🫒 Fats

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.

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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

1:1

Coconut 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:

vegan bakingpie crustscookiescakesmuffins

Solid at room temperature, works well in most vegan baking

Vegan Shortening

1:1

Vegan 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:

vegan bakingpie crustscookiescakesfrosting

Most similar to Crisco in texture and behavior

Plant-Based Margarine

1:1

Plant-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:

vegan bakingcookiescakesmuffinsfrosting

Choose stick margarine for baking, not tub varieties

Palm Oil Shortening

1:1

Palm 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:

vegan bakingpie crustscookiescakes

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:

vegan bakingcakesmuffinsquick breadsbrownies

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

Summary

Discover the best vegan Crisco substitutes including coconut oil, vegan shortening, and plant-based alternatives. Learn proper ratios and techniques for vegan baking.