American cuisine is full of iconic fried chicken recipes. The dish is best known for its crispy and seasoned exterior and juicy interior, which you get from deep frying the chicken in hot oil. Choosing the right oil is essential for achieving that crispy, golden-brown exterior and juicy interior. What are the best oils for frying chicken? We’ll show you how to make your fried chicken extra crispy and tasty, whether you’re cooking boneless chicken wings or Nashville hot chicken.
Frying chicken wings is one of life’s greatest culinary pleasures. There’s nothing quite like biting into a perfectly crispy, juicy wing fresh out of the fryer. But achieving that ideal texture requires using the right oil. I’ll walk you through how to choose the best oil for frying chicken wings, from smoke points to flavor profiles. Read on to become a wing frying expert!
How Frying Oil Affects Chicken Wings
Your wings will look very different depending on the oil you choose. Here’s what you need to know:
Smoke Point
This is the temperature at which an oil starts to smoke and break down. If you want to fry chicken wings, you need an oil with a high smoke point above 400°F. Oils with lower smoke points will burn and taste bitter.
Peanut oil was referenced 3 times as having the highest smoke point, around 450°F.
Flavor Profile
Some oils have a strong inherent flavor while others are relatively neutral. For wings, you generally want a neutral-tasting oil that allows the chicken and seasoning flavors to shine.
Peanut and canola oils were referenced 3 times as having neutral flavors optimal for frying wings.
Stability
How stable an oil is shows how well it keeps its chemical structure when heated to very high temperatures. More stable oils can withstand prolonged frying without breaking down.
Peanut oil was referenced 2 times as being highly stable at frying temperatures.
Cost
Frying chicken wings requires a lot of oil, so affordability matters. Striking a balance between quality and price is key.
Vegetable oil was referenced 2 times as the most budget-friendly option.
The Best Oils for Frying Chicken Wings
Now let’s explore some top contenders for frying crispy, juicy wings:
1. Peanut Oil
References unanimously praised peanut oil as the ideal choice for frying wings. Its high smoke point (450°F), neutral flavor, and excellent stability make it perfect for achieving a crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist.
Peanut allergies are the only bad thing about it, so don’t use it if you need to cook for someone who is allergic to nuts.
2. Canola Oil
A versatile, affordable option, canola oil has a 400°F smoke point and light flavor. It may not get wings quite as crispy as peanut oil, but it still performs admirably in the fryer.
3. Vegetable Oil
A budget-friendly blend of soybean, corn, and other oils, vegetable oil has a 400-450°F smoke point. The neutral taste makes it a workable choice, though flavor and stability may be less consistent batch to batch.
4. Corn Oil
With a 450°F smoke point and sweet, subtle flavor, corn oil fries up wings with a hint of sweetness. However, the flavor may compete with certain seasonings. It’s also very affordable.
5. Sunflower Oil
High-oleic sunflower oil has a light taste and 450°F smoke point. The high vitamin E content provides an added health bonus. Just verify it’s high-oleic, as regular sunflower oil has a lower smoke point.
Oils to Avoid for Frying Wings
On the flip side, some oils are unsuitable for frying wings:
- Olive oil – Too low of a smoke point, strong flavor
- Butter – Extremely low smoke point, will burn fast
- Sesame oil – Distinct flavor overpowers wings
- Flaxseed oil – Prone to oxidation at high fry temperatures
Stick to high smoke point neutral oils like peanut or canola oil for the best results.
Tips for Maximizing Crispiness
Aside from choosing the right oil, here are some tips to get the crispiest wings:
- Dry wings thoroughly before frying
- Fry wings in small batches to maintain oil temperature
- Use a thermometer and aim for 350-375°F oil
- Let wings rest after frying to further crisp the skin
- Double fry for extra crispy wings
Best Types of Oil for Deep Frying Chicken
There are many kinds of oil, and each one works best with a certain way of cooking. If you pick the wrong oil, it can change the taste and texture of your chicken. There are three main things you should think about when picking oil for deep frying: flavor transfer, smoke point, and the oil’s flavor. You’ll want an oil with minimal flavor transfer, a high smoke point for high-heat frying, and a neutral flavor to allow the flavor of the chicken and the seasoning in the breading to come through. Here are the five best cooking oils for frying chicken:
With a high smoke point and neutral flavor, canola oil is excellent for frying chicken. On top of that, it is healthier than other choices because it is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and low in saturated fats. It is a versatile option that can also be used for frying fish.
- Benefits: Neutral flavor, health-conscious option
- Smoke Point: 400 Degrees
Vegetable shortening is a solid fat that is commonly used for frying chicken. It has a high smoke point, which makes it ideal for achieving crispy and golden-brown results. This solid fat melts as it heats, and it is a popular substitute for oil when frying chicken in the South.
- Benefits: Stores solid, excellent for browning
- Smoke Point: 360 Degrees
Like vegetable shortening, lard is traditionally used for Southern-style fried chicken recipes. Lard is a great choice for frying chicken because it gives your chicken a rich and savory flavor and unparalleled crispy crust.
- Benefits: Traditional option, rich flavor
- Smoke Point: 370 Degrees
Known for its high smoke point and nutty flavor, peanut oil adds a unique taste to fried chicken. It also has a high smoke point, making it ideal for frying chicken. Plus, peanut oil prevents flavor transfer, which is excellent for establishments serving multiple fried foods. What reduces its popularity in commercial kitchens is its high price point and potential to cause a reaction in those with a nut allergy.
- Benefits: Nutty flavor with minimal flavor transfer
- Smoke Point: 450 Degrees
Coconut oil has high levels of lauric acid and healthy fats, making it a healthier option for deep frying than other oils. The oil is also odorless and lightly flavored, which adds a hint of sweetness while preventing flavor transfer.
- Benefits: Health-conscious alternative, light sweetness
- Smoke Point: 450 Degrees
How to Choose Chicken Frying Oil
If you love fried chicken but dont know which cooking oil to use, this video walks you through the pros and cons of popular frying oils.
Fried Chicken Wings Recipe Experiment – BEST Oil for CRISPY Chicken Wings?
FAQ
What is the best oil to fry chicken wings?
Here are the five best cooking oils for frying chicken:Canola Oil. With a high smoke point and neutral flavor, canola oil is excellent for frying chicken. Vegetable Shortening. Vegetable shortening is a solid fat that is commonly used for frying chicken. Lard. Peanut Oil. Coconut Oil.
Can I use vegetable oil to fry chicken?
Can I fry chicken wings in olive oil?
You can fry chicken wings in olive oil, but because it has a lower smoke point, it works better for shallow pan frying than deep frying. Even though extra virgin olive oil has a strong taste, you can fry with it if you don’t mind the taste it gives.