10 Substitutes for Vegetable Oil in Brownies

You’ve decided to make brownies but you need to substitute vegetable oil. Perhaps it’s a brownie emergency. Your child just told you they signed you up for the bake sale tomorrow and you used your last drop of oil.

Maybe you are looking for a healthier option. Sometimes there are allergies or digestive issues involved where the oil must be substituted. Anyone who is in the kitchen regularly knows sometimes we must improvise with ingredients.

Vegetable oil is the primary fat in brownies. It keeps the batter from clumping. So this ingredient is very important. Don’t despair! There are some great replacements. Below are 10 vegetable oil substitutes for brownies. 

10 Vegetable Oil Substitutes for Brownies

Butter

A great substitute for vegetable oil in brownies is butter. It’s a good choice because it will keep the batter from clumping.

It will also make the brownies rich and moist. There’s also a wide variety of butter types.

For example, you can choose from salted or salt-free. This is great for people with dietary restrictions. Many folks also think that butter tastes better than vegetable oil. Butter is easy to use in brownies.

Just melt down the same amount of butter as you would vegetable oil. Pour it into the batter and mix. You will absolutely love the buttery brownies! 

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Yogurt

Yogurt makes a fantastic substitute for vegetable oil in brownies. It’s a healthier option. In most cases, it has fewer calories.

If you’re watching your saturated fat intake, yogurt is one of the best choices to replace vegetable oil.

Yogurt will also make the brownies super moist and mouthwatering. Yogurt is full of calcium, protein, and vitamin B. Vegetable oil does not contain these vital nutrients. Greek yogurt is suggested because of its consistency. 

It’s best to use low-fat or fat-free plain yogurt. However, if you like your brownies with a hint of strawberry or blueberry, give flavored yogurt a whirl. 

Pumpkin

Pumpkin purée is a glorious ingredient. Everyone needs at least one can in their pantry at all times. Pumpkin is known for settling upset stomachs in both humans and pets. It can be used in a plethora of recipes.

It’s also a creamy and delicious substitute for vegetable oil in brownies. Pumpkin purée is half the fat of vegetable oil.

Less fat, less guilt! Brownies made with pumpkin purée are moist and fudgy in texture.

There is only a hint of pumpkin flavor. Though it blends well since pumpkin is naturally sweet. There are other benefits to using pumpkin as a substitute for vegetable oil in brownies. It’s high in beta carotene.

This is a natural antioxidant that helps fight disease. It’s an anti-inflammatory and helps lower cholesterol, making it heart-friendly.  

Olive Oil

Olive oil is another much healthier substitute for vegetable oil in brownies. It comes from a single source (the olive), so you know exactly what’s in it.

Unlike vegetable oil, which is often a mixture of ingredients that may not be listed.

Don’t be afraid of using olive oil in your brownies. It will give you the same moisture and creamy goodness as vegetable oil.

However, it is recommended that a brand name, light olive oil, is used. Heavier versions can be pungent in taste.

Not something you want in your brownies.  Olive oil is also heart-healthy and can help keep blood pressure under control. 

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Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a sure-fire substitute for vegetable oil in brownies. It is one of the healthiest oils available. The coconut flavor will also add a unique flavor to your little baked squares.

This oil helps make your hair shiny, gives your skin a glow, and helps promote liver health. Coconut oil comes in a solid form, so it must be melted prior to mixing with your brownie batter.

This can be achieved by popping it in the microwave or simmering it in a pot on the stove. Use the same amount of coconut oil as you would vegetable oil. If you’re not a huge fan of the coconut flavor, add a splash of vanilla to even it out. 

Applesauce 

Applesauce is a tasty substitute for vegetable oil in brownies. Such a great replacement that there are tons of recipes for Applesauce brownies.

Applesauce will make the brownies moist. They will have a delicious apple-hued flavor without being overpowering.

There are many varieties to choose from. Whether it’s sugar-free, natural, organic, etc. The choices are limitless. It is also a healthy alternative. A 1/4 cup of applesauce has 25 calories and 0 fat.

A 1/4 cup of vegetable oil has 480 calories and 56 grams of fat. The health benefits alone make applesauce a go-to replacement for vegetable oil in brownies. 

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is a bit more flavorful than other oils. However, the taste does not permeate when used in baking.

It has a smooth and creamy consistency that will keep brownies moist. It also has a sweet buttery flavor that will give the brownies a unique taste.

Avocado oil also does a great job of keeping the brownie center tender.

Avacado is also much healthier than vegetable oil. It’s a great source of good fat. Good fat helps lower cholesterol and is good for your heart. They are also loaded with vitamin C and potassium. 

LEARN MORE: 10 Pinto Bean Substitutes

Mayonnaise 

Yes, Mayonnaise! Don’t be afraid to substitute vegetable oil with some mayo. After all, mayonnaise is just oil and eggs, with a splash of vinegar. This creamy spread has been used for ages in baking.

You just can’t be concerned about calories or saturated fat when using this substitute. Otherwise, it will give you super moist, delicious brownies. Mayonnaise can even give your baked goods more of a  homemade taste.

The extra egg will only make for a richer, more dense flavor. Mayonnaise is sure to add tastiness to your chocolate squares!

Mashed Bananas

Mashed ripe bananas also make for a great substitute for vegetable oil in brownies. Make sure the bananas are very ripe.

Mash them up into a purée and mix it in with the batter. You’ll want to use the same amount of banana as you would oil.

The bananas will add a yummy fudgy texture to the brownies. They are full of potassium and support digestive health. 

Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is often used as a substitute for vegetable oil in brownies (and other baked goods), because of its buttery texture.

It has a delightfully nutty taste. You can easily get the nut taste without the nuts by using flaxseed oil. This oil will make the brownies moist yet chewy.  

The health benefits of flaxseed oil are numerous. It helps reduce blood pressure and cholesterol just to name a few. 

We all need to substitute ingredients from time to time. Whatever your reason for needing to substitute vegetable oil in brownies, we hope you found our list helpful. Don’t be afraid to experiment or substitute.

You may find one of the replacements so delightfully delicious, that you’ll never use vegetable oil again! Good luck with making delicious brownies with a unique twist!