Vegan Crisco Substitute: Best Plant-Based Alternatives for Baking
Discover the best vegan Crisco substitutes including coconut oil, vegan shortening, and plant-based alternatives. Learn proper ratios and techniques for vegan baking.
Quick Answer
The best vegan Crisco substitutes are coconut oil (1:1 ratio) for baking, vegan shortening (1:1 ratio) for identical results, or plant-based margarine (1:1 ratio) for creaming methods. Each provides similar functionality without animal products.
Best Substitutes
Coconut Oil
1:1Coconut oil is the most popular vegan substitute for Crisco. It's solid at room temperature and works well in most baking recipes. It has a slight coconut flavor that works well in many recipes.
Best for:
Solid at room temperature, works well in most vegan baking
Vegan Shortening
1:1Vegan shortening is made from plant-based oils and behaves almost identically to Crisco. It's solid at room temperature and has neutral flavor, making it the most direct vegan substitute.
Best for:
Most similar to Crisco in texture and behavior
Plant-Based Margarine
1:1Plant-based margarine works well as a vegan Crisco substitute. Choose stick margarine for baking, as tub varieties have too much water. It has similar fat content and melting properties.
Best for:
Choose stick margarine for baking, not tub varieties
Palm Oil Shortening
1:1Palm oil shortening is solid at room temperature and works well in vegan baking. It has neutral flavor and creates tender, flaky results similar to Crisco.
Best for:
Solid at room temperature, similar to Crisco
Applesauce
1:2 (1/2 cup applesauce for 1 cup Crisco)Applesauce is a low-fat, low-calorie vegan substitute for Crisco. It adds moisture and natural sweetness to baked goods. Use unsweetened applesauce for best results.
Best for:
Low-fat option that adds moisture and sweetness
Cooking Tips
- 💡Coconut oil works best in recipes where a slight coconut flavor is acceptable
- 💡Vegan shortening is the most direct substitute with identical properties to Crisco
- 💡Choose stick margarine for baking, not tub varieties which have too much water
- 💡Palm oil shortening works well but consider the environmental impact
- 💡Applesauce reduces fat and calories but may make baked goods denser
- 💡For creaming methods, use room temperature vegan shortening or margarine
- 💡For pie crusts, use cold vegan shortening and work quickly
- 💡Test your substitution in a small batch before making large quantities
- 💡Consider the flavor profile of your recipe when choosing a vegan substitute
- 💡Some vegan substitutes may require slight adjustments in baking time or temperature
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best vegan substitute for Crisco?
Coconut oil is the most popular vegan substitute for Crisco, followed by vegan shortening. Coconut oil works well in most recipes and has a slight coconut flavor. Vegan shortening behaves almost identically to Crisco.
Can I use coconut oil instead of Crisco in vegan baking?
Yes, coconut oil works excellently as a vegan Crisco substitute. Use a 1:1 ratio and room temperature coconut oil. The baked goods will have a slight coconut flavor and be tender and moist.
Is there a vegan shortening that works like Crisco?
Yes, there are several vegan shortenings available that work almost identically to Crisco. They're made from plant-based oils and have similar texture and melting properties. Use them exactly like Crisco.
Can I use plant-based margarine instead of Crisco?
Yes, plant-based margarine can be used instead of Crisco in vegan baking. Choose stick margarine for baking, as tub varieties have too much water. Use a 1:1 ratio.
How do I make vegan pie crust without Crisco?
Use cold coconut oil or cold vegan shortening for vegan pie crust. Follow the same techniques as with Crisco - cut the fat into flour until pea-sized pieces form, add ice water gradually, and work quickly to maintain flakiness.
Summary
Discover the best vegan Crisco substitutes including coconut oil, vegan shortening, and plant-based alternatives. Learn proper ratios and techniques for vegan baking.