Cooking Spray
Cooking spray is an aerosolized oil, often canola, vegetable, or olive oil, combined with an emulsifier and propellant, used to coat pans, baking dishes, and grill grates with a thin, even layer of fat that prevents sticking.
How to buy
Check the oil base, canola, vegetable, olive, or coconut, to match the flavor profile you want. "Baking" sprays often include flour for extra nonstick power in cake pans. Avoid spraying directly onto nonstick cookware repeatedly over high heat, since the residue can build into a sticky film over time.
How to store
Store the can upright in a cool, dry place away from heat sources and direct sunlight, since it's a pressurized aerosol, and keep it away from open flames. It doesn't need refrigeration and keeps for a long time unopened.
Culinary profile
- Flavor
- Neutral to very mildly oily, since the goal is a thin coating rather than a flavor contribution. Olive oil-based sprays carry a faint olive flavor.
- Texture
- Produces a light, even, barely-there film rather than a pooled layer of oil, which is its main practical advantage over pouring oil from a bottle.
- Aroma
- Largely neutral, with a faint oily smell when sprayed that's strongest with olive oil blends.
How to prepare
- Pan coating — Sprayed onto skillets or sheet pans before cooking to prevent sticking.
- Baking pan prep — Sprayed into cake, muffin, and loaf pans before batter goes in.
- Grill grate coating — Sprayed onto grates before heating to reduce food sticking.
- Light finishing mist — Sprayed over popcorn, vegetables, or dough for a light, even coat of fat without pooling.
Classic dishes
American
- Boxed cupcakes — Cupcake tins coated with cooking spray before batter is added, a standard home-baking step.
- Muffins — Muffin tins sprayed lightly so baked muffins release cleanly.
- Air-fried chicken tenders — Breaded chicken tenders misted with cooking spray in the air fryer basket for crispness without deep frying.
- Sheet-pan roasted vegetables — Vegetables tossed or misted with cooking spray before roasting on a baking sheet.
- Seasoned popcorn — Popped popcorn lightly misted with cooking spray so seasoning salt or spice blends stick evenly.
- Diner-style pancakes — A griddle coated with cooking spray in place of butter for a quick, low-mess breakfast.
- Omelets — A nonstick skillet sprayed before eggs go in, helping the omelet release and fold cleanly.
- Banana bread — A loaf pan sprayed before batter is added for easy, clean release.
- Rice crispy treats — A pan sprayed lightly so the sticky marshmallow mixture doesn't bond permanently to it.
- Skillet cornbread — A cast-iron or baking pan sprayed before batter goes in to encourage a clean release and crisp edge.
- Grilled vegetable skewers — Grill grates sprayed before skewers are added, cutting down on sticking without a heavy coat of oil.
Italian
- Baked lasagna — A baking dish sprayed before layering noodles and sauce for easier serving and cleanup.
Mexican
- Baked enchiladas — A casserole dish sprayed before rolled, sauced tortillas are arranged and baked.
Chinese
- Quick home stir-fry — A light alternative to pouring oil, used to coat a wok or skillet for a lower-fat stir-fry.
French
- Quiche — A pie or tart pan sprayed before the crust and custard filling are added.
Substitutions
- Canola Oil — A light brushing or misting of canola oil from a reusable oil mister works as a near-identical substitute, though it gives slightly less even coverage than a fine aerosol spray.