Cooking with essential oils is fun, healthy, and pennies per drop.
Replacing your herbs and spices with essential oils is quite easy once you learn the conversions.
When choosing which oils to use, make sure you are using oils that are completely pure with no added fillers or contaminants. If you have been on my blog for any length of time, you know that the only essential oils I use are doTERRA. They are the most tested and the most trusted.
So how do you know how much essential oil to use in place of a spice or herb? Here are some conversions to become familiar with.
Easy Conversions
1 toothpick dip = dip a toothpick into the essential oil and dip it once into the recipe
1 toothpick swirl = dip a toothpick into the essential oil and swirl it around in the recipe
½ drop = drop an essential oil into a spoon, then use the tip of a sharp knife to obtain the desired
amount of oil and add it to the recipe
½ teaspoon of dried herbs = 1 ½ teaspoons fresh herbs = 2-3 toothpick swirls
1 teaspoon dried herbs = 1 tablespoon fresh herbs = 1 drop essential oil
1 teaspoon lemon extract = 1/8 teaspoon lemon essential oil = 16 drops
1 tablespoon lemon zest = 1/16 teaspoon lemon essential oil = 8 drops*
Many times I just start with one drop of essential oil per teaspoon of spice, especially with cinnamon and clove. For peppermint in chocolate, I will add 3-4 drops and for citrus oils I add more. Experiment and have fun with it!
You can get creative and add your own flavors to recipes. Spicy oils are bold and warm, florals are soft and decadent, mints are fresh and minty, and citrus is sweet and tangy. Experiment and come up with your own signature cookies and cakes by adding essential oils.
Baking Tips and Tricks with essential oils
🍰 Essential oils are super concentrated. Depending on how much you use will depend on the strength of taste you receive. Because they are so concentrated, you will want to start out with less and increase to reach the desired taste.
🍰 If desired, mix your essential oil with olive oil or another cooking oil. This helps to disperse the essential oil more evenly in the recipe.
One thing I have learned with changing my family to a gluten free/dairy free diet, is that I cannot be afraid to try and change recipes. Fear only results in nothing to eat. Some of the recipes have taken me many tries to get the taste and texture I desire. Other recipes have been super easy to adjust. You've go this!
Happy Baking!
*The Essential Life 2nd Edition, Total Wellness Publishing, 2015