You’ll find cooking with coconut oil a surprisingly easy transition to make in your kitchen. The first step is to buy a jar of high quality extra virgin organic coconut oil and keep it on hand. It takes time to change over from the old toxic “vegetable oils” we all grew up on, but once you get the hang of it you won’t go back!
Why is Cooking with Coconut Oil Beneficial?
- It is comprised of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA’s) which are beneficial in so many ways.
- It is highly nourishing to the body.
- Coconut oil can increase the metabolism.
- The MCFA’s make it easy to digest.
- Has medicinal properties.
- Bolsters immunity
- Coconut oil can increase energy
- Can be used a higher temperatures than olive oil
Tips for Baking with Coconut Oil
While cooking with coconut oil is super easy, baking with coconut oil takes just a tiny bit of know how to feel confident. Don’t worry…it’s really easy if you’ve never tried it!
Here are a few tips:
Tip#1: For those who have never worked with coconut oil before, it has a melting point of 76°. So depending on the temp in your house and where you store it, your coconut oil could be solid or liquid.
Tip#2: When baking with coconut oil, it’s always best to measure it at the liquid state for most accurate results. It melts quickly and easily and for safest melting (if not using a microwave), I like to melt via stovetop OR by putting coconut oil in a bowl inside a bowl of hot water. A couple of minutes should do the trick.
Tip#3: Make sure to use stainless steel measuring utensils as a general rule, but especially when measuring hot liquids such as coconut oil.
Tip#4: If possible, have both scented and unscented coconut oil on hand. Use the unscented in recipes where the mild coconut flavor of the oil just won’t be masked and you don’t want a hint of coconut shining through. I find I only need to use the unscented coconut oil in baking sweets and use the regular variety for everything else. This is the unscented coconut oil I recommend…I buy it by the gallon! And here is the scented brand I recommend when cooking with coconut oil.
Tip#5: If you’re baking with coconut oil and your recipe calls for a cold ingredient, such as milk or applesauce, then you will definitely want to heat up your coconut oil even if it’s already at the liquid state to avoid clumpy-ness.
Tip #6: If you’re just learning to bake with coconut oil and you happen to make a delicious dessert and want to go back for seconds (and thirds!), try to restrain yourself. If you aren’t used to eating coconut oil, start with a little at a time to give your body time to adjust or you’ll have some, shall we say, intestinal issues at first. 🙂
15 Ways to Transition to Cooking with Coconut Oil
- Drizzle it over popcorn
- Use for making fried or scrambled eggs
- Sautéing meat
- Put a dollop (1 tsp) in your morning coffee for some healthy fats and extra daily energy boost. This really works and is surprisingly delicious if you like coconut even a little! Stir well or use a coffee milk frother, for better emulsification.
- Spread on toast like butter. Coconut butter also works, but is harder to find in stores.
- Use it to replace spray oils of any kind
- Coconut oil makes a lovely replacement for butter. Use it whenever butter is called for in a recipe.
- Use it in muffins
- You can also use coconut oil in cookies. They might be a little flatter and you might have to cut back slightly on the amount of oil or add a bit more of a thickener, such as more flour or some flax seeds for an added nutritional punch.
- Baking bread
- Pies, cakes, tarts and brownies are great for cooking with coconut oil. Can I get a “Yum!”?!?
- Sautéing veggies
- Roasting potatoes or root veggies
- Homemade granola
- Stir in morning oatmeal for an added punch of healthy fats and an energy boost.
As you can see, there are as many ways to cook and bake with coconut oil as there are yummy things to make! It’s one of the most delicious and versatile oils you can use in your kitchen.
Cooking with coconut oil is one of the healthiest changes you can make for your family. The quicker you start, the easier it is to make the switch!