Butter Alternatives for Kids
Quick picks: coconut oil for baking, dairy-free butter for toast, olive oil for cooking. See below for why.
At-a-Glance
- Dairy-free butter: tastes closest to real butter; works for toast, cooking, and baking.
- Coconut oil: solid at room temp; great for baking cookies and pie crusts.
- Olive oil: best for savory cooking; not ideal for baking sweet treats.
- Applesauce or mashed banana: reduces fat in baking; works for muffins and quick breads.
Best Use by Scenario
- Toast & sandwiches: Dairy-free butter
- Cookies & pie crust: Coconut oil → Dairy-free butter
- Cakes & brownies: Dairy-free butter → Coconut oil
- Savory cooking: Olive oil → Dairy-free butter
- Muffins & quick breads: Applesauce or banana (reduces fat)
Baking note: Dairy-free butter and coconut oil are 1:1 swaps for regular butter in most recipes. If using applesauce, reduce other liquids slightly. Always check labels for hidden dairy.