Can you use cooking sprays in an air fryer? Experts reveal the rules you need to follow to avoid damaging your appliance
Technically you can, but your really shouldn't....


Can you use cooking sprays in an air fryer? There has been a lot of debate over social media recently with many arguing that cooking sprays have no place in an air fryer.
However, the experts have weighed in to tell us exactly what we can and can’t do when it comes to cooking up a storm in our air fryers. It turns out that checking the ingredients of your spray is vital, as some can actually damage the fryer's non-stick elements.
If you’ve invested in one of the best air fryers, you’ll want to keep it in the best shape possible. A couple of things you can do to ensure our air fryer is well-maintained include cleaning an air fryer correctly and using air fryer liners, but what about using cooking sprays? Here’s exactly what you can and can’t do in regards to using cooking sprays in your air fryer.
To oil or not to oil?
‘Because of the way air fryers work by circulating hot air around the appliance, this means that oil shouldn’t be needed to cook your food,’ says Isabella Forgione, small appliances expert at AO.com.
‘But if you’re looking to crispen certain foods then sometimes adding a little oil or cooking spray can help. Ideally apply this to your food before it goes into your air fryer and be mindful to clean this thoroughly after every use.
‘Cooking spray is handy for food that you want to crispen well as it cooks. This makes it very useful if you’re looking to crisp your vegetables or breaded items and allows you to cook your foods without using oil. Yet be sure to check your spray’s added ingredients as they can cause damage to your air fryer over time.’
What's the risk of using cooking sprays?
‘Protecting the non-stick elements of your air fryer can be tricky if you’re keen on using cooking sprays. These sprays often contact propellants and other additives that can degrade your air fryer’s coating over time,’ says Isabella.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
This can be difficult if you're following a diet or prefer low-cal sprays to traditional oils, but these sprays can damage your airfryer and are best avoided.
Avoid cooking sprays with propellants, soy lecithin, and anti-foaming agents,’ says Kevin Ashton, seasoned chef and Culinary Advisor at Restaurantji.
‘Propellants, such as butane or propane, can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer and create a sticky residue that builds up over time.
‘Soy lecithin, found in many non-stick sprays, can leave a gummy residue that is difficult to clean and can degrade the air fryer basket's performance.’
What to use instead
While you don’t necessarily need to use oils when using your air fryer, Kevin recommends using pure oil sprays to achieve that extra crisp.
‘Pure oil sprays such as avocado, olive, or canola oil without additives or propellants are generally the best option,’ he says.
‘Pure oil sprays ensure an even coating without residue, protecting the non-stick surface and avoiding potential damage to the air fryer and your food's flavour.’
If you insist on using low-cal cooking sprays, Isabella has a suggestion.
‘Try to spray your food before putting it into the air fryer. This will help to reduce the amount of spray touching your appliance and protect the non-stick coating from being damaged,’ she says.
‘Opt for silicone, wooden, or plastic utensils to avoid scratching the non-stick coating. Instead of aerosol cooking sprays, use a pump spray or brush to apply oil because aerosol propellants can damage the non-stick surface,’ Kevin adds.
Add to basket
The non-stick on the Ninja air fryers is so good you need only a drop of oil if you're after really crispy results. The Ninja Food Flexdrawer is rated the best air fryer by Ideal Home's team of trusted reviewers - rated so highly because of it's power and how easy it is to use.
So next time you go to use your air fryer, ensure you give it all the love and care it needs - you're tastebuds will thank you for it.

Kezia Reynolds joined the Ideal Home team as News Writer in September 2024. After graduating from City, University of London in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, Kezia kicked off her career spending two years working on women’s weekly magazines. She is always on the lookout for the latest home news, finding you the best deals and trends - so you don’t miss a thing!
-
I’ve asked the experts and these are the 6 best Farrow & Ball paint shades they recommend you use in a small room
These colours will elevate any tiny space
-
Experts reveal the one simple ingredient that will leave your carpets smelling and looking fresh — this is how to use it
Freshen up your floors with this kitchen cupboard staple
-
'I am obsessed' – shoppers are praising H&M's 5-star breathable bedding that can help combat warm summer nights
Is muslin bedding the key to a cooler night's sleep? These 5-star reviews certainly suggest so
-
'Like a coffee shop in your kitchen' – our reviewer's automatic bean to cup machine has 20 drink options and is now reduced by £100
It has a menu of 20 drinks to choose from – hot and iced!
-
I previewed H&M’s new Soho House-style homeware collection with 5-star hotel, Palm Heights – these are the pieces that are set to sell out
H&M just dropped the perfect summer-ready collab
-
5 affordable ways to make your living room lighting look much more expensive than it actually is
How to elevate your living room lighting – experts share top tips to level up your lighting game without breaking the bank
-
‘Rustic farmhouse’ is set to be the 'it' home decor trend of the summer according to Pinterest – here's how to style this easy-to-live-with look
This style is going to be the biggest home decor trend of the season ahead
-
This knife from Gordon Ramsay approved brand HexClad can't be duped – trust me, I've tried it
Whilst HexClad is best known for its chef-favourite pans, don't overlook the brand's knives if you're looking to upgrade your kitchen
-
Ninja's new coffee machine is my secret weapon for iced drinks at home – here are the features I'm hooked on
I'm absolutely hooked on these features on Ninja's upgraded coffee machine
-
Aldi’s new £4 candle is a dead ringer for the cult Neom Happiness candle – and it’s more than £30 cheaper
How does this bargain buy compare to a luxury brand?
-
This is my top pick from the new Next x Morris & Co collaboration – it’s a dead ringer for the sell-out Habitat x Morris & Co armchair
Could this stunning chair be the next big thing?