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What can I use instead of butter?
Best substitute for 1 cup butter
7/8 cup vegetable oil
Vegetable oil — For baking; use 7/8 cup per cup of butter.
cups
Amounts below are for 1 cup butter
6 substitutes for butter
| Substitute | Use this much | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetable oil | 7/8 cup vegetable oil | For baking; use 7/8 cup per cup of butter. |
| Olive oil | 3/4 cup olive oil | Best in savory bakes. |
| Coconut oil | 1 cup coconut oil | 1:1; solid like butter. |
| Margarine | 1 cup margarine | 1:1 straight swap. |
| Greek yogurt | 1/2 cup Greek yogurt | Replace up to half the butter to cut fat. |
| Applesauce | 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce | Replace up to half; adds moisture. |
Butter adds flavor, structure and moisture. For baking you can swap in oils or other fats - just mind the ratio, since oil is 100% fat and butter is not.
Tips
- For baking, swap butter with 7/8 cup oil per cup.
- For frying, high-smoke-point oils beat butter.
FAQ
- How much oil replaces a cup of butter?
- Use about 7/8 cup (3/4 cup + 2 tbsp) of oil per cup of butter in baking.
- Can I bake without butter?
- Yes - oil, coconut oil, or half applesauce all work depending on the recipe.