Substitutes for Vegetable Oil in Baking – You already have them!

What is vegetable oil?

Vegetable oil is a neutral oil that is obtained by extracting oil from plants. It is often used in baking as a moistening agent because of its light, subtle flavor. Vegetable oil has numerous uses, and most of us are very well accustomed to using it for baking. Vegetable oil is predominantly used in baking as it keeps the baked goods tender and moist. Nonetheless, it is also used for roasting, deep-frying, and cooking. It adds flavor to your dish and can be cooked at high temperatures as it has a high smoke point. Vegetable oil isn’t very healthy as it is highly processed and refined.

If you’ve run out of vegetable oil or you’re avoiding it for health or waistline reasons, or you simply ran out of it – worry not, for we’ve got you covered!

Here, we’ve combined some convenient yet excellent substitutes for vegetable oil that’ll surely match your needs and preferences.

What can you Substitute for Vegetable Oil?

Here’s a list of products you can substitute for vegetable oil:

1. Butter
2. Canola Oil
3. Olive Oil
4. Avocado Oil
5. Coconut Oil
6. Grapeseed Oil
7. Sunflower Oil
8. Flaxseed Oil
9. Sesame Oil
10. Applesauce
11. Ghee
12. Yogurt

1. Butter

For this substitute, you need:

• 5^1/3 tbsp of butter per cup of vegetable oil

Butter is found in almost everyone’s household as it is ubiquitous. And it is an excellent substitute for vegetable oil in baking. Use in equal amount as of vegetable oil.

2. Canola Oil

For this substitute, you need:

• 1 cup canola oil per cup of vegetable oil

Canola oil comes from canola, and as it is flavorless, it is perfect for baking. Canola oil has a high smoke point. As it is neutral, it works well as a replacement for vegetable oil. It is best for brownies and barbecuing.

3. Olive Oil

For this substitute, you need:

• 1 cup of olive oil per cup of vegetable oil

Olive oil is very healthy as it is made from the fruit of an olive tree. It works perfect for salad dressing or marinades but should be avoided in baking due to its strong flavor. It consists of fatty acids that help reduce the risk of heart disease.

4. Avocado Oil

For this substitute, you need:

• 1 cup of avocado oil for 1 cup of vegetable oil

Avocado comes from the fruit of the avocado tree. It has a silky texture and a mild grassy flavor. It has a high smoke point and is an excellent choice for grilling, frying, or roasting.

5. Coconut Oil

For this substitute, you need:

• 1 cup of coconut oil per cup of vegetable oil

Coconut oil is used as a vegan alternative for butter. It has a high smoke point. It is solid at room temperature and melts when heated. It’s best to use it when in liquid form. Its subtle flavor works well for brownies, cakes, cookies, and muffins.

6. Grapeseed Oil

For this substitute, you need:

• 1 cup of grapeseed oil per cup of vegetable oil

Grapeseed oil is a healthy substitute for vegetable oil. It has a high smoke point. It is perfect for broiling, sauces, marinades, dressing, grilling, and stir-frying.

7. Sunflower Oil

For this substitute, you need:

• 1 cup of sunflower oil per cup of vegetable oil

As sunflower oil is the main ingredient in vegetable oils and it is neutral, it is suitable for almost all recipes. It is usually affordable and keeps the baked goods moist. It is high in vitamin E

8. Flaxseed Oil

For this substitute, you need:

• 1 cup of flaxseed oil per cup of vegetable oil

Flaxseed oil is also known as linseed oil and is obtained from dried, ripened seeds of the flax plant. As it cannot withstand high heat, it is not suitable for cooking or frying but works well for baking and dressings.

9. Sesame Oil

For this substitute, you need:

• 1 cup of sesame oil per cup of vegetable oil

Sesame Oil is a tasty and healthy replacement for vegetable oil, especially in stir-fried food and sauces, as well as seasonings, though it is often overlooked. It is not a very popular choice in baking because of its strong smell.

10. Applesauce

For this substitute, you need:

• 1/2 cup of applesauce per cup of vegetable oil

Applesauce is an excellent substitute for vegetable oil in baked goods, specifically in muffins, cakes, and cookies, as it adds moisture and has fewer calories than vegetable oil. Because of its sweetness, you will have to reduce the quantity of sugar.

11. Ghee

For this substitute, you need:

• 4 tbsp of ghee per cup of vegetable oil

Ghee is a form of clarified milk, which means that all the milk solids and water has been removed. It is suitable for baking as well as cooking because of its nutty flavor and high smoke point.

12. Yogurt

For this substitute, you need:

• 1 cup of yogurt per cup of vegetable oil

Yogurt is a dairy product having a creamy texture and a slightly tangy taste. If you’re baking, you can use yogurt as a substitute for vegetable oil. Mostly plain yogurt is recommended for recipes, but you can use it in vanilla flavor to add a bit of flavor.

Conclusion

No wonder, vegetable oil is excellent for baked goods. It comes with many benefits and is a necessity. But what to do when you are allergic to it, or you’re avoiding it for health reasons, or you don’t like the taste, or you just ran out of it? At this time, comes the savior, substitute for vegetable oil that works the same but is in your favor. So, the next time you don’t have any vegetable oil at hand or stored in your pantry, you know what to do. Try one of these natural and quick alternatives for vegetable oil and rock your recipe. In my opinion, butter works best as a replacement for it, and mostly everyone has it stored.

FUN FACT: Before you go to bed, rub your feet with vegetable oil and put on a pair of socks. Your feet will be soft and silky smooth when you wake up.

Have a nice day ahead!