Do you love using coconut oil in your cooking but wonder if it’s safe in a deep fryer? After all, deep frying can produce high heat that could break down the oil, impacting its quality and potentially producing harmful compounds.
The good news is that coconut oil is one of the few oils that can handle high temperatures, making it a great choice for deep frying. It has a smoke point of 350°F, which is higher than most other common oils like canola and vegetable oil.
This article explores the benefits and drawbacks of using coconut oil in a deep fryer and discusses the best practices to ensure safe and enjoyable deep-frying experiences.
 So, Is it Safe to Use Coconut Oil in A Deep Fryer?
The answer to this question is yes, you can use coconut oil in a deep fryer. Coconut oil has a high smoke point and is very stable at high temperatures.
This makes it an ideal choice for frying as it won’t break down quickly and release harmful compounds into the food. However, there are some things to consider when using coconut oil in a deep fryer.
Coconut oil is a great choice for deep frying, but it’s important to remember that, like all frying oils, it will eventually break down and need to be replaced.
It’s best to monitor the color of the oil and use it within 1-2 months if possible. Additionally, you should never reuse cooking oil after it has been used to fry food.
Another thing to consider when using coconut oil in a deep fryer is its relatively low saturated fat content. For this reason, it may not be the best choice for deep-frying foods with high moisture content, like french fries or chicken tenders. For these foods, it’s better to use an oil with a higher saturated fat content that won’t break down as quickly.
What’re The Benefits of Frying With Coconut Oil?
Deep frying food is essential to many cuisines, and choosing the right cooking oil is important. For most deep-frying needs, coconut oil is one of the best options.
Not only does coconut oil have a high smoke point of 350°F, but it also has a very high percentage of saturated fat compared to other cooking oils—around 90%.
This makes it particularly resistant to high heat, making it suitable for deep frying at mid-temperature. Oils with higher levels of polyunsaturated fat tend to break down into toxic elements like peroxides, alcohol, and aldehydes when exposed to high heat. Coconut oil contains only 2% polyunsaturated fat and is one of the healthiest oils to fry foods.
In addition to its other benefits, coconut oil provides certain flavor characteristics that make it unparalleled in fried dishes such as batter-coated fish or potato chips.
Its subtle sweetness gives food a pleasant aroma that makes them much more desirable than if cooked in other oils. Coconut oil also has anti-microbial properties and helps preserve cooked dishes’ integrity despite being fried multiple times.
Ultimately, deep frying with coconut oil results in great-tasting food and a healthy cooking oil with many benefits.
What’s the Safe Amount Of Coconuts Oil?
Using coconut oil to replace some of your saturated fat sources, such as butter or whole milk, is a great way to get many of its health benefits without excessive amounts. Stick to extra virgin coconut oil, which has been shown to have many beneficial effects on the body and mind.
Remember that every tablespoon of coconut oil contains approximately 120 calories, so it’s best not to go over 10% of your daily caloric intake with it. Doing so could lead to weight gain if you don’t consider total caloric intake.
Avoiding using coconut oil altogether is generally recommended for those who suffer from heart disease or have a family history of heart disease.
Heart-healthy alternatives include unsaturated oils like olive, canola, peanut, and walnut, which contain lower amounts of saturated fat and no trans fats (refined and hydrogenated versions).
Furthermore, these alternative oils should also be used sparingly, regardless, as consuming too much can quickly add up in calories.
What’s the Coconuts Oil Heating Limit?
Deep frying is a great cooking method for creating meals with an irresistibly crunchy crust and a tender center. But to get the best possible results, it’s important not to overheat the oil used in deep frying.
Cooking with too hot oil means that your food can easily burn on the outside while remaining undercooked on the inside.
The key to getting just the right golden-brown hue on your food lies in keeping an eye on your oil temperature and ensuring it stays below its smoke point of 350°F (176°C).
