Speak of dairy products and among the first names that come to our minds include butter. Made from churned cream or milk, it’s a part of almost everyone’s kitchen. However, many people prefer avoiding the use of butter and the reasons are quite obvious. We have listed them out below:
- It consists of highly saturated fat.
- Not suitable for lactose or casein intolerant people.
- It is also high in calories.
Well, the good news is that you will find a lot of alternatives or substitutes for butter. They can be used for various purposes like baking, spreading, and of course, cooking.
Check out some of the best alternatives to butter below:
Ghee
It is another form of butter that has a distinct aroma and a nutty taste. You can easily use this alternative in a 1:1 ratio instead of butter in both baking and cooking. However, you must be careful about the fact that it contains more moisture and hence, cannot be used in certain recipes.
Olive oil
This oil can be used as a substitute for butter when you need to saute some meat or vegetables. You must use a little oil as compared to the latter when using it in recipes. Moreover, not all baked items can be made with olive oil. However, you can try something like pancakes with the same.
Mashed bananas
As strange as it sounds, but this is absolutely true! You can use mashed bananas instead of olive oil in certain recipes. But it is to be noted here that this fruit is sweet and cannot be used in all recipes.
Pumpkin puree
Just like bananas, pumpkin puree also acts as an alternative to butter in many recipes. You just need to use three-quarters of the same. It is also a great source of Vitamin A.
Greek yogurt
You can use this high-protein substitute in numerous recipes instead of butter. You can mostly use Greek yogurt for baking purposes. This is to note that you should always use full-fat yogurt for the same as the non-fat variety is a bit dry.
Coconut oil
Just like olive oil, this oil is also used as a substitute for butter in many recipes. However, make sure that you use the refined version to avoid getting the distinct taste that comes with the original form.
Nut butter
By nut butter, we mean the one which is derived from either peanuts or almonds. They consist of essential nutrients and also have healthier fats. However, they do tend to change the flavour of certain recipes.
Avocado
Looking for a nutritious alternative to use instead of butter? Well, we gave got the perfect answer for you – Avocado. This amazing fruit can be used for making various baked items and meals.
Apple sauce
As the name suggests, this sauce is derived from apples which are themselves a great source of vitamins and other essential nutrients. You can use apple sauce instead of butter in many recipes.
Buttermilk
Yes, that’s right. You can also use buttermilk as a better alternative to butter in certain recipes. Just make sure to add half a cup of it which is equivalent to one cup of butter.
Article by Swetlana Neog
0 comments on “10 alternatives to butter for cooking and baking”