olive oil in my air fryer? Yes, you can use olive oil in an air fryer, but it’s best to use light or refined olive oil rather than extra virgin olive oil. Light olive oil has a higher smoke point (around 470°F) that’s more suitable for air frying temperatures.

Q5. Are there any oils I should avoid using in an air fryer? It’s best to avoid oils with low smoke points when air frying. These include unrefined oils like extra virgin olive oil, as well as butter or margarine. Stick to oils with high smoke points to prevent smoking and maintain food quality