Hi Sharon! Thanks for the question.

Air frying is generally a healthier cooking method than pan-frying or deep-frying in oil, including coconut oil, but the food itself still matters more than the appliance.

Air frying circulates hot air around food instead of submerging it in fat, which typically cuts oil use by 70 to 80 percent compared to traditional frying. Less oil means fewer calories and, more importantly, avoids the health issues that come from repeatedly heating oil to high temperatures, which causes oxidation and can form harmful compounds the longer oil is reused. Air frying has also been shown to produce roughly 30 to 40 percent less acrylamide (a compound linked to cancer risk in some studies, though research is still ongoing) compared to deep frying starchy foods.

As for coconut oil specifically, the concern isn’t really the frying itself, it’s the oil. Coconut oil is roughly 90 percent saturated fat, and saturated fat is one of the most consistently pro-inflammatory dietary components, linked to higher LDL cholesterol and increased cardiovascular risk when eaten regularly. So even a small amount used for frying adds up if it’s a frequent habit.

The bigger piece of the puzzle, though, is what’s being cooked. Air frying chicken doesn’t change the fact that it’s still animal protein with saturated fat and compounds like TMAO precursors that have been linked to cardiovascular risk. If you’re looking for that same crispy, satisfying texture with the best possible nutrition profile, air-frying vegetables, chickpeas, tofu, or cauliflower (often with just a light spray of oil or even none at all) tends to check every box: less oil, less saturated fat, more fiber, and no downsides from the frying method itself.

I hope this helps! –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

So to directly answer your question: air frying beats frying in coconut oil, both because of the method and because it opens the door to using little or no oil at all. But the food choice itself still carries more weight than the cooking technique.

A recipe like this one might work for you, HN: https://thevegan8.com/nut-free-granola-bars-vegan-gluten-free/#recipe. –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team

Hi D! Are you allergic to almonds? If not, this might be a good recipe to try: https://www.veganricha.com/banana-oatmeal-bars-with-cinnamon-crumb/#wprm-recipe-container-39605. –Ina, Food Revolution Network Team