Oil Substitutes in Baking

By: Bob's Red Mill | June 7 2018
Baking without oil can be a tricky journey to embark upon, no matter what your reasoning. Oil serves so many unique purposes in baking, and as we often say, baking is all about the ratios and purposes of each specific ingredient and making sure they work together in perfect harmony. That perfect harmony will create your perfect brownie, pastry, or loaf of bread, and without canola oil, it may seem like these things are not quite possible. In fact, that is entirely false--there are plenty of wonderful substitutes you can use in place of oil, and it depends on what you need your substitute to do. The good part is, we have brought together information on all of our favorite oil substitutes for baking, so you don’t have to do all that legwork and research yourself. So read on for all of the amazing substitutes for oil in your baked goods recipes!

Why Would You Want to Substitute Oil in the First Place?

There are a few reasons you may want to bake without using oil. Many people call oil the most calorically dense food on earth: it comes in at a whopping 4,000 calories per pound, as compared to something like an avocado, which has about 750 calories per pound. Now that may seem crazy, and of course you are never going to sit down and eat a pound of oil, but keeping foods calorically light is a good way to lose weight and maximize your calorie intake for the day. Staying slim and eating efficiently is all about getting as many nutrients as you can in slightly fewer calories than the average person. Oil contains very little in the way of helpful nutrients--sometimes there are omega-3 fatty acids, and some substitute oils, like coconut oil, do have antioxidants and other properties, but for the most part, the nutrients you get from oil are fairly negligible. Some people stop using oil because they are eating a “whole” or “unprocessed” diet, and oil simply does not fit in this category. But maybe the most common reason for needing an oil substitute is even simpler than all of these--maybe you just ran out of oil and don’t have time to go to the store! No matter your reason for baking without oil today, you will find a surprising number of substitutes for almost any recipe!

Why Do We Need Oil?

It is important to understand an ingredient’s functionality in a recipe before we try to substitute it for something else. In baking especially, all the ingredients play a specific role in the whole recipe, so we need to understand what the oil is doing to ensure we replace it correctly. Probably the biggest function of oil in most baking recipes is to keep your product moist. It basically captures the gases that are released from the interaction of the baking powder and baking soda, and slows down gluten formation to keep certain baked goods tender and fluffy in texture! It also helps with binding your other ingredients together in the right way. So when substituting for oil, we should pay attention to how our alternate ingredients perform these two tasks.  

Oil Alternatives

Most commonly, you will see vegetable oil called for, but there has been a surge of alternative oils like coconut, grapeseed, avocado, and sunflower lately. However, we have made a list of substitutions for any of these oils, although we typically keep vegetable oil in mind as the standard.

Oil Substitutes

Whether you’ve run out of oil in your house, or you are looking to eliminate oils from your diet, you shouldn't stop baking your favorite treats, pastries or breads. These are oil substitutes you can use when you are baking:

Applesauce

Canola oil is the most common choice used in most baked goods recipes, and this can be replaced one-for-one with a cup of applesauce. We love applesauce because it maintains a similar flavor to the original recipe, although it may have a more naturally sweet flavor to it! You can even add some skim milk to the applesauce to make it a little creamier. Applesauce is incredibly moist, and much lower calorically than oil.

Butter

Paula Dean and my southern Grandmother would definitely approve of this substitute. Butter is a favorite addition to almost any baked good to make sure you are getting fluffy, delicious end products. You will typically melt the butter before adding it to your recipe, and the taste may be even better than with oil. You could use margarine in the same way. The only downfall is that butter or margarine will probably be equal or even less healthy than oil would be--so if calories and fats are important to you, this may not be the best substitute. It is, however, something you most likely have right at home, so if you are in a pinch, butter is the way to go!

Fruit or Veggie Puree

Applesauce is basically just a fruit puree, so this should not come as much of a surprise to you. However, almost any fruit or veggie puree will serve as a great oil substitute. You could see this as a positive or negative, but the flavors will most likely show up in your recipe. So if you coordinate this well, it can actually give you an even better result! Think zucchini or banana bread, for instance, or try a raspberry puree in a chocolate cake--yum! On the veggie side, you should be a little pickier, but we love winter squash varieties and mashed sweet potatoes as a substitute for oil. Some veggies may also change the appearance of your end product, such as beets. These are a delicious oil substitute, but can change a lighter cake into a pink one--not so great if you are trying to be stealthy with your healthy substitutions! If you are working with colored veggies or fruits, try to keep the recipe on the darker side for the most discreet results.

