Organic raw coconut oil is one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen. It has a light coconut aroma, and it's solid at cool room temperatures but melts quickly when warmed, so you can use it as a spread, a baking fat or a cooking oil.

Cooking

Use coconut oil for stir-fries, curries and roasting vegetables. It works well with Thai, Indian and Caribbean dishes, where its gentle coconut flavour fits right in. Melt a spoonful in the pan before adding your ingredients, as you would with butter.

Baking

Coconut oil can replace butter or other fats in many recipes. Use it solid for crumbles, pastry and biscuits, or melted for cakes, muffins and flapjacks. As a starting point, swap it like for like, and bring other ingredients to room temperature first so the oil doesn't set when you mix. It's also a handy dairy-free option for vegan bakes. Pair it with coconut flour, desiccated coconut or coconut palm sugar for extra coconut flavour.

Smoothies and hot drinks

Add a teaspoon of melted coconut oil to a smoothie for a richer, creamier texture. Blend it in with the other ingredients rather than pouring it over cold fruit, or it can set into small pieces. Some people also stir a little into coffee or hot chocolate.

No-bake bites

Because it sets as it cools, coconut oil is perfect for bliss balls, fridge bars and homemade chocolate. Melt it with cacao powder and a little sweetener, pour into moulds and chill until firm.

Around the home

Coconut oil is also popular outside the kitchen. Many people rub a little into dry hands, or smooth a small amount over the ends of their hair. If you use it this way, try a little on a small area of skin first.

How to store coconut oil

Keep the jar tightly closed in a cool, dry cupboard away from direct sunlight. It's normal for coconut oil to turn from solid to liquid and back again as the temperature changes (it melts at around 24°C), and this doesn't affect its quality. Always use a clean, dry spoon.

Find more coconut products in our coconut collection, or browse our guides and recipes for more ideas.