Are you tired of feeling guilty about indulging in your favourite baked goods and dishes? Look no further! In this blog post, we’ve rounded up the best vegan butter substitutes that will make your recipes guilt-free and add a delicious twist to your cooking and baking.
From coconut oil to avocado, get ready to say goodbye to traditional butter and hello to plant-based alternatives that are just as tasty (if not more)!
What are vegan butter substitutes?
Vegan butter substitutes can be made with various plant-based oils, such as grape seed, sunflower, soybean, or avocado. Some popular vegan butter substitutes include Earth Balance, Nutritional Yeast, and Spectrum Naturals Organic vegan butter. These substitutes are available in most grocery stores and can be used in many recipes for traditional butter.
Coconut Oil
Are you looking for an animal-free butter alternative? Coconut oil is a great option! Coconut oil is made from coconut meat, extracted through cold pressing. It has a high smoke point, which doesn’t turn into liquid when heated for high-heat cooking or baking.
Coconut oil is also a good source of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), considered healthy fats because they can promote weight loss and improve heart health. Some vegan butter substitutes that contain MCFAs include Earth Balance Vegan Butter, Nutiva Organic Vegan Buttery Spread, and Spectrum Naturals Organic Coconut Oil Butter.
If you’re looking for a versatile vegan butter substitute that can be used in many recipes, coconut oil is a great option.
Nutritional Yeast
If you’re looking for a vegan butter substitute that doesn’t contain any dairy, you can try nutritional yeast. This protein-rich powder is made from a by-product of the beer brewing process.
It has all the essential amino acids, making it an excellent option for vegetarian and vegan baking and cooking. You can use it as an alternative to standard butter in recipes or add it to smoothies or soups for extra flavour.
Nutritional yeast is also a good source of B vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, so it can help to improve your overall health.
If you’re hesitant to try vegan butter substitutes because you think they won’t taste as good as regular butter, don’t worry – many vegan kinds of butter are just as tasty as their dairy counterparts. Try some of our favourite replacements below!
Plant-based Butter
A plethora of plant-based butter is available on the market, each with its own properties that make it perfect for specific tasks. Below are four of our favourite plant-based butter for baking and cooking.
1) Nutritional Yeast Butter: Made from yeast, this butter is incredibly creamy and offers excellent flexibility in terms of flavour and texture. They’re also packed with nutrients, making them a healthy choice for baking.
2) Coconut Butter: Made from coconut oil and water, this butter is light and fluffy with a rich flavour. They’re perfect for baking bread and cakes and frosting or decorating cupcakes.
3) Almond Butter: Made from ground almonds, this butter is creamy and smooth, with a slightly sweet taste. They’re versatile and can be used in place of dairy butter in many recipes.
4) Tofu Butter: Silken tofu is mixed with water to form a soft, spreadable paste that can be whipped into cream-like butter or used instead of dairy butter in baking recipes. This butter offers a delicious alternative to traditional vegan butter options without GMO content or cholesterol concerns.
More Vegan Butter Substitutes
Many people are vegan for ethical reasons but may still enjoy baking and cooking. Here are a few vegan butter substitutes to help you feel confident about your culinary choices without compromising flavour or nutrition.
Tofu: Tofu is a great vegan butter substitute because it has a similar texture and flavour to traditional butter. You can use it in place of butter in baking recipes, as well as in sauces and savoury dishes. To make tofu into a butter substitute, mash it until it forms ground meat-like particles. Then, add this mixture to your recipe as you would regular butter.
Granola: Granola is another good option for vegan butter substitutes because it is high in fibre and healthy fats. Simply substituting granola for regular bread crumbs or flour will give your food a crunchy texture. Add some spices if desired to add even more flavour to your dishes.
Avocado: Avocados are another excellent choice for vegan butter substitutes because they have a creamy texture mimicking traditional butter. Add mashed avocado to recipes like regular butter to get the same results. Be sure to use ripe avocados to make the flavour rich and delicious.
Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast is another popular vegan Butter Substitute because it has a cheesy flavour and texture similar to traditional cheese products like cow’s milk cheese. In addition, nutritional yeast contains valuable nutrients like B vitamins, iron, and magnesium. Add it to recipes like regular cheese for a unique cheesy flavour and texture.