Dairy

There are quite a few dairy products that you can use in place of oil, and some of them may surprise you. We mentioned using some skim milk with your applesauce, but other good dairy substitutes include:
  • Buttermilk
  • Sour cream
  • Greek yogurt
  • Mayonnaise
  • Non-dairy milk options
Most of these have been known to substitute for each other in tons of different recipes, so it is no surprise that if one can be used as an oil substitute, they all can. Mayonnaise, the least likely of the bunch, actually gives the closest result to having used oil, and it retains the flavors of your cake or whatever baked good you are creating very well! Yogurt and sour cream also work in a pinch, but do change the flavor profile a tad. We like Greek yogurt as a substitute if health is your main priority--plus, yogurt adds natural probiotics! Buttermilk can also work as an oil substitute, but you should mix about three quarters of buttermilk with one quarter of melted butter before subbing it into your batter.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch also works as an oil substitute when you are baking. Cornstarch will not add any real nutritional value, but you will get a similar product. Simply mix it with a little bit of water under heat until you get the consistency you want--err on the more watery side if you’re not sure. Then after it cools, it should be good to mix into your recipe! We do not recommend this substitute in baking recipes with high oil content, as it is prone to change the consistency of your batter.

How to Substitute for Oil

Some substitutions in recipes can get really finicky, but for the most part, these oil substitutions are pretty simple. Except for the buttermilk we mentioned, all of these substitutes can be added in one-for-one with the amount of oil the recipe calls for. So if you have a recipe that calls for 1/2 cup of oil, you can add in 1/2 cup of yogurt, for instance. You can also mix and match with oil, although we do not necessarily recommend mixing and matching with the substitutes. However, a little oil and a little applesauce will provide a healthier overall product without radically changing the taste or texture! No matter what you are baking--brownies, cookies, muffins, cakes, etc.--you will feel great about finding a healthier, easier substitute for the oil, especially if it involves using up something extra you have in the fridge! Not all of these substitutions for oil will yield the same end results, so it is always fun to experiment and see what works the best for you! We dare you to try to trick your family--with how delicious these substitutes are, we doubt they will even notice that tomorrow night’s brownies are healthier than usual! Try a few and let us know in the comments below which of these oil substitutes is your favorite!

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44 Comments

  1. Christi
    Super helpful article on oil substitutions. Love the healthy fruit and veggie puree option! Thanks for including the important 1:1 ratio.
    Reply
  2. Irene
    Great article, but the piece of info I wanted most was about the buttermilk, if a recipe calls for one cup of oil, how much buttermilk should I use as oil replacement?
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Whitney Barnes
      Hi Irene - under the Dairy section here's what we suggest for buttermilk. Enjoy!

      "Buttermilk can also work as an oil substitute, but you should mix about three quarters of buttermilk with one quarter of melted butter before subbing it into your batter."
      Reply
  3. Eva Orts
    I used milk instead of oil in a lemon cake recipe and it turned out even more spongy and delicious than expected! Thank you for helping me out of a pickle, I'd just run out of vegetable oil.
    Reply
  4. George
    When I use applesauce to substitute oil, the cookies always come out spongy or doughy. Nothing like the original recipe. I’m considering just eating the oil but really hate to.
    Reply
  5. Robin Newman
    Would avacado work? Seems like a high oil content vegetable, but smooth and sort of a benign tasting substitute.
    Reply
    1. Sarena Shasteen
      Yes, avacado oil is a great substitute.
      Reply
  6. Abigail
    Helpful, thank you.
    Just a note- mayonnaise is listed here as a dairy product, but it is not. Mayonnaise is just eggs and oil. Common misconception. Cheers.
    Reply
  7. sara
    I've been taking the measuring cup that I would use to measure the exact amt of oil for my recipe, adding a small scoop of nut butter to that measuring cup, then filling the measuring cup the rest of the way with water. Then I blenderize the contents of the measuring cup in a nutribullet-type small blender. My recipes have been turning out well so far using this method. I think the fat in a baked quick bread recipe can be reduced, but not eliminated entirely. Even a scant tablespoon of a whole food fat like nut butter really makes a significant improvement esp. when emulsified with water as I described.
    Reply
    1. sara
      Also, a table spoon or more of silken tofu from a tetra box can also improve baked goods when blenderized along with the nut (or seed, for those with allergies) butter.
      Reply
  8. Tammy
    Do you not have to increase the flour or b. Soda or b. Powder? My batter seems runnier.
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Hi Tammy! The moisture content will vary a bit with the oil substitutes. If you find that the batter/dough is too runny or wet, you can add a bit more flour but you would not need to increase the baking powder or baking soda.

