Almond oil is a great oil not only for cooking but for skin care and hair care too! You can get a couple of kinds, sweet or bitter, and each is used for different purposes (sweet is the one for cooking). However, sometimes you may not have the almond oil you need, so here are some substitutes that can work in a pinch!
- Pecan oil
- Walnut oil
- Peanut oil
- Canola oil
- Vegetable oil
Best All-Around Substitute For Almond Oil: Pecan Oil
Pecan oil has to be the best all-around substitute for almond oil. Why? Because it has a similar flavor profile and a high smoke point, it can be used in almost any recipe. It is also similar in nutritional values when it comes to calories and fats. The only real issue is that it is not the most well-known oil, so it can sometimes be challenging to find!
Best Raw Cooking Substitute For Almond Oil: Walnut Oil
Walnut oil is a delicious nutty oil with delicate walnut flavors, but with a much lower smoke point than almond oil, only 225-320 degrees. This is why it is the best option for raw dishes or as a finishing oil for flavor in salads and desserts. Walnut oil contains heart-healthy fatty acids and antioxidants, particularly when used without heating, as heating can destroy some nutritional compounds.
Best Almond Oil Substitute for Regular Cooking: Pecan Oil
Pecan oil has a high smoke point of 470 degrees, which is excellent for high-heat and regular cooking, and yes, it tastes like pecans with a sweet, nutty flavor. It is delicious drizzled on vegetables, chicken, and pork before baking in the oven or in Asian-style dishes. While it could be used for the lower temperature end of deep frying, I find that it is too expensive to use and tends to lose its nice flavor at those super high temperatures.
Best Almond Oil Substitute for High-Heat Cooking: Refined Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is a super popular frying oil, particularly in Asian cuisine. It has a high smoke point of around 450 degrees, and as it is refined, it has a neutral flavor that will not overpower the taste of your food. Important if you are using a lot of it for something like deep frying!Â
It is also very affordable, so the amount you have to use for some of the high-heat cooking methods shouldn’t put too much of a dent in your wallet.
Almond Oil Substitute that is Closest in Flavor: Walnut Oil
Almond oil is mild with a sweet and nutty flavor. The best substitute in terms of taste is walnut oil, though you do have to be careful with what you are using it for due to its low smoke point.
It makes a great salad dressing. In fact, if you mix up red and green cabbage, carrots and walnuts with a sauce of walnut oil, mustard and red wine vinegar, you have a killer dish right there.
Best Neutral Flavored Almond Oil Substitute: Canola Oil Or Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is a blend of various refined oils like corn, soy, or canola. Its neutral taste makes it a versatile choice for many recipes, and it’s often the go-to for frying due to its affordability. However, some people prefer not to use it as the exact mixture of oils isn’t always specified. Canola oil is a good alternative in such cases, as it also has a very neutral flavor and is great for frying and cooking without adding any distinct flavors to your dish.
Best Budget-Friendly Almond Oil Substitute: Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is a good budget-friendly alternative to almond oil, being sold as cheap as 13 cents per fluid ounce. It is a minimum of 45 cents for the same amount of almond oil, which is a significant difference! No wonder people like to use their almond oil sparingly!
Best Healthy Almond Oil Substitute: Walnut Oil
The healthiest cooking fats and oils are unrefined and high in mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids and ones that you don’t heat up (often heating destroys the nutrients). Walnut oil is high in omega-3, which is great for cardiovascular health and often lacking in the modern diet. Walnut oil is also rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin E, just like almond oil, which can protect from free radical damage both internally and topically!
Best Keto/Paleo/Whole30 Almond Oil Substitute: Pecan Oil Or Walnut Oil
For an oil to be considered paleo or Whole30, it must be unrefined and cannot come from certain cereals or grains. Unrefined pecan oil or walnut oil would both be suitable for both diets. They are both also keto-friendly, as they have no carbohydrates and are minimally processed. Keto also discourages the use of highly processed and refined food items.
FAQs
Yes, almond oil can be used as a face oil at night, but do a patch test to make sure you won’t react to it, and be aware that it is a pretty heavy oil that may cause some people to break out (i cannot personally use ONLY almond oil on my face for this reason, but it is fine on my body)
Almond oil contains approximately 5.3 milligrams of vitamin E per tablespoon, which is the equivalent to over 20% of the recommended daily intake.Â
No, almond oil does not contain retinol. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative found mainly in animal-based foods. However, almond oil is a rich source of vitamin E which can help with collagen production and keeping skin elasticity intact.
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