Oil is a necessary component when air frying french fries.
The goal is to have a light, evenly coated layer of oil on the food so it can get crispy in the hot air.
Without it, your fries will be greasy and soggy.
So, yes, you need to add oil to your air fryer for french fries, but you don’t need a lot.
A thin layer is all you need to get those perfect results.
How do you know if your fryer has enough oil?
Look at the bottom of the fryer: if it’s wet or shiny, there’s enough oil.
If it’s dry or matte, then you’ll need to add some more.
But oil alone is not enough, you will need the right kinds of frozen fries to make the best dish.
So, check out my list of the best frozen fries for air fryers here for more info.
What oil is best to use in an air fryer?
Here are the ones that you should consider:
- Coconut Oil – has a smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Peanut Oil – has a smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Vegetable Oil – has a smoke point of 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – has a smoke point of 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Butter – has a smoke point of 200-250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is olive oil safe in the air fryer?
Only extra light olive oil can be used because it has a high smoke point.
To cook with it, brush on some or spray cooking spray on the food and then cook in the air fryer. (source)
Do you need to spray oil in the air fryer?
Yes, you should always be sure that you spray oil on the bottom grill.
This will make it so that your food won’t stick.
What is the best oil for homemade French fries?
The answer is peanut oil.
Peanut oil has a high smoking point, meaning it can withstand higher temperatures without burning.
This makes it the perfect oil for frying French fries.
How much oil do you use in an air fryer?
Some recipes don’t use any oil, but most do.
You only need about 1 teaspoon or 2 tablespoons of oil for most recipes. (source)
How much olive oil do you put in an air fryer?
There are a lot of recipes that call for one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
Many of those recipes make the difference and taste so good. (source)
How do you make oil spray for the air fryer?
You will need 1/4 cup of oil, 3/4 – 1 cup of water, a funnel, and a container.
Pour the oil into the container using the funnel.
Add the water and shake well.
The ingredients will separate, so shake again just before using.
Where do I put oil in my air fryer?
Oil goes on the outside of the food.
You should use just one layer.
Too much oil will drip into the pan of your air fryer during the hot air frying process. (source)
How do you cook frozen French fries in oil?
- To deep fry frozen French fries, you will need to preheat some cooking oil in an electric deep fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- You will also want to fill the deep fryer with oil at no more than half the total capacity, then pour some frozen fries onto the fryer basket (just half full please)
- Now, slowly bring down the basket into the simmering oil.
- You should fry for about 3 to 7 minutes.
- The fries should be cooked to a light golden color.
- After they are done frying, you can drain them on some paper towels.
- Season them to taste afterward.
What happens if you don’t use oil in the air fryer?
Air fryers have a way of cooking food without using any oil.
But it can be easy to make mistakes when using them.
Overcrowding your fryer basket will cause your food to not cook evenly.
You should clean the air fryer regularly in order to avoid having built-up grime on it. (source)
Can you use vegetable oil in an air fryer?
Yes, vegetable oils are used by many people and they work well in the air fryer.
They don’t burn at high temperatures and they have no taste, which means that your food will be crispy but won’t have any unexpected flavors.
Which oil does Mcdonald’s use for French fries?
McDonald’s uses a blend of canola oil and other oils to cook their French fries.
They are crispy and hot, and we flavor them with a variety of spices. (source)
Conclusion
In summary, when it comes to cooking french fries, you need a little bit of oil for the best results.
If your air fryer has an adjustable temperature setting, use that as well as different types of oils such as canola or olive oil will yield better outcomes.
You should never fill the basket with more than 1/2 inch (1 cm) worth of oil and keep in mind there is no set amount needed because everyone’s fryers are slightly different; experiment until you find what works best for you.