How Much Butter to Substitute for Coconut Oil
Works for baking, sauteing, and frying. Butter brings a noticeably different flavor than Coconut Oil.
How much butter equals one cup of coconut oil?
Use 1 1/4 cups butter per cup coconut oil.
Health notes
Compared with Coconut Oil, Butter has: less calories (717 vs 892 per 100g in Coconut Oil), less fat (81.1g vs 99.1g per 100g in Coconut Oil), less saturated fat (50.5g vs 82.5g per 100g in Coconut Oil), and more protein (0.9g vs 0g per 100g in Coconut Oil).
Using butter as a coconut oil substitute in baking
Use 1 1/4 cups per cup coconut oil. Butter creams with sugar for lift; expect richer browning.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
1 1/4:1; butter browns and foams, adding nutty depth. Watch heat to avoid burning.
- Frying
1 1/4:1; crisps exteriors with golden-brown color. Lower smoke point; don't overheat.
- Slow Cook
1 1/4:1; butter enriches braises and stews. Emulsifies into silky sauces.
- Grilling
1 1/4:1 for basting lean proteins. Butter browns beautifully over heat.
- Raw Cold
1 1/4:1 in dressings and spreads. Softens at room temperature.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Steaming
Not recommended: butter solids won't emulsify in steam.
- Drinks
Not recommended: butter doesn't dissolve in cold drinks.
FAQ
- How much butter equals one cup of coconut oil?
Use 1 1/4 cups butter per cup coconut oil.
- Can I substitute butter for Coconut Oil in baking?
Yes. Use 1 1/4 cups per cup coconut oil. Butter creams with sugar for lift; expect richer browning. Not recommended: butter solids won't emulsify in steam.
- How much butter to use as a coconut oil substitute?
Adds rich, savory, slightly sweet notes; no adjustment needed for most dishes.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Butter for Coconut Oil?
Butter brings a noticeably different flavor than coconut oil.
- How does texture change when substituting Butter for Coconut Oil?
Butter richer, more tender crumb with deeper browning. Butter emulsifies sauces into silky texture.
- What else should I know about substituting Butter for Coconut Oil?
For baking, sauteing, frying, and slow-cooked dishes. Expect richer, more golden browning and a buttery, savory depth. Butter creams with sugar for better lift in cakes and cookies. Skip tropical or Asian dishes where coconut character matters. Butter has a lower smoke point; reduce heat slightly when frying.
- What still works when substituting Butter for Coconut Oil?
Butter still works as a fat, emulsifier, flavor carrier, and tenderizer.
- How well does Butter match Coconut Oil?
Butter is strong on structure, good on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Butter for Coconut Oil?
Butter is slightly lower in calories and fat, and has about x2 fewer sat. fat. Butter has protein, while coconut oil has none.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Butter for Coconut Oil?
The flavor shifts toward more sweet and more umami notes.