Olive Oil Substitute: 15 Best Alternatives for Cooking, Baking, Frying & Dressings

If you’re out of olive oil, have an allergy, or simply want a different flavor, there are plenty of excellent olive oil substitutes. The best replacement depends on how you’re using it. Neutral oils like canola or vegetable oil are ideal for baking and frying, while avocado oil closely matches olive oil’s flavor and cooking performance.

This guide covers the best olive oil substitutes, conversion ratios, and the ideal choice for every type of recipe.

Here you can also find the best oat flour substitute and onion substitute.

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Quick Answer: What Is the Best Olive Oil Substitute?

The best olive oil substitute depends on your recipe:

Use	Best Substitute
Everyday cooking	Avocado oil
Baking	Canola oil
Frying	Peanut oil
Salad dressings	Avocado oil or walnut oil
Roasting vegetables	Grapeseed oil
Marinades	Avocado oil
Dipping bread	Avocado oil
Butter replacement	Melted butter
Dairy-free recipes	Sunflower oil

Overall Best Choice: Avocado oil offers the closest flavor, texture, and smoke point to olive oil.

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What Is Olive Oil?

Olive oil is extracted from olives and is widely used in Mediterranean cuisine. It’s valued for its fruity flavor, healthy monounsaturated fats, and versatility in cooking.

Olive oil is commonly used for:

• Frying
• Sautéing
• Roasting
• Baking
• Salad dressings
• Marinades
• Pasta dishes
• Bread dipping

However, many other oils and fats can replace it successfully.

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15 Best Olive Oil Substitutes

1. Avocado Oil (Best Overall)

Avocado oil is considered the closest substitute for olive oil.

Best for:

• Frying
• Roasting
• Salad dressings
• Marinades
• Sautéing

Pros

• Mild buttery flavor
• High smoke point (around 520°F / 271°C)
• Rich in healthy monounsaturated fats
• Excellent for high-heat cooking

Cons

• Usually more expensive

Substitute Ratio

1 tablespoon olive oil = 1 tablespoon avocado oil

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2. Canola Oil

Canola oil has a neutral flavor that works in almost any recipe.

Best for:

• Baking
• Frying
• Cakes
• Muffins

Pros

• Affordable
• Neutral taste
• Easy to find

Cons

• Less flavorful than olive oil

Ratio

1:1

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3. Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oil is one of the most common pantry substitutes.

Best for:

• Baking
• Frying
• Sautéing

Pros

• Neutral flavor
• Budget-friendly

Cons

• Fewer antioxidants than olive oil

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4. Grapeseed Oil

Grapeseed oil has a light flavor and high smoke point.

Best for:

• Roasting
• Stir-frying
• Salad dressings

Pros

• Doesn’t overpower food
• High heat tolerance

Ratio

1:1

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5. Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is another neutral cooking oil.

Best for:

• Deep frying
• Baking
• Cooking

Pros

• High smoke point
• Mild taste

Cons

• Less distinctive flavor

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6. Peanut Oil

Peanut oil performs exceptionally well for frying.

Best for:

• Deep frying
• Stir-fries
• Asian dishes

Pros

• High smoke point
• Crispy results

Cons

• Not suitable for people with peanut allergies

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7. Walnut Oil

Walnut oil has a rich, nutty flavor.

Best for:

• Salad dressings
• Finishing dishes

Pros

• Rich flavor
• High in omega-3 fats

Cons

• Low smoke point

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8. Sesame Oil

Sesame oil adds a distinctive flavor.

Best for:

• Asian recipes
• Stir-fries
• Marinades

Pros

• Bold taste

Cons

• Too strong for baking

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9. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can replace olive oil in many baked goods.

Best for:

• Baking
• Roasting
• Vegan recipes

Pros

• Stable at high temperatures

Cons

• Mild coconut flavor

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10. Butter

Butter is an excellent substitute in many recipes.

Best for:

• Baking
• Sautéing
• Pasta

Pros

• Rich flavor
• Creates tender baked goods

Cons

• Contains dairy

Ratio

1 tablespoon olive oil = 1 tablespoon melted butter

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11. Ghee

Ghee is clarified butter with a rich flavor.

