Daman, 20th October 2026 – From crispy pakoras and golden puris to homemade samosas, fried foods are a familiar part of Indian cuisine. Choosing a suitable cooking oil is important for maintaining flavour and cooking quality.

As more households explore traditionally extracted oils, one question is becoming increasingly common: Which cold pressed oil is best for frying?

Ekas Healthy Foods shares practical guidance on selecting cold pressed oils based on their fatty-acid composition, heating stability, and suitability for Indian recipes.

Can Cold Pressed Oil Be Used for Frying?

Yes, certain cold pressed oils can be used for frying when their quality and recommended cooking temperature are suitable.

Cold pressed oils are extracted through mechanical pressure while limiting excessive heat during processing.

They generally undergo fewer refining stages and retain more of their characteristic natural flavour.

However, not every cold pressed oil performs equally well at high temperatures.

Frying suitability depends on the oil's fatty-acid composition, freshness, smoke point, and resistance to oxidation.

Which Cold Pressed Oil Is Best for Frying Indian Food?

For many Indian households, cold pressed groundnut oil can be a practical option for frying, provided the specific product is suitable for the intended temperature.

Groundnut oil contains a substantial proportion of monounsaturated fat and offers a characteristic nutty flavour.

High-oleic sunflower oil is another option worth considering, although consumers should confirm the sunflower variety and recommended cooking use.

The best choice depends on the recipe, frying duration, and product characteristics.

Popular Cold Pressed Oils for Frying

1. Cold Pressed Groundnut Oil
Groundnut oil is widely used in Gujarati and Maharashtrian cooking.
Its fatty-acid composition and familiar flavour make it a useful option for selected frying applications.

Common uses:
Puris
Pakoras
Homemade snacks
Vegetable preparations
Consumers can explore cold pressed groundnut oil from Ekas Healthy Foods and review its recommended cooking applications.

2. Cold Pressed Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil has a relatively mild flavour.
High-oleic sunflower varieties generally offer better oxidative stability than conventional high-linoleic varieties.
However, not every cold pressed sunflower oil is high-oleic.
Consumers should check product information before selecting it for prolonged frying.

3. Cold Pressed Sesame Oil
Sesame oil contains unsaturated fatty acids and naturally occurring sesame compounds.
It is traditionally used in South Indian cuisine.
Its strong flavour may be suitable for selected fried preparations, although performance depends on the product and heating conditions.

4. Cold Pressed Mustard Oil
Mustard oil is appreciated for its pungent aroma in Bengali and North Indian recipes.
It is used in traditional regional cooking, including selected frying applications.
Consumers should choose properly labelled food-grade mustard oil that meets applicable safety requirements because erucic acid content varies.

5. Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is used in Kerala and other coastal cuisines.
Its fatty-acid composition gives it different heating characteristics from many seed oils.
However, coconut oil contains a high proportion of saturated fat, so moderate consumption is advisable.

Cold Pressed Oil Comparison for Frying

Oil Type
Frying Considerations
Common Recipes
Groundnut oil
Practical for selected frying applications when suitable for the temperature
Puris, pakoras
High-oleic sunflower oil
Generally offers good oxidative stability
Fried snacks
Sesame oil
Distinctive flavour; suitability varies
Regional preparations
Food-grade mustard oil
Pungent flavour; check product safety compliance
Traditional regional dishes
Coconut oil
High saturated-fat content
Coastal recipes

No single cold pressed oil is ideal for every frying method.

What Is the Best Temperature for Frying?

Many deep-fried foods are prepared at approximately 160°C to 180°C, depending on the recipe.
The oil should be suitable for the intended temperature and should not be heated until it smokes.
Excessive heat can accelerate oil breakdown and affect food quality.
A kitchen thermometer can help maintain a consistent frying temperature.

Cold Pressed Oil vs Refined Oil for Deep Frying

Cold pressed oils generally undergo fewer refining stages and may retain more of their characteristic aroma.
Refined oils are processed further to remove certain impurities and create a more neutral flavour.
Some refined oils are better suited to prolonged high-temperature frying because of their processing characteristics.
For example, refined groundnut oil and high-oleic sunflower oil are practical options for many deep-frying applications.
Cold pressed oils should be selected according to the specific product's recommended cooking use rather than the extraction label alone.

Tips for Frying Safely with Cold Pressed Oil

To maintain cooking quality:
Choose an oil suitable for the intended frying temperature.
Avoid heating oil until it smokes.
Maintain a consistent cooking temperature.
Fry food in manageable batches.
Avoid repeatedly reheating the same oil.
Discard oil that develops an unpleasant smell or shows clear signs of deterioration.
Store unused oil in a tightly sealed container away from sunlight.
These practices help reduce unnecessary oil degradation.

Why Choose Ekas Healthy Foods?

Ekas Healthy Foods offers traditionally wood pressed edible oils for Indian households.
The brand focuses on careful selection of seeds and nuts, wooden ghani extraction, minimal processing, and hygienic handling.
Its range includes groundnut, mustard, sesame, sunflower, coconut, and almond oils.
Families interested in traditional cooking ingredients can explore Ekas Healthy Foods cooking oils and select products suited to their recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cold pressed oil is best for frying pakoras?
Cold pressed groundnut oil may be suitable when the specific product supports the required frying temperature.

Can cold pressed oil be used for deep frying?
Yes, some varieties can be used for deep frying. However, their stability and recommended cooking temperature should guide the choice.

Is cold pressed groundnut oil better than sunflower oil for frying?
It depends on the sunflower variety and the specific oil products. High-oleic sunflower oil can offer good oxidative stability, while suitable groundnut oil is also a practical option.

Can cold pressed oil be reused after frying?
Repeated reheating can accelerate oil deterioration. Avoid reusing oil that has been heavily heated or shows signs of breakdown.

About Ekas Healthy Foods
Based in Daman, India, Ekas Healthy Foods offers traditionally extracted edible oils, A2 Gir Cow Bilona Ghee, and honey.
The brand focuses on traditional preparation methods, quality ingredients, and helping Indian families make informed food choices.

Contact Information

Company: Ekas Healthy Foods
Phone: +91 90812 38888
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.ekashealthyfoods.com/
Location: Daman, India