Vegan Substitute for Butter: 14 Alternatives for Baking, Cooking, and Topping

Everyone's heard that old saying “everything's better with butter”. These days especially, however, such is not always the case! If you follow a vegan or plant based diet, butter is most certainly not better. Unfortunately, it just happens to be one of those ultra-common ingredients that many recipes call for and it's so ubiquitous, you'll often see it set on dining tables right next to the salt and pepper shakers. Butter may be slippery, but it’s actually tough stuff to get away from!

Thankfully, there are a ton of vegan alternatives to dairy-based butter. Some are fairly obvious, while others may offer an out of the box solution to even your most complicated butter replacement quandary. Stay tuned, we’re exploring all of the best vegan options for replacing butter, whether you need to adapt your favorite cookie recipe or you're simply seeking a different option for topping your morning toast!

Table of Contents

What is Butter?

Traditional butter is made by churning dairy cream long enough to emulsify the fats, proteins, and water components of the cream together. The result? A semi solid, super rich and savory product. Many butters are salted for improved flavor and the end product typically has a butterfat content of about 80%. The remaining 20% is made up of a mixture of water and milk solids.

Most regular butter is made from cow’s milk, however, some butters are made from the milk of other animals such as sheep or goat. Regardless of what type of milk a butter is made from though, the fact is, it is made from animal based ingredients.

What is Butter Used For?

Before we can talk about how to replace butter, we first need to understand where and how the stuff comes into play!

There are 3 main ways in which dairy butter is most often used:

For Baking. When used as a baking ingredient, butter adds moisture and richness to the baked good as well as produces a light and tender final texture. The rich taste of butter also boosts the final flavor of the product. In other baking recipes, butter may be called for to grease the surface of a baking dish or cake pan.
For Cooking. Due to its high fat content, butter is often called for to grease a skillet or cooking pan. It also often serves as a fat for sautéing vegetables, griddling pancakes, or crisping grilled sandwiches.
As a Topping. The salty, savory, rich flavor of butter makes it a popular topping for items such as breads, muffins, toast, grains, pastas, cooked vegetables, and beyond.

The Top 14 Vegan Butter Substitutes

In all likelihood, you’ll be seeking a vegan butter replacement for one of the aforementioned 3 purposes. Choosing the best vegan butter substitute will depend on which role you need it to fill, as well as your own individual taste and dietary preferences.

We’ll cover the pros, cons, and uses for each of the following top 14 vegan butter substitutes:

Store Bought Vegan Butter
Plant Based Oils
Coconut Oil
Organic Vegetable Shortening
Vegan Mayonnaise
Cooking Spray
Bananas
Applesauce
Pumpkin Puree
Avocado
Vegan Yogurt
Nut Butters
Hummus
Vegan Cheese Spreads

1. Store Bought Vegan Butter

Use it For: Baking, Cooking, Topping

Ready to use, store bought vegan butters are the holy grail when it comes to vegan butter alternatives. Choosing a dairy free butter product offers you all of the ease of a 1 for 1 butter replacement without the added effort of homemade vegan butter–which, if you didn’t know, entails a moderately complex process of curdling plant based milk with apple cider vinegar before mixing it with other ingredients and setting under refrigeration. Not exactly what you want to be working on when all you want is to enjoy your toast!

Thankfully, there are many different plant based butter varieties, stemming from a range of base ingredients like coconut oil, vegetable oil, soy protein, and even oat milk. Most of these options will work beautifully to replace regular butter whenever and wherever called for, in both savory and sweet recipes--whether you’re cooking with it, baking it into a recipe, or simply need a tasty topping for your potatoes. For help navigating all of the different vegan butter brands and products, be sure to check out our full guide to the Best Vegan Butter.

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

Store bought plant based butter of your preference.

Easy as pie here--use an equal amount of store bought non dairy butter to replace any amount of regular butter a recipe calls for. Use as much as desired for spreading and topping purposes.

2. Plant-Based Oils

Use it For: Baking, Cooking, Topping

Due to its inherent fat content, any plant based oil will work wonderfully to replace dairy-based butter. Some oils you might opt for are: olive oil, vegetable oil, avocado oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, or even flaxseed oil. Oils are great for replacing butter in stovetop cooking, baking, and a drizzle of oil even offers a delicious alternative to butter on toast or to replace melted butter on popcorn.

