7 Best Substitute For Vegetable Oil In Cake Mix – Out of vegetable oil but still want to make a delicious cake? Discover 7 easy substitutes for vegetable oil in cake mix, including melted butter, applesauce, yoghurt, mayonnaise and sour cream. Find out how much to use and which alternatives make the best moist, delicious cakes.
7 Best Substitutes for Vegetable Oil in Cake Mix
Have you opened a box of cake mix only to discover that you’re out of vegetable oil? Don’t worry! There are several easy substitutes you can use to make a delicious, moist cake without needing to run to the supermarket.
The best substitutes for vegetable oil in cake mix include melted butter, applesauce, yoghurt, mayonnaise and sour cream. You can also use coconut oil, avocado oil or fruit and vegetable purees, depending on what you have available.
Most substitutions can be made using the same amount as the vegetable oil specified on the cake mix packaging, although some alternatives work better when you replace only part of the oil.
Here are seven easy vegetable oil substitutes for cake mix, including how much to use and what to expect from each alternative.(For more inspiration, here are ideas for substituting eggs in cake mix.)
Vegetable oil substitution chart
Example measurements when the cake mix calls for ½ cup (120ml) of vegetable oil.
| Substitute | Suggested amount | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| Melted butter | ½ cup | Rich, buttery flavour |
| Applesauce | ½ cup | Moist, slightly denser cake |
| Plain yoghurt | ½ cup | Moist, tender texture |
| Mayonnaise | ½ cup | Rich, moist cake |
| Sour cream | ½ cup | Rich, tender texture |
| Melted coconut oil | ½ cup | Similar texture, possible coconut flavour |
| Pumpkin or sweet potato puree | Start with ¼ cup, replacing part of the oil | Moist, denser cake |
7 Substitute For Vegetable Oil In Cake Mix Ideas
Here are the ideas for the 7 good alternatives that you can use in place of vegetable oil in your favorite cake mix that you can find at your grocery store.
1. Melted Butter or Ghee
A melted cup of butter or tablespoons of butter or even ghee are a great substitute for oil in a baked treat, such as chocolate chip cookies, because they produce a neutral flavor and sweet taste in the finished product when mixed into the dry ingredients.
You can included unsalted butter or salted butter, depending on what real butter you have in your fridge and whether you’d like a salted richer flavor to your treat.
Melted butter can generally replace oil in equal quantities. Allow it to cool slightly before adding it to the cake mix.
2. Applesauce or Fruit Puree
If you’d prefer not to include any dairy products then opt for applesauce, fruit puree or mashed fruit as a sweet option to swap for oil, yet it doesn’t add a fruity flavor and has fewer calories than oil.
Choose an unsweetened applesauce because the cake mix likely to be sweet enough already. Other fruit options are mashed banana or cooked and pureed pear.
You simply swap the volume suggested on the packaging for the same volume – likely around a cup of applesauce.
Applesauce adds moisture but contains less fat than oil, so replacing all the oil can result in a denser cake.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt such as plain, natural or Greek Yogurt is a healthy substitute that can be used in cake recipes to provide moisture and a slight, subtle tangy flavor.
Use a cup of yogurt, or the suggested volume on the box for the best results and the perfect cake.
4. Mayonnaise
An old fashioned inclusion in chocolate cake is mayonnaise, which is one of the best substitutes for oil in a cake mix recipe. Mayo is usually made up of eggs and oil making it a good substitute when you’d prefer not to use oil.
Be sure to use a pure mayonnaise, one without any added salt or flavorings. (I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer not to try a garlic infused chocolate cake!)
What’s great about this option is that you can keep spare unopened bottles of mayo in your pantry at room temperature, so it’s the perfect food to always have to hand to use in place of oil.
5. Sour Cream
I particularly like to use sour cream as a vegetable oil substitute in baked treats such as a carrot cake or banana bread, due to it’s rich and creamy texture and better flavor profile.
Sour cream adds moisture and richness, but can make the cake slightly denser if used to replace all the oil.
6. Other Oils as a Substitute For Vegetable Oil In Cake Mix
If you’d prefer alternatives to traditional vegetable oils, then you may consider using melted coconut oil or avocado oil instead, which can generally replace vegetable oil in equal quantities.
7. Sweet Potato or Pumpkin Puree
Sweet potato or pumpkin puree are a great option to create a cake that’s high in moisture content while being healthy and providing a mild flavor to your boxed mix baked goods. Note that it changes the texture and flavour more noticeably than butter or another oil.
Which Is the Best Substitute for Vegetable Oil in Cake Mix?
If you want your boxed cake mix to taste as close as possible to the original recipe, melted butter is one of the best substitutes for vegetable oil.
Use the same quantity of melted butter as the vegetable oil specified on the cake mix packaging. It adds a lovely buttery flavour and helps produce a moist cake.
If you don’t have butter, mayonnaise is another good option because it already contains oil and eggs.
For a fruit-based alternative, try applesauce. It works particularly well when replacing half of the oil, helping to retain moisture without changing the cake’s texture too dramatically.
Ultimately, the best substitute depends on what you have available and the type of cake you’re making.
As you can see, there are plenty of vegetable oil substitutes to choose from the next time you’re whipping up box cakes, that all still result in a final product that has delicious texture and flavor.
Substitute For Vegetable Oil In Cake Mix – Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use melted butter instead of vegetable oil in cake mix?
Yes! Melted butter is one of the easiest substitutes for vegetable oil in cake mix. Use the same quantity of melted butter as the oil specified on the packaging. It gives your cake a richer, buttery flavour.
What can I use instead of vegetable oil in cake mix?
You can use melted butter, applesauce, plain yoghurt, mayonnaise, sour cream, melted coconut oil or fruit and vegetable purees instead of vegetable oil in cake mix. The best option depends on the ingredients you have available and the texture you want.
Can I make cake mix without oil?
Yes, you can make boxed cake mix without vegetable oil by using alternatives such as melted butter, mayonnaise or applesauce. Keep in mind that removing all the fat can change the texture and moisture of the finished cake.
Can I use applesauce instead of oil in cake mix?
Yes! Unsweetened applesauce can replace vegetable oil in cake mix. You can start by replacing half the oil with applesauce for a moist cake with a texture closer to the original recipe.
Can I use mayonnaise instead of oil in cake mix?
Yes! Mayonnaise contains oil and eggs, making it a useful alternative in cake mixes. You can generally use the same quantity of mayonnaise as the vegetable oil specified on the packaging.
Can I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil in cake mix?
Yes, olive oil can replace vegetable oil in cake mix in the same quantity. However, extra virgin olive oil has a stronger flavour that may be noticeable in the finished cake. A lighter olive oil is a more neutral option.
Baking Essentials for Making Boxed Cake Mix
Once you’ve found your favourite substitute for vegetable oil, having a few basic baking essentials makes preparing boxed cake mixes even easier.
Here are some useful baking tools to keep in your kitchen:
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurately measuring butter, oil, applesauce and other cake ingredients.
- Mixing Bowls: A set of mixing bowls makes it easy to combine your cake mix and wet ingredients.
- Silicone Spatula: Perfect for scraping every last bit of cake batter out of your mixing bowl.
- Non-Stick Cake Pans: Having the right cake pans makes it easy to bake and release your finished cake.
These are simple baking essentials that you can use for homemade cakes, boxed cake mixes and plenty of other baking recipes.
More Easy Dessert Recipe Ideas
Greek Yogurt Chocolate Pudding
Dark Chocolate Truffles Recipe
Updated November 2026 with additional substitution measurements and baking tips.
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