How Much Cashew Nut to Substitute for Olive Oil
Works for baking, sauteing, and frying. Cashew Nut keeps a similar flavor profile to Olive Oil.
How much cashew nut equals one cup of olive oil?
Use 3/4 cup ground cashew per cup olive oil.
Health notes
Compared with Olive Oil, Cashew Nut has: less calories (553 vs 884 per 100g in Olive Oil), less fat (43.9g vs 100g per 100g in Olive Oil), less saturated fat (7.8g vs 13.8g per 100g in Olive Oil), more protein (18.2g vs 0g per 100g in Olive Oil), and more carbs (30.2g vs 0g per 100g in Olive Oil).
Using cashew nut as an olive oil substitute in baking
3/4 cup per cup oil; dense cakes. Reduce other fats.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
3/4 cup per cup in pan sauces; keep heat moderate.
- Frying
Use 3/4 cup oil per cup cashews for shallow frying. Watch browning since cashews toast quickly in hot oil.
- Slow Cook
3/4 cup per cup in stews; stir in cream.
- Raw Cold
3/4 cup per cup in dressings; blend smooth.
- Drinks
3/4 cup per cup in smoothies; add extra liquid.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Grilling
Not recommended: paste burns before oil would smoke.
- Steaming
Not recommended: won't emulsify like oil.
FAQ
- How much cashew nut equals one cup of olive oil?
Use 3/4 cup ground cashew per cup olive oil.
- Can I substitute cashew nut for Olive Oil in baking?
Yes. 3/4 cup per cup oil; dense cakes. Reduce other fats. Not recommended: paste burns before oil would smoke.
- How much cashew nut to use as an olive oil substitute?
Thin with water and lemon to match oil pourability.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Cashew Nut for Olive Oil?
Cashew nut keeps a similar flavor profile to olive oil.
- How does texture change when substituting Cashew Nut for Olive Oil?
Cashew nut thick, creamy body instead of slick olive oil mouthfeel.
- What else should I know about substituting Cashew Nut for Olive Oil?
For dressings, baking, and sauces. Expect thick, nutty body instead of pourable fruitiness. Skip high-heat frying and recipes needing liquid fat throughout. Blend soaked cashews with water for cream. Add lemon for brightness lost from oil. Taste as you go and adjust salt or sweetener before serving.
- What still works when substituting Cashew Nut for Olive Oil?
Cashew nut still works as a fat, emulsifier, binder, texture, and protein.
- What won't work when substituting Cashew Nut for Olive Oil?
Cashew nut won't work as a finishing oil and flavor carrier.
- How well does Cashew Nut match Olive Oil?
Cashew nut is good on structure, okay on heat, and okay on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Cashew Nut for Olive Oil?
Cashew nut has about x2 fewer calories, fat, and sat. fat. Cashew nut has protein, while olive oil has none.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Cashew Nut for Olive Oil?
The flavor shifts toward more sweet, more bitter, and more umami notes.