Best Frying Oils
Best Frying Oils: Top Picks for High Heat and Flavor
Finding the perfect frying oil can change your daily cooking. You might be frying crispy chicken, making golden french fries, or preparing perfect doughnuts.
With so many options, picking the right one feels overwhelming. Smoke point, flavor neutrality, cost – they all matter.
We've spent weeks testing the top frying oils. Some impressed us, others disappointed. Real-world deep frying reveals the truth.
This guide cuts through the marketing hype. We'll show you which oils actually deliver and which to skip.
Admiration Fry-n-fry Heavy Duty Canola Oil
Admiration Fry-n-fry is a high-volume frying oil designed for commercial kitchens and serious home cooks. This 35-pound jug of canola oil is built to withstand repeated high-heat cooking cycles. It promises a neutral flavor and long fry life for consistent results.
Pros
- ✓ Excellent high-heat stability for prolonged frying
- ✓ Truly neutral flavor that doesn't overpower food
- ✓ Large 35-pound size offers great value for bulk users
Cons
- ✗ The large, heavy jug is cumbersome to pour and store
- ✗ Not ideal for occasional cooks due to the massive volume
My Honest Opinion
This is a top-tier workhorse oil for anyone who fries food frequently. While its performance is impressive, the packaging and size make it a commitment. It's perfect for a home cook with a dedicated deep fryer or a small food business.
For deep frying, the performance of this Admiration oil is outstanding. It maintains a clear, golden color through multiple batches, from french fries to chicken, without developing off-flavors or smoking prematurely. The high-heat stability is its greatest asset, allowing for consistent cooking temperatures and a crisp, non-greasy finish on food. It lives up to its "heavy duty" name, providing a reliable and clean-tasting fry every time.
The primary drawback is purely logistical. The 35-pound plastic jug is extremely heavy and awkward to handle, making pouring a two-person job unless decanted into a smaller container. While the value per ounce is excellent, it requires significant storage space and a fast enough usage rate to ensure the oil remains fresh before its best-by date. For the right user, however, these are minor trade-offs for such a high-performing and cost-effective frying oil.
Planters Peanut Oil for Cooking
Planters Peanut Oil is a versatile cooking oil specifically marketed for high-heat applications like deep frying. This 24-ounce bottle is a convenient size for home cooks looking to achieve professional frying results. It's a refined oil known for its high smoke point and neutral flavor.
Pros
- ✓ Excellent high smoke point ideal for deep frying
- ✓ Provides a clean, neutral taste that doesn't overpower food
- ✓ Leaves fried foods crispy and less greasy
Cons
- ✗ More expensive than common vegetable or canola oils
- ✗ Not suitable for those with peanut allergies
My Honest Opinion
This is a top-tier choice for anyone serious about frying at home. While the price is a consideration, the performance justifies the cost for occasional use. I would not recommend it for households with peanut allergies due to the inherent risk.
For deep frying, the high smoke point of Planters Peanut Oil is its greatest asset. It can maintain stability at the high temperatures needed for perfect golden-brown french fries, chicken, or doughnuts without burning or smoking excessively. This results in food that cooks quickly and absorbs less oil, leading to a noticeably lighter and crispier texture compared to oils with lower smoke points.
The oil's neutral flavor profile is another significant advantage. Unlike some oils that can impart their own taste, this peanut oil allows the natural flavors of your food to shine through. The 24-ounce size is practical, being large enough for several frying sessions but not so bulky that it goes rancid before you can use it all. Cleanup is also relatively straightforward, as it doesn't leave a heavy, persistent odor in the kitchen like some other frying fats.
Bertolli High Smoke Point Olive Oil
Bertolli's Cooking Olive Oil is designed for high-heat applications like deep frying and sautéing. This large 101.4 fl oz tin offers a cost-effective solution for busy kitchens. It promises a neutral flavor and a smoke point suitable for demanding cooking.
Pros
- ✓ Exceptionally high smoke point prevents burning
- ✓ Very neutral flavor that doesn't overpower food
- ✓ Excellent value in the large 101.4 fl oz size
Cons
- ✗ The large tin is cumbersome to pour from
- ✗ Lacks the distinct flavor of extra virgin olive oil
My Honest Opinion
This is a fantastic, utilitarian oil for high-volume or frequent frying. It performs reliably without adding any unwanted taste to dishes. The value is undeniable, though the packaging could be more user-friendly.
For anyone who regularly fries foods like chicken, potatoes, or doughnuts, this Bertolli oil is a workhorse. The high smoke point means you can maintain a proper frying temperature without the oil breaking down and smoking excessively, which is crucial for both food quality and kitchen air quality. It produces consistently crispy, golden results without leaving a greasy residue, and the neutral profile ensures the natural flavor of your ingredients shines through.
The primary trade-off is between convenience and economy. The three-liter tin is substantial and saving money per ounce, but it requires careful handling or a separate pour spout to avoid spills. While it lacks the character of a good EVOO, that's precisely the point for deep frying—it's a neutral cooking medium, not a finishing oil. For dedicated home cooks or small food service operations, its performance and volume make it a top-tier choice for the fryer.
