Most of us enjoy deep-fried food. Perhaps this is an understatement because, between French fries and potato chips, Americans eat 11.2 billion pounds of deep-fried potatoes a year (via Grit). This doesnt take into account fried chicken, Doritos, donuts, or the myriad of other unsuspecting foods we will drop in the deep fryer.
We know that fried food isnt exactly health food, but why exactly is that? Most would say its too fatty, and its true. Three ounces of deep-fried chicken breast has a whopping 11 grams of fat as opposed to the 2 grams contained in a grilled chicken breast, per HealthiNation. Theres more to it than that, though.
Another health-threatening aspect of fried foods are the free radicals created when oil is overheated (via The Seattle Times). It stands to reason that its easier to overheat an oil with a low smoke point, but where does avocado oil stand?
Can You Fry With Avocado Oil? With its high smoke point, avocado oil is absolutely suitable for frying—the problem is that, like olive oil, avocado oil tends to be on the pricier side, so it’s not likely to be your first choice when filling up the deep-fryer.
Pros and cons of frying with avocado oil
The good news is that avocado oil has a 520 F smoke point, according to Bon Appétit, which makes it a great oil for deep or stir-frying. In addition to that, its a healthy fat. It contains unsaturated and monounsaturated fats and a plethora of omega acids, including oleic acid (via WebMD). Its nutritional components are considered beneficial for heart, skin, and eye health. Better yet, these health benefits are not affected adversely by high heat, per Healthline.
The only difficulty you might have using avocado oil to fry with is the cost. This is especially true if you usually use vegetable oil, which is around six to nine cents an ounce, per Iowa State University. In comparison, avocado oils weighs in at anywhere from 30 to 60 cents an ounce. However, you can do a couple of things to make it a little less pricey.
Animal fats, such as lard, tallow, ghee, and fat drippings, can be excellent choices for deep frying.
Over 90% of the fatty acids in coconut oil are saturated, making it resistant to heat.
However, cooking oils that contain large amounts of polyunsaturated fats are less suitable for frying (1).
However, the flavor and fragrance of olive oil may deteriorate when heated for a long time.
It’s popular for deep frying because it has a neutral taste (10).
Best Oils For Deep Frying | Critical Health Advice
FAQ
Which oil is the best for deep frying?
Can you deep fry chicken in avocado oil?
Can you use avocado oil for frying fries?
Does avocado oil fry better than olive oil?
Is avocado oil good for frying?
The good news is that avocado oil has a 520 F smoke point, according to Bon Appétit, which makes it a great oil for deep or stir-frying. In addition to that, it’s a healthy fat. It contains unsaturated and monounsaturated fats and a plethora of omega acids, including oleic acid (via WebMD ).
Which oil is best for deep frying?
Best oils for deep-frying are: olive oil, as it is resistant to heat because it’s high in monounsaturated fatty acids. Avocado oil also contains monounsaturated with some saturated and polyunsaturated fats mixed in, and has a high smoke point of 520°F (270°C). Both are the best options.
Is avocado oil good for cooking?
And avocado oil is one of the few cooking oils not extracted from seeds. Avocado oil has a mostly neutral taste that makes it easy to use, but you should still be mindful of its properties to get the most value from it. Here are some dos and don’ts to help you learn how to cook with avocado oil.
Is avocado oil good for fried wings?
So, if you are indulging in homemade hot wings or churros and want to bump up their nutritional value and avoid free radicals, splurging on refined avocado oil may help you enjoy them even more. Most of us enjoy deep-fried food, but the smoking point of oil is important to know.