SaurabhWaffles is an all-time favorite classic breakfast. The crisp, chewy, and soft texture of the waffles is one of the reasons why we keep coming back for more. To achieve the perfect crispy texture and chewy goodness on the inside is by putting vegetable oil in the waffle maker or pan.
If vegetable oil is not your thing, you can surely use a better alternative for your waffles such as Applesauce. You may also use the following substitutes as Mashed Bananas, Pureed Pumpkin, Low-fat Yogurt, Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Mayonnaise, Butter, and Lard.
Vegetable Oil Substitutes for Waffles
Let’s discuss how these 9 alternatives can substitute your Vegetable oil when making waffles and other dishes as well.
1. Applesauce
Applesauce is extracted from fresh apples. The apples can be peeled or unpeeled mixed with spices and sweeteners. It’s an inexpensive and healthier alternative compared to the common vegetable oil.
Personally, this is by far “the best” alternative for vegetable oil when making waffles. The apple flavor of the sauce gives the waffles a fruity and sweet flavor. You don’t even need to add maple syrup when serving.
In place of 1 cup of Vegetable oil is ¾ to 1 cup of unsweetened, all-natural Applesauce. I personally make my own applesauce which I will share the recipe in a bit. Just spread it on your pan or waffle maker and pour in your batter mixture. Other than waffles, it works best with other baked goods to achieve a moist and delicious flavor.
2. Mashed Bananas
Bananas are widely available in any part of the world. They’re cheap and nutritious at the same time. Pick the ripest and the highest quality of bananas that you can find in grocery markets. You can manually mash them or put them in the blender. No need to add any sweetener or water.
In place of 1 cup of Vegetable oil, use ¾ cup of mashed bananas. Your waffles will have a natural banana flavor once served. This alternative can also be used when baking bread and cakes to add extra taste and moisture.
3. Pureed Pumpkin
Get some fresh pumpkins, peel, and cut them into small pieces. Prepare your steamer or a boiling pot and cook the pumpkins for 50 minutes or until the pumpkin flesh is tender. When it’s cooled, puree them in the blender or mash manually by hand. Simple and easy to make at home.
In place of 1 cup of Vegetable Oil, use 1 cup of Pureed Pumpkin. The result of this alternative is quite savory and decadent. It depends on the type of pumpkin you brought, there’s a sweeter variation or savory type. This alternative is also perfect for bread.
Also Check: Substitute for Vegetable Oil in Cake
4. Low-Fat Yogurt
Yogurt is a healthy fermented food extracted from milk. Its bacteria is beneficial for its fermentation process to produce yogurt cultures. You can make your own yogurt at home or to save time, pick ones from the grocery store like Chobani or Yoplait.
This diverse food can be used to replace 1 cup of vegetable oil for 1 cup of plain low-fat yogurt. When using yogurt, make sure to reduce the liquid content of your waffle batter since the yogurt adds water to the dish. The yogurt adds a slightly tangy taste in your waffles.
5. Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil is another healthy alternative for vegetable oil. It has more nutritional value but has the same consistency as vegetable oil when heated. Just make sure that you store coconut oil in room temperature as it hardens quickly when exposed in colder temperatures.
In place of 1 cup of Vegetable oil is also 1 cup of Coconut oil. You can also use Coconut oil spray from Trader Joe’s. The taste won’t make any difference from the ones cooked by vegetable oil. Your waffle will come out crispy but tender on the inside.
6. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Also, a healthier and less calorie alternative than vegetable oil is no less than Extra Virgin Olive Oil. There are different types of olive oils that you can find in the market, make sure to choose the ones labeled as “extra virgin”. This type of oil is at its highest quality form and offers a milder taste.
Replace 1 cup of Vegetable oil with 1 cup of Extra Virgin Olive oil. I recommend using Georgia Olive Farms’ olive oil. Just make sure the pan is not too hot since olive oil burns faster. You can also use olive oil to replace vegetable oil in other dishes such as salads, sauces, and marinades.
7. Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is a surprising addition to this list. Normally, we use it as a typical condiment for sandwiches and fritters. But did you know that you can use Mayonnaise to substitute vegetable oil? I highly recommend using Kraft’s mayonnaise since it has always been a trusted brand.
To use it as a substitute, make sure you melt your mayonnaise first. Replace 1 cup of vegetable oil with 1 cup of molten mayonnaise. You’ll be surprised that the finished product doesn’t have that much of a difference. This substitute also works with pan-frying dishes and even with stir-fried dishes.
8. Unsalted Butter
Butter is common in every kitchen. It’s perfect for pan-frying dishes and making baked goodies. Butter gives the dish a richer taste and texture. However, it’s not a healthier alternative in substituting vegetable oil for cooking. But still, it’s perfect for decadent treats like waffles.
Replace 1 cup of Vegetable oil with 1 cup of Molten Butter. I highly recommend Land O Lakes’ Unsalted Butter. I like using unsalted butter to cut the sodium content in my dish. But if you prefer using salted butter, make sure to cut your salt content in your waffle batter.
9. Lard
Some chefs and cooks prefer lard over vegetable oil and butter. This semi-soft white fat from meats has high saturated fatty acid content and zero trans fat. No wonder it’s mostly preferred because of its better nutritional value. You can make your lard at home or purchase the ones from Land O Lakes.
You can replace 1 cup of Vegetable oil with 1 cup of Lard. It offers the same taste and texture as your waffles. Other than making waffles, lard is best used for deep frying meats and vegetables.
BONUS RECIPE!!
“Homemade Applesauce”
Ingredients:
- 10 fuji apples (peeled, cored, and diced)
- 2 strips of lemon peel
- 3 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider
- ½ tsp of ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp of vanilla extract
- ½ cup of white sugar
- 1 cup of water
- ½ tsp of salt
Directions:
- Prep your large pot with 1 cup of water and bring to a boil.
- Peel, core, and dice apples, then add in the boiling pot.
- Add in your lemon, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar, and salt.
- Bring to a boil over high heat then lower the temperature and cover the pot. Maintain a low simmer for about 20 minutes or until the apples are cooked and tender.
- Once cooked, remove the lemon peels and cool the cooked apples.
- Once cooled, use a potato masher to mash the cooked apples. If you want a chunky sauce, just stick with the potato masher. For a smoother sauce, use a food processor or blender. When using a blender, don’t put them all together and blend them in small batches.
- Check if your applesauce is too thick. If it is, just add more water to smooth it out.
- You may adjust the taste by adding more sugar or lemon juice.
- Use for frying your waffles or a topping. It can also be used for other savory dishes such as lamb chops, sandwiches, and desserts like a topping for ice cream or yogurt.
- Store leftovers in a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 1 year.
Enjoy!!