Best for:

• Frying
• Indian cooking
• Roasting

Pros

• High smoke point
• Rich taste

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12. Applesauce

Unsweetened applesauce replaces olive oil in baking.

Best for:

• Muffins
• Cakes
• Brownies

Pros

• Low fat
• Adds moisture

Cons

• Not suitable for frying

Ratio

Replace half or all of the olive oil depending on the recipe.

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13. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt creates moist baked goods.

Best for:

• Cakes
• Muffins
• Quick breads

Pros

• High protein
• Lower fat

Cons

• Not suitable for cooking oils

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14. Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Best for:

• Salad dressings
• Smoothies

Pros

• Heart-healthy

Cons

• Never use for high-heat cooking

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15. Almond Oil

Almond oil has a delicate nutty flavor.

Best for:

• Baking
• Dressings
• Dessert recipes

Pros

• Pleasant flavor

Cons

• Not ideal for frying

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Best Olive Oil Substitute by Recipe

For Baking

Choose:

• Canola oil
• Vegetable oil
• Applesauce
• Greek yogurt
• Melted butter

These ingredients provide moisture without significantly changing flavor.

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For Frying

The best options are:

1. Avocado oil
2. Peanut oil
3. Sunflower oil
4. Grapeseed oil

These oils have high smoke points and produce crispy results.

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For Salad Dressings

The closest replacements include:

• Avocado oil
• Walnut oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Almond oil

These oils complement fresh vegetables without overpowering them.

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For Roasting Vegetables

Excellent choices include:

• Avocado oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Sunflower oil
• Canola oil

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For Bread Dipping

If you’re serving bread with oil, use:

• Avocado oil
• Walnut oil
• Almond oil

These provide a rich flavor similar to olive oil.

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Olive Oil Substitute Conversion Chart

Olive Oil	Substitute
1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon sunflower oil
1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon walnut oil

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How to Choose the Right Olive Oil Substitute

Choose your substitute based on the recipe:

• For high-heat cooking: Avocado oil, peanut oil, or sunflower oil.
• For baking: Canola oil, vegetable oil, butter, or applesauce.
• For salads: Avocado oil, walnut oil, or almond oil.
• For healthier cooking: Avocado oil and grapeseed oil.
• For dairy-free recipes: Any plant-based oil, such as sunflower or canola oil.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the closest substitute for olive oil?

Avocado oil is the closest substitute because it has a similar flavor profile, healthy fat content, and a high smoke point. It can replace olive oil in almost any recipe using a 1:1 ratio.

Can I use vegetable oil instead of olive oil?

Yes. Vegetable oil can replace olive oil in baking, frying, and cooking. While it has a more neutral flavor, it works well in most recipes at a 1:1 ratio.

What is the healthiest substitute for olive oil?

Avocado oil is generally considered the healthiest substitute due to its high monounsaturated fat content and suitability for high-heat cooking. Walnut oil is another nutritious choice for cold dishes.

Can butter replace olive oil?

Yes. Melted butter can replace olive oil in baking and sautéing, adding a richer flavor and a softer texture to baked goods.

Which oil is best for frying instead of olive oil?

Avocado oil is the best option because of its high smoke point. Peanut oil, sunflower oil, and grapeseed oil are also excellent choices for deep frying and stir-frying.

Can I replace olive oil with applesauce in baking?

Yes. Unsweetened applesauce can replace some or all of the olive oil in cakes, muffins, and quick breads. It lowers the fat content while keeping baked goods moist.

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Final Thoughts

Olive oil is one of the most versatile cooking oils, but it’s far from the only option. If you’re cooking at high temperatures, avocado oil is the closest overall substitute thanks to its mild flavor and excellent smoke point. For baking, canola oil, vegetable oil, applesauce, and butter all work well depending on the texture and flavor you want. If you’re making salad dressings or marinades, walnut oil and avocado oil deliver rich, balanced flavors.

The best olive oil substitute ultimately depends on your recipe, dietary preferences, and desired taste. With these alternatives, you can confidently prepare everything from baked goods and roasted vegetables to fried foods and fresh salads.

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