Do you want to make crispy, golden fried chicken at home? The secret is not just in the chicken or the spices. It’s also in the oil to fry chicken! Choosing the right oil makes a big difference. In this guide, I will help you find the best oil to fry chicken. We will look at many things like how well it works, how much it costs, and how long it lasts. Let’s start learning!
Why Oil Matters for Fried Chicken
When you fry chicken, the oil gets very hot. Good oil makes chicken crispy on the outside but juicy inside. Bad oil can make chicken greasy or burn it. The best oil to fry chicken has a high “smoke point.” This means it can get very hot without smoking or burning.
Smoke point is how hot oil can get before it starts to smoke. For frying chicken, you need oil with a smoke point over 350°F (175°C). Most frying happens between 350°F and 375°F.
What Makes a Good Oil for Frying Chicken?
Let’s look at the most important things to check when picking oil to fry chicken:
1. Smoke Point
This is the most important thing! Oil with a high smoke point is best for frying. When oil smokes, it can make food taste bad. It can also make bad chemicals.
2. Flavor
Some oils add their own taste. Others are neutral (they don’t change the chicken taste). For classic fried chicken, neutral oils are usually best.
3. Health
Some oils are healthier than others. They have good fats that help your heart. But when frying, all oils get hot, so health differences become smaller.
4. Price
Frying uses a lot of oil. You want something that works well but doesn’t cost too much.
5. Reuse
Good frying oil can be used more than once. This saves money.
Top Oils for Frying Chicken
Now let’s look at the most popular oils for frying chicken in North America. We will check them in five areas: performance, price, durability, brands, and what people say.
1. Canola Oil
Performance: Canola oil has a smoke point of about 400°F. This is perfect for frying chicken. It’s neutral, so it won’t change your chicken flavor. Canola oil makes chicken crispy without burning.
Price: Canola oil is very cheap. A 32-ounce bottle costs about $3-$5 at stores like Walmart or Target. It’s one of the most affordable options for oil to fry chicken.
Durability: You can reuse canola oil 3-4 times if you keep it clean. Strain out bits after each use and store it in a cool, dark place.
Brands: Popular brands in North America include:
- Canola Council (Canada)
- Mazola
- Kirkland (Costco)
- Great Value (Walmart)
User Reviews: Most people love canola oil for frying chicken. On Amazon, it has 4.5 stars from over 10,000 reviews. People say it’s “easy to use” and “makes perfect crispy chicken.”
2. Peanut Oil
Performance: Peanut oil has a high smoke point of 450°F. This is great for deep frying. It has a light nutty taste that many people like with chicken. It makes very crispy chicken.
Price: Peanut oil costs more than canola oil. A 32-ounce bottle is about $6-$8. But because it lasts longer, it might be good value.
Durability: Peanut oil is strong. You can reuse it 5-7 times. It doesn’t break down fast when hot.
Brands: Good brands for oil to fry chicken: – Planters – Fred’s Fresh – Artisan Nuts
User Reviews: Many Southern cooks love peanut oil. It has 4.6 stars on grocery store sites. But be careful – peanut oil is not safe for people with peanut allergies. In North America, about 6 million people have this allergy.
3. Vegetable Oil
Performance: Vegetable oil is usually a mix of oils (like soybean and corn). It has a smoke point of 400°F-450°F. It’s neutral and works well for frying chicken.
Price: Vegetable oil is very cheap. A gallon costs about $5-$7. This makes it great for big batches of chicken.
Durability: You can reuse vegetable oil 3-4 times. It’s stable when hot.
Brands: Common brands in US and Canada:
- Crisco
- Wesson
- Spectrum
User Reviews: Many families use vegetable oil. It has 4.4 stars online. People say it’s “reliable” and “good for big family meals.”
4. Sunflower Oil
Performance: Sunflower oil has a smoke point of 440°F. It’s great for high-heat frying. It has a light taste that doesn’t cover up your chicken flavor.
Price: Sunflower oil costs about the same as canola oil. A 32-ounce bottle is $4-$6.
Durability: You can reuse it 4-5 times. It stays stable when hot.
