Coconut oil is helpful for many of my sweet and savory recipes, but what can you do when you run out or can’t find it in your local store? If you’re looking for the best substitute for coconut oil, here are seven options to choose from!
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What is Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is a wonderful ingredient for cooking, baking, and even skincare products. It is made when the oil is extracted from the meat and milk of the coconut fruit. It has recently become incredibly trendy for its fantastic health benefits, including its antioxidant properties!
7 Best Substitute for Coconut Oil
Simply swap the coconut oil in the recipe for a 1:1 substitution of the chosen substitute unless otherwise stated.
1. Avocado Oil
The top of the list for healthy coconut oil alternatives is avocado oil. Avocado oil is made when the pulp of an avocado is pressed.
Pros:
- Neutral flavor
- High smoking point
- It’s one of the healthiest oils and contains vitamin E, omega-3, omega-6, and a healthy fat called oleic acid.
Cons:
- Hefty price tag
- Hard to find in some smaller stores
What is avocado oil best used for?
Use in almost any recipe, such as stir-frys, roasting veggies, frying, and baking. For example, you can use avocado oil instead of coconut oil in my ginger scallion sauce recipe.
2. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is a slightly ambiguous term for oil from plants such as canola, corn, soy, or sunflower.
Pros:
- Neutral flavor
- High smoke point
- Affordable alternative to coconut oil
Cons:
- Few health benefits compared to coconut oil
What is vegetable oil best used for?
You can use vegetable oil for frying, baking, stir-frying or deep frying as it is affordable and has a high smoke point. For example, you can use vegetable oil instead of coconut oil in this super easy pad thai recipe!
3. Sunflower Oil
This flavorless oil made from sunflower seeds is a good alternative if you avoid mixed vegetable oil.
Pros:
- Affordable option
- Mild flavor
- High smoke point
- Easy to find in almost any food shop.
Cons:
- Few health benefits
What is sunflower oil best used for?
You can use sunflower oil as a coconut oil substitute in the same way as vegetable oil. For example, you can use sunflower oil instead of coconut oil in my tasty Instant Pot Thai red curry recipe. As this curry recipe also uses coconut milk, you can use a flavorless oil substitute without compromising the curry’s flavor.
4. Almond Oil
Almond oil, made from the seeds of the sweet almond, is an excellent alternative for any recipe where you want to keep the nutty taste of coconut oil.
Pros:
- Adds a gorgeous nutty flavor to any recipe
- Contains healthy benefits from monounsaturated fats and vitamin E
Cons:
- The distinct flavor is not always desirable
- Not suitable for those with a nut allergy
- It can be a little harder to find in small grocery stores
What is almond oil best used for?
Almond oil works well in baked goods, or you can use it in dressings or as a frying oil. For example, add a nutty edge to this quick Korean kimchi fried rice recipe to mix things up!
5. Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil is perhaps one of the more trendy oils on this list. It is made from a cannabis plant and is usually dark to light green.
Pros:
- Health benefits include being rich in omegas
- Hemp oil gives your cooking a tasty nutty, and earthy flavor
Cons:
- It can be hard to find in stores
- The flavor may overpower some ingredients in the original recipe
What is hemp seed oil best used for?
Hemp seed oil adds an earthy and nutty flavor to your dressing, sauce, or marinade recipes.
However, it is a little strong in flavor, so I recommend using ½ of the usual amount of coconut oil and then giving your recipe a quick taste test. Suppose the hemp seed flavor isn’t overpowering the other flavors. In that case, you can add the remaining quantity of coconut oil as hemp seed oil. Otherwise, use a flavorless oil, such as vegetable oil, for the other ½.
6. Butter
Add some richness to your meats and veggies, or bake using butter as your fat element.
Pros:
- Butter melts at high temperatures like coconut oil
Cons:
- Not suitable for those on a dairy-free or vegan diet
- Butter is one of the more expensive alternatives
- Butter has a distinctive fatty flavor (which may be a pro in some dishes but won’t suit all recipes)
- Butter is not suitable for deep frying
What is butter best used for?
Butter is the best substitute for baking. However, you can also use a small knob of butter when sautéing meat, onions, or other vegetables in a saucepan to give them a gorgeous rich buttery flavor. For example, you can use butter instead of coconut oil in this better than takeout beef and broccoli recipe to sauté the onions and garlic and sear the meat.
7. Applesauce
Who knew simple puréed apples could be so helpful in baking? Use a homemade or unsweetened store-bought option.
Pros:
- Suitable for almost any dietary restrictions
- Applesauce adds moisture to any baked good
Cons:
- Applesauce may make the recipe slightly too sweet
- It has a distinctive flavor that may alter the taste of your recipe
What is applesauce best used for?
Applesauce is an excellent lower-fat and vegan alternative to coconut oil in baking. However, if you are worried about the baked goods being a little soggy or spongy, use half apple sauce and half vegetable oil to combat this texture difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What can I use instead of coconut oil when baking?
Butter is probably the best coconut oil substitution for baking if you can eat dairy. However, you can still bake without coconut oil as a vegan or someone avoiding dairy by using applesauce or a flavorless oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil.
2. What is the best substitute for coconut oil for frying?
You can use any oil with a high smoke point for frying. Options include avocado oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, peanut oil, or vegetable oil.
3. Can I use olive oil instead of coconut oil?
Although you can use olive oil as a coconut oil substitute, I recommend choosing a different oil or fat if possible. Olive oil has a distinctive flavor, which can alter your dish’s taste.
The Takeaway
You can use countless substitutions for coconut oils from this list in your cooking. Of course, it depends on the recipe and how you intend to use the coconut oil substitute as to which will work best. As it is affordable, flavorless, and has a high smoking point, vegetable oil is the best all-rounder as it can use used for frying and baking.
So now you don’t need to stress next time you see coconut oil on an ingredient list and don’t have it in your cupboards. And remember, you can always add the coconut flavor to your recipe with alternative ingredients such as coconut flakes!
Did you find this post helpful? Leave a comment and let me know! I’d love to hear from you.
