My brother told me to stop using oil in the air fryer for everything

We were making fries last week and I went to spray them like I always do. He said 'you know that's just making a mess and you don't need it for half the stuff you cook.' I argued that everything needs a little oil to get crispy... but then I tried some chicken thighs without any. They came out perfect, with way less smoke and cleanup. Has anyone else cut out oil for certain recipes?

3 comments

3 Comments

zara4472mo ago

Wait, your brother was right? That's wild. I had the same thing happen with frozen fries, I always sprayed them but they actually get crispier without it. The oil just drips down and smokes.

elizabethwhite2mo ago

Actually the oil can sometimes trap moisture and make things steam instead of crisp up. Learned that the hard way with frozen onion rings.

blake_cooper1mo ago

Elizabeth's point about the moisture thing is spot on... I tried making brussel sprouts with zero oil last week and they got way crispier than usual, almost like little chips. The oil was just making them soggy and smoky the whole time.