Best Oil For Air Fryer 2021: Top Brands Review

Fried food is exciting to most people. Over the years, we’ve developed a fascination for fast food which typically involves a lot of fried foods and this trend doesn’t seem to be declining anytime soon. The rising popularity of fast food has also resulted in a high in health concerns. The incidence of chronic illnesses and diet related diseases are higher than ever and many people are making more health conscious choices without feeling the need to compromise on tasty food. An air fryer is perfect for this, but the question arises: what is the best oil for air fryer in 2021?

Wait…did we just say best oil for air fryer in 2021? Yes, we did. While air fryers have risen in popularity as a healthier alternative to deep fried foods, they do still require oil to be added to the food.  How do they work? They circulate hot air around the food of your choice to give it the crispiness that people have come to love today. The chemical reaction triggered by air frying still requires a little bit of oil though, making your food crispy and tasty. It does, however, allow you to enjoy crispy, tasty food with just a fraction of the calories and fat that you would consume from having the same food deep fried.

Not only do air fryers offer a healthier alternative to deep frying, but they also eliminate the risk of oil spilling and splashing onto you during the cooking process. They can aid your weight loss efforts by significantly reducing your intake of calories and fat, thereby reducing the risk of you developing diseases or illnesses in the long run.

So if air fryers do still require oil, which is the best oil? We’ve put together a detailed guide on all you need to know about the best oil for air fryer. Before we get into the top oil for air fryer brands, let’s go through a few factors you should consider when you’re looking to obtain the best oil for air fryer.

How to Choose the Best Oil For Air Fryers

Before you decide to just pop a dish into your air fryer and use it to get the crispiness you desire, you need to pay attention to a few things. Selecting the best oil for air fryer is about a lot more than just going with a fancy brand that you think will produce great results.

Several factors need to be taken into consideration when you’re choosing the best oil for air fryer. You don’t want to end up burning your food or getting bad results with your air fryer just because you didn’t pay attention to some essentials. Here’s what you need to carefully consider when making a decision about the oil for air fryer.

They’re as follows.

1. Your Cooking Needs

Not everyone has the same needs when it comes to the food they want to cook at home. Some people enjoy strong flavours while others are happy to enjoy food that caters to a more subtle palate. Different oils work differently based on what they’re going to be used for. The taste of coconut oil may appeal to some while others may be repulsed by the idea of eating something that makes use of coconut oil. The oil for air fryer will depend on the type of cuisine you want to cook using the air fryer and the distinctive flavours you want your food to have.

You should also decide on how exactly you’ll be using the oil when you want to make something using the air fryer. There are spray bottles and brushes available that allow you to either spray the oil onto the food or brush some oil onto the food. Air fryers don’t require you to put oil at the bottom of your fryer, but you will have to decide on a method you want to use based on what you’re cooking. Are you going to be dabbing your momos with oil using a brush or using a sprayer for the French fries you want to make? Your needs will affect which oil for air fryer will be for you to be clear about what you need.

2. Smoking Factors

When it comes to air frying, smoking points are something you just can’t take lightly. Air fryers are designed to function at extremely high temperatures of between 350°F and 400°F. Under such circumstances, the best oil for air fryer will be a type of oil that has the capacity to retain its health properties at high temperatures while also adding the flavours you desire to the food.

The smoking point of any oil represents the temperature at which it is likely to smoke to burn, thereby losing its nutritional benefits. It is imperative to choose oils that have high smoking points so that they don’t burn or smoke and lose their nutritional properties at high temperatures in the air fryer. Low smoking point oils don’t make for the best oil for air fryer for this reason.

Luckily though, it is possible to use a variety of oils that have high smoking points in an air fryer. Here’s a helpful list you can refer to:

• Avocado oil: 520°F
• Palm oil: 455°F
• Refined safflower oil: 510°F
• Extra light olive oil: 468°F
• Mustard oil: 480°F
• Rice bran oil: 450°F
• Cotton seed oil: 446°F
• Peanut oil: 441 to 445°F
• Vegetable oil: 428°F
• Refined sunflower oil: 450°F
• Refined corn oil: 446 to 460°F
• Sunflower oil: 486 to 489°F
• Sesame oil: 450°F
• Almond oil: 430°F
• Refined coconut oil: 400°F
• Refined canola oil: 400°F
• Pressed canola oil: 428 to 446°F
• Soybean oil: 453°F

