Applesauce (largest of 2) is #1 of 7 oils & fats ingredients by substitute count (4 documented, quality rank #7 at 3.8/5) ≠ Vegetable Oil #1 by average quality (4.7/5 on 3 substitutes, count rank #3).
4
Applesauce substitutes (#1 count)
#7
Applesauce quality rank
4.7/5
Vegetable Oil avg quality (#1)
#3
Vegetable Oil count rank
Substitute count is documented pairings; quality is the average reviewer score (1–5 scale) across at least two substitutes. Both are drawn from the PlainSubstitute database as of September 2026.
Grounded in established culinary references and food-science literature, current as of September 2026, drawing on 22 documented oils & fats substitutions, per our methodology.
Understanding Butter's Role
Baking: Creates tenderness, richness, flavor, and in creamed applications, lift.
Cooking: Provides fat for heat transfer, adds flavor, creates sauces.
Spreading: Flavor and richness.
Best Substitutes by Application
Baking (Cookies, Cakes, Muffins)
Best: Vegan butter sticks (Earth Balance, Miyoko's, Country Crock Plant Butter) - direct 1:1 swap.
Second: Coconut oil (solid) - 1:1 ratio, use refined for neutral flavor.
Fat reduction: Replace half butter with unsweetened applesauce.
Cooking (Sauteing, Pan Sauces)
Best: Olive oil or avocado oil - better smoke point, excellent for sauteing.
For pan sauces: Swirl cold vegan butter in at the end for glossy, emulsified sauce.
Spreading
Commercial vegan butter - soften before spreading
Avocado mash with lemon and salt
Nut butter (almond or cashew)
Key Ratios
Application
Substitute
Ratio
Baking (solid)
Vegan butter or coconut oil
1:1
Baking (melted)
Neutral oil
3/4 cup per 1 cup butter
Sauteing
Olive oil
3/4 cup per 1 cup butter
Fat reduction
Applesauce
Replace half
Oils & Fats ingredients you can look up
Documented substitutes per ingredient in this category
substitutes
Applesauce
4
Applesauce
4 substitutes
100.0% of the leader · rank #1
Coconut Oil
4
Coconut Oil
4 substitutes
100.0% of the leader · rank #2
Avocado Oil
3
Avocado Oil
3 substitutes
75.0% of the leader · rank #3
Lard
3
Lard
3 substitutes
75.0% of the leader · rank #4
Olive Oil
3
Olive Oil
3 substitutes
75.0% of the leader · rank #5
Vegetable Oil
3
Vegetable Oil
3 substitutes
75.0% of the leader · rank #6
Shortening
2
Shortening
2 substitutes
50.0% of the leader · rank #7
What this shows This guide pairs with the database: 22 tested substitutions are documented for the oils & fats ingredients above, click any to see exact ratios and quality scores.
Oils & Fats swaps by dietary need
Share of documented oils & fats substitutes that fit each diet.
Vegan
82%
Gluten-free
64%
Dairy-free
14%
Nut-free
0%
Putting it into practice
Read the strategy here, then verify the exact ratio on a oils & fats ingredient page before you swap.
Look up any oils & fats ingredient to see every documented substitute with its ratio and quality score. Oils & Fats ingredients →
Match the substitute to the function you need to preserve, binding, leavening, moisture, fat, or flavour. Substitution Finder →
How ratios and quality scores are derived from the curated registry. Methodology →
Substitution ratios are guidelines grounded in culinary practice; results vary with recipe and technique.