Olive oil is a staple of the Mediterranean diet and is often touted as a healthy fat source. It's also a popular choice for cooking, but many people wonder if it's safe to pan fry with olive oil. In this article, we'll take a closer look at whether you can pan fry with olive oil and how to do it correctly.

Can You Pan Fry with Olive Oil?

Yes, you can pan fry with olive oil. In fact, olive oil is a good choice for pan frying because it has a high smoke point, which means it can be heated to a high temperature without burning or smoking. However, it's important to choose the right type of olive oil for pan frying.

How to Pan Fry with Olive Oil

Choose the Right Pan: For pan frying, choose a heavy-bottomed pan, such as a cast iron skillet, that can hold heat evenly.

Choose the Right Oil: Choose a high-quality olive oil. Our single-origin, extra-virgin olive oils are perfect for all of your cooking needs. 

Heat the Pan: Heat the pan over medium-high heat until it's hot.

Add the Oil: Add enough olive oil to the pan to coat the bottom. You want enough oil so that the food doesn't stick to the pan, but not so much that the food is swimming in oil.

Add the Food: Once the oil is hot, add the food to the pan. Cook the food until it's golden brown and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside.

Drain the Food: Once the food is cooked, remove it from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Tips for Pan Frying with Olive Oil

Don't overcrowd the pan. If you add too much food to the pan at once, it can cause the temperature of the oil to drop, which can result in soggy, greasy food.

Use a splatter guard to prevent oil from splattering and making a mess.

Don't reuse the oil. Once the oil has been used, it should be discarded. Reusing oil can lead to the formation of harmful compounds.

You can pan fry with olive oil, but it's important to choose the right type of olive oil and to follow the correct steps to ensure that your food is cooked properly. Choose a high-quality olive oil and use a heavy-bottomed pan. Heat the oil until it's hot and then add the food to the pan, cooking it until it's golden brown and crispy. With the right techniques, you can create delicious and healthy pan-fried dishes with olive oil.