9 Best Substitutes for Vegetable Oil in Cake

Vegetable oil is popularly used in cakes because it’s inexpensive and can be heated to high temperatures without breaking down.

But, what do you use if you don’t have any? There are many substitutes for vegetable oil in cake, some healthier than others. 

If you’re looking for a substitute for vegetable oil in cake, then you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to share with you some of my favorite alternatives that are healthy and delicious!

Can you use something else? Yes, you totally can. Just make sure you substitute oils with fats that have similar qualities to the flavor and texture of vegetable oil.

9 Best Substitutes for Vegetable Oil in Cake

The best substitutes for vegetable oil in cake are olive oil and avocado oil. You can also use coconut oil, butter, and applesauce as vegetable oil substitute in cake.

Here are nine of the best substitutes that will help you make a better-tasting cake without sacrificing the flavor! 

1. Olive Oil

Olive oil is a really healthy and tasty alternative to vegetable oil to use in cake.

It has a mild, delicious taste and it can be heated to high temperatures without breaking down. What makes this substitute great is the fact that it’s actually good for your health! It also tends to give cakes a bit of tang or zest.

So if you’re looking to substitute vegetable oil in the cake, you should use olive oil. You can buy it in an ordinary grocery store and its price is much lower than other cooking oils.

Olive oil has a high smoke point, which is great for cooking, but you should not burn it because it will give your cake a bitter taste.

2. Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is wonderful for baking cakes. It has a rich, nutty flavor that makes the cake tasty and delicious. It has a high smoke point which means that it can be used to cook different types of food.

Avocado oil is extremely healthy for your body, which is why you should give it a try if you want to substitute vegetable oil in the cake. 

It’s rich in mono-saturated fats and vitamin E. This makes avocado oil one of the healthiest cooking oils.

3. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a great substitute for vegetable oil in cake because it has a mild taste that allows other flavors to come out. You can also use coconut milk instead of water when making your cakes, which will give them even more flavor!

Its delicious subtle taste and high smoke point make it a perfect candidate for baking cakes with it.

It’s one of those healthier substitutes for vegetable oil in cake because it contains antioxidants, which improve the immune system.

4. Butter

Butter is always a good choice if you’re looking to substitute vegetable oil in the cake.

It gives your cakes that delicious buttery taste that everyone likes.  You can use both salted or unsalted butter depending on your preferences.

Unsalted butter doesn’t have any added salt, so it might be better if you’re trying to reduce your sodium intake.

Butter is very versatile, so you can also use it for cooking, baking, and even frying different types of food.  It’s rich in both protein and fat which gives the cake a soft texture.

5. Applesauce

Applesauce is a healthy vegetable oil substitute for cake because it has a mild sweetness that allows other flavors to emerge. It’s healthy, low in calories, and full of fiber, so it makes a great substitute for butter or oil.

Applesauce also has a rich flavor that allows you to add different ingredients such as, cinnamon, nutmeg, or even dried fruit like raisins or dates.

You can bake it with applesauce instead of water and use applesauce in place of oil for cooking and baking.

If you decide to use applesauce instead of oil in your cake, you should also use baking soda because it helps the applesauce become lighter.

Keep in mind that you should only substitute apple sauce with 3/4 cup of the oil required by your selected recipe.

6. Fruit Puree

Fruit puree is a great substitute for butter or oil when you’re making cakes. Fruit puree is a wonderful way to give cakes their flavor while being healthy at the same time.  

You should use fruit puree instead of oil or butter when making your cakes because it has fewer calories than these ingredients.

You can use any type of fruit you like because they all give the cake a delicious flavor and moist texture.

When baking with fruit puree, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t over-mix your batter.

You should also increase the number of dry ingredients because fruit puree adds moisture to your cake.

Fruit puree is great for cakes like carrots because it gives them a rich taste and moist texture, but it’s also perfect if you want to make light baked goods such as lemon-flavored cakes.

7. Dried Plums

Dried plums are a healthy alternative for vegetable oil in the cake. They’re full of antioxidants and nutrients that make them a good choice if you want to substitute the oil in cakes while also being healthy.

When baking with dried plums, you can add a few tablespoons of water to them because this will allow your cake to become lighter.

You should use dried plums instead of oil when baking cakes with a lot of nuts because this will give them a moist texture and rich taste. Dried plums work well in chocolate cake, muffins, cookies, or brownies.

8. Bananas

If you’re looking for the best substitute for vegetable oil in cake, then bananas are your best option. Bananas give cakes their sweetness without adding extra sugar or fat into them.

They also help maintain the moisture of the cakes while increasing their protein content.

Bananas are rich in vitamins and minerals which make them a healthy alternative for vegetable oil in cake. They also help reduce the amount of fat and calories you get from your cakes.

You can use bananas alone to substitute oil in your cakes, but make sure that they’re not overripe because this will cause them to be very sweet. You should mash them before using them for baking.

9. Dairy Products

Dairy products are another type of healthy alternative for vegetable oil in cake.

Butter, full-fat cream cheese, yogurt, and sour cream will help your cakes become moist and rich.

These dairy products also give your cake a unique flavor that makes them ideal substitutes for oil or butter in baked goods.

Sour cream is a healthy substitute for vegetable oil in cakes because it has a similar consistency, so you won’t have to adjust the ingredients of your cakes too much.

Sour cream is a little thicker than vegetable oil or butter so it’ll add more moisture to your cake.

Yogurt is also a great alternative to butter and oil because it has a mild flavor that allows other flavors to come out.

You can even add fruit puree when baking your cake instead of water in order to give the cake an extra boost of flavor.

It’s important not to substitute yogurt for oil when making your cake if it requires the oven to be set at varying temperatures since yogurt doesn’t go well with quick changes in temperature.

Read More: Best Candy Melts Substitutes

What is Vegetable Oil?

Vegetable oil is obtained from the seeds, fruits, kernels, or olives of plants.

Most cake recipes recommend vegetable oil because it’s also tasteless, which allows the food flavor to come out in the end. 

It can also be heated to high temperatures without breaking down, which is why it’s the perfect candidate for baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make a cake without vegetable oil?

Yes, you can make a cake without vegetable oil. There are many alternatives for oil in cakes such as applesauce, dried fruit, bananas, and yogurt among others.

If you’re looking for the best substitute for vegetable oil in cake, then you should try different types of oil and see which one works the best.

Is cake better with oil or butter?

The most common types of cake (including pancakes) are typically best with butter, but you can also use oil if that’s what you have.

If I had to choose between the two ingredients, then I would definitely go for oil since it makes cakes much lighter and fluffier.

I’d rather sacrifice some fat than the taste of my baked good, so vegetable oil is the best choice for me.

What is the best oil for baking cakes?

The best types of oil for baking cakes are coconut, olive, and vegetable oils. These oils can stand high temperatures without breaking down or burning.

If you substitute any type of oil other than these when baking your cakes, make sure to add a lot of moisture.

Otherwise, your baked goods will come out dry because the outside crust will develop before the inside can soften.

Final Words

If you’ve tried any of these substitutes for vegetable oil in cake, please share your experience with me!

What do you think is the best substitute for vegetable oil? Let me know by commenting below.