Before making your swap, there are a couple important things to consider. First off, think carefully about the overall flavor profile of your dish before reaching for strongly flavored oils like sesame oil or flaxseed oil. If you’re looking to replace butter in lighter fare, best to opt for an oil with a neutral flavor such as vegetable or light olive oil.

You’ll also want to take smoke points into consideration here as lighter oils like avocado and peanut are able to withstand high heat, whereas richer oils like extra virgin olive oil will burn easily. And finally, oil will not work as a butter substitute in situations where the success of the recipe depends on solid fats, such as pie crusts or flaky pastries.

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

Plant based oil of your preference such as olive, canola, vegetable, or avocado.

For baking, replace any amount of regular butter your recipe calls for with ¾ as much oil. For example, if your recipe calls for ¼ cup of butter, use just 3 tablespoons of oil.

For cooking and topping, you may have to adjust the ratio to suit your tastes but generally, a 1:1 ratio of replacement will work just fine.

3. Coconut Oil

Use it For: Baking, Cooking

Though coconut oil is indeed a plant based oil, it behaves quite differently as compared to other oils therefore it earns a category all to itself here! Coconut oil is unique for the fact that it remains solid at room temperature. It has an extremely high concentration of saturated fat--in a ratio actually more akin to that of dairy based fats!--making it a great option for replacing butter in any recipe.

Depending on your preferences, you’ll probably want to opt for refined coconut oil in most cases, as this will offer the most neutrally flavored vegan butter replacement. However, if you enjoy the flavor of coconut and don’t mind if it comes through in your recipes, unrefined coconut oil is certainly an option as well.

Coconut oil is ideal for use in recipes where the desired end result is a flaky pastry--think puff pastry, pie crusts, croissants, and biscuits--as the bits of solid coconut oil mixed into a dough will create steam when exposed to the heat of the oven, resulting in plenty of lift and layers. Plus, including some coconut oil in your diet is thought to impart several health benefits--what's better than that!

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

Refined coconut oil.

Whether baking or cooking with it, you can use coconut oil as a 1:1 vegan replacement for butter. Nice and simple!

4. Vegetable Shortening

Use it For: Baking, Cooking

Like coconut oil, vegetable shortening is another type of cooking fat which remains semi-solid at room temperature. However, as opposed to being this way by nature, vegetable shortening is made from oils which are highly processed in a way that permanently solidifies these liquid oils.

Depending on the shortening you opt for, there may be some unhealthy characteristics or environmentally unfriendly impacts, and many folks prefer to stay away from such products. If these factors are of concern to you, seek out vegetable shortening which is organic, fair trade, and responsibly sourced (look for a "Rainforest Alliance" seal!)--qualifiers that indicate the shortening has been more healthfully and responsibly produced.

Also, keep in mind that most vegetable shortening is quite bland and is therefore best used in cases where you aren’t looking for your butter alternative to add flavor.

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

Vegetable shortening, preferably organic and/or responsibly sourced.

Whether cooking or baking, using shortening to substitute butter in your recipe is easy--it’s a 1 for 1 swap!

5. Vegan Mayonnaise

Use it For: Cooking, Topping

Seeing as it’s another type of fat-rich emulsification, it’s no wonder that vegan mayonnaise makes for a great butter substitute in some cases as well! There are many different types of vegan mayo to choose from, including those made from soy protein or pea protein mixed with any number of vegetable oils from olive to avocado.

Mildly flavored vegan mayo can be used to cook with in some instances where regular butter might be called for, such as spreading on the outside of grilled sandwiches before pressing in a hot skillet. On the other hand, more boldly flavored vegan mayonnaise serves as an excellent topping for breads, rolls, toasts, and even cooked veggies.

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

Plain vegan mayonnaise (or flavored, if using as a topping)

This swap is more about what tastes good than it is about the ratio. If using mayo to crisp grilled sandwiches or toasts, spread a thin layer on the surface of the bread that will be in contact with the heat.

If using vegan mayo as a replacement for a swipe of butter on your baguette or veggies, just use as much as tastes good to you.

6. Cooking Spray

Use it For: Cooking

Heads up on this one, not all cooking sprays are vegan so be sure to read the label carefully, especially when it comes to those “butter flavor” style sprays, as they sometimes contain dairy derived ingredients.

