The best oils for air fryers are high smoke point, neutral or mild oils that handle typical air fryer temperatures without burning.
That first week with an air fryer, most people wonder which oil to pour. Too heavy and food tastes greasy; too light and the coating stays pale.
This guide keeps things practical. If you have ever wondered “what type of oil to use in an air fryer?” you will see how to match oils to temperature, how they relate to health guidance, and how much to use for common foods.
What Type Of Oil To Use In An Air Fryer? Basics To Know
Air fryers move hot air around food, often at 350°F to 400°F. That range is similar to oven roasting and well below deep fryer temperatures, yet still hot enough to stress some delicate oils. When oil hits its smoke point it darkens, smells bitter, and starts to break down. In a compact air fryer chamber, that can coat food with off flavors fast.
For most air fryer recipes you want oils that hold steady at medium to medium high heat. In practice that means refined or filtered oils with higher smoke points and a neutral taste. That way the oil protects the surface of the food without fighting your seasoning blend.
| Oil | Approximate Smoke Point (°F) | Typical Air Fryer Use |
|---|---|---|
| Refined avocado oil | 480–520 | High heat air frying, especially meats and frozen foods |
| Extra light olive oil | 460–470 | General purpose air frying with a mild olive note |
| Canola oil | 400–450 | Budget friendly choice for everyday air fryer meals |
| Sunflower or safflower oil (refined) | 440–450 | Crispy fries, nuggets, and other family snacks |
| Peanut oil (refined) | 440–450 | Higher heat batches where a mild nutty taste fits |
| Ghee or clarified butter | 450–480 | Rich tasting vegetables, potatoes, and chicken |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 375–410 | Moderate heat air frying and finishing drizzles |
| Virgin coconut oil | 350 | Lower heat batches where coconut flavor fits |
The exact numbers vary by brand and refinement, yet the pattern is clear. Oils such as refined avocado, canola, sunflower, and peanut sit comfortably above common air fryer settings. Research and guidance on cooking fats from groups like the American Heart Association and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health also lean toward plant based oils that contain more unsaturated fat than saturated fat.
Best Oils To Use In An Air Fryer For Everyday Cooking
When you step away from charts and shop for one bottle, a few oils match air fryer needs better than most. They balance heat tolerance, cost, and flavor, and they slot into a wide range of recipes from breaded chicken to roasted vegetables.
Avocado Oil: Heat Tolerant And Versatile
Avocado oil earns a lot of space in air fryer discussions for a reason. Refined versions regularly test near the top of smoke point charts, often around 480°F to 520°F. That gives you a comfortable margin above common air fryer settings.
The taste stays mild, so it works with almost any seasoning blend. A light coating of avocado oil helps breaded items brown while keeping crumbs in place. It also clings well to vegetables like Brussels sprouts or green beans, which need a thin film of fat to blister instead of dry out.
Light Olive Oil: Olive Flavor Without The Burn
Extra virgin olive oil still earns high marks in nutrition research, yet its lower smoke range and bold taste do not suit every air fryer recipe. Light olive oil or refined olive oil land closer to 460°F, with a milder flavor that stays in the background.
Many home cooks keep a bottle of extra virgin olive oil for cold uses and a bottle of light olive oil for hot jobs, including air frying. Light olive oil handles roasted potatoes, chicken thighs, and vegetable mixes well, especially when you want just a hint of olive character without bitterness.
Canola Or Vegetable Oil: Budget Friendly Workhorses
Canola and blended vegetable oils show up in many recipe booklets that ship with air fryers. Their smoke points generally fall in the 400°F to 450°F range, which lines up with most preset buttons. These oils have a neutral taste, so they stay in the background while your seasoning mix does the heavy lifting.
If you cook for a large household or run your air fryer daily, canola or vegetable oil often make sense from a cost standpoint. They pour easily, coat food quickly, and work with nearly any savory dish, from frozen fries to fish fillets.
Ghee And Clarified Butter: When You Want Extra Richness
Ghee and clarified butter are butter with the water and milk solids removed. That extra step raises the smoke point compared with regular butter, so you get buttery aroma without the same risk of scorching.
Oils To Use Sparingly In Your Air Fryer
Some oils do better in salads, dips, or low heat cooking than in a cramped, hot air fryer basket. You do not have to ban them entirely, yet it helps to understand where they fit best so food stays tasty and your machine stays clean.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Better As A Finishing Touch
Extra virgin olive oil brings bold flavor and helpful antioxidants, and health experts still recommend it as part of a plant forward diet. At the same time, its lower smoke range and cost make it less practical for big air fryer batches.
If you enjoy the taste, you can still use a small amount of extra virgin olive oil at moderate temperatures, then drizzle a bit more on vegetables or fish after cooking. That approach protects the flavor while stretching each bottle.
