We know you invested in the air fryer because of its no-to-little oil policy. While it’s true that cooking with an air fryer is far healthier than regular, it does require a few drops of oil for that crispy touch. But what if you add a non-stick spray like PAM to your air fryer instead of your regular oil?
Theoretically, it should save your food from sticking to the bottom, but is it really all that safe; let’s find out.
No, it’s best to avoid non-stick cooking sprays like PAM when working with an air fryer. This is because PAM can damage the inner coating of the air fryer basket and make it unsafe for cooking.
Is PAM good for air fryers?
No, it is not; you shouldn’t spray your air fryer with PAM. Apart from the reason above, the ingredients used in PAM are far from natural. The oils used are of low grade, and the propellants are dangerous for human health.
The air fryer basket already comes with a non-stick surface. It should be enough to prevent your food from sticking. Still, if your food sticks, always use a natural oil instead of modified ones like PAM.
What is PAM, and how does it work?
PAM is a non-stick “oil” spray used to make the bottom of a utensil stick-proof. It is sprayed inside the pots so that the food does not stick and get burnt. While PAM is good for utensils made of steel and iron, it is not so good for non-stick pots. Why? It’s the ingredients that are the real culprit.
What is PAM made of?
The following are the key ingredients that are found in PAM spray oil:
- Canola oil
- Coconut oil
- Modified palm oil
- Soy lecithin
- Propellent (isobutane and propane)
- Rosemary Extract
- Dimethylpolysiloxane
Why is PAM bad for us?
Low-quality ingredients like canola and soy in the PAM spray are often gained from genetically modified crops. Not only are these bad for our health, but many people are also allergic to them. Just imagine consuming something that can tolerate something as strong as pesticides. Yikes!
Secondly, PAM contains propellants like butane and propane. These are added to prevent the oils from clogging the nozzle. But these hydrocarbons are also used as fuels for lighters and other flammable devices.
It’s one thing that these chemicals are bad for human health; it is another story that they can potentially damage an air fryer’s basket. The propellants corrode the non-stick lining of the basket and cause it to peel off. We don’t want any of that non-stick stuff going into our mouths, now, do we?
Healthy alternatives
Cooking in an air fryer is relatively different than cooking in a pot. The closed environment inside the air fryer makes it less prone to smoky material. You don’t want to use oil in the air fryer with a high smoke point. That is, you should always use oils that have low smoke points.
Another quality to look for in oil is its high quality. Granted, good quality oils can be expensive, but if you are concerned about your health, the money is worth spending.
The following are some of the oils with high smoke points and are of premium quality:
- Avocado oil
- Extra light olive oil
- Peanut oil
- Rice bran oil
- Soyabean oil
- Vegetable oil
Conclusion
The consumer industry has made our lives easier by giving us time-saving products. PAM is one such example. But spraying an air fryer with PAM is surely not a healthy way to cook your food. The ingredients in PAM make it unhealthy for humans and can also be destructive to our precious air fryer. So, learn with us and live safely!