Out of Butter, one case
Banana substitute for butter
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Mashed banana
½ cup mashed banana for every 1 cup butter
Yes, you can substitute banana for butter! Use ½ cup mashed banana for every 1 cup butter. This reduces fat and calories while adding moisture and natural sweetness to your baked goods.
- Verdict —
- You'll taste it
- Best for —
- cakes
One casethe full banana card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 cup butter | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mashed bananacakes | ½ cupYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 2 | Applesaucecakes | ½ cupYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 3 | Pumpkin pureecakes | ½ cupYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 4 | Sweet potato pureecakes | ½ cupYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 5 | Avocadocakes | ½ cup mashed avocadoYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 6 | Greek yogurtcakes | ½ cupYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
Mashed banana
different taste and texture
Sweet fruit puree that provides moisture and binding properties. Good for moist baked goods.
- Best for
- cakes, muffins, breads, cookies, when you want to reduce fat, when you want health benefits
Reduces fat and calories while adding moisture. Use half the amount of butter. Good for healthier baking.
Applesauce
different taste and texture
Pureed apples that provide moisture and binding properties. Good for when you want neutral flavor.
- Best for
- cakes, muffins, breads, cookies, when you want neutral flavor, when you want to reduce fat
Similar to banana but with apple flavor. Use half the amount of butter. Good for when you want neutral flavor.
Pumpkin puree
different taste and texture
Pureed pumpkin that provides moisture and binding properties. Good for when you want orange color.
- Best for
- cakes, muffins, breads, cookies, when you want orange color, when you want to reduce fat
Similar to banana but with pumpkin flavor and orange color. Use half the amount of butter. Good for when you want orange color.
Sweet potato puree
different taste and texture
Pureed sweet potato that provides moisture and binding properties. Good for when you want sweetness.
- Best for
- cakes, muffins, breads, cookies, when you want sweetness, when you want to reduce fat
Similar to banana but with sweet potato flavor. Use half the amount of butter. Good for when you want sweetness.
Avocado
different taste and texture
Creamy fruit that provides moisture and binding properties. Good for when you want healthy fats.
- Best for
- cakes, muffins, breads, cookies, when you want healthy fats, when you want to reduce fat
Similar to banana but with avocado flavor and healthy fats. Use half the amount of butter. Good for when you want healthy fats.
Greek yogurt
different taste and texture
Creamy dairy product that provides moisture and binding properties. Good for when you want protein.
- Best for
- cakes, muffins, breads, cookies, when you want protein, when you want to reduce fat
Similar to banana but with tangy flavor and protein. Use half the amount of butter. Good for when you want protein.
How it behaves in this recipe
When substituting banana for butter, the key consideration is the difference in fat content and moisture. The recommended substitutes work because they provide similar functionality to butter in baking applications, whether you're making cakes, muffins, or other baked goods.
Tips for substituting butter
8 tips- Banana works best as a butter substitute in moist baked goods like cakes, muffins, and quick breads
- Use half the amount of banana for butter to avoid making your baked goods too wet
- Banana adds moisture and natural sweetness, so you may need to reduce other liquid ingredients slightly
- Don't use banana as a butter substitute in recipes where butter provides structure, like pie crusts or certain cookies
- For best results, use ripe banana that's been mashed until smooth
- Banana works particularly well in chocolate baked goods where the flavor complements the chocolate
- If your batter seems too wet, add a bit more flour to compensate for the extra moisture from banana
- Banana is a great choice for healthier baking and reducing the fat content in your recipes
Notes on butter
- Commercial butter substitutes are available for more complete butter functionality
- Margarine can provide similar texture with different fat content
- Shortening can provide similar texture in some applications
- Commercial low-fat baking products are available for specific needs
Questions
5 questionsCan you substitute banana for butter?
Yes, you can substitute banana for butter in many baking recipes. Use ½ cup mashed banana for every 1 cup butter. This reduces fat and calories while adding moisture and natural sweetness.
How much banana to substitute for butter?
Use ½ cup mashed banana for every 1 cup butter. This provides similar moisture and binding properties while reducing fat and calories.
What can I substitute for butter in baking?
For baking, you can use banana (½ cup per 1 cup butter), applesauce (½ cup per 1 cup butter), pumpkin puree (½ cup per 1 cup butter), or Greek yogurt (½ cup per 1 cup butter).
Can I use banana instead of butter in cookies?
Yes, banana can work as a butter substitute in cookies. Use ½ cup mashed banana for every 1 cup butter. This will make your cookies moist and slightly denser.
Why is banana a good substitute for butter?
Banana is a good butter substitute because it provides similar moisture and binding properties to baked goods. It's also healthier and helps reduce the fat content in recipes while adding natural sweetness.