5 Best Coconut Oil Substitutes for Pizza Dough

Quick tip: Unsalted butter works well for tender dough but may require slight hydration adjustments due to its water content.

Butter works well because it is a solid fat at room temperature with a melting point close to coconut oil, which helps create a tender, pliable dough. The fat coats flour proteins, limiting gluten development slightly and resulting in a softer crumb.

For best results, use unsalted butter to control salt levels in the dough and ensure it is softened but not melted before mixing. Be mindful that butter contains some water, so slight adjustments in flour hydration may be necessary.

Compared to coconut oil, butter imparts a richer, dairy-forward flavor and a slightly softer texture, which many find desirable in pizza dough, though it lacks the subtle tropical notes of coconut.

Quick tip: Ghee provides a nutty, buttery flavor with no water content, which can improve dough shelf life and texture.

Ghee is clarified butter, meaning it is pure fat without the milk solids or water found in butter. This makes it behave more like coconut oil in dough, providing a stable fat that coats flour proteins and aids in tenderness.

Use ghee at room temperature and incorporate it evenly to avoid greasy spots. Because it lacks water, you might need to slightly increase dough hydration.

The final dough will have a rich, slightly nutty flavor and a tender crumb, with a texture closer to coconut oil than butter due to the absence of water.

Quick tip: Lard creates a tender, flaky dough with a neutral flavor, but it is animal-derived and less suitable for vegan diets.

Lard is a solid animal fat with a melting point similar to coconut oil, which helps create a tender, elastic dough by coating flour proteins and limiting gluten overdevelopment. It also contributes to a crisp crust.

Ensure the lard is fresh and rendered properly to avoid off-flavors. Incorporate it chilled and cut into the flour for best texture.

Compared to coconut oil, lard produces a more neutral flavor and can yield a slightly flakier texture, but it is not suitable for vegan or dairy-free diets.

Quick tip: Use chilled avocado oil that has been solidified to mimic coconut oil’s texture; it adds a mild flavor and healthy fats.

Avocado oil is typically liquid at room temperature but can be chilled to solidify, making it a potential substitute for coconut oil’s solid fat properties. It contains monounsaturated fats that help tenderize dough and improve elasticity.

Solidify the oil by refrigerating it until firm before mixing into the dough. Be aware that it will soften quickly at room temperature, so work swiftly.

The dough will have a subtle, buttery flavor and a tender crumb, though the textural effect may be less pronounced than with coconut oil due to differences in fat crystal structure.

Quick tip: Vegetable oil is liquid and will make the dough softer and less structured, potentially affecting stretch and rise.

Vegetable oil lacks the solid fat structure of coconut oil, so it does not provide the same tenderizing effect or dough elasticity. It coats flour proteins but does not create the same fat network, leading to a softer, less resilient dough.

Use slightly less vegetable oil than coconut oil to avoid overly wet dough, and be prepared for a dough that may be stickier and harder to handle.

The final pizza crust will be softer and less chewy, with a less defined crumb compared to dough made with coconut oil.