There’s a very common myth that extra virgin olive oil can’t be deep-fried but that’s just what it is- a myth. This common misconception has become popular belief due to the fact that many believe that the high temperatures used to deep-fry make it impossible to use extra virgin olive oil in the process. There are, in fact, a slew of delicious deep-fried recipes that can be made possible through the use of extra virgin olive oil. Take a couple of popular favorites like french fries or churros, for example. Yes, both can be prepared using extra virgin olive oil.
If you have long held the belief that extra virgin olive oil can’t be used for deep-frying, O-Live & Co. is here to enlighten you. Not only can extra virgin olive oil be used in the process of deep-frying, it actually makes for a delicious ingredient. Today, we will be giving you a few helpful tips for using extra virgin olive oil for your favorite deep-fried dishes as well as sharing the benefits. Let’s get started!
What Should You Know About Deep-Frying?
Let’s start simply by discussing what is considered deep-frying. Any food that is prepared in hot fat is considered to be deep-fried. Although sauteing ingredients using a minimal amount of fat in the pan is one form of frying, the process is considered to be deep-frying when the fat completely envelopes the food.
In order to properly deep-fry food, the oil must be heated up to a temperature where the outside surface of the food is dehydrated, forming a crust. The heat must be kept, however, at a temperature that doesn’t cause the food to burn before the inside of the food is completely cooked. Our best recommendation is to heat the oil to somewhere between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why is Extra Virgin Olive Oil Considered Bad For Deep-Frying?
So why has extra virgin olive oil long been considered to be bad for deep-frying? Put simply, this common misconception is due to something called smoke point. Smoke point refers to the temperature at which an oil begins to break down. A common myth surrounding extra virgin olive oil is that it has a very low smoke point, making it not suitable for the high temperatures needed to deep-fry food.
Consider the fact that the recommended temperature needed to deep-fry food is between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Extra virgin olive oil actually holds a smoke point of somewhere around 410 degrees Fahrenheit. This is well above the recommended temperature needed to deep-fry food. When selecting the best extra virgin olive oil for cooking, bear in mind that the higher the quality of the oil, the higher the smoke point. At O-Live & Co., we offer a line of high-quality extra virgin olive oil all of which are perfect for deep-frying. Our extra virgin olive oil is highly recommended for deep-frying as it contains a much higher smoke point than the average bottle of extra virgin olive oil. This is because of the low acidity level found in our extra virgin olive oil (just 0.2 percent) compared to the industry average of 0.8 percent.
On top of that, our extra virgin olive oil offers a delicious and mild flavor that won't add any extra unwanted tastes to your fried foods.
The Benefits of Using Extra Virgin Olive Oil For Deep-Frying
There are a variety of reasons that using extra virgin olive oil for deep-frying is the way to go. The two biggest reasons you should be using extra virgin olive oil for deep-frying are for flavor and your health. Not only is extra virgin olive oil great for bringing out the flavor in food but it is also a much more healthy option as compared to other oils commonly used for deep-frying such as regular olive oil and vegetable oil. On top of that, olive oil has been found to be more stable when heated.
Due to the process involved in creating O-Live & Co.’s extra virgin olive oil, you can expect rich, delicious flavor that isn’t found in refined olive oil. Refined olive oil is treated with chemicals as well as being altered by temperature, making it a lower quality of oil for deep-frying as you won’t get all of that flavor that extra virgin olive oil ensures. Our extra virgin olive oil is cold-extracted from olives rather than treated with chemicals so you can rest assured that your deep-fried dish will be flavorful.
While many people elect to use vegetable oil for deep-frying, we here at O-Live & Co. are firm believers that extra virgin olive oil is a much healthier alternative. If you consider yourself to be on the health-conscious side, there is truly no better option for deep-frying than O-Live extra virgin olive oil. There are a variety of health benefits associated with the use of extra virgin olive oil. From lowering blood pressure and promoting weight loss to managing diabetes, there is much scientific evidence to suggest that extra virgin olive oil is the best alternative to less healthy oils like vegetable oil and butter.
Deep-Fried Recipes for Using Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Now that you have an understanding of the benefits associated with using extra virgin olive oil for deep-frying, you are probably wondering what you should fry up first! At O-Live & Co., we know that recipes using extra virgin olive oil are among the best dishes you can whip up. So where should you start when using extra virgin olive oil for deep-frying?
There isn’t much of a limit of what you can do when deep-frying with extra virgin olive oil. Among our favorite dishes to prepare are a few classic Mediterranean recipes as well as some international favorites. On the Mediterranean-inspired side of things, Crispy Olive Oil Fried Brussels Sprouts are a particularly delicious way to use extra virgin olive oil for deep-frying. Mixed with caramelized onions and garlic, this is one dish that is sure to please!
Another popular way to use extra virgin olive oil for deep-frying is found in a classic treat well-loved by people all over the globe: Olive Oil French Fries. Frying up french fries with extra virgin olive oil makes for a wonderful pairing with many popular Mediterranean diet recipes. Whether you’re pairing this deep-fried recipe with the main course or simply looking for a tasty snack, olive oil french fries are one way to use extra virgin olive oil that you won’t regret testing out! Enjoy using extra virgin olive oil to deep-fry!