Butter And Margarine: Save For Special Batches
Regular butter has a low smoke point because of its milk solids. Those particles brown quickly, then move from nutty to burnt, especially in a small air fryer chamber. Margarine presents its own wrinkles, since many brands contain a mix of water and oils that splatter during cooking.
You can still run a small tray of garlic bread or a quick dessert that uses butter, and it helps to line the basket with parchment rated for air fryer use. For daily cooking, oils with higher smoke points keep cleanup easier.
Coconut Oil And Other Saturated Fats
Coconut oil, lard, and other solid fats bring strong flavor and a higher share of saturated fat. Nutrition guidance from heart health groups often encourages limiting these fats in favor of oils rich in unsaturated fat. That does not mean you can never air fry with coconut oil, yet many home cooks keep it for recipes where the flavor matters.
When you use coconut oil in an air fryer, stick to moderate temperatures. Virgin coconut oil starts to smoke around 350°F, so it matches better with recipes that cook at 325°F to 350°F instead of maximum heat.
How Much Oil To Use In An Air Fryer
Even with the right oil, quantity matters. Air fryers rely on hot air, not a deep bath of fat, so you only need a light coating. Too little oil and food dries out; too much oil and the basket drips, smokes, and turns sticky between batches.
| Food | Suggested Oil Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh cut fries or wedges | 1 to 1½ tablespoons per pound | Toss well in a bowl so every piece has a thin, even coat |
| Frozen fries or tater tots | ½ to 1 tablespoon per pound | Most frozen items already contain oil; add just enough for crisp edges |
| Breaded chicken pieces | 1 tablespoon per pound | Spray or brush the breading lightly right before cooking |
| Chicken wings (unbreaded) | ½ tablespoon per pound | Wings release fat as they cook, so start with a small amount |
| Fish fillets | 1 tablespoon per pound | Brush both sides; add a second light coat at the halfway flip if needed |
| Mixed vegetables | 1 tablespoon per pound | Toss in a bowl so small pieces do not dry out at the edges |
| Tofu cubes | 1 to 1½ tablespoons per pound | Toss with oil and seasonings, then let sit a few minutes before cooking |
If you prefer to count calories closely, one tablespoon of most oils contains around 120 calories. That still beats a deep fryer for calorie savings by far. The goal is a thin film that helps surface starches brown, not a visible layer pooling in the bottom of the basket.
Best Ways To Apply Oil In An Air Fryer
What type of oil to use in an air fryer is only half the story. The other half is how you get that oil onto your food. A quick spray, brush, or toss in a bowl can change both texture and cleanup.
Oil Sprayers And Misters
Refillable misters that you pump by hand give the lightest, most even coat. Fill them with plain oil, not aerosol blends with propellants. Some air fryer manufacturers warn against canned nonstick sprays because added ingredients may damage the nonstick layer on the basket over time.
If you use an aerosol spray, aim at the food instead of the basket wall. Hold the can a little farther away than you would for a baking sheet so the mist spreads instead of blasting one spot.
Brushing Or Tossing In A Bowl
A silicone or natural bristle brush works well for fish fillets, meats, and larger vegetables. Brush both sides, set the pieces in the basket, then brush any bare patches again right before cooking.
For fries, diced potatoes, or chopped vegetables, tossing in a bowl with oil and seasonings coats every side with less waste. This method also helps spices stick, so you avoid dry patches that burn while other spots stay bland.
Oils And Marinated Foods
Many marinades already contain oil. When you air fry marinated meat or tofu, you may only need a tiny extra drizzle on top. Let excess liquid drip away before you place food in the basket so the air can move freely around each piece.
Safety, Maintenance, And Flavor Tips
The right oil can keep food crisp and your air fryer running well over time. A few small habits around temperature, cleaning, and storage make a big difference.
Match Oil To Temperature
Check recipe temperatures and compare them to the smoke range of your chosen oil. If a recipe calls for 400°F and you plan to use extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil, you may want to lower the temperature slightly and increase the cook time. For high temperature settings, reach for avocado, sunflower, peanut, or canola oil instead.
Keep The Basket Clean
Oil residue builds up faster than many people expect. Once the basket cools, wipe or wash away leftover fat before the next use. Built up residue darkens and smokes earlier than fresh oil, which can lead to harsh flavors even if you pick a high smoke point option.
Store Oils Away From Heat And Light
Air frying relies on fresh oil. Over time, heat, air, and light push oils toward rancidity, which dulls flavor and aroma. Keep bottles in a cool cupboard, cap them tightly, and rotate through them instead of keeping many open at once.
Choosing “what type of oil to use in an air fryer?” comes down to a simple checklist. Pick an oil that handles your usual temperature range, matches your health goals, and fits your taste and budget. With a few core bottles on hand you can air fry crisp fries, juicy chicken, and tender vegetables without smoke, sticky baskets, or guesswork.