Cooking spray is applied to frying pans and other cookware to prevent food from sticking.

[1] Traditionally, cooks use butter, shortening, or oils poured or rubbed on cookware.

[2] Most cooking sprays have less food energy per serving than an application of vegetable oil, because they are applied in a much thinner layer: US regulations allow many to be labelled "zero-calorie"; in the UK sprays claim to supply "less than 1 calorie per serving".

[3] Popular US brands include Pam, Crisco, and Baker's Joy.

Coating the inside of a measuring cup with the spray allows sticky substances such as honey to pour out more easily.