Hi lovely people,
as many of you know, butter is not the healthiest option when it comes to baking or cooking. It has a lot of fat and cholesterol, so it’s not ideal for your heart health; plus, if not used correctly, it can make your food taste pretty greasy. That’s why many people choose to use healthy butter substitutes in their recipes instead, especially if they’re trying to lose weight and eat healthier foods or if they are vegan. There are actually many different options out there! With this list of 10 best healthy butter substitutes for baking, you can find which one will work best with your favorite recipes!
10 Best Healthy Butter Substitutes for Baking:
1) Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is a great substitution for butter in baking! Not only does it have a similar consistency, but it also has a neutral flavor that won’t interfere with the other ingredients in your recipe. Coconut oil is also a good source of healthy fats, which can help to improve the texture of your baked goods. When substituting coconut oil for butter, be sure to use the same amount of oil as you would butter. You can also experiment with melted coconut oil, giving your baked goods a light and fluffy texture.
2) Applesauce:
Applesauce is another great option for substituting butter in baking. It’s lower in calories and fat than butter, adding sweetness to your recipes. When using applesauce as a butter substitute, be sure to use half the amount of applesauce as you would butter. You can also experiment with using different types of applesauce, such as cinnamon applesauce, with adding a little flavor to your baked goods.
3) Avocado:
Avocado can be used as a healthy butter alternative for baking. It is high in healthy monounsaturated fats and has a creamy texture that makes it perfect for replacing butter in recipes. When substituting avocado for butter, it is important to use a ripe avocado that is soft to the touch. The avocado should also be mashed or pureed before adding it to the recipe. In most cases, you will need to use twice as much avocado as you would butter. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of butter, you would use 2 cups of mashed avocado.
4) MCT oil:
MCT oil is a great healthy butter substitute for baking. It is derived from coconut oil and is rich in medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of saturated fat metabolized differently than other types of fat. MCTs are absorbed more quickly and used by the body for energy rather than being stored as fat. MCT oil is also flavorless, so it won’t change the taste of your baked goods. Just be sure to use it in place of other oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil, rather than in place of butter. MCT oil can be found in health food stores or online.
5) Nut butters:
Nut butters are a delicious and healthy alternative to butter for baking. They are high in healthy fats and protein, and they offer a variety of vitamins and minerals. Nut butters can be made from almonds, cashews, peanuts, or any other type of nut. To use nut butter as a butter substitute, simply spread it on toast or add it to your recipes in place of butter. Nut butters can be found in most supermarkets or health food stores.
6) Banana:
Banana is an excellent healthy butter substitute for baking as it contains vitamins C & B6, potassium, dietary fiber, magnesium, copper & manganese essential nutrients. It also acts as an egg replacer… all you need is half a mashed banana per egg; the recipe calls for it! Using bananas will make your treats moister than using other substitutes due to its higher water content so keep that in mind when adapting recipes. And like applesauce, refrain from using overly ripe bananas as their sweetness will alter the flavor profile you’re going for.
7) Pumpkin seed oil:
Pumpkin seed oil is a lesser-known but equally effective substitute for butter in baking. Pumpkin seed oil is high in antioxidants and vitamins E and K, making it beneficial for the skin. It is also rich in magnesium, which helps to relax muscles and reduce stress. When substituting pumpkin seed oil for butter, use a 1:1 ratio. Pumpkin seed oil can be found in health food stores and online.
8) Ghee:
Ghee is a type of clarified butter that is made by removing the milk solids and water from the butter. This process makes ghee more shelf-stable than regular butter and gives it a higher smoke point, making it ideal for cooking. Ghee is also rich in vitamins A, D, and E. When substituting ghee for butter, use a ratio of half ghee to butter.
9) Hemp seeds, hemp protein powder, hemp milk, etc.
Hemp seeds are a complete protein, containing all 20 amino acids, including the nine essential amino acids our bodies cannot produce. Hemp seeds are also a good source of omega fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, and iron. However, hemp milk is made by blending hemp seeds with water and is a good alternative to dairy milk. Hemp milk has a similar nutritional profile to cow’s milk but is naturally lactose-free. Hemp protein powder is made by grinding hemp seeds into a fine powder. It can be used in baking recipes in place of flour.
10) Flaxseed:
Flaxseed is a good healthy butter substitute for baking as it contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals. When substituting flaxseed for butter, use a ratio of three parts flaxseed to one part water. For example, if a recipe calls for one cup of butter, you would use three cups of flaxseed, and one cup of Olive oil is a healthy fat high in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a good source of vitamins E and K.
Conclusion
These are just some of the best healthy butter substitutes for baking. Be sure to experiment with different substitutes to find the one that works best for you and your recipes. And remember, even if a substitute doesn’t work out perfectly, it’s still probably healthier than using butter! We hope you found this post about healthy butter substitutes for baking helpful. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!