Olive Oil Substitute for Butter: Exact Ratio
Looking for a butter substitute? Olive Oil works as a direct replacement. Use 3/4 cup olive oil per 1 cup butter in any recipe that calls for butter. This swap works best for cakes, muffins, savory baking.
Best Substitute
Olive Oil
3/4 cup olive oil per 1 cup butter
Use 3/4 the amount since oil is 100% fat while butter is 80%. Use light/mild olive oil for baking. Changes the texture from flaky to more dense and moist.
Flavor & Texture Change
Light olive oil is mostly neutral. Extra-virgin adds a mild fruity, slightly peppery flavor that works in savory baking but can taste off in sweet cookies or cakes.
When Not to Use
Do not use in laminated doughs (croissants, puff pastry) or pie crusts. Liquid oil cannot create the flaky layers that require cold, solid fat. Also avoid extra-virgin in sweet recipes where its fruity flavor clashes.
Tips When Replacing Butter in Recipes
When substituting butter, consider its three roles: fat (for richness and tenderness), water content (for steam and leavening), and milk solids (for browning and flavor). Oil-based substitutes provide fat but not steam. For flaky pastry, use solid fats like coconut oil or vegan butter, not liquid oils.
What Is Butter and Why Substitute It?
A dairy fat made from churned cream, used for flavor, moisture, tenderness, and flakiness in baking and cooking. Contains about 80% fat, 15% water, and 5% milk solids.
Olive Oil is one of 6 alternatives you can use instead of butter. For a complete list of butter substitutes with ratios and cooking tips, visit the full butter substitute page.
What Else Can I Use Instead of Butter?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use olive oil instead of butter?
Yes, you can use olive oil as a substitute for butter. Use 3/4 cup olive oil per 1 cup butter. Use 3/4 the amount since oil is 100% fat while butter is 80%. Use light/mild olive oil for baking. Changes the texture from flaky to more dense and moist.
How much olive oil equals butter?
Use 3/4 cup olive oil per 1 cup butter to replace butter with olive oil. Works best for cakes, muffins, savory baking.
What is the best substitute for butter?
Olive Oil is a popular substitute for butter. Use 3/4 cup olive oil per 1 cup butter for a 1-to-1 replacement. See all 6 alternatives on our butter substitute page.
Does olive oil change the taste when replacing butter?
Do not use in laminated doughs (croissants, puff pastry) or pie crusts. Liquid oil cannot create the flaky layers that require cold, solid fat. Also avoid extra-virgin in sweet recipes where its fruity flavor clashes.
Is olive oil a vegan substitute for butter?
Yes, olive oil is vegan and works as a plant-based alternative to butter. Use 3/4 cup olive oil per 1 cup butter.