🫒 Oils & Fats

Coconut Oil Substitute for Butter: Complete Guide & Ratios

Learn how to substitute coconut oil for butter in baking, cooking, and more. Find the best ratios, techniques, and tips for perfect results every time.

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Quick Answer

To substitute coconut oil for butter, use a 1:1 ratio. Melted coconut oil works best for most applications. For baking, use room temperature coconut oil or melt it and let it cool slightly before using.

Best Substitutes

Coconut Oil (Melted)

1:1

Melted coconut oil is the most direct substitute for butter. It provides similar moisture and fat content, making it perfect for most baking and cooking applications.

Best for:

bakingcookingsautéingwhen you want dairy-free option

Melt coconut oil and let it cool to room temperature before using in baking. It will solidify at room temperature, so use quickly after melting.

Coconut Oil (Solid)

1:1

Solid coconut oil can be used like cold butter in recipes that call for cutting butter into flour, such as pie crusts and biscuits.

Best for:

pie crustsbiscuitspastrieswhen you need solid fat

Use cold, solid coconut oil and work quickly. It will soften as you work with it, so keep it chilled until ready to use.

Coconut Oil (Room Temperature)

1:1

Room temperature coconut oil works well for creaming with sugar in cookie recipes and other applications where you need a soft, spreadable consistency.

Best for:

cookiescakesfrostingwhen creaming with sugar

Coconut oil should be soft but not melted. If it's too hard, warm it slightly; if too soft, chill it briefly.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For baking, melt coconut oil and let it cool to room temperature before using
  • 💡When making pie crusts, use cold, solid coconut oil and work quickly
  • 💡For cookies, cream room temperature coconut oil with sugar just like butter
  • 💡Coconut oil has a lower melting point than butter, so baked goods may spread more
  • 💡For sautéing, coconut oil works well but has a distinct flavor that may not suit all dishes
  • 💡Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so store it in a cool place
  • 💡For best results, use refined coconut oil if you want to minimize the coconut flavor

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute coconut oil for butter in baking?

Yes, you can substitute coconut oil for butter in most baking recipes using a 1:1 ratio. Melt the coconut oil and let it cool to room temperature before using. Note that coconut oil has a distinct flavor that may affect the taste of your baked goods.

How do I substitute coconut oil for butter in cookies?

For cookies, use room temperature coconut oil and cream it with sugar just like you would with butter. The cookies may spread slightly more due to coconut oil's lower melting point, but they should still turn out well.

Can I use coconut oil instead of butter in pie crust?

Yes, you can use cold, solid coconut oil instead of butter in pie crusts. Use a 1:1 ratio and work quickly to maintain the flaky texture. The crust may have a slight coconut flavor.

What's the best ratio for substituting coconut oil for butter?

Use a 1:1 ratio when substituting coconut oil for butter. This means if a recipe calls for 1 cup of butter, use 1 cup of coconut oil. The substitution works well in most recipes.

Does coconut oil work as well as butter in baking?

Coconut oil works well as a butter substitute in most baking applications, but there are some differences. Coconut oil has a lower melting point, so baked goods may spread more. It also has a distinct flavor that may not work in all recipes.

Summary

Learn how to substitute coconut oil for butter in baking, cooking, and more. Find the best ratios, techniques, and tips for perfect results every time.