If you’ve ever been halfway through a recipe and realized you’re out of coconut oil, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too — standing in the kitchen, mixing bowl ready, and suddenly realizing the jar is empty. That’s when the hunt begins for a good coconut oil substitute. And trust me, there are plenty of options, but the trick is knowing which substitute works best depending on whether you’re cooking, frying, or baking.
Now, coconut oil has earned its spot as a pantry favorite because of its mild flavor, high smoke point, and, let’s be honest, the “health halo” it carries. But you don’t need to panic if you don’t have it on hand. The right substitute can step in and do the job just as well, sometimes even better. Let’s walk through the best choices, with a mix of personal kitchen experience and a little bit of science.
Butter – The Classic Swap
Let’s start with the obvious one: butter. If your recipe calls for coconut oil and you want richness plus that melt-in-your-mouth texture, butter is a no-brainer. It works beautifully in cookies, cakes, and pastries.
A little trick I use: when baking, use unsalted butter if you don’t want to mess with the flavor profile. But if you’re doing something savory, salted butter can actually boost the dish.
One thing to note though — butter has a lower smoke point compared to coconut oil. That means it’s not the best choice for high-heat frying, but in baking or stovetop cooking at medium heat? Perfect.
Olive Oil – The Heart-Healthy Choice
Sometimes people forget that olive oil can be a solid coconut oil substitute, especially in recipes where flavor isn’t shy. Olive oil brings its own personality to the dish — fruity, sometimes peppery, and definitely noticeable.
I’ll be honest, I don’t use olive oil for baking cookies or cakes because the flavor can get in the way. But for sautéing vegetables, roasting potatoes, or even mixing into a salad dressing, olive oil is gold. It’s also much easier to find than coconut oil, so if your pantry is more “Mediterranean” than “tropical,” this swap makes sense.
Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil – The Neutral Workhorses
If you’re after a coconut oil substitute that won’t compete with other flavors, go with plain vegetable oil or canola oil. These are neutral, affordable, and they get the job done.
I once baked a banana bread with canola oil instead of coconut oil, and honestly, nobody could tell the difference. The bread was moist, fluffy, and had no “off” flavors. That’s why these oils are my go-to when I don’t want the fat to make a statement.
They also hold up well under heat, so you can fry with them, something coconut oil is often used for.
Ghee – Nutty and Aromatic
If you’ve cooked with ghee before, you know it brings a nutty depth that plain butter doesn’t. It’s like butter but with superpowers. As a coconut oil substitute, ghee works in almost everything — curries, sautéed dishes, even baked goods if you don’t mind a subtle nutty undertone.
The beauty of ghee is its high smoke point. That means you can fry or stir-fry without worrying about burning, something that makes it an even stronger contender than butter when it comes to high-heat cooking.
Avocado Oil – The Modern Favorite
Here’s one that’s becoming more popular: avocado oil. It’s smooth, neutral enough, and loaded with healthy fats. As a coconut oil substitute, it’s almost too good because it can handle both cooking and baking without fuss.
I like using avocado oil in things like muffins or pancakes — you get the fat and moisture without changing the flavor. The only drawback? It’s pricier than most other oils on this list. But if you already have it in your pantry, it’s one of the best swaps you can make.
Applesauce – The Health Hack
Now, this one’s a bit unconventional. If your goal is to cut down on fat in baking, unsweetened applesauce makes a surprisingly effective coconut oil substitute.
I’ve used it in brownies before, and while the texture was a little different (more cakey, less fudgy), the flavor was spot on. Applesauce adds moisture without adding extra oil, making it great for anyone watching calories or saturated fat.
The rule of thumb? Replace half or all of the coconut oil with applesauce in baked goods, but don’t try frying with it. That’s just asking for trouble.
When Choosing a Substitute, Think Context
Here’s the thing: there isn’t one “best” coconut oil substitute that works for everything. It depends on what you’re cooking.
- For baking cakes and cookies: Butter, canola oil, or applesauce.
- For frying or sautéing: Ghee, avocado oil, or vegetable oil.
- For dishes where flavor matters: Olive oil, especially for savory meals.
One mistake I’ve made before is assuming a substitute would work in any recipe. That’s not true. A batch of cupcakes made with olive oil tasted more like bread, and let’s just say my friends weren’t impressed. Lesson learned.
Why You Might Want a Substitute Anyway
Some people avoid coconut oil for dietary reasons — maybe they don’t like the flavor, or they’re cutting down on saturated fat. Others just run out of it (like me on that banana bread day). Whatever the reason, it’s good to know you have plenty of backup options.
And honestly, once you start experimenting with substitutes, you might realize you like them better than the original. For example, I now prefer using ghee in stir-fries because of the depth it adds, even though coconut oil works fine too.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is this: running out of coconut oil doesn’t mean you have to ditch your recipe. From butter to olive oil, ghee to applesauce, there’s a coconut oil substitute for every situation.
The trick is matching the right substitute to the recipe. High-heat frying? Go with ghee or avocado oil. Baking something sweet? Butter, vegetable oil, or even applesauce can step in.
So next time you’re staring at an empty jar of coconut oil, don’t panic. Just look around your kitchen, pick the substitute that makes sense, and keep cooking.
And who knows — you might just find a new favorite.
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