Brands: Good options:
- Helmann’s
- NuSun
- 365 Whole Foods Market
User Reviews: Sunflower oil has 4.5 stars. People like that it’s “healthy” and “works great for frying.” It’s becoming more popular as a best oil to fry chicken.
5. Avocado Oil
Performance: Avocado oil has the highest smoke point – 520°F! This is perfect for very hot frying. It has a mild buttery taste.
Price: Avocado oil is expensive. A 17-ounce bottle costs $15-$20. This makes it costly for regular frying.
Durability: You can reuse it 5-6 times. It’s very stable.
Brands: Top brands:
- Chosen Foods
- NOW Foods
- Calavo
User Reviews: Health-conscious cooks love avocado oil. It has 4.7 stars. People say it’s “the healthiest” but “too pricey for everyday use.”
6. Lard or Shortening
Performance: Lard (pig fat) and shortening have smoke points around 370°F. They make very crispy chicken. Many Southern restaurants use them.
Price: Lard costs about $3-$4 per pound. Shortening (like Crisco) is similar in price.
Durability: You can reuse lard 2-3 times. It doesn’t last as long as liquid oils.
Brands: – Armour Lard – Crisco – Snowdrift
User Reviews: Traditional cooks love lard. It has 4.3 stars. People say it makes “the most crispy chicken ever.” But some people don’t like using animal fat.
Which Oil is the Best for You?
The best oil to fry chicken depends on your needs. Let’s see which oil works best for different situations.
For Everyday Home Cooking
If you cook fried chicken once a week, canola oil or vegetable oil is best. They are cheap, work well, and are easy to find. They make good crispy chicken without costing too much.
For Special Occasions
If you’re cooking for a party or holiday, try peanut oil or sunflower oil. They make extra crispy chicken and can be reused many times. The slightly higher cost is worth it for special meals.
For Health-Conscious Cooks
If you care most about health, avocado oil is best. It has the most good fats. But it’s expensive, so you might use it only sometimes. Sunflower oil is a good middle choice – healthy and affordable.
For Traditional Southern-Style Chicken
Many Southern restaurants use peanut oil or lard. If you want that classic taste, try these. But remember: peanut oil is not safe for people with allergies.
For Cold Climate Areas
In cold places like Canada or northern US states, some oils get thick when cold. Canola and vegetable oil stay liquid better than others. This makes them easier to store in cold homes.
Safety Tips for Frying Chicken
Frying with hot oil can be dangerous. Here are simple safety tips:
- Never leave hot oil alone – Stay in the kitchen while frying.
- Don’t overfill the pot – Fill only 1/3 full with oil.
- Dry your chicken – Wet chicken makes oil splatter.
- Use a thermometer – Keep oil at 350°F-375°F.
- Keep water away – Water in hot oil causes big splashes.
- Have a lid ready – If oil catches fire, cover the pot.
- Cool oil before throwing away – Hot oil in trash can cause fires.
How to Store and Reuse Frying Oil
Good oil to fry chicken can be reused. This saves money! Here’s how:
- Let oil cool completely after frying.
- Strain through a coffee filter to remove bits.
- Pour into a clean bottle with a lid.
- Store in a cool, dark place (not the fridge).
- Check before reuse: if dark, smelly, or foamy, throw it out.
Most oils can be reused 3-7 times. Don’t use oil that has been stored for more than 1 month.
Final Recommendation
After looking at all the options, what is the best oil to fry chicken?
For most people in North America, canola oil is the best choice. It has a good smoke point, neutral taste, low price, and is easy to find. It works well for home cooking and is safe for almost everyone.
If you want something special for weekends or parties, peanut oil makes very crispy chicken. Just check for allergies first!
Remember, the most important thing is to keep your oil at the right temperature. No matter which oil to fry chicken you pick, hot but not smoking oil makes the best fried chicken.
Conclusion
Choosing the right oil to fry chicken doesn’t have to be hard. Think about what matters most to you: price, health, taste, or tradition. Canola oil is great for everyday use. Peanut oil is wonderful for special times. Sunflower oil is a healthy choice. And lard makes super crispy chicken the old-fashioned way.
Now you know how to pick the best oil to fry chicken for your needs. Try different oils and see which you like best. Happy frying!
