You cook almost every meal that we eat every single day through frying. Now, you must know that overeating fried food can actually be detrimental for your health because of its high cholesterol content. However, the finest meals are prepared by frying, and we cannot help it if we give in to the delectable fried chicken or the tasty churros served in front of us. Hence, we compromise through using oils that are healthy for our bodies.
You use a wide range of cooking oils when cooking our favorite food and one of them is peanut oil. What happens if you run out of peanut oil? Alternatively, what to do next when maybe the grocery store is out of stock? Peanut oil is very in-demand in the cooking industry because of its many benefits, and it is always better to brace yourself when that time comes.
What is peanut oil?
Peanut oil is an edible oil from the peanut plant extracts, specifically from the seeds. It makes sense when its other name is groundnut oil or even Arachis oil. We always want what is best for our health. Therefore, we turn to organic oils to minimize the risk our bodies would be tolerating. Peanut oil is ideal for frying and even deep-frying because of its low boiling point and high smoke point.
Peanut oil is popular among chefs. It has a sugary and mouthwatering taste that seeps into the food, thus adding a richer flavor. When you eat the peanut itself, you always crave more of it because of its delicious natural taste. The same thing happens when cooking, sautéing and dressing meals with peanut oil.
Do you need an additional accent to your usual taste of food? Peanut oil is the answer! Since it is one of the most-used cooking oil by professionals, having them in your kitchen can ensure an appetizing and healthy meal at the same time.
What benefits can you get from peanut oil?
As we may know, non-vegetable cooking oils are extremely fatty, leading to high levels of cholesterol. With peanut oil, you can enjoy frying as much as you want because it has no cholesterol content. It contains antioxidants that contribute to cleaning the body from free radicals. It helps in preventing cancer and other chronic illnesses.
You could prevent a vast range of health complications when using peanut oil. If you are suffering from high blood pressure, peanut oil helps in reducing them simply because it keeps the natural state of food and its nutrients. Besides, peanut oil serves as good cholesterol, which means that it is good for your heart. It counterattacks the negative effects of bad cholesterol.
Besides that, it functions as a skin moisturizer. If that is what you need, peanut oil hits two birds in one stone for both your health and your skin. This is because peanut oil is intensely rich in Vitamin E, and is responsible for the organs to work properly in the body. It also supports other functions that are beneficial to the heart and eyes.
Upon knowing the benefits of peanut oil, it is undoubtedly a must-have in the kitchen. However, with constant use, it quickly runs out. Nevertheless, do not worry about that! I have a list of the best substitutes for peanut oil that is ideal for frying your food.
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What are the best substitutes for peanut oil?
Almond Oil
If you have more money to spend, then go for refined almond oil. With it being a healthier option for peanut oil, it has a price that is a little bit off the charts. However, when it comes to your health, it will not matter. Am I right?
There are two types of this oil; namely, cold pressed version and refined almond oil. You can use the former for dressings and sauces for cold dishes as it states in its name. The latter, on the other hand, is for a heavier purpose in the kitchen, which is frying.
Almond oil contains fats that are essential in lowering bad cholesterol. Just like peanut oil, it provides crucial good cholesterol such as omega-3 that is beneficial for the heart and vitamin E for nourishing the skin and hair.
Read more : What is Salad Oil? How is it different from others?
Soybean Oil
This substitute for peanut oil gives a neutral taste for the food when cooking if you prefer it that way, unlike the naturally flavored peanut oil. Hence, you cannot use it for dressings. It is from the extract of soybean seeds. Its saturated fat content is low, which is totally healthy and safe. Just like other oils, this is healthy because it carries high loads of good acids such as omega-3 and oleic acid.
Aside from the above benefits, soybean oil is cheaper, yet is high in smoking point, which is 232 degrees Celsius, akin to peanut oil. Soybean oil makes it very suitable for deep-fried, and oven baked dishes.
Grapeseed Oil
When you have extra cash, and you are willing to spend, then grapeseed oil is the one for you. With it as one of the pricey options, it has a dull taste that gives nothing out of the ordinary and usual. In other words, it is tasteless. Whatever the taste of the food is, it remains the same.
It has a medium smoke point of 200 degrees Celsius which and is an excellent alternative for peanut oil when stir-frying and sautéing. It is excellent for lowering cholesterol and improving heart health through omega-6 and vitamin E. When choosing grapeseed oil, make sure to select one with the best quality.
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower; the word itself receives praises from its mere seeds, to the flower and up to the oil because of its many benefits and uses. Sunflower oil is a pleasant substitute for peanut oil. They both have the same smoke point of 232.22 degrees Celsius, just like the soybean oil. The oil is from the extract of sunflower seeds.
It is rich in monounsaturated lipids and contains essential cholesterol like omega-6 and vitamin E as well. This is one of the healthiest oils since it has no cholesterol content and is high in oleic acid. It is appropriate for sautéing, baking, stir-frying, and deep-frying your meals. Besides, it is also a good alternative for butter when baking goods and pastries.
