Coconut oil substitute
Im making a muffin recipe that calls for coconut oil but I am wondering if there are any substitutes out there? Melted butter? Vegetable oil? The muffins use almond flour and it only calls for a 1/4 cup. Any ideas?
8 Comments
SusanFebruary 20, 2018
Thank u so much I accidentally the my 1/2 cup of coconut down the drain thought it was water and that was the last of it thanks so much making Bran Muffins
Arora L.September 10, 2016
Olive oil can be a substitute for coconut oil
Slow C.May 24, 2012
Coconut oil is a saturated fat, sounds to me like the original recipe is perhaps vegan and gluten free. The difference between a saturated fat like coconut oil and butter will be (in terms of use ratios, not in terms of flavor) water content. I would think that any kind of saturated fat would be acceptable here, including vegetable shortening. The big difference with butter is it's melting point and finding the balance between texture and flavor. Not such a big thing with muffins, probably, but with a pie crust or cookies it impacts how the dough spreads as it is heated. Anyway, if the recipe calls for melting the coconut oil (rather than, for example, creaming it), then I almost always substitute butter or olive oil.
A Whole Foods Market CustomerMay 23, 2012
Funny, I usually go the opposite direction these days. I typically use 3/4 the amount of butter called for when I use coconut oil. Now I wish I had paid more attention in algebra class.
SeaJambonMay 24, 2012
Chef Arik - can you help me understand your conversion thought process (I'm kinda new to coconut oil)? Is there something inherently different in how coconut oil peforms vis-a-vis other oils that makes it possible/appropriate/necessary to use less? If so, could you explain? I'm ALWAYS very interested in kitchen chemistry and excited to learn what you had already discovered (oh -- and the conversion math -- if butter times 3/4 equals coconut oil, then coconut oil divided by 3/4 equals butter. I can't do fraction division in my head, but my calculator can divide by .75 very quickly...). ;
julsjaMay 23, 2012
I thoughted melted butter would work best. Thanks.
beyondceleryMay 23, 2012
Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, like butter, so I'd probably substitute melted butter (or solid butter, if it seems to want solid coconut oil) for it to get the most similar result. Otherwise, try using canola oil and see what happens. It'll probably still work, but have a different texture and crumb. Muffin recipes are pretty forgiving.
PCPCMay 23, 2012
I don't know of any substitute for coconut oil, but in case you are wondering where to find it, most Asian grocery stores/ markets, such as H-Mart carry it.
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