That would be a resounding no! Nor should you use any other aerosol cooking spray in your air fryer. Unless, of course, you're just anxious to buy a new one. Not only are aerosol cooking sprays one of the worst things for your health, but they're also the worst thing for all of your non-stick surfaces and Teflon pans.
I mostly use Whole Foods Market 365 avocado oil spray. It's fantastic.
What Oils Should Be Avoided? Some oils have a low smoke point or have a strong flavor, making them a poor choice for the air fryer. Low-smoke point oils tend to get a rancid flavor at high temperatures. There are two oils I prefer not to use in my air fryer. Dark sesame oil and extra virgin olive oil.
Any food with a wet batter should not be placed in the air fryer. You also want to avoid putting food that has a wet batter, like corndogs or tempura shrimp, in air fryers.
Air fryers work by circulating hot air, which originates at the bottom of the fryer. Lining it with foil can constrict the air flow and your food won't cook properly. If you are going to use aluminum foil in an air fryer, use a small amount in the bottom of the basket, making sure not to cover the food.
Pam's New Air Fryer Nonstick Spray
It's important to note that you never want to get any cooking spray directly into the air fryer base because it can adhere to the heating element and become a fire hazard. Always remember to remove and spray the basket while it's outside of the cooking chamber.
Using cooking oils that can stand up to a high temperature is key. Extra virgin olive oil is not an air fry-friendly oil due to its low smoke point, but extra light olive oil can be used for air frying because of its high smoke point.
Parchment paper can handle the heat inside your air fryer - up to 428°F (220°C). To get the best results, add the parchment paper to the air fryer basket at the same time as you add your ingredients. This prevents the paper from lifting up and coming into contact with the heating element while cooking.
While air fryers are popular, the most expensive models can start to get a little pricey, which could undermine their status as a budget item. Taking to social media to share their opinions, many people have revealed that they reckon halogen ovens are the best option for frugal cooking.
Airflow is essential to the machine, so while a paper towel is useful for cleaning, it should not be used while cooking food in the air fryer. It can restrict the airflow of the machine and even catch fire.
One option is to grease the basket of your air fryer. Dab a bit of oil onto a paper towel or silicone brush to add a very light layer to the machine. Or, you can add some oil to whatever you're air frying, mix everything thoroughly to coat your ingredients, and then dump everything into the basket.
The single worst thing you can do to your air fryer (aside from, say, submerging it in water)? Spraying the basket or racks with cooking spray. I'll repeat it again: You should never spray your air fryer basket or racks with cooking spray.
Toss with the olive oil and a generous amount of salt. Air-fry for 20–30 minutes at 180C, tossing every 10 minutes or so until the chips are crisp and golden, making sure they don't stick to the bottom of the basket towards the beginning of cooking.
Glass Dishes for the Air Fryer
You might not know this tip, but you can absolutely use glass dishes in your air fryer instead of cooking your food right in the machine's drawer, making it much easier to serve and clean up.
Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.
A lot of cooking sprays often contain soy lecithin or other additives that can damage the non-stick surface of your air fryer.
Spray the Basket Lightly with Vegetable Oil Spray
The next protective measure you can take is an obvious one: spraying the basket lightly with vegetable oil spray. We recommend doing this with foods that are prone to sticking, including fried chicken, chicken Parmesan, and our better-than-boxed fish sticks.
Bertolli®️ Air Fryer Spray
It is suitable for high temperatures and formulated to provide a fine mist of olive oil, allowing you to lightly coat food before air frying to add a crispy touch to your meal.
Air-frying equipment is not known to cause cancer, but the process of air frying does result in the formation of certain compounds, like acrylamide, that are linked to cancer development. Acrylamide is classified as a probable human carcinogen.
According to the food expert, “bacon is a fatty food, and when it is cooked in an air fryer, the fat can drip down and cause smoke or splatter”. “This can make the bacon difficult to cook evenly, and it can also produce a lot of smoke and odours,” she explained.
While an air fryer can technically take a burger patty from raw to cooked, the exterior won't brown as quickly as it would on, say, a grill, which means medium-rare (and even medium) burgers are out of the question. You also won't get that irresistible char.