What type of Cooking Oil is the Most Healthy?

Nowadays the home chef is faced with an ever-increasing array of choices when it comes to choosing a cooking oil when preparing fried foods. But to the healthy eating advocate, which types of oil are the most healthy — or at a minimum, which ones should we avoid?

Oils all have the same purpose during cooking, which is to increase the surface area of the food in contact with the heat, and to produce a crispy layer on the surface of the food by means of a reaction called the Maillard effect. This crispy layer enhances taste, texture, and is one of the many reasons we love fried foods.

In addition, cooking oil provides a protective barrier to your foods, which will prevent them from drying out when exposed to the high temperatures in your air fryer.

Criteria for a Healthy Cooking Oil

Each type of oil comes from a different source, however, and can have vastly different nutritional properties. But what are the main criteria in determining which oils are healthy and which are not? It turns out that there are essentially four main criteria:

Types of Cooking Oil

We are going to look at three of the most popular cooking oils used by home chefs today. These oils are all readily available in urban markets and each has readily available information and/or studies documenting their health benefits. We are going to look at the following oils:

• Olive Oil
• Vegetable Oils (i.e. Canola, soybean, corn, sunflower, etc.)
• Avocado Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Peanut Oil
• Sesame Oil

Olive Oil

Next to vegetable oil, Olive oil is the most commonly used type of cooking oil used in Western countries. It is made by means of pressing the fruit of the olive tree (olives!). Qualitatively it’s believed that olive oil is quite healthy due to the general healthiness of Mediterranean people, who are known to consume olive oil on a daily basis.

Following are the health guidelines for olive oil:

• Olive oil is very high in Omega fatty acids, however, the highest percentage is Omega-9 (oleic acid). The more beneficial Omega-3 acid is present though in very small quantities however.
• For maximum health-effect, only certified Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) should be used. Non-extra-virgin oils have a higher oleic acid (Omega-9) content which has been shown to decrease the anti-inflammatory benefits of olive oil. Stay away from “refined” olive oils, as this oil has had most of the healthy benefits stripped away through the refining process.
• Some components of olive oil such as oleocanthal, squalene, and lignin’s have promise in reducing the risk of cancer.
• One tablespoon of Olive oil has a total fat composition of 13.5g: 9.8g MUFAs, 1.4g PUFAs (the majority being oleic acid), and 2.1g saturated fat.
• One tablespoon of olive oil contains 119 calories.

Vegetable Oil (Canola)

Vegetable oil is the most common household cooking oil in use today. It’s somewhat of a generic term however and may actually consist of plant-based oils such as canola (the most common), corn, soybean, sunflower, etc. Due to its prevalence, vegetable oil is also among the least expensive.

Following are the health guidelines for vegetable oil:

• Vegetable oils are produced almost exclusively by chemical processes that use chemicals to extract the oil from the plant and then must be stripped out. A widely believed concern related to this fact is that chemical residue remains in the oil and actually causes detrimental health effects.
• One tablespoon of canola oil has a total fat composition of 14g: 9g MUFAs, 4g PUFAs in a 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 vs. Omega-3, 1g of saturated fat.
• One tablespoon of canola oil contains 124 calories.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil has surged in popularity over the past few years due in large part to its perceived health benefits. Avocado oil is produced by pressing the avocado fruit, which is a naturally fatty fruit native to Mexico but grown in other warm climates.

Following are the health guidelines for avocado oil:

• Avocado oil is very high in monounsaturated fats and vitamin E. It has also been shown to increase the absorption of beneficial carotenoids in the body.
• Avocado oil has a PUFA content very similar to olive oil, where the majority is made up of oleic acid (>70%) and a poor MUFA ratio of 13:1 for Omega-6 vs. Omega-3 fats.
• Avocado oil has been shown to have an extremely high ability to eliminate free radicals in the body.
• It also carries many of the same nutritional characteristics of the fruit itself such as a high potassium content rivaling bananas, as well as other micronutrients such as lutein, magnesium, folate, choline, glutathione, and phytosterols.
• One tablespoon of avocado oil has a total fat composition of 14g: 9.9g MUFAs, 1.9g PUFAs, and 1.6g saturated fat.
• One tablespoon of avocado oil contains 124 calories.

