Best Butter Substitute 11 Easy Alternatives For Cooking Baking

Jump to Recipe If you need a butter substitute look no further, we’ve found all the best ingredients that can replace butter and everyone will be none-the-wiser! Butter is a key ingredient so don’t go without, find the right alternative so you can enjoy all your delicious recipes without missing a beat!

All of the best amazingly easy options for swapping out butter in any recipe! Ah, butter. Nothing quite beats the rich, delicious taste of creamy butter! While there are many versatile foods, few are equally as delicious on their own and when added to other ingredients. Whether spread on a piece of toast for breakfast or the base for a decadent chocolate chip cookie, butter is simply the best.

Jump to:What is Butter? The Difference Between Butter and Other Fats How to Make Butter The Best Butter Substitutes for Baking

Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil)
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Applesauce (unsweetened)
Mashed Banana (and other fruits)
Mashed Avocado
Mashed Vegetables
Buttermilk
Plain Greek Yogurt
Nut Butters The Best Butter Substitutes for Cooking 📋 Recipe 💬 Comments

What is Butter? Even though butter is one of the most beloved foods around the world, you may not know what is used to make butter. Butter is a dairy product. It is made from churning (or heavily mixing) heavy cream. As a result of being made from cream, butter has a high fat content that is perfect for many recipes. The Difference Between Butter and Other Fats Compared to other fats used in cooking, like oil, butter has higher water content. This is important to understand when looking for a substitute. Butter is about 80% fat and 20% water. On the other hand, oils (vegetable, canola, olive, coconut, etc.) are 100% fat with zero water content. While the water content does not impact some recipes, it does impact the overall texture and consistency of baked goods. Therefore, it is helpful to keep it in mind when looking for a substitute. How to Make Butter Even though butter was a common food to make decades ago, most households today now buy it at the grocery store. When you run out of butter and you still want that real butter taste, consider making your own. To make butter at home all you need is a food processor or standing mixer (like a KitchenAid) and heavy cream. Yup, just one ingredient (plus salt if you would like). You can use as much heavy cream as you would like, but 2 cups is a good starting point. Pour 2 cups heavy cream into a food processor or mixer.Mix the cream on high until it turns into butter (you will know when it is done. Just keep mixing it until it resembles something you would spread on toast).Strain off the liquid (buttermilk) and rinse in cool water.Add a pinch of salt if you would like and mix in. Once you have homemade butter, remove it from the mixer and put it in a container with a lid. You can use the butter right away or store it in the fridge until you need it. Your easy DIY butter can be used in the same way as store-bought butter! While homemade butter is the most delicious substitute, if you don’t have heavy cream on hand then you will not be able to make homemade butter. In that case, check out these amazing substitutes for butter! The Best Butter Substitutes for Baking Butter is a key ingredient in many baking recipes. Therefore, you can’t simply leave it out. If you are out of butter though or prefer a non-dairy alternative, you can easily swap it out for another ingredient.

Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil) Like butter, vegetable oil is also used as the primary fat in baked goods. Therefore, it is one of the easiest and best substitutes for butter (in baking and cooking). While oil provides a similar fat content to the recipe, it does not provide the water content that butter does. Therefore, oil-based baked goods will be a bit denser than if made with butter. Use ¾ of the amount of oil when replacing butter (¾ cup oil for 1 cup butter). This substitution can be used in any recipe. If you have some butter on hand, but not enough for a recipe, you can also do a 50/50 split (½ cup oil + ½ cup butter for 1 cup butter). This will give you some of the lightness of the butter.
Olive Oil Olive oil gets used a lot in cooking, but not everyone knows it can also be a good choice for baking. Olive oil works the same way as vegetable oil when used as a butter substitute. One thing to remember about olive oil is that the flavor is more distinct than vegetable oil. Therefore, it will add a savory element to your baked goods. Use ¾ the amount of olive oil in place of 1 serving of butter (¾ cup olive oil for 1 cup butter).
Coconut Oil Coconut oil is another tasty option for a high fat substitute. The overall structure of coconut oil is slightly different than other oils though. Therefore, it can be used in a 1:1 exchange. Due to its distinct flavor, coconut oil is best suited for sweet recipes. Use 1 cup of coconut oil for 1 cup of butter in most recipes (measure the coconut oil in its solid form, not melted).
Applesauce (unsweetened) Applesauce is a popular substitute for butter when you want to lower the fat content in a recipe. It acts as a binder and helps add moisture. However, the lack of fat in applesauce creates a denser final baked good. Therefore, it is best used in recipes like zucchini bread, banana bread, or cookies. If aren’t looking for a low-fat substitute, then a higher fat alternative will offer you a consistency that is closer to the original recipe. Use half the amount of applesauce that your recipe calls for (½ cup applesauce for every 1 cup butter). If you have a little butter available, you can also use a 50/50 split of applesauce and butter (½ cup applesauce + ½ cup butter for 1 cup butter). Another option is to do a 50/50 split with buttermilk. One more thing to keep in mind is that many applesauce recipes have additional sugar; therefore, aim to use unsweetened applesauce or leave out some of the sugar the recipe calls for.
Mashed Banana (and other fruits) Mashed bananas act in the same way that applesauce does. In addition to bananas, you can also use other fruits like prunes. Overly ripe bananas (the ones that are going brown) work best, but any banana you have on hand will do. Like applesauce, this works best for quick breads and cookies since it will make a denser baked good. Be mindful that bananas have a stronger natural flavor than applesauce; therefore, it will add a hint of banana to the final product. Note on Mashed Fruit Substitutes The great thing about fruit substitutes is that they are easy to find and use. One thing to note is that fruit substitutes will not result in a crispy outside. If you like a chocolate chip cookie with a crispy outside and gooey center, opt to use oil as your butter substitute instead.
Mashed Avocado Avocado is a bit more expensive than applesauce or bananas, but it is an amazing substitute for butter because it has a similar fat content. This provides a rich and creamy base for any baked good. Avocados also have a more neutral flavor profile than other fruits. It will take on the other flavors around it, especially chocolate! Avocado can be used in an even 1:1 exchange for butter (1 cup avocado for 1 cup butter). For the best results, give the avocado a whirl in the food processor to make it super smooth.
Mashed Vegetables Starchy vegetables like pumpkin and sweet potato work in the same way as mashed fruit. They both help bind the ingredients in the same way butter does. They will also react the same way, with a denser baked good. Pureed pumpkin and mashed sweet potatoes both have strong flavors and colors that can impact the overall recipe. If using either of these, make sure the color and flavor will enrich the overall recipe. Use ¾ the amount of pureed pumpkin or mashed sweet potato (¾ cup for 1 cup of butter).
Buttermilk Buttermilk is a super easy swap for butter. It adds a ton of moisture, and the tanginess is a nice addition to the flavor of many recipes. Even if you don’t have buttermilk in your fridge, you can make your own buttermilk in 15 minutes. To make your own buttermilk, just mix 1 cup of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit until it curdles, then use as buttermilk. *Use milk, half & half, or heavy cream to make your buttermilk. For more options you can read all about buttermilk substitutes here. Use half the amount of buttermilk that the recipe calls for (½ cup of buttermilk for 1 cup butter). If you have buttermilk and applesauce on hand, try a mixture of the two. Use ¼ serving of buttermilk and a ¼ serving of applesauce to equal 1 serving of butter (¼ cup buttermilk + ¼ cup applesauce = 1 cup butter).
Plain Greek Yogurt In addition to buttermilk, plain Greek Yogurt is another tasty alternative that offers a lot of moisture and a little tang. Due to the thicker texture, it adds a bit more of a velvety rich texture than buttermilk. Greek yogurt also adds a little protein boost! For a recipe that calls for more than ½ a cup of butter, use half the amount of Greek Yogurt (½ cup of Greek yogurt for 1 cup butter). In recipes that call for ½ cup (or less) of butter, you can use an even 1:1 exchange of Greek yogurt (½ cup yogurt for ½ cup butter).
Nut Butters Nut butters are a fun choice when you need a butter substitute, but also want to play with some new flavor combinations. Almond butter, cashew butter, and even plain old peanut butter can all be used. When choosing a nut butter, consider the flavor and how it will complement the other flavors in the recipe. Almond butter and cashew butter have milder tastes, while peanut butter is stronger. Even though nut butters are high in fat, they also contain protein and carbs. Therefore, to get the best results as a substitute combine it with oil. Mix a 50/50 split of nut butter with oil and use it as a 1:1 ratio for butter (½ cup nut butter + ½ cup oil for 1 cup butter). This substitute will result in a denser baked good, so it is best suited for bread, muffins, and cookies. The Best Butter Substitutes for Cooking Beyond baking, butter is used just as much in cooking. It is primarily used to sauté vegetables, cook meats, and add flavor. It can also be used to help create a roux when making a sauce or stew. Any Oil Overall, oil is the easiest and best option to use as a butter replacement in cooking. Unlike baking, you can use any oil as a substitute for butter in a 1:1 exchange when cooking. Keep in mind that certain oils have a noticeable flavor (like coconut) that will affect your recipe results. Buttermilk & Greek Yogurt In addition to oil, dairy substitutes are also good substitutes for butter in cooking. However, these are best used at the end of the cooking process. Use both to add a rich and velvety texture to a sauce or soup. Greek Yogurt is also a great substitute for butter in mashed potatoes! For the best results, add buttermilk or Greek Yogurt after you have removed the pan from the heat. On the other hand, if you need butter to mix ingredients for something like a casserole, buttermilk, and Greek Yogurt can be cooked into a casserole. Begin by using ½ the amount of both these substitutes; add more if needed. DIY Butter (or Heavy Cream) Once again, a quick homemade butter will give you the best result in any dish. If you don’t want to take time to whip it up though, you can use heavy cream in liquid form as a substitute. This will not work for every recipe, but if the purpose of the butter is to add rich flavor and texture to a soup, stew, or sauce – try adding in a little splash of cream. Cooking SubstitutesHerb & Spice SubstitutesBaking SubstitutesApple Cider VinegarBay LeafTapioca StarchSesame OilRosemary (Fresh & Dried)CornmealMarsala WineTurmericPotato StarchDijon MustardCelery SaltCoconut SugarHorseradishTarragonButtermilkRed Wine VinegarCardamom Brown SugarMasa HarinaPaprikaArrowroot PowderCream Cheese Chili PowderCornflourCreme FraicheCilantroShorteningWorcestershire SauceVanilla ExtractShallotsLemon ExtractMore great substitute pages to help you out with all of your cooking and baking! We wish you the best with your recipe and hope you found the perfect substitute for butter! Let us know which substitute you tried in the comments below!

