How Much Coconut Oil to Substitute for Butter
Works for baking, sauteing, and frying. Coconut Oil brings a noticeably different flavor than Butter.
How much coconut oil equals one cup of butter?
Use 7/8 cup coconut oil per cup butter.
Health notes
Compared with Butter, Coconut Oil has: more calories (892 vs 717 per 100g in Butter), more fat (99.1g vs 81.1g per 100g in Butter), more saturated fat (82.5g vs 50.5g per 100g in Butter), and less protein (0g vs 0.9g per 100g in Butter).
Using coconut oil as a butter substitute in baking
7/8 cup per cup butter; cream when solid. Good in cookies.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
7/8 cup per cup; watch smoke point on high heat.
- Frying
7/8 cup per cup; crisp results with light coconut note.
- Slow Cook
7/8 cup per cup; good in curries and stews.
- Grilling
7/8 cup per cup; brush on vegetables or seafood.
- Raw Cold
7/8 cup per cup in no-bake bars when solid.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Steaming
Not recommended: fat won't emulsify in steam.
- Drinks
Not recommended: solidifies unevenly in cold drinks.
FAQ
- How much coconut oil equals one cup of butter?
Use 7/8 cup coconut oil per cup butter.
- Can I substitute coconut oil for Butter in baking?
Yes. 7/8 cup per cup butter; cream when solid. Good in cookies. Not recommended: fat won't emulsify in steam.
- How much coconut oil to use as a butter substitute?
Use refined oil for neutral flavor; virgin adds coconut notes.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Coconut Oil for Butter?
Coconut oil brings a noticeably different flavor than butter.
- How does texture change when substituting Coconut Oil for Butter?
Coconut oil firmer when chilled; cookies may spread less than with butter.
- What else should I know about substituting Coconut Oil for Butter?
For cookies, pie crust, and curries. Expect faint coconut sweetness and a firmer set when chilled. Skip recipes needing butter browning or delicate puff layers. Use refined coconut oil if you want less coconut flavor. Solid coconut oil creams like butter when cool.
- What still works when substituting Coconut Oil for Butter?
Coconut oil still works as a fat, flavor carrier, moisture barrier, and cooking medium.
- What won't work when substituting Coconut Oil for Butter?
Coconut oil won't work as a browning agent, emulsifier, and tenderizer.
- How well does Coconut Oil match Butter?
Coconut oil is okay on structure, good on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Coconut Oil for Butter?
Coconut oil is slightly higher in calories and fat, and has about x2 more sat. fat. Coconut oil has no protein, while butter has some.