What is the best substitute for coconut oil? Whether you’re in a pinch and you just ran out of coconut oil or you need another option for another reason, we’ve got you covered. Below we’ll go through 18 of the best substitutes for coconut oil as well as their uses and smoke point. Meaning what temperature can they reach before they begin to burn or smoke. We’ll also explain how to make homemade coconut oil.
What is coconut oil?
Coconut oil is the oil processed from coconut meat and consists of 100% fat, about 80% of which is made up from saturated fat. The fat content is what gives it its firm texture whether it’s cold or at room temperature. When coconut oil is heated, it melts to a liquid form.
Coconut oil has become popular over the last several years because it is vegan and keto friendly. It’s considered a healthy, non-dairy alternative to ingredients such as butter.
Refined or unrefined?
The difference between refined and unrefined coconut oil is in how it’s processed as well as what it’s made from, such as dried coconut or fresh coconut.
Refined coconut oil has a smoking point of 350F degrees, whereas unrefined coconut oil has a smoking point of 392F degrees. These high smoking points make coconut oil a good option for frying as well as for baking and cooking.
18 Best Substitutes for Coconut Oil for Cooking & Baking
Following are the 18 best substitutes for coconut oil for use in cooking and baking. Keep in mind that some of these ingredients will work better on some occasions than others because of their texture, flavor, and smoking point. We recommend reading through and considering all of the options before selecting the best one for your purpose.
Butter
Butter can be used as a 1:1 ratio substitute for coconut oil. Butter is best suited as a replacement in baking items such as cookies, cakes, breads, and such.
When using salted butter in place of coconut oil, it will give your food a bit more of a salty flavor than it would have if coconut oil was used. Coconut oil has a rich but bland flavor.
Regular butter, however, is a dairy product made from cow’s milk, unlike coconut oil which is plant based.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 302F degrees
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is one of the all-around best substitutes for coconut oil. It’s considered one of the healthier options and has a high smoke point. The flavor profile is somewhat bland with a hint of rich, just like avocado oil.
Avocado oil is a popular solution because it’s plant based, just like coconut oil. It’s also keto friendly and is a vegan option.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 520F degrees
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is considered one of the more affordable options that works as a substitute for coconut oil. It’s perfect for sauteing, stir-frying, and deep frying because it has a high smoke point of 400F degrees. Vegetable oil is readily available at most grocery store locations.
Vegetable oil is made from flax seed and has an almost non-existent flavor. The flavor that is there is a slightly sweet flavor. When frying or making baked goods, vegetable oil can be a good substitute for coconut oil.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 400F degrees
Canola Oil
Canola oil works well for grilling and deep frying because it can be heated to a variety of different temperatures. It has quite a neutral flavor, so it works well as a substitute for coconut oil.
Canola oil is made from crushed canola seeds and is considered one of the best oils for heart health because it’s lower in saturated fats than other options.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 400F degrees
Extra virgin olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil has one of the lowest smoke points for the oils that work best as substitutes for coconut oil. So, it’s best for low or no heat cooking.
Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality olive oil available because it’s extracted from olives without the use of any heat or chemicals. It’s also considered the healthiest type of olive oil.
Use caution when substituting extra virgin olive oil for coconut oil as it can alter the flavor of whatever you’re making, depending on the olives used to make it. Some extra virgin olive oil has a bit of a bitter flavor and that varies depending on the variety of olives used.
We recommend using extra virgin olive oil in dishes that are more savory in their flavor.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 374F degrees
Olive Oil
Olive oil is the made from the oil extracted from olives. It can range in flavor depending on the kind of olives used. When using olive oil in place of coconut oil, we recommend tasting it first to determine whether the flavor of your dish will be altered too drastically.
In many cases, the use of olive oil will be a good substitute, as some varieties of olive oil don’t have much flavor and taste simply like oil.
We recommend using olive oil for low heat or no heat cooking such as salad dressings and pesto.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 405F degrees
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is great for use in baked things like bread or muffins. It’s made from grapeseeds which are the byproduct of wine making.
Grapeseed oil is a wonderful substitute for coconut oil because it has a neutral flavor as well as a medium to high smoke point which makes it good for a variety of cooking purposes.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 420F degrees
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower Oil is made from sunflower seeds. It has a slight but mild nutty flavor and can be used for a variety of baking, cooking, or frying needs. It works well as a substitute for coconut oil for a variety of uses.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 450F degrees
Almond Oil
Almond oil has a slightly nutty, mild flavor and can be a very pleasant addition to many foods. It’s a decent substitute for coconut oil.
We don’t recommend using unrefined almond oil in cooking because high temperatures can destroy its nutritional value. However, unrefined almond oil works great for finishing or no heat items such as salad dressings.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 450F degrees
Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil tastes a bit nutty or somewhat like sunflower seeds. It works great for bread dips and salad dressings. It can be used in a variety of low heat or no heat dishes.
Hemp seed oil has one of the strongest flavors of the substitutes mentioned here. That’s why we don’t recommend using it in any sweet dishes or items that have a delicate flavor that would potentially become overpowered by hemp’s flavor. When in a pinch, it can be used as a substitute for coconut oil.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 330F degrees
Hazelnut Oil
Hazelnut oil has a slightly sweet flavor, and we’d consider it to have hues of being roasted and nutty. It is another substitute that has more of a defined flavor than that of coconut oil. Therefore, we recommend being particular about what kinds of dishes it’s used for.