There are plenty of 100% plant based sprays out there though, and they do a great job at replacing butter in certain situations! Though you cannot use this option to replace butter in a baking mix, nor would you likely want to use it as a topping, cooking spray is ideal for coating and greasing pans and dishes where regular butter is often called for.

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

Vegan cooking spray (check the label and ingredients carefully to check for hidden dairy).

Use the cooking spray as directed to lightly grease skillets, cake pans, and baking dishes instead of regular butter.

7. Bananas

Use it For: Baking

Now that we’ve worked our way through the fairly obvious butter substitute options, we’ve made our way to the more creative ways of adapting recipes to suit a vegan diet.

Banana might not sound all that butter-like, but when used in baking recipes, it actually mimics the enrichening, moisturizing, and structure-giving aspects of butter quite well!

The key here is to use ripe bananas that will mash up smoothly and evenly. Also, take into consideration the overall sweetness of your recipe before tossing extra bananas into the mix. Bananas are naturally high in sugar, so you may want to reduce the amount of sugars, syrups, or other sweet ingredients the recipe calls for in order to re-balance the flavor.

Mashed banana is best used in heavier baked goods like pound cakes and cookies, as its inherent density will not do any favors for a recipe that is meant to be light and airy.

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

1 ripe banana, peeled.

Use a fork or a whisk to mash the banana until it is smooth and uniform. It may take a bit of trial and error to get the balance just right, but for any amount of butter your recipe calls for, start by using just half that amount of mashed banana. For example, if your recipe calls for ½ cup of butter, use just ¼ cup of banana puree.

8. Applesauce

Use it For: Baking

In a similar manner to mashed banana, you can also use applesauce to replace butter in baked good recipes. Whether you pick it up from the supermarket or make your own, applesauce is excellent for adding moisture and thickness to baking mixes and batters, while also helping to achieve a tender end result.

Keep an eye on the sweetness level here, especially when it comes to some of those sugar-laden store bought applesauce varieties. Opt for plain, unsweetened applesauce when possible or adjust other sources of sugar in your recipe as needed.

It’s also important to keep in mind the overall flavor profile when making the butter for applesauce swap, as not all ingredients will play nicely with strong apple-y flavor. Some winning combos are richly flavored baked goods like spiced cake and molasses cookies, while the subtlety of lighter treats may not pair as well as you'd like.

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

Applesauce--plain & unsweetened if possible.

Replace any amount of butter your recipe calls for with an equal amount of applesauce, then bake as directed.

9. Pumpkin Puree

Use it For: Baking

Pumpkin puree is yet another fruit puree that can work wonders as a vegan butter alternative. The thick, velvety texture of the pumpkin actually mimics that of dairy-based butter quite well and the additional liquid content helps to produce a moist and tender baked good.

When replacing butter with pumpkin puree, store bought is actually best here as opposed to making your own. The texture and water content of store bought canned pumpkin puree is much more uniform, whereas homemade puree tends to vary too widely to yield predictable outcomes.

One important note: be sure to choose plain, pure pumpkin puree here and not pumpkin pie filling. Pure pumpkin puree is cooked, blended pumpkin and nothing more while the pie filling will contain a whole range of spices and added sugar.

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

Canned pure pumpkin puree.

However much butter your baking recipe calls for, you’ll want to use just ¾ the amount of pumpkin puree. For example if your recipe calls for 1 cup of butter, use just ¾ cup of pumpkin.

We recommend first whisking the pumpkin with one of the other liquid ingredients in a separate bowl in order to make it easier to incorporate into the dry goods.

10. Avocado

Use if For: Baking, Topping

It’s no wonder that avocado toast has taken the world by storm! When spread thinly--or mounded high, if you’re anything like us--rich, velvety avocado hits just about the same spot as a swipe of butter. And for good reason too: avocados are naturally rich in fats! Unlike the saturated fats you’ll find in real butter though, avocados provide heart healthy monounsaturated fat instead.

Avocados are inherently a bit sweet so when using it as a spread alternative you may opt to season it with salt or umami-rich nutritional yeast to amp up the butter-like flavor profile.

Mashed avocado also works surprisingly nicely to replace butter in baked goods. Keep in mind though that it may impart a slight green tint to things, so don’t go counting on this one as a vegan butter substitute for that snowy white vanilla cake!

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

1 ripe avocado, mashed

Make sure the avocado is mashed and blended to a uniform consistency, then use it as an equal replacement for butter when called for in baking recipes. Or, use as much as you’d like of it for topping purposes!