Coconut Oil

From claims of beauty enhancement to weight loss, the hype over coconut oil has spiked in recent years, making it a popular cooking oil used in conjunction with diets, like Keto, Paleo, and the Whole 30. However, the jury is still out on whether or not this oil, pressed from the white meat of the coconut, is really good for you.

The following are the health guidelines for coconut oil:

• Coconut oil increases healthy (HDL) cholesterol. However, it is also 90 percent saturated fat, which raises your level of unhealthy (LDL) cholesterol.
• Other benefits include controlling blood sugar, improving skin tone and texture, preventing liver disease, and reducing stress.
• While the majority of coconut oil’s calories are from saturated fat, research has determined that coconut oil’s saturated fat is made up of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) your body may handle better than other fat sources.
• While coconut oil contains a higher level of saturated fat than other oils, it has fewer calories, which may be healthier.
• Like most oils, coconut oil does have several health benefits when used sparingly. But it’s never a good idea to over-indulge in foods high in calories and saturated fat.

Peanut Oil

This great-tasting oil has been a favorite in the restaurant industry for years due to its suitability for frying at high temperatures. In addition, peanut oil, like the legume it comes from, is high in monounsaturated fats and low in saturated fats and triglycerides. Naturally trans-fat free, peanut oil has many health benefits when used correctly.

The following are the health guidelines for peanut oil:

• High in monounsaturated fats that are beneficial to health, peanut oil is also low enough in saturated fats that it has not been found to impact heart health when consumed in moderation.
• Peanut oil is packed full of vitamins and antioxidants, Vitamin E, and phytosterols, all of which are beneficial to cardiovascular health.
• While peanut oil is similar to vegetable oil with its health benefits, it is important to note that many people avoid this oil due to the risk of allergic reactions.

Sesame Oil

Most often used in Asian cooking, sesame oil has a mild nutty flavor perfect for stir-frying. Often called the Queen of Oils, sesame oil has several health benefits and is low in cholesterol-raising polyunsaturated fats. Like all oils, despite its benefits, sesame oil should be used sparingly as a part of a balanced diet.

The following are the health guidelines for sesame oil:

• Sesame oil contains 120 calories, 13.6 grams of fat per tablespoon, which is comparable to olive oil. With only 1.9 grams of fat from the calories, Sesame oil is a healthy oil when consumed in moderation.
• Sesame oil is also high in monounsaturated fats and low in polyunsaturated fats, which is good news for your cholesterol.
• Other benefits of sesame oil include Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which benefit your heart, regulate blood pressure, and may prevent diabetes.
• When it comes to vitamins and nutrients, while Sesame oil does contain small amounts of Vitamin K, other oils, like olive oil contain more nutrients.

Which Oils Are Best for my Air Fryer?

While many of the above-listed oils are good for your health, you must also consider which oils are best for use in your air fryer. Because your air fryer is most effective when using a high-temperature setting, you must also use oils with a high burning point when cooking foods at temperatures above 325 degrees.

When considering health benefits and burning point, Airfrying.net recommends using the following oils in your air fryer:

Best Oils for Your Air Fryer

For a more comprehensive review of which oils are best for your air fryer, see our article.

Summary

While much of the decision comes down to personal choice, both olive oil and avocado oil have very similar characteristics and have proven health benefits. Vegetable oil should potentially be avoided, as well as non-virgin olive oils due to the potential for unwanted trace chemicals. Avocado oil has slightly less saturated fat than olive oil as well as a host of other nutritional benefits and is my personal preference. With that said, it is also important to use the oils that are both best for your health and for your air fryer.

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