Out of Vegetable oil, one case
Vegetable oil substitute for cake
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Canola oil
Same amount as the vegetable oil
The best vegetable oil substitutes for cakes are canola oil (1:1), melted butter (1:1), light olive oil (1:1), and applesauce (½ cup per 1 cup oil). Canola oil maintains the original texture, while butter adds richness and flavor.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- all cake types
One casethe full vegetable oil card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of vegetable oil | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canola oilall cake types | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Melted butterrich cakes | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Light olive oilMediterranean-style cakes | Same amount | No verdict on record |
| 4 | Coconut oiltropical cakes | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 5 | Applesaucehealthy cakes | ½ cup per 1 cup oilTweak it | Tweak it |
| 6 | Avocado oilall cake types | Same amountWorks | Works |
Canola oil
similar taste and texture
Canola oil is the closest substitute to vegetable oil for cakes. It has a neutral flavor and maintains the same moisture content and texture as vegetable oil, making it good for all types of cakes.
- Best for
- all cake types, box mix cakes, homemade cakes, neutral flavor cakes
Most similar to vegetable oil. Neutral flavor, maintains original cake texture and moisture.
Melted butter
enhanced taste and texture
Melted butter adds richness and flavor to cakes, creating a more tender crumb and golden color. It's especially good for rich, flavorful cakes where you want to enhance the taste profile.
- Best for
- rich cakes, homemade cakes, flavorful cakes, golden cakes
Melt and cool slightly before using. Adds richness, flavor, and golden color to cakes.
Light olive oil
slightly different · similar texture
Light olive oil works well in cakes and adds a subtle fruity note. It's good for Mediterranean-style cakes and adds a unique flavor profile without overpowering the cake.
- Best for
- Mediterranean-style cakes, olive oil cakes, subtle flavor cakes
Use light olive oil, not extra virgin, to avoid strong flavor in cakes.
Coconut oil
enhanced taste, similar texture
Coconut oil is excellent for cakes and adds a subtle coconut flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate, vanilla, and tropical flavors. It's especially popular in vegan cake recipes.
- Best for
- tropical cakes, chocolate cakes, vegan cakes, coconut-flavored cakes
Melt before measuring. Adds subtle coconut flavor that complements many cake flavors.
Applesauce
enhanced taste, different texture
Applesauce creates denser, slightly sweeter cakes while significantly reducing the fat content. It's good for healthy baking and works especially well in spice cakes and carrot cakes.
- Best for
- healthy cakes, low-fat cakes, dense cakes, spice cakes
Use unsweetened applesauce. Creates denser, slightly sweeter cakes with reduced calories.
Avocado oil
similar taste and texture
Avocado oil has a neutral flavor that won't interfere with the taste of your cake. It's a healthy alternative that maintains the same texture and moisture as vegetable oil.
- Best for
- all cake types, neutral flavor cakes, healthy cakes
Neutral flavor, high smoke point. Won't affect the flavor of your cake.
How it behaves in this recipe
Cakes require oils that provide moisture and help create a tender crumb structure. The best substitutes maintain similar fat content and don't interfere with the leavening agents that make cakes rise. Different substitutes will affect the final texture, flavor, and appearance of the cake.
Tips for substituting vegetable oil
10 tips- For box mix cakes: Canola oil or light olive oil work best
- For homemade cakes: Melted butter adds richness and flavor
- For healthy cakes: Use applesauce (reduce amount by half)
- For vegan cakes: Coconut oil or avocado oil work well
- For chocolate cakes: Coconut oil pairs beautifully with chocolate
- For spice cakes: Applesauce adds natural sweetness
- For Mediterranean cakes: Light olive oil adds authentic flavor
- Always melt solid fats (butter, coconut oil) before measuring
- Use room temperature ingredients for best results
- Don't overmix cake batter when using oil substitutes
Notes on vegetable oil
- Greek yogurt (½ cup per 1 cup oil) for added protein and moistness
- Mashed banana (½ cup per 1 cup oil) for natural sweetness and moisture
- Pumpkin puree (½ cup per 1 cup oil) for seasonal flavor and nutrients
- Sour cream (½ cup per 1 cup oil) for extra moistness and tang
- Buttermilk (reduce other liquids) for tender crumb and slight tang
Questions
5 questionsCan I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil in cake mix?
Yes, but use light olive oil, not extra virgin. Light olive oil has a neutral flavor that won't overpower your cake, while extra virgin olive oil has a strong flavor that can be too intense for most cake recipes.
What's the best oil substitute for box cake mix?
Canola oil or light olive oil work best with box cake mixes. They provide the same moisture and texture as vegetable oil without affecting the flavor profile of the mix.
Can I use butter instead of oil in cake recipes?
Yes! Melted butter is actually preferred by many bakers as it adds richness, flavor, and creates a more tender crumb. Melt the butter before measuring and use it in a 1:1 ratio with vegetable oil.
Does applesauce work in all cake recipes?
Applesauce works well in most cake recipes, but use half the amount of oil called for (½ cup applesauce per 1 cup oil). It creates denser, slightly sweeter cakes with reduced calories.
What oil substitute is best for chocolate cake?
Coconut oil works beautifully in chocolate cakes as it adds a subtle coconut flavor that complements chocolate. Canola oil or melted butter also work well for chocolate cakes.