Coconut Oil Substitute for Vegan Butter

Butter substitute

Earth Balance Buttery Spread

Use the same amount as the butter you are replacing

Best for baking

Close match

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.

Compare all 9 butter substitutes

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.

Other butter substitutes

Ranked, with the exact amount to use

2Miyoko's Creamery European Style Cultured Vegan Butter
Close match
Use the same amount
Miyoko's premium vegan butter offers superior taste and texture as a coconut oil substitute.
What changes
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.
3Country Crock Plant Butter
Close match
Use the same amount
Country Crock's plant butter is a widely available and affordable substitute for coconut oil.
What changes
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.
4Violife Plant Butter
Close match
Use the same amount
Violife's palm oil-free vegan butter is an excellent substitute for coconut oil, especially for those who want to avoid palm oil.
What changes
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.
5Homemade Vegan Butter Blend
Close match
Use the same amount
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.
What changes
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 1/4 teaspoon salt. Store in refrigerator and use cold. Can be customized with different plant milks for varying flavors.
6Olive Oil
Taste and texture differ
¾:1
Olive oil can substitute for coconut oil in many applications, especially cooking and some baking.
What changes
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 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.
7Avocado Oil
Different texture
Use the same amount
Avocado oil is an excellent substitute for coconut oil, especially in high-heat applications.
What changes
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.
8Cashew Cream
Taste and texture differ
Use the same amount
Blended cashews create a rich, creamy substitute for coconut oil in certain applications.
What changes
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.

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

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

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.

Coconut Oil Substitute for Vegan Butter

Other butter substitutes

2Miyoko's Creamery European Style Cultured Vegan Butter

3Country Crock Plant Butter

4Violife Plant Butter

5Homemade Vegan Butter Blend

6Olive Oil

7Avocado Oil

8Cashew Cream