Butter Substitute Calculator

1 cup butter (227 g) ≈ ¾ cup oil, 1 cup vegan butter, 1 cup applesauce (lower-fat).

Inputs

Result

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General calculation reads

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How to use this calculator

  • Enter cups of butter.
  • Pick role.

About this calculator

Butter is fat + water (80/20 by mass). Substitutions need to consider fat content + texture role. For baking moisture: oil at ¾ ratio works (oil is 100% fat). For laminated pastry (croissant, pie crust): need solid fat — vegan butter or refrigerated coconut oil. For sauces: oil ¾ ratio or vegan butter 1:1. Avoid using oil in cookies you want to spread (creates dense, greasy result).

Frequently asked

Why ¾ ratio for oil?+
Butter is 80% fat + 20% water. Oil is 100% fat. To match fat: 0.8 × butter cups. Round to ¾.
Margarine 1:1?+
Tub margarine: lower fat (60-70%), works for spreading. Stick margarine: 80% fat, true 1:1 with butter.
Vegan butter brands?+
Earth Balance: classic, slightly oily. Miyoko's: cleaner taste. Country Crock plant-based: budget option.
Can I use oil in cookies?+
Spreads more, denser, greasier. Use vegan butter or coconut oil for traditional cookie texture.
Brown butter sub?+
Hard to replicate the nutty milk solids. Try ghee + bit of nutritional yeast for similar flavor profile.

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