3. Oil Quality

Oil quality is another factor you want to take into consideration when choosing the oil for air fryer. Usually the more premium oil options work best when it comes to being used in the air fryer. Before you freak out about how much that is going to cost you, just bear in mind that unlike deep frying, air fryers don’t require a lot of oil. A few dabs or sprays of high quality premium oil is going to work out to be a much better option for you than filling a deep fryer full of premium oil. This way, the oil will last a lot longer and be spread over multiple uses, so it will actually work out to be a more economical option for you.

Besides, such oils tend to be healthier and have more nutritional properties so you don’t have to feel guilty about eating something fried. A cold pressed extra light olive oil or avocado oil is one of the best oils for air fryer. If you’re opting for olive oil though, don’t pick the extra virgin or regular kind – these have low smoking points and are likely to burn if used in the air fryer.

4. Health & Safety

The major benefit of using an air fryer is that you get to enjoy crispy, delicious food without having to consume the fats and calories that you would get from a deep fried dish. If you actually want to take advantage of this benefit, it makes sense to choose a healthy and safe oil. This doesn’t just extend to the nutritional properties of the oil. It also relates to its source, method of processing, and materials used. Choosing an oil that is free of GMOs and BHT is one way to make sure that you’re making a healthier choice. Such details will usually be listed on the packaging.

Saturated fats generally come from meat and dairy and have been associated with illnesses like heart disease. Mono-unsaturated fats such as those found in plant based oils, as well as polyunsaturated fats like those found in nuts and seeds have a short fatty acid chain and are generally considered to be healthy fats.

5. Flavor

Oils also come in different flavours so you need to pick an oil based on the flavour you want to create for your dish. If you’re looking to make something continental, using oils with a fruity flavour is a great choice. You can also opt for infused oils for spicy and other dishes, but you just need to be careful that they’re refrigerated when not in use.

6. Budget

Sometimes, the best oil for air fryer will depend on your budget constraints. While premium oils tend to be the best oil for air fryer and last over a longer duration, you will need to choose a type of oil based on your budget. Take into consideration how much you’ll be using your air fryer because the more you use it, the more oil you’ll need. If you plan to use it more frequently, you’re going to be ending up making more trips to the store so you may want to opt for a less expensive type of oil in such cases.

Read also: https://airfrying.net/what-type-of-oil-is-best-for-an-air-fryer/.

Top Rated Oil For Air Fryer Brand

1. Viva Naturals

• Ingredients: Coconut
• Smoke point: 350°F
• Volume: 54 fl. ounce

Coconut oil has long been a go to option for people, not just when it comes to cooking but also for use in haircare and other skincare products. The cold pressed, pure coconut oil from Viva Naturals is an excellent alternative to butter and can add just the flavours you want to your food. The Viva Naturals’ coconut oil is organic, nutrient rich; USDA certified organic, non-GMO, and gluten free, making it an excellent choice for those who are gluten intolerant. It is also harvested sustainably and there are no unnecessary additives in it. With a smoke point of 350°F however, you are likely to find other oils that would be more suited to higher heat levels.

Pros:

• A gluten free option
• It is a nutrient rich oil
• Doesn’t contain unnecessary additives
• USDA certified organic and non-GMO
• It doesn’t require refrigeration
• It is harvested sustainably

Cons:

• It can’t be used to make anything above 350°F
• It’s not the cheapest option in the market

2. Chosen Foods

• Ingredients: Avocado
• Smoke point: 500°F
• Volume: 33 fl. ounce

The avocado oil from Chosen Foods is perfect for those who are health conscious. This 100% natural avocado oil is free from glyphosate residue, gluten, soy and canola. Its high smoke point of 500°F also means that you can enjoy peace of mind when cooking your food in an air fryer without worrying about whether it will burn.

