A viral food hack has seen people using something completely unexpected instead of using oil when frying eggs, but does it work? An expert delved into the pros and cons
When it comes to frying eggs or any other food, most of us instinctively reach for some sort of oil. It’s quick, effective, and gives the desired texture to whatever you’re making at the time. However, a new trend on TikTok has people reaching for something entirely different instead of oil, claiming it’s a healthier alternative. And what might this be? Cucumbers.
The trick involves rubbing them on the bottom of the pan, suggesting that they act as a non-stick agent, allowing you to completely bypass the oil. But does it really work? Catering supply experts at Alliance Online have weighed in on the pros and cons of this trend, revealing whether it’s worth giving a go or if it’s best left to the realms of the internet.
They reveal that there is one noticeable advantage to using this hack. They explain that rubbing a cold, moist cucumber on a pan can leave a thin film of water (moisture) and may slightly cool the pan’s surface.
Combined with a well-seasoned or high-quality non-stick pan, you might achieve a brief period where food doesn’t immediately stick.
However, the cucumber alone doesn’t provide an effective barrier comparable to a proper layer of cooking oil.
Unlike oil, which creates a consistent lubricating film and raises the local surface temperature to help cook and release the food, a cucumber can only deliver a watery residue that evaporates quickly and may not withstand higher cooking temperatures or sticky ingredients.
When it comes to cooking oil, the main idea is straightforward. Use one that can withstand the heat, keep it clean so food particles don’t burn or stick, and select the right oil for whatever you’re preparing and the temperature you’re using.
It appears to be a brilliant concept in theory, or one that’s at least worth attempting. Nevertheless, it may be worth leaving this trick on the internet.
Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online slams the trend, stating: “The real secret in ‘miracle’ frying tricks isn’t the ingredient itself, like a cucumber replacing oil, but the non-stick pan you use.
“A high-quality non-stick pan, with its specialised coating, allows food to cook evenly without sticking, even when you use very little or no added fat.
“Investing in a good non-stick pan can make a bigger difference in low-oil cooking than any single ingredient substitution.”
Rachael revealed that she’s witnessed “countless cooking shortcuts and hacks come and go,” and whilst this one is a “fun and refreshing visual,” it may be best to keep it as a “novelty,” rather than a “dependable cooking technique”.
She added: “The cucumber trick cannot replace the core functions of oil in cooking, providing lubrication, aiding heat transfer, and preventing sticking across the full range of cooking conditions.
“For home cooks, hobby chefs, and professionals, a high-quality non-stick pan is equally essential. Its specialised coating allows food to cook smoothly and evenly, even with minimal fat, making it a key factor in achieving consistent, reliable results in the kitchen.”
