Here's How to Make the Healthiest Fried Food Possible
Frying oil isn't exactly notorious for being healthy, however, cooking with the right oils and cleaning your oils for reuse can make fried food healthier. This is because certain oils react to high heats differently, which changes the makeup of the oil and the chemicals they produce. Likewise, when oil is reheated numerous times, it accumulates carcinogens, so it's important to use a purification filter to eliminate the invisible impurities to make frying oil healthy - or at least healthier. Let's take a look at healthy vs unhealthy frying oil options as well as how to remove toxins and impurities from the oil.
Frying Oil: Healthy Options
What makes frying oil healthy or unhealthy has to do with it's stability at high heat. The oil needs to be stable enough to withstand the ideal deep-frying temperature of around 350–375°F (176–190°C). A healthy frying oil will have a high smoke point and be stable enough to not have a reaction with oxygen when heated. Saturated fat tend to get a bad rep, but many studies conclude that saturated fats don’t increase the risk of heart disease. Oils with a high amount of saturated fats have a tendency to be more stable when heated, so oils with mostly saturated and monounsaturated are best for keeping oil healthier while frying.
The Perfect Frying Oil Temp for Common Cooking Oils >>
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil has one of the highest smoke points at 520-570°F (271-299°C). It contains mainly monounsaturated with some saturated and polyunsaturated fats mixed in, which makes it stable and a great option for a healthy frying oil.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is a great, healthy option for frying. With a smoke point of 420°, it's stable at high heats. It's known for having a green tent but clean flavor that pairs well with all types of fried foods. It's also less expensive than extra virgin olive oil, so it's a win-win all around.
Refined Coconut Oil
Regular coconut oil has a smoke point of 350°, which is too low for getting a good, crispy fry. Refined coconut oil, however, can go up to 400°, so you can fry in the sweet spot. Coconut oil is a plant-based oil with lots of saturated fat, so it keeps it's stability at high temperatures and when it's reheated numerous times.
How to Make Your Frying Oil Healthier
Can you make frying oil healthy, or at least healthier? Yes! When frying oil is heated and reheated, the components of the oil break down and create carcinogens, polymers, and other impurities you don't want to put into your body. But there's a super easy way to filter out these impurities with FreshFry Pods. These Pods contain recycled plant waste that attract unwanted impurities like a magnet. When you're finished frying and have turned off your fryer, place a Pod into your fryer while it's still hot. Simply allow it to sit and absorb overnight. The next day, warm the oil back up and remove the Pod. It's that simple! Not only will your oil be healthier, but you'll be able to reuse your oil longer, which saves you money. It's a win-win! Click below to try your first case of FreshFry Pods today.