Safflower Oil
Its pronunciation is most likely similar to its relative, the sunflower. Just as the other substitutes, it is closely similar to peanut oil that has a high smoke point of 266 degrees Celsius. This oil is perfect for sautéing, frying, and deep-frying or cooking meals with extreme heat necessities. Same as soybean oil, it has a neutral taste, in contrast to the peanut oil, that does not give off an overwhelming taste and aroma.
This substitute fits your budget because it has a reasonable price for its quality and function. It contains a high level of heart-friendly omega -6.
Vegetable Oil
You have probably heard of this. You might even have one in your kitchen right now. This is the most common organic edible oil there is, and the cheapest. Generally, the entire list is made of vegetable oil. However, this one is the kind of oil that contains saturated fats, something that other substitutes for peanut oil does not have. Be sure to check the nutritional facts, because that is where their difference lies.
When you are out of peanut oil, just simply have the cooking oil labeled as vegetable oil. It shares some of the benefits of peanut oil: cholesterol-free and good for the heart. Vegetable oil is one of the most suited alternatives because it is not just budget-friendly but is also wholesome.
Canola Oil
I am confident that you are familiar with this oil since it is one of the usual kind of cooking oils, which you can find in our kitchens. Canola oil is already a common cooking oil, next to vegetable oil. Its ability to hold out against heat is what makes it an outstanding heating element perfect for frying with its smoke point of 204.44 degrees Celsius; lower than peanut oil. Peanut oil and canola oil both contains monounsaturated fats used for keeping the equilibrium between the bad and good cholesterol.
Since it comes from an oilseed rape plant extracts, a relative of the cabbage and mustard, it carries healthy fatty acids like omega-3, which is tremendously fundamental for heart health.
Walnut Oil
Evident as it is, walnut is also from the nut family, just like a peanut. Hence, their similar names. This is one of the substitutes for peanut oil because they share most likely the same components. Both share the same nutrients of antioxidant to fight oxygen-free radicals and essential fatty acids for a healthy heart and circulatory system.
Although they are alike this way, walnut oil is not suitable for frying, contrary to their similar contents. This is due to its smoke point of 204 degrees Celsius, which is lower than that of peanut oil. However, this is excellent for dressings and recipe final touches because of its nutty flavor that adds to the taste. That is, if you are the type of person who loves to try a different combination of flavors.
Corn Oil
If an all-around and affordable substitute for peanut oil is what you need, then corn oil is the one for you. It has two classifications: refined and unrefined. The first one has the same smoke point as that of peanut oil, which is great for sautéing, deep-frying, and even baking with a bland taste. If you are a fan of French fries or fried onions, then this is the perfect alternative for you!
However, if you just need something for dressing and additional flavors, then go for unrefined cooking oil, which has a lower smoke point of 160 degrees Celsius. Its color is darker than the former, and it has a natural corn and nutty taste. Just like the other substitutes, corn oil is rich in vitamin E, which minimizes inflammation and lowers stress risks.
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Macadamia Nut Oil
Another substitute from the nut family is the macadamia nut oil. If you are a health buff with no problems in spending a little more than the desired budget, then this is for you. Macadamia nut oil may be pricey, but it has more benefits than the mentioned alternatives. It is a monounsaturated fat containing no cholesterol and gluten along with high levels of fiber and vitamins A and E.
It has a smoke point of 233 degrees Celsius best used for frying and sautéing. Another feature of this is its nutty flavor that heightens the natural taste of the meal you are cooking. So, if you have a choice, use it for dressing or as an all-purpose cooking oil at home, so the money you paid is just worth it.
Avocado Oil
The fruit itself is very beneficial to our body. It has antioxidants that help fight off radicals from our body, and high components of vitamin E for healthier and more glowing skin. If we get these benefits from the fruit, how much more when we use it for cooking our meals?
Avocado oil is one of the best substitutes for peanut oil because of its enormous amount of monounsaturated fat and a smoke point that is closely alike as that of peanut oil’s, specifically 271 degrees Celsius. This is suitable for deep-frying and overall cooking. This is popular for salad dressings and extra touches for a meal. Are you looking for an extraordinarily healthy and all-purpose oil?
Then avocado oil is the best alternative for you.
Conclusion
The alternatives on my list are easy to find in supermarkets and grocery stores, so you do not have to worry when you run out of peanut oil. These substitutes are just within reach. When you buy, consider your budget and the frequency of your usage, just like when you shop with other products.
Do you want to use the substitute for peanut oil solely for frying, or are you going to use it for dressing as well? Bear in mind the use you have for it.
Frying is almost an everyday necessity. Snacks and heavy meals require frying. Therefore, when choosing the best substitute for peanut oil, be accurate in determining what is best for you. Now that you have the list for the best substitute for peanut oil, finding one would be easy and quick. Cheers!