      If you have more questions or need further help troubleshooting a recipe, please reach out to our Customer Service team at 1-800-349-2173 or [email protected]
      Reply
  9. Linda
    Can you use heavy cream as a substitute for oil?
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Hi Linda - that's not something we've tried. If you try it in a recipe, we'd love to hear your results!
      Reply
  10. Nichole
    Has anyone ever tried a purée substitute in a yeast bread? If so, was it successfull?
    Reply
  11. Lisa England
    I have a bunch of spaghetti squash. Is there any reason that spaghetti squash puree will work as an oil substitute? I have found very few, but mixed answers on the Internet.
    Thank you!
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Whitney Barnes
      Hi Lisa - that's not something we have experience with. If you do try it, I'm sure others would find your feedback useful.
      Reply
  12. patricia conlon
    patricia conlon
    I think I had used flax seed as a substitute, any comments on this?
    Reply
  13. Sachie
    How much greek yogurt do I use instead of oil?
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Whitney Barnes
      Hi Sachie, you can substitute 3/4 cup of greek yogurt for every 1 cup of oil.
      Reply
  14. Sachie
    Thank you!
    Reply
  15. Shauna
    I'm just wondering can you use Greek yogurt as an oil substitute in yeast breads or is the oil necessary in yeast bread? Thanks
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Whitney Barnes
      Hi Shauna, it really depends on the recipe. Oil and fat in yeast bread recipes make the dough smooth, elastic and workable. The addition of fat also helps keeps the bread moist and tender for a longer period of time after baking. Greek yogurt is higher in water percentage and lower in fat which wouldn't yield the same results in a yeast bread. It's a better substitution for oil in things like quick breads, muffins or cake.
      Reply
  16. Hilary Robinson
    Can I sub oil in a cake for coconut water? What would 1 cup of oil equal in coconut water?
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Whitney Barnes
      Hi Hilary, we haven't tried that. I don't think coconut water would be a good substitution, as there is little to no fat.
      Reply
  17. J
    Hello! Can I substitute the vegetable oil with just skimmed milk (skimmed milk powder dissolved in water)? If so, how much of the skimmed milk would I need to add? Thanks :)
    Reply
  18. Rose
    Hi! What is the ratio for subbing with cornstarch? I can’t imagine 1:1. Thanks!
    Reply
  19. Chantal J
    Hi, one recipe that I have has 3/4 cup of oil for cookies. I tried subbing all applesauce and they came out spongy and doughy. What do you recommend substituting the oil for?
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Hi Chantal, in that case I would scale back the applesauce and still include oil. Perhaps try only substituting half the oil for applesauce. It sounds like two things happened: the applesauce added too much liquid/moisture to the cookie and the lack of fat (oil) eliminated any crisping of the cookie, resulting in a spongy, doughy cookie.
      Reply
  20. Andrea
    Hi and thanks for the recommendations which I have yet to try. I would like to share my success with dried Prunes for brownies to substitute the oil. I put the prunes in a blender/bullet and add water until it has a consistency like apple sauce. It works great for any dark cakes, too. (Do not use baby prune puree)
    Reply
  21. JJ
    Does subbing applesauce for oil in dessert breads (for ex., zucchini) change the baking time? Thanks--
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Whitney Barnes
      Hi JJ - It shouldn't, but when substituting ingredients it's always a good idea to keep a close eye on the bake. Look for visual cues of doneness like browning, pulling away from the sides of the pan, or poking the interior with a cake tester.
      Reply
  22. Kitty Oppliger
    Kitty Oppliger
    Thank you! I'll be testing out some of these subs with your paleo flatbread mix, as well as subbing out the egg. May take some experimentation, but I'm glad I can use it now!
    Reply
  23. Jane
    Could you tell me if there is a substitute for the oil in yeast breads? Thank you.
    Reply
  24. […] Changing oil with one thing more healthy or cheaper requires understanding the principle operate of oil in baking. When dough or batter is heated to a sure level, water strikes right into a gaseous state. Nevertheless, the inclusion of oil reduces evaporation whereas slowing the formation of gluten, leading to a moist, fluffy texture. Moreover, the oil helps to bind substances through the baking course of (by way of Bob’s Red Mill). […]
    Reply
  25. […] Remplacer l’huile par quelque chose de plus sain ou moins cher nécessite de comprendre la fonction principale de huile de cuisson. Lorsque la pâte ou la pâte est chauffée à un certain point, l’eau passe à l’état gazeux. Cependant, l’inclusion d’huile réduit l’évaporation tout en ralentissant la formation de gluten, ce qui donne une texture moelleuse et moelleuse. De plus, l’huile aide à lier les ingrédients pendant le processus de cuisson (via Le moulin rouge de Bob). […]
    Reply
  26. […] fluffy texture. Additionally, the oil helps to bind ingredients during the baking process (via Bob’s Red Mill).One of the best oil substitutes that can model both effects is applesauce. In addition to […]
    Reply
  27. Bee
    Which item would make a good substitute for the oil in cornbread? Thank you for all the help.
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Hi there! Please email [email protected].
      Reply
  28. Paula M
    I have a wonderful quinoa bread recipe that is essentially quinoa (soaked), chia (soaked), baking soda, salt, water, oil and juice of half a lemon. Because I have reflux disease, the use of citrus (lemon juice) isn't the best choice. I'm curious if other bakers or members of Bob's team might be able to speak to why a small amount of citrus juice is used in a recipe like this, and perhaps have a suggestion for a substitute. Thanks in advance for any help!
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Elisabeth Allie
      Hi Paula! Please email Customer Service at [email protected].
      Reply
    2. Lisa
      Aside from flavor elevation, the lemon juice could be necessary to activate the baking soda. Maybe switch out the baking soda for baking powder. You will have to look up the conversion as it’s not a 1:1 swap.
      Reply
  29. Bob
    What is the substitution equivalency for removing canola oil and replacing with soy milk in yeasted bread?
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Elisabeth Allie
      That would depend on the specific recipe. Feel free to email Customer Service at [email protected] for assistance!
      Reply

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