Pros:

• It has a high smoke point of 500°F
• It has a neutral flavour, making it easy to use for a variety of purposes
• It is plant based and free from glyphosate residue, gluten, soy and canola
• It is certified non-GMO

Cons:

• It’s one of the more expensive oils in the market

3. La Tourangelle Roasted Walnut Oil

• Ingredients: Roasted walnuts
• Smoke point: 320°F
• Volume: 0.5, 16.9, 25.4, 128 fl. ounce

This is also one of the best oil for air fryer although it does have a lower smoke point when compared to other oils. This organic option made of roasted walnuts has a nutty flavour and anti-aging properties. It’s not only good for air fryers, but also to get rid of facial wrinkles. It does have a nutty flavour though so you need to be careful about what recipes you want to use the oil in.

Pros:

• Multi-purpose oil that you can use in your air fryer and well as to get rid of wrinkles

Cons:

• Low smoke point of 320°F
• Not suitable for those with nut allergies
• Nutty flavours won’t work for all cuisines

4. La Tourangelle Grapeseed Oil

• Ingredients: Grapeseed
• Smoke point: 420 °F
• Volume: 25.4 fl. ounce

La Tourangelle’s grapeseed oil is also one of the best oils for air fryer. Unlike the roasted walnut oil, this has a high smoke point of 420°F, making it a more suitable option for air frying. It is also certified non-GMO, kosher, and expeller pressed, containing mainly polyunsaturated fats.

Pros:

• The oil is certified non-GMO
• One of the healthier oils with polyunsaturated fats majorly
• Kosher and expeller pressed

Cons:

• If you’re looking for a strong flavour, this isn’t the oil for you
• Not the option for those allergic to tree nuts

5. La Tourangelle Avocado Oil

• Ingredients: Avocado
• Smoke point: 500°F
• Volume: 16.9 fl. ounce

The fact that there are so many oils from La Tourangelle on this list of top oil for air fryer brands 2021 highlights just how good the products are when it comes to meeting your air frying needs. This 100% organic avocado oil from La Tourangelle gives food cooked in it a mild but delicious flavour. It is also available in sachets and packs of different volumes including 0.5 oz sachets, 8.45 ounces, 16.9 ounces, 25.4 ounces, and even 128 oz. It has a buttery texture, making it a good way to add some flavour to your food.

Pros:

• It is among the oils that are known to be good for the heart
• La Tourangelle’s avocado has a high smoke point of 500°F, making it ideal for use in the high heat level conditions of an air fryer
• It is a versatile oil that pairs well with a variety of dishes
• This oil works well for sweet as well as savoury applications
• Besides consumptions, La Tourangelle’s oil is also good for skincare and haircare
• The oil is free from harmful chemicals

Cons:

• Avocadoes aren’t cheap and neither is avocado oil, regardless of the brand you’re choosing to buy from

6. Kevala Avocado Oil

• Ingredients: Avocado
• Smoke point: 500°F
• Volume: 1 gallon

Yes, there are quite a few avocado oils on our list, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise considering the several health benefits that avocadoes offer and their high smoke point (500°F) that make them perfect for an air fryer. Kevala offers the cold pressed oil in 1 gallon BPA free plastic jugs at a reasonable price. It is also certified non-GMO and kosher.

Pros:

• The cold pressed oil is available at a reasonable price in 1 gallon jar
• Kevala’s avocado oil is certified non-GMO and kosher

Cons:

• It is a mild oil and therefore, cannot add much flavour to the food you want to make
• Other oils like olive oil are healthier options

7. BetterBody Foods

• Ingredients: Avocado
• Smoke point: 500°F
• Volume: 16.9 oz

Yes, there’s a lot of avocado oils on our list, but the properties of this oil make it such. This 16.9 oz bottle of avocado oil from Better Body Foods is certified non-GMO and gluten free. Its mild flavour makes it the perfect addition to a variety of recipes and its high smoke point of 500°F means that you will be able to cook food at high temperatures without worrying about burning anything.

Pros:

• It has a high smoke point of 500°F
• Organic and non-GMO avocados are used in its production

Cons:

• Its mild flavour doesn’t add a lot to the flavour of food
• It isn’t the cheapest option in the market

8. Filippo Berio

• Ingredients: Olives
• Smoke point: 410 to 446°F
• Volume: 16.9 oz

Regular or extra virgin olive oil won’t be able to withstand the heat in an air fryer but extra light olive oil has a high smoke point (410 to 446°F) that can. This extra light olive oil from Filippo Berio is free of cholesterol, trans fat, gluten, GMO, sugar, and even sodium. It can be used for any type of air frying and is a healthy alternative to several other oils.

