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More than frying, oil is an essential ingredient for preparing other meals. Most of the foods we consume require the use of oil, whether liquid or solidified.
While it is easy to pour some oil out into your pot, either for frying, cooking, or oil for baking, a lot of people are skeptical about doing the same in the oven. Can oil be used in the oven? Find out what we have on that.
In summary: Yes, you can put oil in the oven and this is because the average cooking oil has a smoke point of 400 degrees F. You should cook at low or medium heat and ensure you do not cook past the smoke point.
Other than conventional vegetable oil, it is typical to find several types of oil in one’s kitchen in recent years. While the majority of these oils are regarded as healthy, you must gather all relevant information about them before deciding to use them in the oven.
Knowing the smoke point of each type of oil is extremely crucial when it comes to using it in the oven. Before putting them in the oven, find out what their smoke point is, this will save you from doing the wrong thing.
Smoke Point Explained
The temperature at which each type of oil begins to smoke and ultimately burn is known as the smoke point of the oil. When oil is heated past its smoke point, it has a bitter/burnt flavor, loses nutritional value and fat content, and, worst of all, can catch fire.
Knowing the smoke point of the oil you have and plan to use in the oven will help you choose if you can cook on high, medium, or low heat.
The Best Oils to Use In The Oven
The types of oil that can be used in the oven, as well as their smoke points, are listed below.
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is one of the most popular types of oil in the world, even though it is very high in saturated fats. The coconut oil comes with a distinctive flavor and should only be used when you want to have this flavor obvious in your cooking. Regardless of what quantity you are using, the coconut oil should only be used in the oven on low heat, as it has a smoke point of 350 degrees F.
2. Olive Oil
Olive oil, as is popularly known is gotten from olive fruits. This oil is high in monounsaturated fat and is regarded as heart-healthy oil. The color of olive oil is largely dependent on the variety of the olive where the oil is from, the growing condition, processing, storage, etc.
The olive oil comes in different types; extra virgin oil and pure virgin olive oil (sometimes called light).
Extra virgin oil is the unrefined form of olive oil and is the most popular in the United States, while pure virgin olive oil is the refined and processed oil. the two types of olive oil have different smoke points, while the extra virgin oil has a smoke point of 320 degrees F and the pure virgin oil has a smoke point of 468 degrees F.
These two types can be used in the oven, however, you must identify the type of oil you are using and cook below their smoke point.
3. Peanut Oil
The peanut oil is made from pressed steam-cooked peanuts. The oil has a dominant flavor, hence you might need to be mindful of what it is used for. This oil can be used in the oven and has a smoke point of 450 degrees F. it is also high in monounsaturated fats.
4. Vegetable Oil
This is the most common type of oil in many homes, the vegetable oil is a blend of different varieties of oil, is high in polyunsaturated fat, and due to its mild flavor, is great for baking, salad dressing, and different oven use. it has a smoke point of 400 degrees F and is best used in the oven on medium heat.
5. Canola Oil
Canola oil is derived from the seeds of the canola plant; this oil is quite similar to vegetable oil in taste. It is high in monounsaturated fats and is announced as the world’s healthiest cooking oil according to the canola council of Canada and this is largely due to the less saturated fat in it.
Canola oil is an excellent choice for baking and other cooking activities and can be used in the oven. It has a smoke point of 400 degrees F and should be used on medium heat.
6. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is derived from the pressed sunflower seed. It is high in polyunsaturated fats, light, and is almost flavorless. It has a smoke point of 450 degrees F. it is an ideal oven to use oil. It can also be used for salad dressing, sauces, etc.
7. Soybeans Oil
The soybeans oil is derived from pressed soybeans; it is high in monounsaturated oil. This lovely oil can be used in the oven, at medium to high heat as it has a smoke point of 450 degrees F.
8. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is made from pressed sesame seeds and this oil can be found in two forms; toasted and untoasted sesame oil. This oil is high in polyunsaturated and what’s more? It can be used in the oven with a smoke point of 410 degrees F.
9. Corn Oil
Corn oil is gotten from the germ part of the corn kernel. This oil is considered a good choice for all your high-temperature cooking, it is as well is a good choice for your oven works as it has a smoke point of 450 degrees F. corn oil is also quite neutral, in terms of flavor and is a good option for baking, dressing salad, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to heat oil in the oven?
It will take your oil 5 to 10 minutes to get heated up in the oven. Set your burner on a medium, and ensure the thermometer is right at the center of the oven to check the temperature. Ensure that the oil is cooked at s lesser degree than its smoke point.
What oil has the highest smoke point?
Oil beyond 400 degrees F has a high smoke point. Almond oil, corn oil, canola oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, etc., these oils are examples of oil with a high smoke point.
Does oil burn in the oven?
Yes, your oil can burn in the oven and this can only occur when you cook beyond the oil’s smoke point. If your oil has a smoke point of 400 degrees F, you should cook below this degree as when it gets to this degree or beyond, it will burn.
Will vegetable oil catch fire in the oven?
Vegetable oil has a smoke point of 400 to 450 degrees F. like many other types of oil, if your vegetable oil cooks beyond this degree, then it has a likelihood of catching fire.
Is it okay to bake with olive oil?
Yes, it is okay to bake with olive oil. Olive oil is a good substitute for other types of oil, especially vegetable oil when you need to bake.
Final Thoughts
Oil in the oven is quite permissible, but it should be used with caution.
Knowing your favorite oil’s smoke point will help you determine what temperature is appropriate for it. Furthermore, certain oils have a stronger flavor than others, so pay attention before using them in your cooking.
