Out of Coconut oil, one case
Coconut oil substitute for baking, cooking & more
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Butter
1 cup + 2 tbsp for every cup of coconut oil
The best coconut oil substitutes depend on your use case: Butter (1 cup plus 2 tbsp per cup) for baking, Vegetable Oil (1:1) for cooking, Olive Oil (1:1) for sautéing, and Avocado Oil (1:1) for high-heat cooking. Each substitute works differently depending on temperature and application.
- Verdict —
- Tweak it
- What changes —
- different taste, similar texture
- Best for —
- baking
One casethe full coconut oil card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 cup coconut oil | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Butterbaking | 1 cup + 2 tbspTweak it | Tweak it |
| 2 | Vegetable oilcooking | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 3 | Olive oilsautéing | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 4 | Avocado oilhigh-heat cooking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | Shorteningpie crusts | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
Butter
different taste, similar texture
Butter is the most common substitute for coconut oil, especially in baking. It is about 80% fat where coconut oil is 100%, which is where the extra 2 tbsp per cup comes from. It suits cookies, cakes, and pastries.
- Best for
- baking, cookies, cakes, pastries, when you want rich flavor
Butter has a different melting point than coconut oil, so baked goods may spread differently. Melt it if the recipe used melted coconut oil, or keep it cold if the recipe used it solid. Keep butter out of melted chocolate that has to set: its water can make the chocolate seize.
Vegetable oil
neutral taste, different texture
Vegetable oil works well for most cooking applications and some baking. It has a neutral flavor and similar fat content to coconut oil.
- Best for
- cooking, sautéing, frying, brownies, muffins
Vegetable oil is liquid at room temperature, so it only works where the recipe melts the coconut oil. It will not set a no-bake bar, freezer fudge or a hard chocolate shell.
Olive oil
different taste and texture
Olive oil is excellent for cooking and some baking applications. It adds a distinct flavor and works well for Mediterranean-style dishes.
- Best for
- sautéing, roasting, salad dressings, some baking, Mediterranean cooking
Extra virgin olive oil has a strong flavor that may not work in all recipes. Use light olive oil for more neutral taste.
Avocado oil
neutral taste, similar texture
Avocado oil is good for high-heat cooking and has a neutral flavor. It's rich in healthy fats and works well for frying and roasting.
- Best for
- high-heat cooking, frying, roasting, grilling, when you want neutral flavor
Avocado oil has a high smoke point, making it ideal for high-temperature cooking where coconut oil might burn.
Shortening
neutral taste, similar texture
Shortening works well in baking applications where you need a solid fat. It provides similar structure to coconut oil in pastries and pie crusts.
- Best for
- pie crusts, pastries, biscuits, when you need solid fat, baking
Shortening is 100% fat like coconut oil, so it swaps cup for cup and provides excellent structure for baked goods.
How it behaves in this recipe
Coconut oil is versatile and can be used in many different applications, from baking and cooking to skin care and soap making. The best substitute depends on your specific use case, temperature requirements, and desired flavor profile.
Tips for substituting coconut oil
7 tips- For baking, use butter in the same state the recipe used the coconut oil: melted for melted, cold for solid
- Liquid oils replace melted coconut oil cup for cup with no other changes, since both are 100% fat
- For high-heat cooking, choose oils with high smoke points like avocado or grapeseed oil
- When melting chocolate, shortening or cocoa butter replaces coconut oil cup for cup; a neutral oil thins the chocolate but the coating sets softer
- For granola, use melted butter or vegetable oil as coconut oil substitutes
- In soap making, babassu oil or palm kernel oil are the closest swaps for coconut oil; run the new recipe through a lye calculator, because each oil needs a different amount of lye
- For skin care, use shea butter or cocoa butter as coconut oil alternatives
Notes on coconut oil
- For vegan baking, use vegan butter or margarine as coconut oil substitutes
- For keto recipes, use ghee or MCT oil instead of coconut oil
- For soap making, substitute with babassu oil or palm kernel oil, and recalculate the lye
- For skin care, use shea butter, cocoa butter, or jojoba oil
- For high-heat cooking, use oils with high smoke points like grapeseed or peanut oil
Questions
6 questionsCan 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. However, coconut oil has a lower melting point than butter, so your baked goods may spread more. Use the coconut oil in the same state the recipe used the butter: soft for creaming, melted for melted, cold for cutting in.
What's the best coconut oil substitute for melting chocolate?
For a coating that sets firm, use shortening or cocoa butter cup for cup; both are water-free solid fats. A neutral oil like grapeseed, canola or vegetable oil thins chocolate for dipping and drizzling without changing the flavor, but the coating sets softer than it does with coconut oil.
Can I use olive oil instead of coconut oil?
Yes, olive oil can substitute for coconut oil in cooking and some baking applications. Use a 1:1 ratio, but be aware that olive oil has a distinct flavor that may not work in all recipes. Light olive oil has a more neutral taste.
What's the healthiest substitute for coconut oil?
Avocado oil is considered one of the healthiest substitutes for coconut oil. It's rich in monounsaturated fats, has a high smoke point, and has a neutral flavor. Other healthy options include olive oil and grapeseed oil.
Can I substitute coconut oil for vegetable oil in brownies?
Yes, you can substitute coconut oil for vegetable oil in brownies using a 1:1 ratio. The brownies may have a slightly different texture and flavor, but they should still turn out well. For best results, use melted coconut oil.
What can I use instead of coconut oil in granola?
For granola, you can use melted butter, vegetable oil, or olive oil as coconut oil substitutes. Use oil 1:1, or 1 cup plus 2 tbsp melted butter per cup of coconut oil, and mix well with the dry ingredients before baking.