Pros:

• Extra light olive oil is a premium quality oil
• It is useful for different types of air frying
• Its high smoke point of 410 to 446°F prevents it from burning due to the high heat atmosphere within air fryers

Cons:

• It’s more expensive than regular oils as it is premium quality
• Certain other oils like avocado can withstand even higher temperatures

9. Kevala Organic Sesame Oil

• Ingredients: Sesame seeds
• Smoke point: 449°F
• Volume: 1/2 gallon, 8 ounces

This extra virgin organic sesame oil from Kevala is one of the best oils for air fryer, providing a combination of monounsaturated as well as polyunsaturated fats. Only the finest sesame seeds are used in the production of this cold pressed oil. It is also rich in nutrients and antioxidants, making it a healthy option for air frying. It is USDA-certified organic, non-GMO, kosher, and gluten free.

Pros:

• USDA certified organic, non-GMO, kosher, and gluten free
• Cold pressed and unrefined oil
• Rich in nutrients and antioxidants
• The extraction process does not involve the use of additives, hexane, and other solvents
• It has a high smoke point of 449°F, making it ideal for use in air fryers

Cons:

• It is an expensive option

10. Wholesome Harvest

• Ingredients: Sunflower seeds
• Smoke point: 450°F
• Volume: 1 gallon

If you’re shopping on a budget for the best oil for air fryer, this is a great option for you. You’ll be able to keep your cholesterol in check when you cook food in an air fryer using this oil. It also has a long shelf life and high smoke point at 450°F.

Pros:

• It has a high smoke point of 450°F which means it can cook food in an air fryer without getting burnt
• Best oil for those shopping on a budget
• It is a certified organic and non-GMO cooking oil

Cons:

• It’s not the top choice in terms of flavour

11. Pompeian Extra Light

• Ingredients: Olives
• Smoke point: 468°F
• Volume: 24 fl. ounces

This extra light olive oil from Pompeian has a high smoke point of 468°F. It is farmer crafted, non-GMO, gluten free, and non-allergenic. It offers several health benefits and can be used for a variety of cooking purposes.

Pros:

• It adds a light and subtle flavour to food
• It has a high smoke point of 468°F
• It can be used for several cooking purposes
• It is non-GMO, gluten free, and non-allergenic

Cons:

• It’s an expensive option

12. Happy Belly Soybean Vegetable Oil

• Ingredients: Soybeans
• Smoke point: 453°F
• Volume: 128 fl. ounces

This cholesterol free oil has a light taste resulting from soybeans and is free of trans fats. It also has a high smoke point. You can use it to dress the food you want to cook in your air fryer and enjoy tasty results without compromising on your health.

Pros:

• It’s a healthy option
• It has a high smoke point of 453°F
• It is cholesterol and trans fat free

Cons:

• It’s not a good choice for those with allergies

Read also: Top 24 Best Air Fryer Reviews of 2021

13. Hollywood Safflower Oil

• Ingredients: Safflower
• Smoke point: 510°F
• Volume: 32 fl. Ounces

This pure safflower oil is expeller pressed and doesn’t use any chemicals. There are no genetically engineered or artificial ingredients used and the oil contains low levels of sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol. It also has antioxidant vitamin E added to it.

Pros:

• No chemicals, artificial, or genetically engineered ingredients are used to make this oil
• Low sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat content
• Enriched using antioxidant vitamin E

Cons:

• It’s expensive
• It’s mild so if you’re looking for something more flavourful, this isn’t the best option

14. Chosen Foods Organic Blend Oil

• Ingredients: Avocado, coconut, safflower
• Smoke point: 500°F
• Volume: 34 fl. Ounces

The expeller press method is used to extract high quality avocado, coconut, and safflower oil to create this oil blend. It has a neutral flavour and is certified organic and non-GMO. It is gluten, canola, and soy free making it ideal for anyone with allergies.

Pros:

• High quality blend of organic coconut, avocado, and safflower oil
• It has a high smoke point of 500°F
• It is certified non-GMO
• It is gluten, canola, and soy free

Cons:

• The neutral flavour of this blended oil may not be what you’re looking for in your food

15. Better Body Food Pure Avocado Oil

• Ingredients: Avocado
• Smoke point: 500°F
• Volume: 16.9 fl. ounces

This multi-purpose oil has a high smoke point and can be a subtle flavour enhancer.

