Substitute for Vegetable oil (in baking)
Out of vegetable oil (in baking) mid-recipe? Here is the exact swap, measured — not "about a cup of something similar" — plus every alternative that genuinely works.
For 1 cup of vegetable oil (in baking)
1 cup melted butter
Butter is ~16% water, so expect a slightly denser, richer crumb than oil gives.
Data & method: Ratios follow standard US test-kitchen practice (King Arthur Baking's ingredient guides are the primary cross-check). Every number is checked by an automated test against its source. How we calculate →
Every option, in preference order
Best swap Melted butter
1 cup melted butter
Butter is ~16% water, so expect a slightly denser, richer crumb than oil gives.
Also works Unsweetened applesauce (half the fat)
½ cup vegetable oil + ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
A lower-fat swap for muffins and quick breads — replacing ALL the oil turns them gummy.
Scaled to what your recipe calls for
Melted butter, computed for the amounts recipes actually use:
| Recipe needs | Use instead |
|---|---|
| ¼ cup of vegetable oil (in baking) | ¼ cup melted butter |
| ½ cup of vegetable oil (in baking) | ½ cup melted butter |
| ¾ cup of vegetable oil (in baking) | ¾ cup melted butter |
| 1 cup of vegetable oil (in baking) | 1 cup melted butter |
| 1½ cup of vegetable oil (in baking) | 1½ cups melted butter |
| 2 cup of vegetable oil (in baking) | 2 cups melted butter |
Need a different amount — or a different ingredient?
The calculator scales every option to your exact amount, for all 17 staples we cover.
Best swap Melted butter
1 cup melted butter
Butter is ~16% water, so expect a slightly denser, richer crumb than oil gives.
Also works Unsweetened applesauce (half the fat)
½ cup vegetable oil + ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
A lower-fat swap for muffins and quick breads — replacing ALL the oil turns them gummy.
Other swaps bakers look for
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of vegetable oil (in baking)?
The best swap for 1 cup of vegetable oil (in baking) is 1 cup melted butter — butter is ~16% water, so expect a slightly denser, richer crumb than oil gives. 1 more measured option below.
Which vegetable oil (in baking) substitute works best?
Melted butter is the closest match in most baking. Unsweetened applesauce (half the fat) also works (a lower-fat swap for muffins and quick breads — replacing all the oil turns them gummy).
How much substitute do I use for a different amount of vegetable oil (in baking)?
Scale the parts linearly. The table on this page covers the common amounts, and the calculator scales every option to exactly what your recipe calls for — never a vague "adjust to taste".