Out of Butter, one case
Coconut oil substitute for vegan butter
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Earth Balance buttery spread
Same amount as the butter
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.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- baking
One casethe full butter card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of butter | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earth Balance buttery spreadbaking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Miyoko's Creamery European style cultured vegan butterbaking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Country Crock plant butterspreading | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 4 | Violife plant butterbaking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 5 | Homemade vegan butter blendbaking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 6 | Olive oilcooking | ¾ × the amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 7 | Avocado oilcooking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 8 | Cashew creamspreading | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
Earth Balance buttery spread
similar taste and texture
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
- baking, spreading, cooking, when you want neutral flavor, frosting, general use
Available in both spreadable and baking stick forms. The baking sticks work best for pastry and cookies, while the spreadable version is good for toast and cooking. Provides consistent results without coconut flavor.
Miyoko's Creamery European style cultured vegan butter
enhanced taste, similar texture
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
- baking, spreading, cooking, when you want premium quality, European-style baking, sophisticated 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
similar taste and texture
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
- spreading, cooking, general use, when you want widely available option, budget-conscious cooking, family 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
similar taste and texture
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
- baking, spreading, cooking, when you want palm oil-free, environmentally conscious cooking, general 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
similar taste and texture
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
- baking, cooking, when you want control over ingredients, customizable flavors, avoiding processed ingredients
Blend 1 cup refined coconut oil with 2-3 tablespoons plant milk and ¼ teaspoon salt. Store in refrigerator and use cold. Can be customized with different plant milks for varying flavors.
Olive oil
different taste and texture
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
- cooking, sautéing, bread baking, savory dishes, when you want healthy fats, Mediterranean cooking
Use ¾ 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
similar taste, different texture
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
- cooking, sautéing, high-heat applications, when you want neutral flavor, healthy cooking, baking
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
different taste and texture
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
- spreading, sauces, when you want rich creaminess, savory applications, dips, when 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.
How it behaves in this recipe
Coconut oil substitutes for vegan butter applications need to provide similar functionality while offering different flavor profiles and properties. The best substitutes maintain similar fat content and melting properties while providing neutral or enhanced flavors. Commercial vegan butters offer consistency and reliability, while homemade options provide customization and control over ingredients.
Tips for substituting butter
8 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
Notes on butter
- For coconut oil extract in vegan butter, use vanilla extract or butter flavoring
- For coconut oil in vegan buttermilk, use plant milk with lemon juice or vinegar
- For coconut oil in vegan butter beans, use cannellini beans or navy beans
- For coconut oil in vegan butter lettuce, use romaine or green leaf lettuce
- For coconut oil in vegan butter cooking, use olive oil or avocado oil as alternatives
- For coconut oil in vegan butter baking, use vegan butter or margarine as alternatives
Questions
8 questionsWhat'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 ¾ 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.