Magazine · Myth check
Can you fry with olive oil?
A stubborn kitchen dispute. We look honestly at what is really true.
To the facts
The short answer
Yes, in the normal range it works
Olive oil deserves a better reputation for frying than it is often given. For normal frying at medium to medium-high heat it is well suited, precisely because it contains plenty of monounsaturated fatty acids and stabilising compounds.
Only very high heat and hard searing shift the picture.
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Sorted out factually
- Normal frying: no problem, olive oil is more stable than its reputation.
- Mild or refined olive oil: has a slightly higher smoke point, handy for hotter pans.
- Extra virgin olive oil: you can certainly fry with it, but its aroma suffers at high heat.
- Very high heat and deep-frying: here neutral, heat-stable oils are the better choice.
Said honestly
The blanket warning that you must not fry with olive oil is a myth. In everyday cooking it works well, for gentle aroma use mild olive oil at high heat and save the expensive extra virgin for cold dishes. For very high heat, reach for a neutral frying oil instead. We give you the facts, the decision stays with you.
Sources and further reading
- Olive oil , Wikipedia