How to Bake With MCT Oil

You may be looking for new ways to eat healthily, and cutting out refined carbs is only one of the many ways to do so. The health industry is ever-changing, and it continues to dish out new healthy products and ingredients for people to add to their meals.

You may have heard about the recent craze over MCT oil and have likely seen bloggers and social media influencers talk about how they add it to their diets. They often talk about mixing the oil into their coffees and smoothies, but what else is MCT oil good for?  It turns out, MCT oil works perfectly as an ingredient substitute or add-in for many baking recipes.

Why is MCT Oil So Popular Anyway?

There are plenty of benefits of MCT oil—researchers and avid users have found evidence that consuming concentrated MCTs may help with the following:

• Burning fat fast by promoting ketosis in the absence of carbohydrates
• Boosting your energy
• Making you feel full
• Improving gut health
• Lowering cholesterol

MCT Oil: A Baker’s Best Friend

How is MCT oil made? A fractionation process extracts the acids from fats in coconut or palm oil. The MCTs pass through a chemical process that isolates enzymes and produces the concentrated form of the triglycerides.

When it comes to baking, you can use MCT oils in various ways, and you can still enjoy baking goodies without worrying about it changing the final product. The oil can serve as an alternative to traditional cooking oils or reduce the amount of butter needed for a recipe. If you aren’t sure how to get started baking with MCT oil, here are a few (relatively) healthy recipes to try:

Better Baked Goods

1. Coconut Zucchini Chocolate Chip Bread

This delicious bread is packed with nutritious ingredients such as zucchini and coconut flakes. You will need to whisk flour, sugar, flaked coconut, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to get started. In a small bowl, combine the coconut milk and vanilla extract and stir it into the dry ingredients before pouring in a bit of coconut oil or MCT oil. Finally, stir in the grated zucchini and chocolate chips before spreading it into a bread pan and baking until set.

Coconut flesh is high in medium-chain fats and is also rich in fiber, which aids better digestion. Zucchini is high in vitamin C, enhancing skin and better iron absorption and collagen production.

2. Breakfast Cookies

A tasty addition to your breakfast meals, this breakfast cookie is packed with healthy nutrients. Whip up your dry ingredients; salt, cinnamon, flour, and baking soda in a bowl. In a large bowl, combine grated carrots, eggs, walnuts, oats, yogurt, flaxseeds, raisins, maple syrup, coconut flakes, and coconut or MCT oil. Add in the dry ingredients and combine before leaving it to thicken. Set them on a baking tray and top with coconut flakes or chocolate chips and cook until they rise and fall.

Greek yogurt is a source of low calories and protein, while cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties. Walnuts are high in vitamin B6 and magnesium that promote better mental health.

3. Coconut Macaroons

These chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons work for a quick and nutritious protein-rich snack. To make them whisk coconut oil or MCT oil, erythritol, eggs, salt, vanilla extract, and flour in a bowl. Stir in coconut flakes and pecans before scooping them out into little balls on a greased baking sheet. Bake them until golden brown and dip in melted chocolate.

4. Caramel Slices

If you’re hoping to satiate your sweet tooth, these caramel slices should do the trick. For the base, mix ground almond, oats, and dates before pressing them flat into a baking tray. Then, for the second layer, blend lemon juice, coconut oil or MCT oil, cashews, dates, and salt and spread it over your base. For the top layer, combine coconut or MCT oil, cacao powder, and maple syrup before pouring it over your caramel and freezing until it’s done.

Almonds are packed with vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium and antioxidants, while oats provide low calories and better fiber.

5. Decadent Brownies

If you’re looking for something rich and chocolatey, these decadent brownies are just that. Add brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla to a chocolate and coconut oil or MCT oil mixture to make them. Add in the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda before baking until the brownies are set.

Chocolate is an excellent source of fat, magnesium, and fiber, improving blood flow, and reducing bad cholesterol.

Experiment With New Recipes

You can include MCT oil in all recipes where you traditionally add butter, coconut oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil. If you aren’t used to the flavor, you can try experimenting with a few recipes and then use it as a substitute. By baking with MCT oil, you can load up on healthy fat while enjoying your favorite snacks and desserts.