What Is the Best Substitute for Butter in Chocolate Chip Cookies?

Although butter is often considered one of the most essential ingredients for making rich and delicious chocolate chip cookies, you can actually make tasty cookies without butter. Instead, there are several things that you can substitute for butter in chocolate chip cookies.

If you’re in the middle of baking cookies and you’ve just realized that you’re out of butter, don’t panic. Instead, check out these ideas for what to substitute for butter in chocolate chip cookies.

Olive oil or vegetable oil

If you like to cook, there’s a good chance that you have a bottle of olive oil or vegetable oil in your cupboard — which can be a lifesaver if you run out of butter. Both oils are rich in fats (like butter) and add a good amount of moisture to your baked goods.

You can swap either of these oils in for butter in chocolate chip cookies with ease. When adding oil in place of butter, use approximately ¾ to ⅞ of the butter that your recipe calls for.

Avocado

In baking, one of the most surprising (yet effective) substitutes for butter is mashed avocado. Like butter, avocado is packed full of fat to add a flavorful kick to your cookies.

There are no conversions or ratios required when using avocado instead of butter. All you need to do is use an equivalent amount of avocado to replace the butter (for instance, half a cup of mashed avocado in place of half a cup of butter).

Plain yogurt

For a healthier alternative, consider using plain yogurt as a substitute for butter in chocolate chip cookies. You can either use regular yogurt or Greek-style yogurt to lower the calories and fat content in your baked goods.

When using yogurt in your cookies, measure out the same amount as you would butter. It’s worth noting, though, that yogurt is best used in smaller batches since it contains a high moisture content.

Coconut oil

We’ve already discussed how olive oil and vegetable oil can be a fantastic substitute for butter in chocolate chip cookies. But coconut oil is another ingredient that you can swap in for butter as well.

Coconut oil has a distinct taste that some people don’t enjoy, so make sure that you’re okay with the flavor before adding it. To use it in your recipes, you’ll need to melt it down first (coconut oil is solid at room temperature). Once you’ve done that, use a 1:1 ratio to replace the butter in your cookies.

Applesauce

Unsweetened applesauce is another pureed fruit that you can use instead of butter. Not only does it have less fat than butter, but it also has a number of nutrients to boost your health.

Since applesauce is mushy, it’s best used in combination with butter in baked goods. If your recipe calls for one cup of butter, you can use ½ cup of applesauce and ½ cup of butter. Using applesauce on its own as a butter replacement isn’t typically advised.

With so many different ingredients that you can substitute for butter in chocolate chip cookies, you’re sure to have at least one of them already in your pantry. If not, any of these foods can be easily purchased at your local grocery store.

For more cooking tips and ideas, check out the Tastessence blog.