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

📋 Recipe

Print Recipe Leave A Comment Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It! 5 from 14 reviews

Butter Substitute: Homemade Butter (+More Great Alternatives!)

If you need a butter substitute look no further, we’ve found all the best ingredients that can replace butter and everyone will be none-the-wiser! Butter is a key ingredient so don’t go without, find the right alternative so you can enjoy all your delicious recipes without missing a beat!

Author | Angela

Servings: 8 servings Calories: 101kcal Prep 10 minutes Cooking 0 minutes Total Time 5 minutes

Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Ingredients US CustomaryMetric1x2x3x▢ 2 cups heavy cream▢ 1 pinch salt (optional)

InstructionsPour your heavy cream into a food processor or blender.2 cups heavy creamMix the cream on high speed until it comes together into a butter consistency that is separated from the liquid buttermilk.1 pinch saltStrain the buttermilk from the butter, then rinse the butter in cool tap water to finish removing the buttermilk.Add the optional salt and mix it in. Transfer your homemade butter into a plastic storage container and use like store-bought. Equipment You May Needfood processorMeasuring CupsSilicone Spatula Set Notes Yields ½ cup butter = 1 stick or 8 servings of 1 tablespoon each. Strain the liquid into a jar to save the 1 cup buttermilk that is also produced. Keep your DIY butter refrigerated between use.

Angela @ BakeItWithLove.comAngela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma’s kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love! bakeitwithlove.com/about/

All of the best amazingly easy options for swapping out butter in any recipe!