Pros:

• It is certified non-GMO
• It has a high smoke point of 500°F
• It is gluten free and has no additives

Cons:

• It’s expensive

16. Spring Sunrise Organic Ghee Butter

• Ingredients: Ghee
• Smoke point: 485°F
• Volume: 32 fl. ounces

This is sustainably produced and USDA certified organic.

Pros:

• USDA certified organic
• Rich in A, E, and K vitamins
• It has a high smoking point of 485°F
• It is produced sustainably

Cons:

• It’s not from a plant-based source

17. Viva Naturals Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

• Ingredients: Coconut
• Smoke point: 350°F
• Volume: 16 fl. ounces

This oil is USDA certified organic and non-GMO, made from cold pressed, fresh coconuts. It is a gluten free option that doesn’t have any pesticides or chemicals. Sustainable harvesting methods are also used in the production of this nutrient rich oil.

Pros:

• Made from organic coconuts
• Certified non-GMO
• Nutrient rich oil
• A gluten free option
• Free of chemicals and pesticides
• Utilizes sustainable methods of harvesting

Cons:

• Its smoking point is lower than several other oils
• Coconut oil tends to have a strong smell which you may not like in your food

FAQs

1. What should you not cook in an air fryer?

You can make a lot of great food in an air fryer. Using air fryers to get crispy results from frozen food is a great option. You can even use an air fryer to enjoy the taste of Brussel sprouts. Want a quick fix for your sweet tooth cravings? Freeze cookie dough balls and let your air fryer do the rest of the work. You can even avoid being left with a plate full of soggy noodles if you decide to use the air fryer for it.

An air fryer however, can’t “do it all”. There are certain foods you shouldn’t try to make in an air fryer. Pay attention and you’ll be using it for the right kind of food in no time.

• Battered foods aren’t great options for an air fryer because their heavy coating is likely to fall through the perforated basket before there’s any time for it to become crisp.
• Placing over seasoned food an in air fryer is likely to cause the dry seasoning to fly around in the fryer or fall through the basket.
• Leafy greens are light and a disaster when combined with the high speed hot air of the air fryer. They’re just going to end up flying around and you’ll find yourself with unevenly cooked greens at the end of it.
• Broccoli just ends up becoming dry in an air fryer. It doesn’t cook in the same way that Brussel sprouts do.
• Large roasts are likely to get cooked unevenly, with the portion closest to the source of heat getting cooked while the one farthest from the heat source won’t.

Keeping these points in mind will ensure that you get the results you’re looking for when you set out to cook something in an air fryer.

Read also: https://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/air-fryer-mistakes

2. Is an Airfryer better than an oven?

Air fryers differ from ovens in the way that they function to produce heat. Ovens typically produce heat from some element, either a gas or some electric source. The heat produced in an oven usually spreads throughout the oven over time while convection ovens make use of a fan to speed up this process.

Air fryers, by contrast don’t produce heat from some element. Instead, they make use of rapid air technology to generate heat. While both are healthy options and can be used to prepare food with minimum oil content, air fryers tend to produce quicker results and their smaller size means that the heat is circulated more evenly when your food is being cooked. This gives air fryers a few advantages over traditional ovens.

3. Why are air fryers bad for you?

If you’re comparing air frying to deep frying, there’s no question about which one is the healthier option. Air fryers significantly reduce the amount of oil used to cook food, cutting your fat and calorie intake drastically. While they are healthier options, it’s important to remember that fried food is still not the healthiest option. Wholefoods are always healthier but air fryers can aid your weight loss efforts by reducing the amount of oil you consume.

In addition to this, it is possible for some harmful compounds to form when air frying. Using air fryers can result in the creation of acrylamides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as heterocyclic amines from cooking meat at high heat levels. This has been associated with an increased risk of cancer. However, the amount of acrylamides that form as a result of deep frying are a lot more, so air frying would still be the healthier alternative to deep frying your dishes.

See more: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/air-frying-is-it-as-healthy-as-you-think/

Last update on 2023-01-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API