Peanut oil has many health benefits, that’s why it is widely used not only in culinary but also in making medicine, soaps and skincare products. However, some people have peanut allergies, therefore they avoid using peanut oil in cooking.
On the other hand it is quite expensive and many look for budget-friendly alternatives. If you can not use peanut oil for any of these reasons, then you are in the right place.
Let’s see what are the best substitutes for peanut oil in cooking and frying. You will find more affordable options as well as not worry about peanut allergies.
A reminder why cooks prefer peanut oil: its smoke point reaches 437 degrees F and it doesn’t lose its nutrients while you cook or fry it. This is why peanut oil is a good choice for deep frying and other high-temperature cooking techniques. And it has a light nutty flavor.
Best Substitutes for Peanut Oil
1. Corn Oil
When looking for peanut oil substitutes, the first thing we may often consider is the heat temperature. Corn oil is between the vegetable oils that has a high heat temperature 450 degrees F, which means you can use it instead of peanut oil not only in cooking but also in stir-frying and deep-frying.
Corn oil has a mild buttery flavor and it’s considered to be a good frying oil. However, you can use it in salads just like peanut oil. Corn oil is an easy alternative to peanut oil to find in many grocery stores.
2. Almond Oil
As for almond oil, it also has a high smoke level up to 430 degrees F and you can use it instead of peanut oil in roasting, stir fries and deep fries. It has a nutty flavor and can be used not only in cooking but also in salads and other side dishes as a dressing.
3.Canola Oil
Canola oil is one of the most popular oils and you can easily find it. You may also find it under the name rapeseed oil. It is widely used in cooking, baking and with other dishes. Canola oil has a 460 degrees F heat point and it is a good replacer for peanut oil.
It comes with a neutral flavor and allows you to put it with a wide range of dishes without worrying about the final taste. The only disadvantage of this oil, however, is that it is highly processed.
4. Sunflower Oil
Another popular and easy-to-find oil is sunflower oil. It is also an affordable alternative to peanut oil. Sunflower oil is used both in cooking and with raw dishes. Its smoke point is 450 degrees F and you can safely use it in the same deep-fries as peanut oil.
Sunflower oil has a neutral taste with a slightly reflected nutty flavor. It is rich in vitamins and fatty acids.
5. Safflower Oil
Safflower oil is an all-purpose oil and it has a 450 degrees F smoke point. You can choose this oil just like sunflower oil. They both are from the same family and are easy alternatives to peanut oil. You can use it for fries, sauteing and many more.
Safflower oil has a neutral taste and is good for any type of dish be it cooked or raw.
6. Soybean Oil
With a smoke point of about 440 to 520 degrees F, soybean oil is our next choice. It is suitable for deep frying and any high-heat cooking recipe. It has a mild neutral taste and doesn’t spread a strong flavor.
You can use soybean oil in all kinds of cooking and frying techniques. It is also used in baking. However, this oil is not suitable for salads and as a dressing.
7. Sesame Oil
Choose sesame oil to replace peanut oil if you are planning to make quick stir-fries. Although this oil comes with a high smoke point (410 degrees F), it’s still not that high for deep fries.
Sesame oil has a strong flavor and there are light-colored and darker varieties of this oil to use in cooking and frying. When used in raw dishes or slightly heated meals, it doesn’t spread an intense aroma.
8. Avocado Oil
Another healthy oil to use instead of peanut oil is avocado oil. Refined avocado oil has a 520 degrees F smoke point which is quite high for deep fries and you can safely use it in high heat dishes calling for peanut oil.
It has a mild taste and is used both in cooked and raw dishes. It won’t change the taste of your meal and you can use it with meat, vegetables as well as add in salads and sauces. This oil has a creamy texture and it is rich in vitamins and healthy fats.
9. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil has 420 degrees F heat level and is suitable especially for cooking and frying. Try to find cold-pressed grapeseed oil as it is less processed and therefore healthier.
You can use it in everyday cooking as well as replace it with peanut oil in stir fries, deep fried and pan fried dishes. On the other hand, this oil is not affordable, so you may find it wasteful to use in frying.
10. Olive Oil
Olive oil is mostly popular as a dressing. It is usually used in salads, sauces and side dishes but you can choose it for frying too as it has 374–405 degrees F smoke point. This heat temperature is not suitable for deep fries, but you may find several cooking recipes where olive oil is required.
Olive oil has a variety of flavors but it mostly tastes winy. There are several types of olive oil with different price tags.
11. Walnut Oil
In terms of flavor and taste, walnut oil is one of the most suitable alternatives for peanut oil. It has a nutty flavor and can provide your dish with a similar taste as peanut oil.
However it has a lower smoke point (320 degrees F) that’s why we offer it as a final choice. This oil is basically used in salads and as a dressing.
There are refined and cold-pressed varieties of walnut oil. It’s usually more expensive than many other oils.
FAQs on Peanut Oil
Can I substitute peanut oil for vegetable oil?
Yes, there is a wide range of vegetable oils such as olive oil, canola oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, corn oil etc. to use instead of peanut oil.
Can I use sesame oil instead of peanut oil?
Yes, you can use sesame oil instead of peanut oil. It offers a similar nutty flavor and has a high heat temperature like peanut oil.
Is peanut oil good for your health?
Yes, peanut oil comes with many health benefits. It helps to reduce cholesterol level and helps to prevent heart disease, improves blood circulation, helps to prevent skin problems such as acne, helps to fight stress and improves mental health, regulates digestive system and reduces the risk of cancer.
Can I use peanut oil in baking?
Since peanut oil has a nutty flavor it’s quite suitable to use it in baking. Cakes, muffins, cookies and breads taste good with peanut oil.
Final Words
If you have allergies not only from peanuts but also from other types of nuts, then avoid almond and walnut oils. Instead, you can choose vegetable and fruit-based oils. Check the smoke point for each oil before using instead of peanut oil especially in deep frying.