Ah, butter. Nothing quite beats the rich, delicious taste of creamy butter!

While there are many versatile foods, few are equally as delicious on their own and when added to other ingredients. Whether spread on a piece of toast for breakfast or the base for a decadent chocolate chip cookie, butter is simply the best.

What is Butter?

Even though butter is one of the most beloved foods around the world, you may not know what is used to make butter.

Butter is a dairy product. It is made from churning (or heavily mixing) heavy cream. As a result of being made from cream, butter has a high fat content that is perfect for many recipes.

The Difference Between Butter and Other Fats

Compared to other fats used in cooking, like oil, butter has higher water content. This is important to understand when looking for a substitute.

Butter is about 80% fat and 20% water. On the other hand, oils (vegetable, canola, olive, coconut, etc.) are 100% fat with zero water content.

While the water content does not impact some recipes, it does impact the overall texture and consistency of baked goods. Therefore, it is helpful to keep it in mind when looking for a substitute.

How to Make Butter

Even though butter was a common food to make decades ago, most households today now buy it at the grocery store. When you run out of butter and you still want that real butter taste, consider making your own.

To make butter at home all you need is a food processor or standing mixer (like a KitchenAid) and heavy cream. Yup, just one ingredient (plus salt if you would like).

You can use as much heavy cream as you would like, but 2 cups is a good starting point.

Pour 2 cups heavy cream into a food processor or mixer.Mix the cream on high until it turns into butter (you will know when it is done. Just keep mixing it until it resembles something you would spread on toast).Strain off the liquid (buttermilk) and rinse in cool water.Add a pinch of salt if you would like and mix in.

Once you have homemade butter, remove it from the mixer and put it in a container with a lid. You can use the butter right away or store it in the fridge until you need it.

Your easy DIY butter can be used in the same way as store-bought butter!

While homemade butter is the most delicious substitute, if you don’t have heavy cream on hand then you will not be able to make homemade butter. In that case, check out these amazing substitutes for butter!

The Best Butter Substitutes for Baking

Butter is a key ingredient in many baking recipes. Therefore, you can’t simply leave it out. If you are out of butter though or prefer a non-dairy alternative, you can easily swap it out for another ingredient.

1. Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil)

Like butter, vegetable oil is also used as the primary fat in baked goods. Therefore, it is one of the easiest and best substitutes for butter (in baking and cooking).

While oil provides a similar fat content to the recipe, it does not provide the water content that butter does. Therefore, oil-based baked goods will be a bit denser than if made with butter.

Use ¾ of the amount of oil when replacing butter (¾ cup oil for 1 cup butter). This substitution can be used in any recipe.

If you have some butter on hand, but not enough for a recipe, you can also do a 50/50 split (½ cup oil + ½ cup butter for 1 cup butter). This will give you some of the lightness of the butter.

2. Olive Oil

Olive oil gets used a lot in cooking, but not everyone knows it can also be a good choice for baking. Olive oil works the same way as vegetable oil when used as a butter substitute.

One thing to remember about olive oil is that the flavor is more distinct than vegetable oil. Therefore, it will add a savory element to your baked goods.

Use ¾ the amount of olive oil in place of 1 serving of butter (¾ cup olive oil for 1 cup butter).

3. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is another tasty option for a high fat substitute. The overall structure of coconut oil is slightly different than other oils though. Therefore, it can be used in a 1:1 exchange.

Due to its distinct flavor, coconut oil is best suited for sweet recipes.

Use 1 cup of coconut oil for 1 cup of butter in most recipes (measure the coconut oil in its solid form, not melted).

4. Applesauce (unsweetened)

Applesauce is a popular substitute for butter when you want to lower the fat content in a recipe. It acts as a binder and helps add moisture.

However, the lack of fat in applesauce creates a denser final baked good. Therefore, it is best used in recipes like zucchini bread, banana bread, or cookies. If aren’t looking for a low-fat substitute, then a higher fat alternative will offer you a consistency that is closer to the original recipe.

Use half the amount of applesauce that your recipe calls for (½ cup applesauce for every 1 cup butter).

