When to use oil

Fresh potatoes, veg or home-breaded food like schnitzel turn more golden and, above all, crispier with a little oil. With many frozen foods, though, you can skip it completely. I always add the oil straight to the food in the air fryer – before cooking. 

When you need oil in the air fryer

• Fresh potatoes and veg: Toss them in a little oil before air frying so everything has just a thin coating. For homemade chips, aim for about ½ tbsp of oil per 500 g of potatoes.
• Lean meat: A thin film of oil is all it takes to make chicken breast or steak strips extra crispy.
• Home-breaded food: For schnitzel, fish or veg, a little oil helps the breadcrumbs brown more evenly. I give the coated food a light spray of oil. 

When you don't need oil in the air fryer

• Frozen food: Frozen chips, nuggets and spring rolls are often already part-cooked or pre-fried. So there's no need for extra oil.
• Oil-based marinades: If your marinade already contains oil, that's enough for air frying.
• Fattier ingredients: Salmon, chicken thighs and bacon release their own fat as they cook, so they often don't need any extra oil.

Which oil for the air fryer? Neutral and suited to high heat

Use a neutral oil such as rapeseed or sunflower oil. Cold-pressed oils burn at high temperatures.

An oil spray makes it easiest to use just the right amount. Always spray it straight onto your food, outside the air fryer. Find out more here: Oil spray for your air fryer

Air fryer recipe to try: Low-Fat Cauliflower Bites
See how crispy veg gets with just a little oil: Low-Fat Cauliflower Bites. How much oil have you been using? Let me know in the comments 👇