Hazelnut oil is a popular addition to foods like cakes, cookies, and other baked goods.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 430F degrees
Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is made from peanuts and has a hint of a delicious nutty flavor. It’s known for the ability to deep fry things and not absorb the flavor of the other foods cooked in the oil.
Peanut oil makes a good substitute for coconut oil for a variety of low heat and high heat purposes. When using peanut oil in place of coconut oil, use a one to one ratio of equal measurements. For example, if your recipe calls for ¼ cup coconut oil, you can use ¼ cup peanut oil in its place.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 450F degrees
Ghee
Ghee tastes a lot like butter, but is often described as being a cleaner, richer version of butter itself, with a slightly nutty flavor. However, ghee performs better than butter does in high heat situations as its smoke point is 482F degrees, compared to butter that only has a smoke point of about 302F degrees.
Ghee can be used in place of butter or coconut oil in cooking or baking. It can also be used in place of deep-frying oils such as peanut oil for sautéing or deep frying. Use ghee as a one to one substitute for coconut oil.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 482F degrees
Beef Tallow
Beef Tallow is an animal fat that’s been processed, cooked down, filtered, and allowed to harden. It has much of the same consistency as coconut oil at room temperature and cooler. Its flavor is relatively mild.
You can swap out coconut oil and use Beef Tallow in its place for things like pies and pastries.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 400F degrees
Safflower Oil
Safflower oil has very little flavor or taste. Safflower oil can be used for a variety of cooking and baked goods. And the other great thing is it’s affordable. If you want to use safflower oil in place of coconut oil, there’s nothing wrong with that. It can be a great option.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 510F degrees
Walnut Oil
Walnut oil is of course made from walnuts, and it has a bit of a nutty flavor. It’s best when used in uncooked items such as sauces and salad dressing or to toss with pasta, because when it’s heated it tends to become more bitter.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 320F degrees
Shea butter
Shea butter is made from Shea nuts which have a very tender and sweet flesh. The flavor of shea butter is more defined and lingering than that of coconut oil. You’ll not want to use Shea butter in delicate dishes where its flavoring can become overpowering.
substitute ratio: 1:1
smoke point: 450F degrees
Applesauce
Applesauce can be used as a one-to-one substitute for coconut oil, or any oil for that matter, especially in baked goods like cookies, cakes, quick breads, and muffins. People like to use it because apples are healthier than oil is. It doesn’t have all the fat and is better for heart health and vegan foods.
substitute ratio: 1:1
Frequently Asked Questions
Following are frequently asked questions that relate to substitute for coconut oil. If you have a question that’s not answered here, just drop it in the comments box below and we’ll be happy to answer it.
What can I use in baking instead of coconut oil?
One of the best substitutes for coconut oil for baking is butter. Butter can be used as a 1 to 1 substitute for coconut oil. It works well in things like cookies, cakes, pies, and pastries.
Can you substitute butter for coconut oil in baking?
Yes, butter is the perfect substitute for coconut oil in baking. It can be used as an exact or 1:1 substitute.
Can I add olive oil to melted chocolate instead of coconut oil?
Yes, you can add olive oil to melted chocolate instead of coconut oil. For the best results, melt the chocolate in a double boiler over low heat. Stir until melted completely. Remove from heat and add the olive oil. Mix until fully combined.
What oil is the most similar to coconut oil?
Any oil that is a neutral oil in flavor like grapeseed oil is the best substitute for coconut oil. See our list above for the best and most similar substitutes.
Can I use olive oil instead of coconut oil for baking?
Yes, but if you’re using a good quantity of it or the flavor of it is the main portion of the dish, we’d recommend using a substitute such as grapeseed oil that has a more subtle flavor. Both grapeseed oil and coconut oil are plant based.
Can vegetable oil be substituted for coconut oil?
Yes, but vegetable oil is missing the hint of vanilla flavoring that adds the richness to coconut oil. This should be kept in mind when selecting the best substitute for coconut oil.
What can I substitute for coconut oil on keto?
Avocado oil is a good substitute for coconut oil for those on a keto diet. And it’s plant based too so it’s suitable for vegans. Avocado oil has a high smoke point just like coconut oil so it’s good for high temperature uses such as deep frying.
How to Make Homemade Coconut Oil
To make homemade coconut oil, you’ll need ripe coconuts, filtered water, and a food processor. Here are the step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients:
5 ripe coconuts
7 cups filtered water
Instructions:
- Use a hammer and chisel to open each of the coconuts.
- Scrape the meat from the inside of the coconut.
- Add all of the coconut meat to a food processor and pulse until all of the meat is nice and smooth.
- Strain excess milk.
- Simmer milk over low heat until oil has completely separated from coconut milk.
- Strain, then transfer oil to airtight container and refrigerate for use.
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Best Coconut Oil Substitutes
Ingredients
Butter
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 302F degrees
Avocado Oil
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 520F degrees
Vegetable oil
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 400F degrees
Canola Oil
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 400F degrees
Extra virgin olive oil
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 374F degrees
Olive Oil
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 405F degrees
Grapeseed Oil
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 420F degrees
Sunflower Oil
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 450F degrees
Almond oil
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 450F degrees
Hemp seed oil
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 330F degrees
Hazelnut Oil
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 430F degrees
Peanut Oil
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 450F degrees
Ghee
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 482F degrees
Beef Tallow
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 400F degrees
Safflower Oil
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 510F degrees
Walnut Oil
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 320F degrees
Shea butter
- substitute ratio: 1:1
- smoke point: 450F degrees
Applesauce
- substitute ratio: 1:1
Instructions
- Choose the best substitute for coconut oil.
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