🥛 Dairy

Coconut Oil Substitute for Vegan Butter: Complete Guide

Discover the best substitutes for coconut oil when you need vegan butter alternatives. Learn about commercial vegan butters, homemade blends, and other plant-based options with proper ratios and techniques.

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Quick Answer

The best substitutes for coconut oil in vegan butter applications are Earth Balance Buttery Spread, Miyoko's Creamery, and homemade vegan butter blends. Use 1:1 ratio for most applications, adjusting based on the specific use case.

Best Substitutes

Earth Balance Buttery Spread

1:1

Earth Balance Buttery Spread is an excellent substitute for coconut oil when you need vegan butter functionality. It provides similar fat content and texture while offering a more neutral flavor profile.

Best for:

bakingspreadingcookingwhen you want neutral flavorfrostinggeneral use

Available in both spreadable and baking stick forms. The baking sticks work best for pastry and cookies, while the spreadable version is perfect for toast and cooking. Provides consistent results without coconut flavor.

Miyoko's Creamery European Style Cultured Vegan Butter

1:1

Miyoko's premium vegan butter offers superior taste and texture as a coconut oil substitute. It's cultured like traditional European butter, providing rich flavor and excellent performance in all applications.

Best for:

bakingspreadingcookingwhen you want premium qualityEuropean-style bakingsophisticated dishes

More expensive but offers exceptional results. The cultured flavor adds depth to dishes. Works particularly well in butter-forward recipes and when you want a more authentic butter taste.

Country Crock Plant Butter

1:1

Country Crock's plant butter is a widely available and affordable substitute for coconut oil. It provides good functionality in most applications while being easily accessible.

Best for:

spreadingcookinggeneral usewhen you want widely available optionbudget-conscious cookingfamily meals

Good for most applications. May not perform as well in very delicate baking compared to specialty vegan butter brands, but works well for most home cooking and baking needs.

Violife Plant Butter

1:1

Violife's palm oil-free vegan butter is an excellent substitute for coconut oil, especially for those who want to avoid palm oil. It's made from coconut and sunflower oils.

Best for:

bakingspreadingcookingwhen you want palm oil-freeenvironmentally conscious cookinggeneral use

Palm oil-free option that works well in most applications. Has a slightly different texture than traditional vegan butters but performs well in baking and cooking.

Homemade Vegan Butter Blend

1:1

A homemade blend of refined coconut oil with plant milk and salt creates a customizable substitute that gives you control over ingredients and flavor profile.

Best for:

bakingcookingwhen you want control over ingredientscustomizable flavorsavoiding processed ingredients

Blend 1 cup refined coconut oil with 2-3 tablespoons plant milk and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Store in refrigerator and use cold. Can be customized with different plant milks for varying flavors.

Olive Oil

3/4:1

Olive oil can substitute for coconut oil in many applications, especially cooking and some baking. It provides healthy fats and works well in savory dishes.

Best for:

cookingsautéingbread bakingsavory disheswhen you want healthy fatsMediterranean cooking

Use 3/4 cup olive oil for every 1 cup coconut oil. Extra virgin olive oil adds flavor, while light olive oil is more neutral. Works best in savory applications and some bread baking.

Avocado Oil

1:1

Avocado oil is an excellent substitute for coconut oil, especially in high-heat applications. It has a high smoke point and neutral flavor, making it versatile for many uses.

Best for:

cookingsautéinghigh-heat applicationswhen you want neutral flavorhealthy cookingbaking

Has a high smoke point, making it excellent for high-heat cooking. Provides healthy monounsaturated fats and has a neutral flavor that works well in most applications.

Cashew Cream

1:1

Blended cashews create a rich, creamy substitute for coconut oil in certain applications. It works well in spreads and sauces where you want added creaminess.

Best for:

spreadingsauceswhen you want rich creaminesssavory applicationsdipswhen you want protein

Soak cashews for 2-4 hours, then blend with water until smooth. Add salt and nutritional yeast for flavor. Best for spreads and sauces rather than baking applications.

Cooking Tips

💡For baking, use solid vegan butter substitutes like Earth Balance baking sticks for best results
💡When making frosting, let vegan butter substitutes come to room temperature before creaming
💡For cooking, use olive oil or avocado oil as coconut oil substitutes for high-heat applications
💡In pastry making, use cold vegan butter substitutes and work quickly to maintain flakiness
💡For spreading, use room temperature vegan butter substitutes for easier application
💡When making cookies, use solid vegan butter substitutes and cream with sugar for proper texture
💡For sautéing vegetables, use olive oil or avocado oil as coconut oil substitutes for better flavor
💡In bread baking, use olive oil as a coconut oil substitute for Mediterranean-style breads

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best substitute for coconut oil in vegan butter applications?

The best substitutes are Earth Balance Buttery Spread, Miyoko's Creamery, and homemade vegan butter blends. These provide similar functionality without the coconut flavor and work well in most applications.

Can I use olive oil instead of coconut oil in vegan butter recipes?

Yes, olive oil can substitute for coconut oil in many applications, especially cooking and some baking. Use 3/4 cup olive oil for every 1 cup coconut oil. It works best in savory applications.

What's the best commercial vegan butter to replace coconut oil?

Earth Balance Buttery Spread and Miyoko's Creamery are the best commercial options. Earth Balance is widely available and consistent, while Miyoko's offers premium quality and taste.

Can I make my own vegan butter substitute for coconut oil?

Yes, you can make homemade vegan butter by blending refined coconut oil with plant milk and salt. This gives you control over ingredients and can be customized for different applications.

What's the best oil to substitute for coconut oil in high-heat cooking?

Avocado oil is the best substitute for coconut oil in high-heat cooking. It has a high smoke point and neutral flavor, making it excellent for sautéing and frying.

Can I use vegan butter instead of coconut oil in baking?

Yes, vegan butter works excellently as a coconut oil substitute in baking. Use solid vegan butter for best results in cookies and pastries, and let it come to room temperature for cakes.

What's the difference between using coconut oil vs vegan butter in recipes?

Coconut oil has a distinct flavor and different melting properties. Vegan butter provides more neutral flavor and similar functionality to dairy butter. Choose based on your desired flavor profile and application.

Can I substitute coconut oil with olive oil in all recipes?

Olive oil can substitute for coconut oil in many recipes, but not all. It works well in cooking and some baking, but may not work in recipes requiring solid fat or where the coconut flavor is important.

Summary

Find the best substitutes for coconut oil in vegan butter applications. Learn about Earth Balance, Miyoko's, olive oil, and homemade alternatives with proper ratios and techniques for all your cooking needs.