You Should Never Use Aerosol Sprays On Air Fryers. Here's Why
Air fryers are the latest kitchen mini-appliance to rock amateur chefs everywhere. They produce the crispiest potatoes and the most perfectly tender chicken nuggets out there, plus they can even be used for swankier items, like teriyaki salmon and even steak.
There are some growing pains associated with any new cooking method, however, and the air fryer is no exception. Enthusiastic air fryer user Tanya Harris with My Forking Life has plenty of tips to make the process easier on new users. For example, she cautions users about overcrowding the basket with food because this will keep it from browning and crisping. Also, if you're unsure how long to cook something in the air fryer, she suggests cutting the temperature by 30 degrees and the time by 20% compared to what you'd do with a conventional oven.
That said, she especially cautions against using one popular item in conjunction with the air fryer.
Why aerosol cans and air fryers don't mix
One of the fastest and easiest ways to grease a pan is to use a cooking spray, like Pam. Unfortunately, Harris noted, aerosol products can cause air fryer baskets to chip. "The aerosol cans have harsh agents that just don't mesh with the coating on most baskets. It's best to invest in a good quality oil mister or bottle," she suggested on My Forking Life.
Harris prefers the EVO sprayer for the purpose. An 18-ounce model is currently available on Amazon for $33.95 and is refillable and washable. It's also made from plastic that is free of latex, BPA, and DEHP. The mister is much more attractively designed than the average Pam can, so it can even be left out on the counter. Not only will you be able to use it to coat the air fryer basket or sheet before use, it's also a cinch to spritz non-fatty food with oil halfway through cooking, which Harris also recommended.