Serious question, how much oil are you really supposed to use?

I've been using my air fryer for about 8 months now and I always just gave things a quick spray with that canola oil spray. My fries and chicken were coming out okay, but never as crispy as the pictures online. Then my friend came over last week and saw me making sweet potato fries. She said 'Wendy, you're barely coating them, that's why they're soggy.' She took the bag, dumped the fries back in the bowl, and poured in a full tablespoon of avocado oil and tossed them until every piece was shiny. I was sure they'd be greasy, but they came out perfect. I've been doing it wrong this whole time by being too scared of the oil. Now I'm wondering, is there a general rule for how much oil to use for different foods?

4 comments

4 Comments

kevinw941mo ago

Totally get that fear of using too much oil. I did the same thing with my air fryer for ages. A good coating really does make all the difference for crispiness.

wesleywilliams1mo ago

Remember my friend who swore her air fryer fries were just sad? She'd use like, three drops of oil total. I finally told her, @kevinw94, to just coat them in a bowl with a real spoonful. The next batch was a total game changer, like crispy fast food fries. She said she could actually hear the crunch. Now she's obsessed with making those little potato wedges.

andrew_baker91mo agoMost Upvoted

Ever try soaking the cut potatoes in water first? It pulls out some starch for a crispier outside. That plus the oil coating is my go-to method now.

scott.alex23d ago

Oh man, I was totally in that same boat! I used to think the whole point of the air fryer was to use almost no oil, so I'd just do a tiny spritz. My chicken wings always came out kinda tough and my veggies were limp. Then I saw a video where someone tossed broccoli in a full tablespoon of olive oil before air frying. I tried it and it was a total night and day difference, everything got actually crispy and tasted way better. I had to get over that fear of using a real amount of oil.