The easiest way to do this is to use a deep fryer that has a built-in thermostat so you can precisely control the temperature of your oil at all times. If you don’t have this, you could try using a clip-on cooking thermometer or tossing in an unpopped popcorn kernel – you’ll know when the oil is hot enough when it pops.
Finally, if you are working without any of these tools, keep a close watch for faint tendrils of vapor rising from the pan before burning occurs–catching it in time can keep your dish from going up in smoke.
Can I Store Coconuts Oil?
It’s important to properly dispose of used coconut oil to protect both the environment and your pipes. Coconut oil’s unique nature makes it beneficial for countless uses—but when the lava-hot liquid cools to 76 degrees F, it solidifies.
Rather than dumping that old oil down the sink, it can be easily reused by straining it through a fine-mesh strainer into a jar. Be sure to store the reusable oil in a cool, dark place as part of your food storage routine.
Once the coconut oil starts looking dingy or gritty, that’s a sign it should be replaced. It cannot be recycled like many other items; however, there are still environmentally conscious methods for disposal.
Composting is a great option; use coconut oil as fertilizer for your garden instead of wasting water and resources in the disposal process. The oil may also come in handy on outdoor trips: seal up small containers and use them as fire starters on campfires or barbecues. Regardless of your chosen method, always remember not to dump used coconut oil down the drain.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. Can You Use Coconut Oil For High-Heat Frying?Â
Yes, you can use coconut oil for high-heat frying in a deep fryer. Coconut oil has a high smoke point of 350-450°F, making it an ideal choice for high-temperature cooking.
It is naturally saturated and resistant to oxidation, which makes it very stable at high temperatures and less likely to break down into harmful compounds.Â
2. Does Coconut Oil Impart A Coconut Flavor To Fried Foods?
The flavor of coconut oil can vary depending on the type of coconut oil used. Refined coconut oil has a more neutral flavor and aroma compared to unrefined or virgin coconut oil, which has a distinct coconut taste.
If you prefer fried foods without a coconut flavor, opt for refined coconut oil to minimize any potential taste impact.
3. Is Coconut Oil A Healthy Choice For Deep Frying?
 Coconut oil is often considered a healthier option for deep frying than other cooking oils. It contains a high percentage of saturated fats, which are more stable at high temperatures and less prone to oxidation.
Additionally, coconut oil is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are believed to offer certain health benefits. However, moderation is key, as coconut oil is still high in calories, and excessive consumption should be avoided.
4. Are There Any Considerations When Using Coconut Oil In A Deep Fryer?
When using coconut oil in a deep fryer, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, ensure you use refined coconut oil with a high smoke point to prevent it from breaking down and smoking at high temperatures.
Secondly, be aware that coconut oil solidifies at room temperature and may require melting before use in a deep fryer. Lastly, it is important to carefully filter and reuse coconut oil to maintain its quality and avoid potential cross-contamination.
5. Can I Mix Coconut Oil With Other Oils For Deep Frying?
You can mix coconut oil with other oils for deep frying. Combining coconut oil with oils with a higher smoke point, such as canola or vegetable oil, can help increase the frying oil’s overall smoke point and stability.
This can be a good option if you want to benefit from the health properties of coconut oil while using a blend of oils for deep frying.
Conclusion
Coconut oil is a suitable option for deep frying in a deep fryer. Its high smoke point makes it stable at high temperatures, and its saturated fat content makes it less prone to oxidation. Coconut oil is also believed to offer certain health benefits due to its high MCT content. When using coconut oil for deep frying, use refined coconut oil with a high smoke point and filter and reuse it to maintain its quality.
Meet our air fryer recipe expert, Jenny J. Brown. Jenny is a culinary enthusiast with a passion for creating healthy, delicious meals using the latest kitchen appliances. As an experienced home cook and food blogger, Jenny has spent years experimenting with air fryer recipes and perfecting her techniques to create meals that are both nutritious and satisfying.
