Ingredient Spotlight: Avocado Oil

Keto promises to be the hottest health trend in 2022, and so “good fats” are primed to be pumped into everything from potato chips to hummus. Brands are kicking ‘bad fat’ staples like Palm Oil and Sunflower Oil to the curb, and making way for Coconut Oil and Avocado Oil.

Avocado Oil is making particular waves in the brave new “Good Fat” world with increases in sales and overall market growth that are mouthwatering. Here’s everything you need to know about avocado oil and how to use it in your next CPG snack:

What is Avocado Oil?

Avocado oil, as its name implies, is made from the fleshy pulp of avocados. This means that avocado oil is all-natural, unsaturated, and enjoys a light flavor and slightly creamy texture. It's also a great source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. 

Compared to other oils on the market, it is closest to olive oil, since both of them are unrefined oils and are considered to be some of the healthiest options available. However, compared to olive oil, avocado oil has a higher smoking point, allowing it to stand higher temperatures without affecting its flavor. This makes it more versatile in the kitchen. 

As one of the healthiest oils in the market, consumers are starting to look for products that use it as an ingredient over saturated oils or other potentially unhealthier alternatives. Because avocado oil is high in unsaturated fats and nutrients, avocado oil works well with all types of diets such as keto, paleo, and plant-based. Not only that, but it also is a flexible ingredient that works well with a variety of product offerings and all the hottest dietary trends. To help you better understand why you should switch to avocado oil, we’ve put together its top four benefits.

4 Reasons Why You Should Use Avocado Oil

1. Perfect for Frying and Baking

Most oils burn easily and can affect the taste of your end-product. If you've ever had a product come out with an odd flavor, it’s most likely that the oil got burnt during the cooking process. Every oil has a unique maximum temperature it can resist before it starts to burn, which is referred to as the "smoke point." Reaching this temperature not only will affect the taste of your meals but also the nutritional properties of the oil. When you use an oil with a high smoke point, you can be sure that the flavor of your protein bar or snack stays intact throughout the manufacturing process, and can enjoy all the nutritional benefits of the oil without losing any of its properties.

Of all cooking oils, avocado oil has the highest smoke point. It can withstand temperatures from 470-500°F, making it perfect for high heat cooking. As mentioned earlier, the high smoke point of avocado oil makes it by far the most ideal oil for frying and baking since you won’t have to worry about weird tastes or flavors. Additionally, due to its high smoke point, avocado oil can be used in a wide range of formulations since you'll be able to create your product in a variety of temperature settings. As a result, avocado oil is finding a place in all the newest and hottest CPG products, such as protein bars, chips, and even cookies. 

2. Works with a Wide Range of Snacks and Diets

Nowadays, keto is one of the most popular diet trends with its market valued at approximately $9.5 billion and still growing. As such, brands offering keto-friendly treats will be able to find success and profits. Avocado oil works well with keto snacks and formulations due to its low carbohydrate and sugar content as well as high-fat content. Now, you may be thinking: What about other types of diets? Don’t fret because it works in harmony with other types of diets such as paleo, plant-based, and gluten-free. 

Try using avocado oil in your chocolates, rice crispies, cereals, and toaster pastries to increase the nutritional value and benefits of your snack selection. Incorporating avocado oil and plant-based sweeteners in your innovative treats will allow consumers to be more attracted to your product due to its health benefits, no matter what type of diet they are currently on.

3. Rich in Healthy Fats, Vitamins, and Antioxidants

As mentioned earlier, avocado oil is made from the pulp of avocados. Not only does this make it high in healthy fats but it also explains just how rich in nutrients it is from a dietary standpoint. According to research, diets that are high in unsaturated fats are beneficial for your health. Avocado oil consists of 70% oleic acid, 12% saturated fat, and 13% polyunsaturated fat. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid that provides numerous health benefits including reductions in cholesterol levels and inflammation.

In addition to its healthy fats, avocado oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Avocado oil contains vitamins A, B1, B2, D, and E, which are all important for the health of your cells and metabolic processes. It also contains a powerful antioxidant called Lutein - which is important for eye health - and has been proven to be effective against free radicals. Brands that are able to utilize avocado oil as a functional ingredient in their innovative snacks will gain a competitive edge to stand out from the competition.

4. Great Taste

One of the top benefits of avocado oil is its great taste. Many healthy oil alternatives on the market have a strong flavor that can overpower the natural flavor of your ingredients and end-product. Avocado oil, on the other hand, has a very light flavor and creamy texture that can be seamlessly blended with countless recipes and formulations. It makes for a great option when looking for healthy oil alternatives. 

Since the flavor of the oil itself is light and fresh, avocado oil can be easily substituted in place of coconut oil, sunflower oil, or even olive oil to get even better results. Don’t believe us? Next time you start cooking, try using avocado oil in equal parts of your recipe to taste the difference. With avocado oil, your consumers will be able to reap the benefits of your healthy snack while savoring its delicious taste. 

Key Takeaways

Avocado oil is a major player in the ingredient world right now, and that's not going to change anytime soon. This is a great opportunity for your food startup to stand out in the snack market and capture market share. Consider working with an established protein bar co-packer to fast-track the commercialization of your new protein bar or nutritional snack and capitalize on this trend.