Coconut oil is a popular, yet polarizing ingredient. Although many people love using coconut oil as a butter replacement, not everyone loves this oil. If you’re looking for a good replacement for coconut oil, you’re in luck. Below are nine great substitute options for coconut oil.

jar of coconut oil with a spoonful of coconut oil resting on a wood board this recipe

What is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil uses the wick, meat, and milk from a coconut to create oil. This white solid fat melts at warmer room temperatures to create a clear liquid oil. When cool, it is solid and opaque. Unrefined coconut oil has a distinct coconut smell and taste but when refined, this smell and taste mostly goes away.

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People use coconut oil for topical treatments like lotions and lip balms. In cooking, coconut oil is used to sauté foods. It can be added as a satiating fat in smoothies or added to coffee for an extra boost of energy. Bakers often use coconut oil instead of olive oil or butter. Some use this oil as a spread on toast.

However, coconut oil is not the healthiest ingredient because it is made up of mostly saturated fat. Although it is found in many health food stores, some choose to avoid the ingredient altogether. When used in moderation, coconut oil is a good replacement for butter or other oils.

9 Substitutes for Coconut Oil

Whether you’re avoiding coconut oil or just don’t have it on hand, you may be looking for substitutes for coconut oil. The following eight ingredients can be substituted for coconut oil in recipes.

  1. Butter

When substituting coconut oil in baking, butter is a great replacement. This ingredient is a 1:1 replacement for coconut oil for baked recipes. It will give your baked goods a richer flavor. Treats like cookies will be chewier and all baked goods will have a moister texture.

  1. Olive Oil

Whole olives are pressed to create olive oil. This oil is a great replacement for coconut oil in soups, sautéed dishes, and salad dressings. It is not a good option for baked goods, since it isn’t as sweet as other replacement options.

  1. Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is created by pressing sunflower seeds. This oil makes a good replacement for coconut oil in baked items like breads and muffins. Although butter is a better replacement in baked goods, sunflower oil is a good vegan replacement.

  1. Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil is created by pressing the seeds of grapes. Like sunflower oil, this is a good replacement for coconut oil in baked goods. Because grapeseed oil doesn’t separate when cool, it is a great option for creating salad dressings and spreads. It is also good for grilled and sautéed dishes.

  1. Almond Oil

Almond oil is lower in saturated fat, making it a good substitution for dieters. It has a nutty taste, so it’s important to only use it as a substitute when it compliments a dish’s other flavors. This oil is best used for pan-frying and baked goods.

  1. Avocado Oil

People love avocado oil for its healthy fatty acids and buttery texture. This oil is a good substitute for coconut oil in grilling, baking, and sautéed dishes. It has a neutral flavor when cooked. This oil can be used for soups, salads, and stir fries. 

  1. Hemp Seed Oil

This oil has an earthy taste, making it a great substitution for salad dressings. When substituting for coconut oil, it’s important to use hemp seed oil cold or at room temperature. It loses its nutrients when heated. This oil is good for salad dressings, dips, and spreads.

  1. Hazelnut Oil

Hazelnut oil has a stronger flavor than other oils and a strong hazelnut smell. It is perfect for desserts and baking, since the hazelnut flavor complements flavors in these recipes. Hazelnut oil also makes a good substitute for coconut oil in roasting, frying, grilling, spreads, and desserts.

  1. Walnut Oil

Walnut oil has a light nutty taste that becomes bitter when heated. Because of this bitterness, walnut oil is only a suitable replacement for coconut oil in cool dishes. This oil is great for dressings, dips, and spreads.

spoonful of coconut oil resting on a wood board

Coconut Oil as a Substitute

Coconut oil can be used to replace other ingredients in recipes. It is often used as a vegan replacement for butter. It can replace butter in baked goods, grilling, and sautéing. Some people even use coconut oil instead of butter for their toast.

It can also be used to replace vegetable oil in a variety of recipes. Although it offers a 1:1 replacement for other oils, it’s important to melt the coconut oil before mixing it with other ingredients.