Best Oil for Deep Frying

The most important decision to make before you deep fry is which oil to use. For everyday use, we recommend using the most popular choice – vegetable oil. However, there is no shortage of options. 

Before you select an oil, have you chosen the right deep fryer? Countertop deep fryers are a great place to start – as they are easy to add to any commercial kitchen.  

In this article: 

• What to Consider When Selecting an Oil
• Deep Frying and Vegetable Oil
• Deep Frying with Canola Oil
• Deep Frying with Peanut Oil
• Oils Not to Use for Deep Frying
• The Importance of Fryer Recovery Times to Your Oil
• How Do Different Oils Compare?
• Deep Frying Food Guide

What to Consider When Selecting an Oil 

When choosing which oil to use, there are a few things to consider, including flavor, smoke point, and price. And, get the scoop on which oils are considered the best and healthiest for deep frying, and as well as how to use them effectively. 

Flavor

Oil either has a flavor, or it doesn’t. Frying in a neutral oil is typically the best practice – as you don’t want your food to take on the taste of your oil. However, specific recipes can call for frying in avocado or peanut oil to create a particular flavor profile. 

Ready to craft flavorful fried favorites? We love this heavy-duty stainless steel floor fryer from Kratos. 

Smoke Point

The smoke point is the temperature at which oil starts to burn and create smoke. If your oil gets too hot, it will fill your kitchen with smoke and could potentially create a dangerous situation. Every oil has a different smoke point, so consult the chart below before you start frying! For more information on smoke point, check out this informative article from Serious Eats. 

Price

Deep frying requires a large amount of oil, as food needs to be covered entirely to fry effectively. Due to the high volume – most restaurants and home cooks choose to deep fry with cheaper oil to keep costs down. 

When you take these three factors into account, you are ready to choose an oil for deep frying. There is no right answer for everyone but here are a few recommendations from your friends at Central Restaurant Products. 

Affordably priced, elevate your frying experience with the Vulcan LG400 Commercial Natural Gas Fryer, offering a generous 50 lb oil capacity and exceptional efficiency for high-volume kitchens. 

Deep Frying with Vegetable Oil 

Discover the top contenders for the best oil for deep frying, including vegetable oil, canola oil, and peanut oil, or read on for even more suggestions. If this is your first time deep frying, we recommend starting with old faithful – vegetable oil. You may wonder, what exactly is it? Vegetable oil is typically a mix of different plant-derived oils that are blended to create an affordable, neutral oil. While you won’t use it as a salad dressing or dip for bread, vegetable oil is an excellent choice for frying. It starts with a high smoke point, which makes it easy to use in any kitchen. The high smoke point, combined with a neutral flavor and low price, make it the go-to oil for deep frying. 

Deep Frying With Canola Oil

Deep frying requires a large amount of oil, as food needs to be covered entirely to fry effectively. Due to the high volume – most restaurants and home cooks choose to deep fry with cheaper oil to keep costs down. 

Canola oil also has the added benefit of being low in saturated fat, making it a healthier option for making typically unhealthy fried foods! Are you looking for more healthier oils for deep frying? Consider options with low saturated fat and high smoke points. 

Deep Frying With Peanut Oil

One important consideration when using peanut oil is that some peanut oil can be an allergen. Highly-refined peanut oil is considered safe for most people with a peanut allergy. However – cold-pressed, expelled, and extruded forms of peanut oil are dangerous for those with a peanut allergy.
 
If allergies aren’t a concern, then peanut oil’s high smoke point and low saturated fats make it an attractive option for frying. Just consider that it does not have a neutral flavor, and it costs more than vegetable or canola oil, so it isn’t the best first choice for everyday frying. 

Are you ready to shop for a fryer featuring precise temperature control for impeccable frying? We recommend the Vulcan 1TR45A-2 Gas Deep Fryer. 

Oil Not to Use While Deep Frying

Although it’s possible to cook with an oil having a low smoke point under specific conditions, we advise against it—especially in a foodservice kitchen dealing with larger quantities of food. 

For this reason, we recommend that you avoid low smoke point oils (under 400°F) like olive oil, soybean oil, and corn oil for deep frying. 

How Do Different Oils Compare

There isn’t one correct answer to which oil you should use for deep frying. Every situation and recipe could call for a different option. Here is a handy chart that should help you select the right oil for you. 

Deep Frying Food Guide

There isn’t one correct answer to which oil you should use for deep frying. Every situation and recipe could call for a different option. This handy guide should help you select the right oil for what you’re preparing. 

Different foods cook better in different types of oil. While it isn’t always necessary to use a specific kind of oil, here are some frequently asked questions about food-pairing in a commercial deep fryer. 

• What is the best oil for deep frying chicken? Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil
• What is the best oil for deep frying a turkey? Peanut Oil
• What is the best oil for deep frying french fries? Peanut Oil or Canola Oil
• What is the best oil for deep frying fish? Canola Oil
• What is the best oil for deep frying doughnuts? Peanut Oil or Vegetable Oil
• What is the best oil for deep frying vegetables? Vegetable Oil or Peanut Oil
• What is the best oil for deep frying egg rolls? Peanut Oil or Canola Oil  
• What is the best oil for deep frying chips? Canola Oil  

No matter which oil you choose, make sure you are following the right safety procedures for deep frying and hall all the correct fryer equipment and accessories to make the process safe and easy. 

If you’re looking to try deep frying in your restaurant kitchen, we have a full selection of commercial deep fryers to choose from! 

The Importance of Fryer Recovery Times for Your Oil 

No matter which oil you choose, one of the most important aspects of maximizing the life of your oil is to properly observe your fryer’s recovery time. Any time that you place food in your fryer, the temperature of the oil will immediately drop. If the food is simply refrigerated, the drop may not be as bad, but adding frozen food can make a significant impact on the oil temperature. 

Lower temperatures mean more time needed to fry food to the desired temperature and consistency. More oil gets absorbed by the food, making it greasier and less appealing to the customer. That means having to refill your oil more often to make up for the oil lost from absorption. 

Understanding your fryer’s recovery time will aid in determining the optimal interval between frying sessions and will assist in prolonging your oil’s lifespan while maintaining the crispiness and appeal of your food for your customers. Some deep fryers are designed to ensure faster recovery times. 

If you’re seeking a fryer with a substantial 40 lb oil capacity, the Kratos 20Y-012-LP Liquid Propane Gas Fryer will meet your high-volume frying needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Fryers 

1. What is considered the healthiest oil for deep frying?
   When aiming for healthier fried dishes, options like Canola Oil and Avocado Oil are often recommended due to their lower saturated fat content and high smoke points.
2. What is the best oil for deep frying seafood while keeping it healthy?
   To achieve both crispy and healthy seafood, Canola Oil is a top choice, offering a balance between high smoke point and lower saturated fats.
3. What oil is considered the healthiest oil for deep frying vegetables to maintain their nutritional value?
   For maintaining the nutritional integrity of fried vegetables, using Canola Oil or Vegetable Oil is advisable, as they possess higher smoke points and are better at preserving the nutrients.
4. What’s the best oil for deep frying foods without making them too greasy?
   For a combination of flavor and a less greasy result, Peanut Oil is a popular option, as it has a high smoke point and low saturated fat content.
5. Overall, what do many foodservice providers consider to be the best oil for deep frying? 
   When looking for a versatile oil, Canola Oil often stands out due to its neutral flavor, high smoke point, and being considered one of the healthier options for deep frying.