If you have a little butter available, you can also use a 50/50 split of applesauce and butter (½ cup applesauce + ½ cup butter for 1 cup butter).

Another option is to do a 50/50 split with buttermilk.

One more thing to keep in mind is that many applesauce recipes have additional sugar; therefore, aim to use unsweetened applesauce or leave out some of the sugar the recipe calls for.

5. Mashed Banana (and other fruits)

Mashed bananas act in the same way that applesauce does. In addition to bananas, you can also use other fruits like prunes.

Overly ripe bananas (the ones that are going brown) work best, but any banana you have on hand will do. Like applesauce, this works best for quick breads and cookies since it will make a denser baked good.

Be mindful that bananas have a stronger natural flavor than applesauce; therefore, it will add a hint of banana to the final product.

Note on Mashed Fruit Substitutes

The great thing about fruit substitutes is that they are easy to find and use. One thing to note is that fruit substitutes will not result in a crispy outside.

If you like a chocolate chip cookie with a crispy outside and gooey center, opt to use oil as your butter substitute instead.

6. Mashed Avocado

Avocado is a bit more expensive than applesauce or bananas, but it is an amazing substitute for butter because it has a similar fat content. This provides a rich and creamy base for any baked good.

Avocados also have a more neutral flavor profile than other fruits. It will take on the other flavors around it, especially chocolate!

Avocado can be used in an even 1:1 exchange for butter (1 cup avocado for 1 cup butter).

For the best results, give the avocado a whirl in the food processor to make it super smooth.

7. Mashed Vegetables

Starchy vegetables like pumpkin and sweet potato work in the same way as mashed fruit. They both help bind the ingredients in the same way butter does. They will also react the same way, with a denser baked good.

Pureed pumpkin and mashed sweet potatoes both have strong flavors and colors that can impact the overall recipe. If using either of these, make sure the color and flavor will enrich the overall recipe.

Use ¾ the amount of pureed pumpkin or mashed sweet potato (¾ cup for 1 cup of butter).

8. Buttermilk

Buttermilk is a super easy swap for butter. It adds a ton of moisture, and the tanginess is a nice addition to the flavor of many recipes. Even if you don’t have buttermilk in your fridge, you can make your own buttermilk in 15 minutes.

To make your own buttermilk, just mix 1 cup of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit until it curdles, then use as buttermilk.

*Use milk, half & half, or heavy cream to make your buttermilk. For more options you can read all about buttermilk substitutes here.

Use half the amount of buttermilk that the recipe calls for (½ cup of buttermilk for 1 cup butter).

If you have buttermilk and applesauce on hand, try a mixture of the two. Use ¼ serving of buttermilk and a ¼ serving of applesauce to equal 1 serving of butter (¼ cup buttermilk + ¼ cup applesauce = 1 cup butter).

9. Plain Greek Yogurt

In addition to buttermilk, plain Greek Yogurt is another tasty alternative that offers a lot of moisture and a little tang. Due to the thicker texture, it adds a bit more of a velvety rich texture than buttermilk.

Greek yogurt also adds a little protein boost!

For a recipe that calls for more than ½ a cup of butter, use half the amount of Greek Yogurt (½ cup of Greek yogurt for 1 cup butter).

In recipes that call for ½ cup (or less) of butter, you can use an even 1:1 exchange of Greek yogurt (½ cup yogurt for ½ cup butter).

10. Nut Butters

Nut butters are a fun choice when you need a butter substitute, but also want to play with some new flavor combinations. Almond butter, cashew butter, and even plain old peanut butter can all be used.

When choosing a nut butter, consider the flavor and how it will complement the other flavors in the recipe. Almond butter and cashew butter have milder tastes, while peanut butter is stronger.

Even though nut butters are high in fat, they also contain protein and carbs. Therefore, to get the best results as a substitute combine it with oil. Mix a 50/50 split of nut butter with oil and use it as a 1:1 ratio for butter (½ cup nut butter + ½ cup oil for 1 cup butter).

This substitute will result in a denser baked good, so it is best suited for bread, muffins, and cookies.