11. Vegan Yogurt

Use it For: Baking

The creamy texture of vegan yogurt lends itself nicely to serving as a stand-in for butter in baking applications. Vegan yogurts may be made from almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk and come in a wide range of flavors! Of course, plain yogurt will be your most versatile bet here, but depending on your recipe, vanilla or fruit flavored yogurt might provide a nice complement as well.

Most grocery stores will carry at least a few different vegan yogurt options to choose from, but you could also opt to use a homemade yogurt such as our Instant Pot Almond Milk Yogurt.

For best results, we recommend opting for vegan yogurts made from higher fat ingredients such as coconut milk or almond milk. That said, be sure to consider any nut allergies before making any such swap.

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

Plain plant based yogurt, such as almond or cashew.

Replace the butter your recipe calls for with an equal amount of the vegan yogurt. If your recipe is calling for more than 1 cup of butter, we don’t recommend making this swap.

12. Nut Butters

Use it For: Topping

Nut butters are definitely not going to have desired effects if used in place of butter in baked goods, however, if you’re looking for something satisfactory to smear your bagel or toast with, they certainly would do the trick nicely!

Nut butters are rich in fats and savory in flavor, making them an excellent spread substitute. Try your favorite store bought brand or try making your own Homemade Cashew Butter or Healthy Peanut Butter!

In addition to being a tasty spread for toast, nut butter works nicely as a topping for oatmeal or other hot cereal. To make your nut butter a bit more versatile, whisk it in a small bowl with a bit of warm water until just runny, then drizzle over cooked vegetables, grains, or stir fries!

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

Any type of nut butter, such as cashew, almond, or peanut

This swap is all about what tastes best to you so go ahead and play around with the quantity. Start by using a bit less nut butter than you would regular butter, then increase from there.

13. Hummus

Use it For: Topping

Though you would never describe hummus as having a buttery flavor per se, this savory bean spread is most definitely in the ballpark! Creamy, rich, velvety, and smooth--the adjectives one might use to describe hummus--are all characteristics of dairy based butter as well.

Instead of a schmear of butter on your breads and bagels, try a swipe of flavorful hummus like our Roasted Red Pepper Hummus or White Bean Hummus with Garlic.

We unfortunately cannot recommend using hummus as a butter alternative in cooking or baking though, as the structure of this stuff really does not hold up well when exposed to heat. But when it comes to filling the role of a tasty topping, hummus has got it down pat!

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

Hummus--either store bought or homemade, any flavor you like!

Once again, this substitute is all about flavor. Use as much or as little hummus as you desire as a topping on just about anything you can think of!

14. Vegan Cheese Spreads

Use it For: Cooking, Topping

When it comes to replacing butter, you might give any sort of creamy vegan cheese option a chance too! Whether you opt for a store bought vegan cream cheese or whip up a batch of Vegan Cheddar Cheese Spread, this is a great option for both topping and cooking with.

When used as a topping on warm foods like baked potatoes, cooked grains, or toasted cornbread, soft vegan cheese spreads like this will melt in a fashion similar to that of real butter. Also, depending on the recipe, you may also be able to put some cheese options to use in order to make a creamy sauce for tossing with pasta or vegetables. Who needs buttered noodles when you’ve got rich and savory plant based cheese sauce!

How to Substitute

You’ll need:

Spreadable vegan cheese, such as vegan cream cheese or “cheddar” spreads.

This alternative is especially good for topping warm dishes where a pat of slowly melting butter would normally be expected--just use about the same amount of vegan cheese as you would butter spread.

Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Vegan Butter Substitute

No ifs, ands, or butts about it--there's plenty of alternatives to choose from when seeking a vegan butter substitute!

If you need a butter replacement that behaves as close to the real deal as possible, reach for one of the many store bought vegan butter products, vegetable shortening, or coconut oil. For replacing butter in all of your favorite baked goods, some of the best options are actually whole fruits--namely bananas, avocadoes, and even pumpkin! For a tasty topping or spread, hummus and vegan cheese spreads offer an out of the box solution.

Whether you are looking for a butter replacement that will suit your plant based diet or you are in need of a butter alternative that is a bit healthier than the original, there is certainly an option here to suit your needs. Drop us a line and let us know which vegan butter substitute is your favorite!

Vegan Substitute for Butter: 14 Alternatives for Baking, Cooking, and Topping