Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying. The NuWave air fryer is one of the more popular models on the market. A common question for those considering purchasing a NuWave air fryer is whether or not oil is needed when cooking with it.
How Air Fryers Work
Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food to produce a crispy, fried finish without submerging food in oil. The rapid air circulation mimics deep frying results. Food is placed in the air fryer’s basket and hot air (generally between 200°F and 400°F) is blown from all directions to surround the food. This allows the food to cook evenly and extract moisture, resulting in the crispy texture associated with deep fried foods.
Benefits of Air Frying
There are several benefits to using an air fryer instead of traditional deep frying:
- Uses up to 80% less oil than deep frying, reducing overall fat and calorie intake
- Food cooks faster than oven baking
- Does not heat up kitchen like deep frying
- Less messy than dealing with hot oil
- Produces less smoke and smells than deep frying
Do You Need Oil for the NuWave Air Fryer?
The short answer is no, you do not need to use oil when cooking with the NuWave air fryer. The hot air circulation sufficiently crisps up food without the need for adding oil.
However, while not required, using a small amount of oil can help enhance the flavor and texture of foods cooked in the NuWave air fryer. Using oil sparingly can promote browning and crisping. The circulating hot air will still ensure the food isn’t greasy.
Recommended Oil Amounts
If you do opt to use oil, only a small amount is needed. Recommended amounts include:
- 1-2 teaspoons for foods like fresh vegetables and boneless meats
- 1 tablespoon or less for frozen foods like french fries
- Brushing or misting oil on breads, pastries, and snacks
It’s best to use an oil with a high smoke point like avocado, grapeseed, olive, or canola oil. Avoid butter and non-stick cooking sprays as these can burn quickly in the air fryer and negatively impact taste.
Tips for Oiling Foods
Here are some tips for lightly oiling foods prior to air frying:
- Use a cooking brush or oil mister to lightly coat foods
- Toss items in a bowl with oil to evenly distribute
- Lay foods on a baking sheet and drizzle lightly with oil, tossing to coat
- Avoid drowning foods in oil, just a light coating is needed
Cooking Without Oil in a NuWave Air Fryer
While oil can enhance flavor and texture, it is absolutely not a requirement when cooking in a NuWave air fryer. The unit will produce crispy “fried” results without any added oils due to the forced hot air circulation.
Tips for Oil-Free Cooking
Here are some tips for cooking without oil in the NuWave air fryer:
- Use a cooking spray like Pam on foods to help promote browning
- Allow foods to fully thaw before cooking for best texture
- Flip or shake foods midway through cooking to expose all sides to air circulation
- Spritz or baste meats, fish, and veggies with juices and marinades while cooking
- Adjust cooking times and temperatures as needed to reach desired doneness
Best Oil-Free Foods
All types of foods can be made in the NuWave air fryer without oil. Some of the best oil-free options include:
| Protein | Vegetables | Snacks |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breasts | Asparagus | Frozen fries |
| Pork chops | Brussel sprouts | Egg rolls |
| Burgers | Broccoli | Pizza rolls |
| Fish fillets | Cauliflower | Popcorn shrimp |
| Steak | Green beans | Taquitos |
Using Oil vs. Oil-Free in a NuWave Air Fryer
Whether to use oil or not comes down to personal preference. Here is a comparison:
| Using Oil | Oil-Free | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | Slightly higher | Lower |
| Flavor | Enhanced browning and crispness | Less enhanced flavor |
| Texture | Crispier exterior | Less crispy |
| Healthfulness | Minimally less healthy | Healthiest option |
| Cleanup | Oil residue to clean | No oil residue |
Tips for Both Methods
Regardless of oil use, here are some general tips for success:
- Pat foods dry before cooking for crispiest exterior
- Toss or flip foods midway through cooking
- Use cooking sprays/misters to promote browning as needed
- Adjust temperature and times to reach desired doneness
- Let foods rest 1-2 minutes after cooking before serving
FAQs
Is it bad to not use oil in an air fryer?
No, it is not bad to cook without oil in an air fryer. The circulating hot air will still crisp up and cook foods. Oil simply enhances browning and flavor.
What happens if you don’t oil food in an air fryer?
Without oil, foods may cook more slowly, have a less crispy/browned exterior, and have slightly less enriched flavor. But they will still cook through and be edible.
Do air fryers make food greasy?
Air fryers should not make foods greasy, even when using oil. Only a small amount of oil is needed, which the hot circulating air cooks off, leaving foods crispy and not greasy.
What is the best oil to use in an air fryer?
The best oils for air frying include avocado, grapeseed, olive, canola, vegetable, peanut, sunflower, and safflower oils. Avoid oils with low smoke points like coconut oil.
How much oil do you need for air frying?
Most foods only need 1-2 tsp of oil if oiling. For frozen foods, use up to 1 tbsp oil. Brush or mist oils on rather than drowning foods.
Conclusion
In summary, while the NuWave air fryer does not require oil to cook foods, using a small amount can enhance the flavor and texture. However, the forced hot air circulation alone is sufficient for crisping up foods to an air fried finish. Following proper techniques like flipping foods and adjusting cook times as needed will allow you to air fry with delicious results whether you opt for oil or oil-free.