5 Best Butter Substitutes for Doughnuts

Quick tip: Provides similar fat content and melting behavior, resulting in doughnuts with comparable texture and flavor to those made with butter.

Margarine is formulated to imitate butter's fat content and melting profile, which is critical in doughnuts for achieving the right dough elasticity and frying performance. The fat coats flour proteins, limiting gluten development and ensuring a tender crumb.

When substituting, use margarine with at least 80% fat content and avoid low-fat versions. Keep margarine cold before mixing to maintain dough consistency.

Doughnuts made with margarine will have a slightly different flavor profile, often less rich, but the texture and frying behavior remain very close to butter-based doughnuts.

Quick tip: Produces a tender, flaky texture but may lack the buttery flavor, resulting in a more neutral taste profile.

Vegetable shortening is 100% fat and solid at room temperature, which helps create a tender dough by inhibiting gluten formation. Its high melting point ensures good frying performance and a crisp exterior.

Use solid shortening and incorporate it cold to mimic butter’s effect on dough structure. Because it lacks water, slight adjustments in dough hydration may be necessary.

The final doughnuts will be tender and crisp but have a less rich flavor compared to butter, making them a good option when flavor neutrality is preferred.

Quick tip: Adds a nutty, rich flavor and similar fat content but lacks water, which may slightly affect dough hydration and texture.

Ghee is clarified butter with milk solids removed, providing pure butterfat that behaves similarly in frying and dough formation. Its high smoke point is beneficial for frying doughnuts.

Because ghee contains no water, you may need to slightly increase liquid ingredients to maintain dough consistency. Use it melted or softened for easier incorporation.

Doughnuts made with ghee will have a richer, nuttier flavor and a slightly denser texture compared to butter-based doughnuts.

Quick tip: Provides a neutral flavor and solid fat consistency but may produce a slightly different texture due to its melting profile.

Refined coconut oil is solid at room temperature and has a relatively high saturated fat content, which helps replicate butter’s role in dough structure and frying. Its neutral flavor prevents overpowering the doughnut’s taste.

Keep coconut oil solid and cold when mixing to mimic butter’s effect on gluten development. Be aware that it melts at a lower temperature than butter, which can slightly affect dough handling.

The resulting doughnuts will be tender and crisp but may have a slightly different mouthfeel and a subtle difference in texture due to the fat's melting characteristics.

Quick tip: Liquid oil alters dough consistency, so use less and adjust flour; results in softer, less flaky doughnuts with a mild flavor.

Canola oil is a liquid fat at room temperature, so it cannot replicate butter’s solid fat structure that limits gluten formation and provides flakiness. Using less oil compensates for the lack of solidity and prevents overly greasy dough.

Incorporate canola oil carefully, mixing it with dry ingredients before adding liquids to maintain dough integrity. Expect to adjust flour slightly to achieve proper dough firmness.

Doughnuts made with canola oil will be softer and less flaky, with a more uniform crumb and milder flavor compared to butter-based doughnuts.