Is it a tradition in your household to make warm waffles covered in maple syrup? Samesies. Everyone in your family can’t wait for their Sunday Funday waffle, but you forgot to buy vegetable oil. Now what?
Are there any substitutes for vegetable oil in waffles?
One of the most popular substitutes for vegetable oil in waffles is coconut oil. Vegetable oil has numerous other substitutes, such as mashed bananas, melted ghee, pureed cauliflower, and pumpkin puree. The less healthy substitutes include yogurt and mayonnaise.
If you’re desperate to make a batch of waffles and missing one of the key ingredients (vegetable oil), have no fear because this guide has you covered with all the healthy (and not-so-healthy) substitutes you’ll need.
7 Vegetable Oil Substitute for Waffles
Luckily, there are quite a few substitutes for vegetable oil in waffles. Even better, some of these substitutes might be right under your nose or in your pantry.
Let’s take a closer look at 7 of the most popular substitutes for vegetable oil when making waffles:
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an excellent (and common) substitute for vegetable oil. It has a pleasant coconut flavor and has several health benefits.
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which raises HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol levels (the good kind) and lowers your risk of heart disease.
Another benefit of using coconut oil in waffles is that it makes the waffles crispier on the outside, unlike butter.
The ratio of coconut oil to vegetable oil is 1:1 (1 cup of vegetable oil can be substituted with 1 cup of coconut oil).
2. Mashed Banana
Here’s a substitute that’s sweet on the lips and light on the hips. Substituting vegetable oil with mashed banana is a healthy, affordable, and easy option. An added bonus is the bananas will provide you with potassium and fiber.
Mashed banana also gives the waffles a yummy flavor. The ratio of mashed banana to vegetable oil is 1:1.
3. Low-Fat Yogurt
Low-fat yogurt makes a good substitute for vegetable oil. When choosing a yogurt, consider the type of yogurt you’ll be using, such as full-fat or low-fat, as well as the flavor.
Low-fat plain yogurt is a better option, as it doesn’t have a noticeable taste (and it’s healthier).
You can also use Greek yogurt, but it will add quite a potent tanginess to your waffles (which some people enjoy).
The consistency of yogurt will make your waffle batter thick and fluffy.
Remember, yogurt is thicker than oil. Therefore, the yogurt ratio is 3:4 (¾ cup of yogurt for every 1 cup of vegetable oil.)
4. Pumpkin Puree
This substitute probably sounds a little far out there, and you’re probably imagining bright orange waffles but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
Surprisingly, pumpkin puree adds a delicious flavor to waffles and a thick, creamy texture.
The ratio of pumpkin puree to vegetable oil is 1:1.
5. Melted Mayonnaise
Another unlikely substitute for vegetable oil is mayonnaise. While it doesn’t sound very appetizing, you’ll be happy to know that it works well, and you won’t notice the difference.
The great thing about mayo is that it adds moistness to your waffles.
The ratio of melted mayonnaise to vegetable oil is 1:1.
Good to know: Mayo isn’t the healthiest substitute for vegetable oil as it contains a lot of fat and about 50% of your daily recommended sodium intake.
6. Cauliflower Puree
Cauliflower puree is an excellent and healthy substitute for vegetable oil.
Even though cauliflower has an aroma, the flavor in your waffle mix will be very subtle. It also won’t change the texture of your waffles.
The ratio of cauliflower puree to vegetable oil is 3:4 (¾ cup of cauliflower puree for every 1 cup of vegetable oil).
Top Tip: If you have kids, this is the best and tastiest way to sneak veggies into your kid’s food. They won’t even know the difference.
7. Melted Ghee
Melted ghee is another good substitute for vegetable oil. It’s very similar in texture to butter and has a nutty, creamy flavor.
Ghee also has several health benefits, such as that it’s high in vitamins A, D, and K and antioxidants.
The ratio of melted ghee to vegetable oil is 1:1.
Can You Use Olive Oil in Waffles?
You can use olive oil in waffles. It does, however, have a slightly different taste to a regular vegetable oil such as Canola oil.
Olive oil is a healthier option as the oil hasn’t been processed and has nutritional benefits (high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.)
The ratio would be one-to-one if you replaced the vegetable oil with olive oil.
Top Tip: If you don’t like the taste of the olive oil, you can also use flavored olive oil such as vanilla bean, chocolate, or dark chocolate.
Can I Substitute Butter for Vegetable Oil in Waffles?
Butter can be used as a substitute for vegetable oil in waffles. The best butter to use is unsalted butter.
Salted butter will be fine if you don’t have unsalted butter on hand. You’ll need to adjust the salt content in your recipe.
Melted vegan butter can also be used as a substitute for vegetable oil in waffles. The melted unsalted (or salted) butter ratio is 1 cup for every cup of vegetable oil.
Good to know: Whatever type of butter you choose, it won’t provide the same light texture that vegetable oil gives waffles.
Can I Make Waffles Without Vegetable Oil?
You can make waffles without vegetable oil in the recipe. However, you will notice the difference as the texture of the waffle won’t be as crisp, and the color will be much lighter.
The oil also helps to keep the batter from sticking to the waffle iron.
You can brush melted butter over the waffle iron to prevent the batter from sticking.
Top Tip: Add cornstarch to your waffle batter if you enjoy crispy waffles. If the recipe has 3 cups of flour, you’ll need to add one cup of cornstarch.
My Last Foodie Thoughts
With most people being on a health kick lately, it’s nice to have accessible substitutes for vegetable oil.
While waffles are scrumptious (especially dripping in golden syrup), it’s good to know that healthier options exist, such as cauliflower and pumpkin puree.
And if you aren’t concerned about diets, it’s also great to know that you can still whip up a batch of warm waffles even if you’ve run out of vegetable oil.
You’re bound to have something that’ll work as a substitute in your pantry.
Bon appétit.
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