Cooking sprays are a popular choice among home cooks looking for a healthier option than traditional cooking oils, but they might not be as beneficial as we think. Despite the perception that they’re a health-conscious choice, these spray oils often include an ingredient that can potentially damage air fryers.
With the rise of air fryers as a convenient kitchen appliance, many might not realise the potential downside to using cooking sprays. Indeed, one ingredient in particular found in commercially available sprays especially those from supermarkets is problematic for air fryers.
It turns out there’s a key reason to steer clear of common cooking sprays, and it revolves around the additives they contain. Air fryer chef and authority Sam Milner spoke to Homes & Gardens about this issue, noting that many spray oils on the market carry an emulsifier known as lecithin, reports the Express.
Lecithin serves to merge ingredients together that normally wouldn’t blend well, and is a common additive in numerous food items aimed at enhancing their texture. But while lecithin might work wonders for food consistency, it’s not so great for air fryers.
Sam pointed out: “Chemicals added to commercial spray oils cause damage to your air fryer, since they contain an emulsifier called lecithin, which slowly breaks down the coating on your air fryer.”
In reality, these cooking sprays should be avoided when dealing with any non-stick surfaces. The damaging action of the emulsifier on the air fryer’s protective layer could even risk leaching harmful substances into your meals.
Martin Bucknavage, a food safety specialist at Penn State’s Department of Food Science, spoke to The Spruce Eats about the potential drawbacks of using cooking sprays in air fryers. He highlighted that lecithin found in these sprays has a low smoke point and is “less stable” compared to oils with higher smoke points.
According to Bucknavage, oils and cooking sprays with low smoke points can break down under the high temperatures used in air fryers. He warned: “This can gunk up your equipment, specifically the tray or basket and potentially ruin the surface.”
Martin also noted that cooking sprays might affect both the taste and look of the food cooked in an air fryer. He said: “The spray oils can cause discolouration and produce a slightly off flavour. If you have ever sprayed Pam onto a hot pan, you see how dark the colour gets.”
While it may appear healthier to use a cooking spray for air frying, there are safer alternatives that won’t compromise your appliance. For better results without risking damage, consider using oils such as avocado, canola, peanut, sesame, or sunflower.
To apply the oil, either use a non-aerosol spray bottle, a silicone brush, or simply dab it on with some kitchen roll.