5 Nutritious Coconut Oil Cooking Hacks
We all know coconut oil is the best thing since Netflix’s ‘Skip Intro’. The natural oil has revolutionised the beauty industry in the last few years but, the many health benefits of coconut oil mean it should be added to more than just your hair conditioner. The humble oil also offers the opportunity for many creative cooking ideas, including using it on chicken wings, ice cream, and more.
Here are some of our favourite ways to use the multi-purpose oil in ‘Treating Yourself’ foods:
1. Make Hot Wings Healthier
Coat chicken wings with a mix of ½ cup of Nuts About Cooking coconut oil, cup hot sauce, 2 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tbsp white vinegar for a sweet and spicy zing that brings health benefits to your wings.
I’ve tried and tested the Nuts About Cooking Refined Coconut Oil with this recipe and it’s an absolute must-try! A fully refined, odourless coconut oil that contains all the benefits of coconut oil with a neutral taste, the Nuts About Cooking Refined Coconut Oil is one of the best I’ve tried on the market in South Africa. It is ideal for baking and high heat cooking, giving your dishes the perfect crisp. Plus, it comes in a large 1-litre tub, so it lasts in your pantry for ages! I’ve been cooking with this oil almost every night and I haven’t even made a dent in the tub. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving!
2. Get Crunchier Granola
Do you love making homemade granola? Why not try incorporating coconut oil in your recipe next time? In your recipe, replace your usual vegetable oil with Nuts About Cooking coconut oil when baking granola. Not only does it taste better, but it helps encourage the formation of those crunchy clusters everyone loves.
This is another pro tip from the clever sausages at Nuts About Cooking that I have tried and loved. The neutral taste of the coconut oil doesn’t interfere with the flavours of the granola and gives me peace of mind that I’m getting all sorts of additional health benefits by using coconut oil in my recipe.
3. Blend A Creamier Smoothie
This one is actually quite genius and took me by surprise, I must admit. I love making smoothing at home and when I realised I could add coconut oil to my smoothies it was a bit of a game-changer. Give your smoothies a serious health boost by adding Nuts About Cooking coconut oil to your morning smoothie for a creamy thickener and tropical getaway taste. The oil adds texture to the smoothie similar to what almond butter or yoghurt would provide.
4. Give Ice Cream A Magic Shell
If you’re craving a bit of crunch on your ice cream, then try sprinkling some melted Nuts About Cooking coconut oil over cold ice cream and the result will be a nice crunch of texture. The coconut oil will harden in contrast to the cold ice cream, creating a shell of sorts, and it’s not packed with sugar or other additives like the products at the store. Yes, the chocolatey kind you loved as a kid!
5. Un-Fry Your Doughnut
Great news for health nuts, you don’t have to give up fried foods – all you need is a healthier way of making them. Due to its high-heat tolerance, coconut oil is ideal for frying foods from eggs to doughnuts. Most of the fats we consume are long-chain fatty acids that must be broken down before they can be absorbed, coconut oil contains short and medium-chain fatty acids, which is easier for the body to digest.
So, the next time you’re frying an egg or craving a side of chips with your steak, do the right thing and use coconut oil instead of your usual oil of choice. This will put a healthier spin on your cravings for sure.
Not into frying? Coconut oil is also great for baking, and the great news is Nuts About Cooking has a brilliant solution for bakers looking for a non-stick spray. Say hello to the Nuts About Cooking Non-Stick Coconut Oil Spray. The coconut oil-based non-stick cooking spray is ideal as a release agent for all types of cooking and baking so make sure you grab a can, so it’s on hand when you need it for a quick morning fry-up or a baking session.
The Non-Stick Coconut Oil Spray is a must-have for your kitchen, and it’s made a huge difference in my life. I always have a non-stick spray in my pantry, but having the option of this healthier version of Non-Stick Oil spray gives me peace of mind that I can add a little Coconut Oil health magic to my cooking and baking when the mood strikes.
