Cooking with peanut oil is great as it adds flavor to dishes; it’s a fine source of antioxidants and has a good amount of unsaturated fats. Aside from that, its elevated smoking point when being used for frying is also a big advantage.
Here is the list of top quality Substitutes for Peanut Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Canola Oil
- Soybean Oil (Refined)
- Corn Oil
- Safflower Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- Almond Oil
- Walnut Oil
- Sesame Oil
- Rice Bran Oil
What Is A Good Peanut Oil Substitute?
What if you don’t have it around when you’re about to cook? Or what if a member of your family or one of your guests has a peanut allergy? Don’t give up; this article is perfect for you as we’ve made a list of the best substitutes for peanut oil out of all the choices out there.
For whatever reason you’re unable to use peanut oil, you can still continue with cooking your specialty dishes. Whether cooking is a passion, a hobby or you’d just like to impress, knowing the right substitutes for peanut oil would be very useful.
The Best Substitutes for Peanut Oil
For a quick look, here’s a list of the 11 best substitutes for peanut oil in cooking, which happen to be the ones most commonly used and found in the market
Sunflower Oil
Based on its name, you may have already guessed that sunflower oil is extracted from sunflower seeds. This versatile oil would be good to stock in your home for your cooking needs as a substitute for peanut oil as it has a relatively long shelf life.
Sunflower oil is a healthy choice of oil as it is a non-fat oil that is rich in vitamin E and has high levels of oleic acid. Using this in your cooking also lowers the risk of heart disease and cholesterol levels in the body and boosts the immune system as well as energy levels.
There are three different types of sunflower oil on the market, each with its own distinct characteristics.
- High-Oleic, has the highest smoke point, making it perfect for frying and deep-frying.
- NuSun has a distinct taste and more health benefits. As per the federal government, this oil prevents cardiovascular diseases. It is fat-free and low in saturated fat.
- And Linoleic, which is most widely used and can help reduce the effect of free radicals that cause cancer.
Having a very high smoke point, sunflower oil is a great substitute for peanut oil as it can be used for all-around cooking and baking.
Canola Oil
This edible kind of oil is taken from a variety of rapeseed. It has a low level of saturated fat and high levels of monounsaturated fat, making it a healthy choice.
It has a high smoking point, just like peanut oil, making it one of the best substitutes. Canola oil does not have a strong flavor, making it perfect for baking, greasing pans and baking tins, grilling, and even for use in salad dressing.
A downside of canola oil is the concern that there may be traces of the chemical solvent hexane from use in the extraction of canola oil. However, manufacturers are insisting that this risk has already been totally removed but to be on the safe side, you could go with the cold-pressed variety of canola oil.
Soybean Oil (Refined)
Soybean oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from the seeds of soybeans. Its color varies from pale green to a dark yellow and has a high smoke point, making it a good choice for deep frying.
Soybean oil also has benefits to our health since it contains high amounts of omega 3, oleic, and stearic acid. It decreases your level of cholesterol, reduces the possibility of having osteoporosis and heart disease, improves eye and skin health, and may even lower the risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease!
Being one of the most widely used cooking oils in the world, soybean oil is a great substitute for peanut oil as it has a lot of advantages. It has a neutral taste, making it perfect for cooking, baking, and even as part of salad dressings. It is also commercially available, making it much easier to acquire than peanut oil.
Corn Oil
One of the more affordable types of oils in the market, corn oil is made from corn seeds and is available in most supermarkets. Just like peanut oil, refined corn oil has a high smoking point and no taste so can be used for baking, all-around cooking, and deep frying too.
You also have the option of choosing unrefined corn oil, which is also commercially available but has a lower smoke point. This type of corn oil is ideal for making sauces and for light cooking.
Using unrefined corn oil in cooking gives your dishes an almost nutty flavor with a faint taste of corn. This dark-colored oil needs to be stored in the refrigerator as it might spoil easily at room temperature.
Safflower Oil
Probably the most stable oil among the best substitutes for peanut oil, safflower oil is best for cooking food that needs a high level of heat. Extracted from crushed safflower seeds which are then processed, safflower oil has high levels of oleic acid and low levels of saturated fat.
Safflower oil does have a neutral, albeit subtle taste. This makes it perfect for light cooking, searing pieces of meat or fish, and making cookies, cakes, and even pancakes! Having a very high smoke point 510ËšF also makes it ideal for deep frying food items.
It would be best to get the refined safflower variant from the supermarket and keep it at room temperature to keep the quality and allow it to last for a longer time.
[Related Article: 7 Things You Can Use As A Tarragon Substitute When Cooking]
Other Useful Substitutes For Peanut Oil
Avocado Oil
If you love the taste of avocados and you are the type of person that takes care of your nutritional balance and health, then this is the right type of oil for you.
Avocado oil must be one of the healthiest, most nutritious oils on the market; although it does come with a pretty hefty price on its label.
This alternative to peanut oil is made from the natural oils extracted from the avocado pulp, which has an insane amount of healthy fats and antioxidant properties(Omega-6 fatty acids, Omega-3 fatty acids, and Omega-9 fatty acids).
If you’re struggling with your bad cholesterol or you have heart health problems, avocado oil can help with your problems thanks to the unsaturated fats that avocados possess.
Avocado oil has a light flavor that doesn’t dominate in flavor. It also has a high smoking point(great for high heat cooking) that makes it suitable for pan-frying and sauteing.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is made by pressing grapes that are left from the leftover grape seeds that are used for winemaking. Grapeseed oil is also one of the healthiest alternatives for peanut oil since it’s minimally processed, unlike sunflower oil that’s highly processed.
Almond Oil
Almond oil is also a healthy type of oil that is minimally processed. This alternative is a rich source of magnesium, phosphorus, and Vitamin E. It is suitable for people that have problems boosting their immunity and inflammation issues.
Walnut Oil
Walnut oil is a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants. It’s most suitable for adding it to sauces and salad dressings and pan-frying but, avoid using it for cooking at high temperatures since it has a low smoking point.
Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is a staple in Asian cuisine. It is perfect to add a little toastiness and nuttiness to your salads, or any other type of food you’re cooking. This vegetable oil is made from roasted sesame seeds and it’s perfect for sauteing meat, and fish. Sesame oil is available in most grocery stores and Asian markets.
[Related Article: 7 Best Substitutes For Sesame Oil To Cook Your Favorite Asian Cuisine]
Rice Bran Oil
Rice bran oil is the oil extracted from the outer layer of rice called chaff or rice husk. Rice bran oil has a very high smoking point, making it a perfect oil for deep-frying, pan-frying, and sauteing.
This type of oil isn’t as easy to find as most cooking oils but you can try to find it in some of the bigger grocery stores or order it online.
Relevant Questions And Answers
Can You Substitute Vegetable Oil For Peanut Oil
Yes. You can substitute your regular vegetable oil for peanut oil and vice versa. Peanut oil has a high smoking point which is good for frying, like with regular oil.
What Is The Healthiest Oil To Cook With
Avocado oil is by far the healthiest oil to cook with. It has many health benefits and vitamins that make your dishes even more nutritional.
Is Peanut Oil Healthy
Yes. Peanut oil is high in antioxidants and healthy fats that are good for heart health and maintaining low blood sugar levels. It is also very rich in Vitamin E.
Can You Substitute Olive Oil For Peanut Oil
You can use peanut oil instead of olive oil but the taste is quite different. Expect your dishes to taste a bit nuttier when you use peanut oil as an olive oil substitute. This oil is not suitable for people with peanut allergies or sensitivities.
