Besides using it around the house, coconut oil’s health benefits have made it a fairly common kitchen staple.
While substituting it for canola or olive oils are its most popular use, there are a number of other ways to incorporate heaping spoonfuls of it. Check out these coco-tasty and kitchen-easy recipes.
Coconut Oil Coffee
Substituting coconut oil for your coffee creamer, is delicious, more heart-healthy AND free of chemicals and sugar. Plus, mixing the saturated fat with caffeine helps give a longer-lasting energy boost! On top of that, the creamy addition supports proper digestion AND is satiating. Just add a spoonful of coconut oil to your cup and stir. If you want to step it up a notch, place already brewed coffee, coconut oil and honey in a blender, and froth!
Coconut Oil Popcorn
Another super easy (+ super tasty) coco-kitchen hack is to use it for popcorn! The perfect, all-American snack just got a lot healthier.
Coconut Mama has the perfect, simple recipe. What you’ll need is:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 1/2 cup of organic corn kernels
- Sea salt
Simply heat the coconut oil until it is completely melted (don’t go over medium heat, because the texture will not allow the kernels to pop). Place a few kernels in the pan to test if the oil is hot enough to pop them. Once it is, add the remaining kernels. Cover the pan and shake every 10 seconds when you hear popping. Remove the pan from heat after the popping slows down to every 2 to 3 seconds.
Let your popcorn cool and then add some sea salt! Enjoy!
Corn Tortilla Chips
Chips are another guilty-pleasure snack! Healthy living is a compromise and all about moderation. Don’t fill your cabinets with bags of processed chips that list unknown ingredients, make your own with whole foods! Coconut Mama has a pretty easy recipe with only a few ingredients.
You will need:
- 1 pack of corn tortillas (preferably organic and non-GMO)
- 6 tablespoons of melted coconut oil
- Sea salt
The directions are pretty simple too:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- Melt the coconut oil.
- While waiting on steps 1 and 2, cut the tortillas into small pieces. Place those pieces on a cookie sheet or tray when done.
- Evenly spread the melted oil across the chips.
- Place in the oven for 6-8 minutes.
- Rotate the sheets or trays, and continue baking until the chips are light brown and crispy.
- Add salt once done.
You can eat them warm (just be careful) or cool! Don’t forget to store some away for tomorrow! Just be sure to use a Ziploc or airtight container.
Coconut Oil Spreads
If you have a food processor or high performance blender, you can really put coconut oil to use by making spreads. You can make coconut butter and other spreads for bread or crackers.
To make these, you will need to combine selected ingredients into the blender with coconut oil, and blend away! You’ll want to place them in the freezer for at least ten minutes afterward (depending on how firm you want the spread to be) and then place it in the fridge after that. Use spreads within a few days of making them, depending.
Here are some cool, coconut combinations (say that three times fast) from Healthy Happy Life:
Cinna-Banana Coconut Spread:
- 5 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 banana
- 2-3 dashes of cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons of maple or agave syrup
Strawberry Spread:
- 5 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 5-6 strawberries
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 teaspoons of maple or agave syrup
Remember, when experimenting with coconut oil spreads: Blending coconut oil with slightly cold or chilled liquids might leave you with clumpy butter. Unless you’re into that, you should probably stick to room temperature or warm liquids.
Have fun and get cooking!
Here at Pure Planet, we like to stay crafty and slick. After all, Mother Nature provides us with the richest resources, the least we can do is learn how to make sure we don’t waste them.
Coconut oil is one of those riches and it has quickly become a pantry favorite in kitchens across the world. And, why not? It’s organic, nutritious and adds a hint of island vibes to flavor any dish.
Yet, did you also know that this cooking companion is also a friend to many other household jobs, too?
Check out why all of us at Pure Planet like to keep our Coconut Oil in the pantry AND in the linen closet.
Cleaning Chum
Polishing Wood
It’s kind of crazy, but coconut oil can really help improve natural wood-based furniture. Just dab a washcloth with a bit of oil and smoothly rub it against the wood. Watch the furniture reveal a bit of luster and shine. Don’t forget to wipe away any excess residue.
You can also use this on wood cutting boards! Just leave the coconut oil on for ten minutes, then wipe away the residue.
Seasoning Cast Iron Skillet and Pans
Cast iron skillets can bring your dishes to the next level, but most are not non-stick. Even then, you still have to “season” them every once in a while to prevent rust and decay.
Enter: coconut oil.
Season cast iron pans and pots by covering it in a thin layer of coconut oil. Then, place it in the oven at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Remove left over residue once the cookware has cooled.
Removing Sticky Labels or Residue
Don’t you hate when a sticky label just won’t come off? You buy a beautiful glass vase, candle holder or cup and you try to peel off the label or price tag…and YUCK! The sticky paper absolutely won’t come off. Coconut oil can help!
Some people have found that mixing a small amount of coconut oil and baking soda (equal parts) makes it easy to wipe off the annoying remnants. For smaller jobs, just the oil will suffice.
Preventing Dust Build-up
With coconut oil, you can have a real life TV commercial cleaning moment and Mr. Clean appears!
Okay, maybe not, but this household hack is the next best thing.
Lather coconut oil where dust likes to build up or in hard to reach areas, like book shelves or ceiling fan blades. The oil will help actually prevent dust. But remember that it won’t keep it away forever. Unfortunately, you’ll still have to clean…just not as often!
Parental Pal
Removing Gum
It happens–kids get gum in their (or your) hair, on the floor, on her shoe and/or in the car! It’s a disaster. Luckily, it can be easily remedied with some good ol’ coconut oil. Lather some on the gummy area and leave it alone for about 30 minutes. The gum should loosen up by that time. You’ll have an easier time removing it.
Removing Crayon Marks
Of course you love that your child is Picasso reincarnated, but it’s okay not to be stoked that your walls are coated in colorful wax. Don’t worry! Dab a washcloth in your coconut oil and begin to wipe away the crayon mess. You may also need to add vinegar for extra removal support.
Cleaning Bathtub Grime
Bathtubs can accumulate dirt, especially if there is soap build-up (from ALL the bubble baths or teenagers who use WAY too much shampoo). Luckily, coconut oil can help clear it away, effortlessly. You’ll want to use a towel or washcloth to avoid flushing the majority of the oil through your pipes. Use hot water to make sure the residual oil melts away.
Beauty Buddy
Easy, Breezy, Natural, Make-up Remover
Taking off make-up can be a hassle and time-consuming, unless you use products with chemicals – and no one wants that. Try using coconut oil and a soft cloth next time you’re removing make-up.
DIY-ing Hygiene Products
Coconut oil can be used to make DIY bar soap and even toothpaste! Most recipes are simple and only involve a few key ingredients. Plus, you will be able to control what goes into it, instead of using potentially harmful products from major brands.
Make easy soap for bathing or laundry.
Make natural toothpaste.
Get more use of your coconut oil: https://www.custommade.com/blog/coconut-oil/
