Best Substitutes for Butter
What replaces butter best depends on whether you’re baking, sautéing, or spreading.
Best overall swap
Vegetable or canola oil
3/4 cup oil per 1 cup butterGreat for moist cakes and quick breads; baked goods will be denser and less flaky.
All Substitutes for Butter
Vegetable or canola oil
3/4 cup oil per 1 cup butterGreat for moist cakes and quick breads; baked goods will be denser and less flaky.
Coconut oil
1:1Solid at room temperature like butter, making it a close swap in cookies and pie crust.
Applesauce (partial swap)
Replace up to half the butter with applesauceCuts fat and adds moisture; best combined with some real butter or oil for texture.
Vegan butter/margarine
1:1The most direct like-for-like swap in both baking and cooking.