Peanut oil substitutes
Peanut oil substitutes — 6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Vegetable oil
Same amount as the peanut oil
Neutral-flavored oil with similar smoke point and cooking properties.
The best substitutes for peanut oil are vegetable oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil, depending on the cooking method and desired flavor profile.
- Best for —
- frying
Updated 19 Aug 2026 · no sponsored swaps
But first: what’s the peanut oil doing?
Pick your caseWhy did the recipe ask for peanut oil: the heat, or a peanut flavour?
Match the smoke point and ignore the flavour, because refined peanut oil barely has one. Refined sunflower, safflower, canola, vegetable and avocado oil all take frying temperatures, and any of them is a straight 1:1 swap.
Notes on sunflower oil, safflower oil or vegetable oil
Same amount
Swap it out completely rather than adjusting anything, and any refined neutral oil does the job with no change to the recipe. Highly refined peanut oil is often tolerated, but that is a decision for the person's doctor, not a cooking note, and unrefined or cold-pressed peanut oil can still carry peanut protein.
Notes on sunflower oil, canola oil or grapeseed oil
Same amount
Any neutral liquid oil goes in cup for cup, and the smoke point is irrelevant inside a 350F batter.
Notes on canola oil, vegetable oil or sunflower oil
Same amount
You will taste the oil raw, so stay neutral: grapeseed, sunflower or canola. If what you actually wanted was a peanut taste, that comes from peanut butter or crushed peanuts, not from refined peanut oil, which has essentially none.
Notes on grapeseed oil or sunflower oil
Same amount
Peanut oil is a neutral liquid fat chosen for heat: refined, it holds to about 450F (230C) without breaking down, which is why it is the classic deep-frying oil. In a batter it does what any oil does, keeping the crumb tender and moist. It contributes almost no flavour of its own, so it is one of the easiest ingredients on this site to replace.
Fat & richnessprimary
A 100% liquid fat that coats flour in a batter, keeps a crumb tender, and forms the oil phase of a mayonnaise or dressing.
Moisture & hydrationsecondary
Like every liquid oil it reads as moistness in the mouth without adding any water, so an oil-based bake still tastes moist days later.
Browning & colorprimary
It carries heat to the surface of the food at frying temperature and holds to about 450F (230C) without smoking, which is what gives fried chicken and doughnuts a crisp brown crust.
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of peanut oil |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vegetable oilfrying | Same amount |
| 2 | Canola oilfrying | Same amount |
| 3 | Sunflower oilfrying | Same amount |
| 4 | Grapeseed oilfrying | Same amount |
| 5 | Safflower oilfrying | Same amount |
| 6 | Avocado oilfrying | Same amount |
Vegetable oil
Neutral, similar to peanut oil
Neutral-flavored oil with similar smoke point and cooking properties.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Moisture & hydration
- Browning & color
- Best for
- frying, sautéing, baking, general cooking
- Texture
- Similar viscosity and mouthfeel
Most similar to peanut oil in flavor and cooking properties. Excellent all-purpose substitute.
Canola oil
Neutral, slightly different from peanut oil
Neutral oil with high smoke point and heart-healthy properties.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Moisture & hydration
- Browning & color
- Best for
- frying, sautéing, baking, when you want heart-healthy option
- Texture
- Similar viscosity and mouthfeel
Very similar to peanut oil in cooking properties. Slightly different flavor but still neutral.
Sunflower oil
Neutral, similar to peanut oil
Neutral oil with high smoke point, good for high-heat cooking.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Moisture & hydration
- Browning & color
- Best for
- frying, sautéing, baking, when you want high smoke point
- Texture
- Similar viscosity and mouthfeel
Very similar smoke point to peanut oil. Excellent for deep frying.
Grapeseed oil
Very neutral, lighter than peanut oil
Neutral oil with high smoke point and light flavor.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Moisture & hydration
- Browning & color
- Best for
- frying, sautéing, salad dressings, when you want very neutral flavor
- Texture
- Similar viscosity and mouthfeel
Very neutral flavor, even more so than peanut oil. Excellent for delicate dishes.
Safflower oil
Neutral, similar to peanut oil
Neutral oil with high smoke point, good for high-heat cooking.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Moisture & hydration
- Browning & color
- Best for
- frying, sautéing, baking, when you want high smoke point
- Texture
- Similar viscosity and mouthfeel
Very similar to peanut oil in cooking properties. Good for deep frying.
Avocado oil
Neutral, similar to peanut oil
Neutral oil with very high smoke point and health benefits.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Moisture & hydration
- Browning & color
- Best for
- frying, sautéing, when you want health benefits, high-heat cooking
- Texture
- Similar viscosity and mouthfeel
More expensive but has very high smoke point and health benefits. Very neutral flavor.
Questions
4 questionsWhy is peanut oil popular for frying?
Peanut oil has a high smoke point (around 450°F), which means it can be heated to high temperatures without breaking down or smoking. This makes it ideal for deep frying and high-heat cooking.
Can I use vegetable oil instead of peanut oil?
Yes, vegetable oil is an excellent substitute for peanut oil. It has similar neutral flavor and cooking properties, making it good for most recipes that call for peanut oil.
Is peanut oil safe for people with peanut allergies?
Most people with peanut allergies can safely consume refined peanut oil, as the refining process removes the proteins that cause allergic reactions. However, cold-pressed or unrefined peanut oil may still contain allergens, so check with your doctor if you have concerns.
What's the difference between peanut oil and other cooking oils?
Peanut oil has a higher smoke point than many other oils, making it better for high-heat cooking. It also has a very neutral flavor, unlike oils like olive oil which have distinct tastes.
Tips for substituting peanut oil
8 tips- Peanut oil has a high smoke point, making it ideal for frying
- It's neutral in flavor, so it won't overpower other ingredients
- Great for deep frying as it doesn't break down easily at high temperatures
- Can be used for both savory and sweet dishes
- Store in a cool, dark place to prevent rancidity
- Works well in Asian cooking where neutral oil is preferred
- Can be used for making mayonnaise and other emulsions
- Excellent for stir-frying due to its high smoke point