The Best Butter Substitutes for Cooking

Beyond baking, butter is used just as much in cooking. It is primarily used to sauté vegetables, cook meats, and add flavor. It can also be used to help create a roux when making a sauce or stew.

Any Oil

Overall, oil is the easiest and best option to use as a butter replacement in cooking. Unlike baking, you can use any oil as a substitute for butter in a 1:1 exchange when cooking.

Keep in mind that certain oils have a noticeable flavor (like coconut) that will affect your recipe results.

Buttermilk & Greek Yogurt

In addition to oil, dairy substitutes are also good substitutes for butter in cooking. However, these are best used at the end of the cooking process.

Use both to add a rich and velvety texture to a sauce or soup. Greek Yogurt is also a great substitute for butter in mashed potatoes! For the best results, add buttermilk or Greek Yogurt after you have removed the pan from the heat.

On the other hand, if you need butter to mix ingredients for something like a casserole, buttermilk, and Greek Yogurt can be cooked into a casserole.

Begin by using ½ the amount of both these substitutes; add more if needed.

DIY Butter (or Heavy Cream)

Once again, a quick homemade butter will give you the best result in any dish. If you don’t want to take time to whip it up though, you can use heavy cream in liquid form as a substitute.

This will not work for every recipe, but if the purpose of the butter is to add rich flavor and texture to a soup, stew, or sauce – try adding in a little splash of cream.

We wish you the best with your recipe and hope you found the perfect substitute for butter! Let us know which substitute you tried in the comments below!

📋 Recipe

Print Recipe Leave A Comment Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It! 5 from 14 reviews

Butter Substitute: Homemade Butter (+More Great Alternatives!)

Author | Angela

Servings: 8 servings Calories: 101kcal Prep 10 minutes Cooking 0 minutes Total Time 5 minutes

Pin Recipe Share on Facebook Ingredients US CustomaryMetric1x2x3x▢ 2 cups heavy cream▢ 1 pinch salt (optional)

Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!

5 from 14 reviews

Butter Substitute: Homemade Butter (+More Great Alternatives!)

Author | Angela

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 101kcal

Prep 10 minutes

Cooking 0 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients US CustomaryMetric1x2x3x▢ 2 cups heavy cream▢ 1 pinch salt (optional)

Equipment You May Needfood processorMeasuring CupsSilicone Spatula Set

Notes Yields ½ cup butter = 1 stick or 8 servings of 1 tablespoon each. Strain the liquid into a jar to save the 1 cup buttermilk that is also produced. Keep your DIY butter refrigerated between use.

Nutrition

Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!

Course Condiments, SubstitutionsCuisine American

US CustomaryMetric

What is Butter?#

The Difference Between Butter and Other Fats#

How to Make Butter#

The Best Butter Substitutes for Baking#

1. Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil)#

2. Olive Oil#

3. Coconut Oil#

4. Applesauce (unsweetened)#

5. Mashed Banana (and other fruits)#

Note on Mashed Fruit Substitutes#

6. Mashed Avocado#

7. Mashed Vegetables#

8. Buttermilk#

9. Plain Greek Yogurt#

10. Nut Butters#

The Best Butter Substitutes for Cooking#

Any Oil#

Buttermilk & Greek Yogurt#

DIY Butter (or Heavy Cream)#

📋 Recipe#

Butter Substitute: Homemade Butter (+More Great Alternatives!)#

Nutrition#

What is Butter?

The Difference Between Butter and Other Fats

How to Make Butter

The Best Butter Substitutes for Baking

1. Vegetable Oil (Canola Oil)

2. Olive Oil

3. Coconut Oil

4. Applesauce (unsweetened)

5. Mashed Banana (and other fruits)

Note on Mashed Fruit Substitutes

6. Mashed Avocado

7. Mashed Vegetables

8. Buttermilk

9. Plain Greek Yogurt

10. Nut Butters

The Best Butter Substitutes for Cooking

Any Oil

Buttermilk & Greek Yogurt

DIY Butter (or Heavy Cream)

📋 Recipe

Butter Substitute: Homemade Butter (+More Great Alternatives!)

Nutrition