Avocado oil is a nutritional ingredient rich in polyunsaturated fats and carotenoids. It has great benefits for our eyes, skin, and heart health.
Because of avocado oil’s advantages, some may use it for baking applications. Yet, many people don’t realize that a few types of oil become unhealthy when exposed to high temperatures.
So, is avocado oil safe for baking? Today, we dive into the science behind baking avocado oil!
What Is Avocado Oil?
Avocado oil is the fat manufacturers extract from avocado fruits. It can come in two forms and is either cold-pressed or chemically extracted.
Typically, the latter will have less flavor and color than the cold-pressed type.
Avocado Oil Smoke Point vs. Other Vegetable Oils
Smoke point is the most important factor when baking with oil.
An oil’s smoke point is the temperature at which it starts to smoke and burn. This is when it forms fumes and compounds that may cause cancer.
Avocado oil, in particular, has a smoke point of 520°F, which is higher than most oils. In comparison, extra-virgin olive oil has a smoke point of 375˚F, and refined vegetable oil has a smoke point of 468˚F.
What this means is you can heat avocado oil to higher temperatures than other vegetable oils!
Can You Use Avocado Oil for Baking?
Since avocado oil has a high smoke point, you can use it for baking!
Note that you can only heat avocado oil to 520°F, which is suitable for most baked goods. Using avocado oil for baking pizza at 800 and 900 °F ovens may not be a good idea.
The Advantages of Using Avocado Oil for Baking
Here are some reasons you may want to use avocado oil in baked dishes.
- Neutral Flavor: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and you may add it to baked goods without affecting its taste. Research shows that avocado oil cookies tasted comparable to cookies made with butter!
- Moisture Retention: The same study reveals that avocado oil cookies were more moist than cookies with butter. However, the avocado oil cookie dough was harder to handle due to its moisture.
- Smooth Texture: Avocado oil may improve the texture of certain baked products. It adds to the creaminess of the final dish.
- Health Benefits: Doctors and dieticians say avocado is a nutritional ingredient. It’s high in oleic acid and it improves heart health, unlike other types of fat.
Considerations When Using Avocado Oil for Baking
Although avocado oil is a safe ingredient for baking, remember that no two brands of avocado oil are equal.
Studies show that avocado oil’s smoke point and nutritional content vary depending on the origin, growing conditions, processing method, and fruit variety.
What’s more, some avocado oils are combined with olive oil or vegetable oil to make them cheaper. These oils will have different smoke points than pure avocado oil.
As a baker, you must check the packaging label to see if your brand of avocado oil is safe for baking applications.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating avocado oil into desserts is a great way to boost nutritional value.
Avocado oil’s high smoke point means it’s a safe ingredient that can withstand high baking temperatures.
So, don’t be afraid to experiment with avocado oil. Who knows, you may create a dish unlike any other!
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.