Oil Substitute in Baking

Oil of any type plays an important role in baking. Oil helps proper binding of the ingredients and is especially helpful in baked foods, since it helps keep them moist. It also prevents sticking of the items and gives the recipe a good texture. But oil is popularly known as a source of high calories or cholesterol in the diet. Most of you might think of replacing it and hence wonder if there can be an oil substitute in baking. So here's the solution.

Substitute for Oil in Baking

Substitute #1
If you want an appropriate oil substitute in baking then here's the answer. You can substitute 1 cup of vegetable oil by 1 cup homemade applesauce. Skim milk can also be added to applesauce. Apple sauce is known to be the best substitute for oil in baking that will retain the same taste.

Substitute #2
Another oil substitute that can be used for baking is equal amount of butter. This would not change the taste and act as a perfect substitute. Using margarine in equal amount as that of vegetable oil is also a good option. You can also use butter buds usually used to form a liquid, cooking sprays or corn syrup.

Substitute #3
Another oil substitute is fruit puree. You can opt for 1 cup fruit puree instead of using a cup of vegetable oil. Make sure you don't use strong flavored fruits. Using mashed bananas or prunes can be a good substitute as well. Bananas work best in breads and muffins. You can try using zucchini in brownies. Learn how to make brownies from scratch.

Substitute #4
Vegetable oil substitute in baking brownies can be olive oil. Yes it will retain the taste and the food will be healthier than that made by using the vegetable oil. You can also opt for canola oil instead of vegetable oil, this will lower the amount of saturated fat in your diet.

Substitute #5
Cornstarch is another great option for cooking oil. You can mix cornstarch with water and then heat it to get desired amount of thickness. Let it cool down, before being used for baking. You can read more on egg substitute in baking.

Substitute #6
Yogurt is not only an awesome dairy food but also serves as a perfect substitute for high-fat ingredients in baking. You can substitute oil with plain yogurt. Instead of 1 cup oil you can opt for 1/2 cup oil and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons plain yogurt in the recipe.

Substitute #7
Using mayonnaise for baking is another option for oil. You can use mayonnaise in equal amount as much of oil you were going to use while baking. Using mayonnaise while making a chocolate cake gives a great taste and texture. Read more on chocolate cake recipe.

Substitut #8
Some of the winter squash variants can be a good oil substitute in baking. You can use pumpkin which will act as the best one. Mashed sweet potatoes are also a good option instead of using oil.

While there are many ingredients that can act as oil substitute in baking, it is always good to stick to the basic recipe. Remember that completely eliminating oil from the recipe might not give it the desired taste. You can always try other ways to reduce the cholesterol levels. You can choose low fat oils that will be good for your health instead of completely eliminating them. Don't forget that using oil for dressing makes the healthy salads more nutritious!