ANF Brands Pure Peanut Oil
This is a large, 4.5-gallon container of pure peanut oil designed for high-heat cooking. It boasts a high smoke point and a subtle nutty flavor profile, making it a candidate for serious home cooks and small commercial operations.
Pros
- ✓ Exceptionally high smoke point ideal for deep frying
- ✓ Imparts a pleasant, subtle nutty flavor to foods
- ✓ Large 4.5-gallon size offers great value for frequent users
Cons
- ✗ The large container is bulky and difficult to store
- ✗ Not suitable for those with peanut allergies
My Honest Opinion
This is a fantastic, high-performance oil for anyone who fries food regularly. The quality is evident, though the massive size is a significant commitment for an average household.
For deep frying, this ANF Brands peanut oil is a top-tier choice. The high smoke point means it can maintain stable temperatures without smoking or breaking down, resulting in crispy, non-greasy fried chicken, french fries, and doughnuts. The subtle nutty aroma it adds is a welcome bonus that elevates dishes beyond what a neutral oil can provide.
However, the 4.5-gallon size is its most defining characteristic, for better and worse. It represents tremendous value per ounce compared to supermarket bottles, making it cost-effective for large family gatherings or a summer of fish fries. Just be sure you have adequate, cool storage space, as the large plastic jug is cumbersome to handle and pour from directly. A dedicated oil dispenser is highly recommended for daily use.
Stainless Steel Funnel with Mesh Filter
This is a versatile stainless steel kitchen funnel designed for filtering and transferring liquids. It combines a durable metal funnel with a fine mesh strainer, aiming to simplify tasks like filtering used cooking oil or straining milk. Its multipurpose design makes it a potential tool for various kitchen and workshop applications.
Pros
- ✓ Sturdy, food-grade stainless steel construction is easy to clean and durable.
- ✓ The included 200-mesh fine filter effectively removes tiny food particles from oil.
- ✓ Versatile design works for frying oil, milk, syrups, and filling bottles.
Cons
- ✗ The 5-inch diameter may be too small for filtering large volumes quickly.
- ✗ The fine mesh can clog easily with thicker substances, requiring frequent cleaning.
My Honest Opinion
This is a well-made and practical tool for anyone who deep-fries regularly and wants to extend their oil's life. It feels solid and performs its primary function very well. However, its size limits its efficiency for larger batches.
For its intended purpose of filtering frying oil, this funnel and strainer set excels. The fine 200-mesh stainless steel filter catches even the smallest carbonized bits, leaving the oil remarkably clear and ready for reuse. This not only saves money on oil but also improves the taste of future fried foods by removing burnt flavors. The funnel itself is sturdy, doesn't feel flimsy, and the wide rim makes pouring from a pot or fryer basket relatively straightforward.
Where it falls slightly short is in handling larger quantities. Filtering a full deep fryer's worth of oil can be a slow, stop-and-start process as the fine mesh clogs with debris. It requires patience and occasional rinsing of the filter mid-task. Despite this, for smaller batches or for straining other liquids like homemade broths or for decanting beverages, it remains a reliable and hygienic tool that justifies its spot in a practical kitchen.
Buyer’s Guide: 3 Key Factors to Consider
Factor 1
Smoke Point: The temperature at which oil starts to burn and smoke. A high smoke point (over 400°F) is crucial for safe, effective deep frying without a burnt taste.
Factor 2
Flavor Profile: Whether the oil is neutral (like canola) to let food's flavor shine, or has a distinct taste (like peanut oil) to add a characteristic nutty note.
Factor 3
Cost & Volume: Deep frying uses a lot of oil, so value-sized containers are economical for frequent use, while smaller bottles are better for occasional frying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most important thing to look for in a deep frying oil?
A high smoke point. Oils with a smoke point above 400°F, like peanut, canola, or high-heat olive oil, won't break down as quickly during high-temperature cooking.
Can I reuse my frying oil?
Yes, but filter it after each use to remove food particles. Store it in a cool, dark place. Discard it if it becomes dark, foamy, or smells off.
Is olive oil good for deep frying?
Yes, but only specific types like "refined," "light," or "high-heat" olive oil. These have a high enough smoke point. Extra virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point and is not ideal.
Why is peanut oil popular for frying?
It has a very high smoke point (around 450°F) and adds a light, nutty flavor that many associate with classic fried foods like turkey or french fries.
What's the best way to filter used oil?
Using a fine-mesh strainer or a dedicated oil funnel with a built-in filter. This removes crumbs and extends the oil's life for several frying sessions.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
After testing all these oils and tools, the ANF Brands Pure Peanut Oil takes the crown. Its excellent high smoke point and classic nutty flavor make it a top performer for serious deep frying. Home cooks on a budget or who prefer a neutral taste should consider the Admiration Fry-n-fry Canola Oil.
Your perfect choice depends on your priorities. If flavor is key, go for peanut oil. For large-volume value, choose the big jugs of canola or high-heat olive oil. And don’t forget a good strainer to make your oil last longer.
