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Baking with olive oil

2023-04-13

When it comes to baking with olive oil you may wonder: Can I replace butter with olive oil? Is cooking food with olive oil healthier than cooking with natural salted butter? Here’s everything you need to know about baking with olive oil instead of butter

Why you should try baking with olive oil instead of butter


Baking with olive oil as opposed to baking with butter is the healthier choice. Let’s state the obvious, olive oil is obtained from plants and butter is from animal fat

Butter has a very low burn point which means it’s unsuitable for most cooking beyond pan frying. Butter’s burn point is 150 degrees C (300 degrees F). Olive oil has a much higher burn point of 210 degrees C (410 degrees F) which is high enough to cover most cooking and baking..


Also, because butter contains a high level of saturated fat, it raises LDL cholesterol. In turn, oil can help to protect us against cardiovascular disease and there is ongoing research as to how it may have a positive impact against certain types of cancer.


What about my favorite desserts? Can I replace the butter in my baking with olive oil?

The answer is, yes! When it comes to baking, one of the main uses of butter is to make the batter rise. However, you can achieve the same effect by baking with olive oil, and as mentioned earlier, it’s also a lot healthier! Click here to read about sweet uses for olive oil and be sure to try our olive oil carrot cake recipe or olive oil cookies recipe.


However, when it comes to olive oil, not all oils are made equal! keep in mind that the olive oil you use will have a major impact on the result. So, be sure to choose the type of olive oil that best suits your cooking experience! Click here to find your perfect oil for baking with olive oil!


If you’re still not convinced, then what if we told you that baking with olive oil instead of butter results in a more tender and uniform crumb? Also, your cakes and pastries will stay fresher for longer than if they were made with butter! A cake or pastry made with oil can last 5 days at room temperature or 10 days in the refrigerator.


Additionally, butter tends to dry out cakes that contain chocolate. Overall, olive oil is a better choice for your baking. Try making cakes like this chocolate one!


Baking bread with olive oil

When making bread, adding olive oil to the dough will result in a more tender crumb and crust. So if you prefer soft, tender and moist bread, then extra virgin olive oil is your best option!