Why You Shouldn't Use Cooking Spray In Your
Air Fryer
By JOHN J LEE
Food - Drink
The air fryer might be a go-to kitchen appliance in most American homes, but it's actually relatively new, making its debut merely 12 years ago. Despite their ease, air fryers still require a certain level of culinary and technical knowledge to maintain and operate.
The main draw of an air fryer is to have that crispy skin that usually comes courtesy of a deep fryer without the hassle or calories, but some oil still has a place when cooking with an air fryer. Although using oils can be beneficial, there are sprays that can damage and ruin its nonstick properties.
Sprays like Pam and even artisanal ones may contain lecithin, an emulsifier that can build up over time on your cookware, covering up the nonstick surfaces and causing food to become clingy and difficult to work with. The same goes for other chemicals such as dimethyl silicone, propane, or butane, so you should instead trust the nonstick surfaces and only use simple cooking oils to add moisture.