Easiest Cooking Spray Substitutes
Whether you’re avoiding the additives in cooking spray or simply ran out, here are the easiest cooking spray substitutes that really work!
As I began diving into clean eating and using healthier ingredients (like alternatives to white sugar) in my kitchen, cooking spray was the first thing to go. Thankfully, there are lots of easy cooking spray alternatives that really work!
You never need to miss cooking spray again!
How to Use Cooking Spray Substitutes
Solid Oils
Baking
Using your fingers or a paper towel, smear a small amount of softened oil onto the bottom and sides of the pan.
Cooking
Drop a small piece of oil into a hot skillet before adding your ingredients.
Liquid Oils
Baking
Using a paper towel or brush, smear a small amount of oil onto the bottom and sides of the pan.
Cooking
Drizzle a small amount of oil in a skillet before adding your ingredients.
Avocado Oil
This is my favorite option!
Quick Facts:
Smoke point: 520 degrees
Flavor: Flavorless
Consistency at room temperature: Liquid
Butter
Quick Facts:
Smoke point: 302 degrees
Flavor: Rich buttery taste
Consistency at room temperature: Solid
Other things to note: Not suitable for those with dairy allergies or sensitivities
Coconut Oil
Quick Facts:
Smoke point: 350 degrees for unrefined; 400 degrees for refined
Flavor: Unrefined tastes like coconut; refined is flavorless
Consistency at room temperature: Solid
Animal Fat
Tallow (beef fat) and lard (pork fat) are the most common animal fats for cooking.
Quick Facts:
Smoke point: Tallow 400 degrees; lard 370 degrees
Flavor: Flavorless unless poorly processed (low quality tallow and lard taste like meat)
Consistency at room temperature: Solid
Canola Oil
Quick Facts:
Smoke point: 400 degrees
Flavor: Flavorless
Consistency at room temperature: Liquid
Other things to note: Canola oil is highly refined, often a GMO, and contains high levels of omega-6s. Because of these things, it’s not considered a healthy cooking oil.
Vegetable Oil
Quick Facts:
Smoke point: 400 degrees
Flavor: Flavorless
Consistency at room temperature: Solid
Other things to note: Vegetable oil is highly refined, usually a GMO, and has high levels of omega-6s. Due to all of this, it’s not considered a healthy cooking oil.
Parchment Paper
If you prefer to completely skip using oils, you can lay a sheet of parchment paper in your pan.
Note: this only works for baking.
Do Cooking Spray Substitutes Really Work?
Yes! These substitutes work wonderfully to keep food from sticking to the pan.
To help them work their best, make sure to coat every spot the food will touch with the cooking spray substitute of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to often using seed oils, cooking spray typically contains a propellant such as butane, isobutane or propane and dimethyl silicone as an anti-foaming agent.
You can use another oil such as avocado oil, coconut oil, or butter to coat the pan.
You can use a paper towel or brush to coat a pan with oil.
Yes, you can easily substitute regular cooking oil for cooking spray.
What’s your favorite cooking oil substitute? Let me know in the comments!
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