Coconut oil has become a very popular ingredient in many recipes in recent years. However, if you are allergic to coconut or just don’t like the taste of coconut oil, then you will need to substitute it with another ingredient.
Even if you like coconut oil, there may be times when you don’t have enough coconut oil in your cupboard to complete your baking.
That’s why in this article, we will look at seven substitutes for coconut oil. We’ve picked a range of substitutes, from common ingredients to rarer ones, and will tell you the best use for each one.
1. Almond Oil
Almond oil is low in saturated fats and can even help improve the health of your heart. The nutty flavor of the almond oil makes almond oil an excellent substitution for coconut oil when baking.
The nutty flavors complement the sweetness found in baked goods and if you’re making a cake that already has nuts in it, almond oil will only enhance that.
As well as baking, you can use almond oil for roasting and frying, also. In many ways, it can be used as a straight substitute for coconut oil.
2. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil isn’t as common an ingredient as some of the others on the list and it is one of the more exclusive and expensive options. It’s very healthy, however, so it’s worth consideration as a coconut oil substitute.
It’s especially suited for replacing coconut oil in curries due to its creamy texture. We would also recommend it for use in soups and salads, as well as for grilling and sauteing.
It has a light and fresh flavor that makes it suitable for a wide range of dishes.
3. Butter
If you don’t mind some dairy in your diet, then butter is arguably the best substitute for coconut oil that you can find. There are various butter substitutes available for those looking for dairy-free options as well.
Butter has very similar properties to coconut oil as it is also solid at room temperature and melts as the temperature rises. Butter will give you a flavor that is richer and more savory than coconut oil.
You should use butter in the same quantities as coconut oil. It’s best used for baking and gives you baked goods a moist and chewy texture.
4. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is a healthy option as it can lower cholesterol. It has polyunsaturated fats unlike many other cooking oils, and these can help your heart and body.
Grapeseed oil has a high smoking point and this makes it a great substitution for coconut oil when you’re frying or roasting. It also works very well for dressings as grapeseed oil has a clean flavor that won’t overpower your other flavors.
5. Olive Oil
Most kitchens have a bottle of olive oil (see also ‘7 Olive Oil Substitutes‘) so this is an easy substitution to make for coconut oil.
It has a strong flavor so we wouldn’t recommend it in baked goods as it will influence the taste. Olive oil is generally healthier than coconut oil though so it does have its benefits.
Instead of using olive oil in baked goods, we would recommend using it in situations that require either low heat or no heat at all, such as salad dressings and sauteing.
Olive oil can also be used in place of coconut oil in non-cooking situations too, such as hair and face masks. It can be used in the same quantities as coconut oil would be.
6. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil isn’t the healthiest substitution for coconut oil that’s on this list, but it is high in vitamin E. This is an antioxidant that can help fight viruses by neutralizing bacteria and keeping your blood vessels healthy.
Like many other oils on this list, sunflower oil is best in only certain circumstances. It’s not really suited as an ingredient in baked goods but can be used for frying.
When frying in sunflower oil, it can help make your food crispy on the outside yet soft and succulent on the inside.
7. Vegetable Oil
In many situations, vegetable oil (see also ‘What Can You Substitute For Vegetable Oil?‘) can be substituted for coconut oil. It has a neutral flavor so it won’t overpower any other flavors in your cooking and it’s a cheaper alternative than many other substitutes on this list.
It’s not as healthy as some other options, but it’s not bad for you either.
Although vegetable oil isn’t the best choice for including in baked goods, it’s great for deep-frying, stir-frying, and sauteing.
Final Thoughts
There are many different reasons why you may need a substitute for coconut oil when cooking.
In this article, we listed seven substitutes for oil and included both dairy and non-dairy options. Some of the substitutions are suitable for baking (see also ‘8 Best Substitutes For Cream Of Tartar‘) whereas others are best for frying and roasting only.
Whatever you need a coconut oil substitute for, we hope that this article has been helpful.
7 Substitutes For Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is great for cooking, but it can be hard to replace in the kitchen. Here are seven substitutes for coconut oil
Ingredients
Almond Oil
Avocado Oil
Butter
Grapeseed Oil
Olive Oil
Sunflower Oil
Vegetable Oil
Directions
- Decided on what substitute you need
- Pick a substitute from the list above
- Read what you need to substitute with
- Create the recipe and enjoy
Recipe Video
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