25 Ways to Bake With Olive Oil Instead of Butter

By Melanie Fincher

My Hot Southern Mess

Baking with olive oil is not such an uncommon thing. There are plenty of classic breads that call for olive oil, including focaccia, ciabatta, and oftentimes French bread. However, you can also swap olive oil for some fats like butter or margarine in your baking. Whether you're looking to reduce your dairy intake or you don't have any butter on hand, all of these recipes — from breads to muffins to cakes and more — call for olive oil instead of butter. Here are 25 recipes to get you started baking with olive oil now.

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1 of 25

Blueberry Zucchini Muffins

sanzoe

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"While looking for a recipe for muffins calling for zucchini, this one had me at olive oil," says reviewer naples34102. "The olive oil along with zucchini of course made these incredibly moist. The zucchini is undetectable and the amount of cinnamon makes these delicately and pleasantly spiced."

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2 of 25

Strawberry Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins

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These strawberry and oat muffins make the perfect on-the-go breakfast. Reviewer PULLEYHEATHER says, "Well these were a delightful surprise! They tasted a bit like baked oatmeal with strawberries. I haven't made a muffin that used olive oil before, but it worked great."

3 of 25

Maple Whole Wheat Bread

Dianne

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Use a bread machine to make this whole-wheat sandwich bread. "I was getting tired of the dense bread that I was getting from my breadmaker until I tried this recipe," says reviewer CPADDON. "Such a lovely, soft texture perfect for PB&J sandwiches."

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4 of 25

Softest Soft Bread with Air Pockets Using Bread Machine

Brownie Butter

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"This is the BEST and easiest bread recipe ever! So soft and fluffy," says reviewer mariahs. This easy bread machine recipe requires just four ingredients, no butter necessary.

5 of 25

Oatmeal Apple Muffins

Pepper

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This muffin is packed with nutritious ingredients like apples, cranberries, nuts, oats, and cinnamon. "One of these makes a filling, easy to grab breakfast," says reviewer dmchris.

6 of 25

Olive Oil Bread

pomplemousse

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"This was the easiest yeast bread I've ever made," says reviewer COOKIE QUEEN. "It makes a fairly small loaf so if you're having company I would recommend making two loaves. I took this to a church dinner and there was none left at the end of the evening."

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7 of 25

Kalamata Olive and Garlic Bread

sally2u

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"This bread was created from leftover dough after making a focaccia dressed with Kalamata olives, garlic, and olive oil. This version has the olives and garlic baked in the bread," says recipe creator Martha Dibblee.

8 of 25

Brown Rice Bread

LynnInHK

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Use whatever rice you have on hand to make this easy sandwich bread. "We have tried it with different rices and all turn out wonderful," says reviewer shirl. "It is perfect for toast and it also makes the BEST grilled cheese sandwiches ever."

9 of 25

Golden Coconut Almond Muffins

Dianne

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"Toasted coconut, almonds, orange zest, vanilla, and coconut milk are just what is needed for a scrumptious combination," says recipe creator WhirledPeas. "These muffins freeze well, and can also be baked in mini muffin pans for a special touch. Quick and easy!"

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10 of 25

Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins

Muffin Top

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These whole-wheat, honey, and blueberry muffins have a delectable cream cheese filling. "My muffins did turn out fluffy, flavorful, and moist," says reviewer Cathy G. "I did as another reviewer suggested and added a cup of raspberries with the blueberries and it was awesome."

11 of 25

Olive Oil Cranberry Bundt Cake

elinor3

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"This is a fantastic bundt cake recipe," says reviewer DOMSMUM. "It's possibly the most moist cake I've ever made and it got raves at a party I made it for."

12 of 25

Blueberry Squares 

Holiday Baker

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Garbanzo beans and olive oil make this a zero trans fat, vegan take on a traditional fruit square. "Really great dessert without too much guilt," says reviewer steph.

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13 of 25

Spiced Orange Olive Oil Cake 

ChefJackie

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"With just a touch of sweetness, this olive oil cake has a hint of orange zest and five-spice powder," says recipe creator ChefJackie. "If you don't eat it all the first day, cut it into cubes and layer with whipped cream and oranges, or toast and slather with honey."

14 of 25

Best Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins

Marie Wishart

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Put cranberry sauce to use with these soft and fluffy muffins topped with toasted pecans. "These were delicious," says reviewer izza01. "I made cranberry sauce for Christmas and used the leftovers for this recipe."

15 of 25

Amazing Chocolate Beet Cake

Morgan Steffy

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Don't let the name scare you, you can't taste the beets in this rich chocolate cake. Recipe creator Kat says, "No one will know you put beets in this chocolate cake. It is amazing, dense, and fudgy. Kids love it, too. You will make this time and time again. It freezes great, too!"

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16 of 25

Healthier Bran Muffins

inadelirium

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Whole bran cereal packs a load of fiber into these tasty muffins. They can also be made with granola instead of bran flakes, according to reviewer COOKINGMAMA.

17 of 25

  Banana Strawberry Oat Bread

Happyschmoopies

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"This was a great way to use up those bananas that have been sitting on the counter and those strawberries that were sitting in the fridge! Super tasty and a healthy snack,"says recipe creator dramacatz.

18 of 25

Almond Flour Bread Loaf with Parmesan

Buckwheat Queen

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This gluten-free and wheat-free loaf can also be made dairy-free by omitting the Parmesan. "One of the best gluten-free breads I have ever made and tasted," says reviewer Patty Deering.

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19 of 25

Gluten-Free Wacky Depression Era Chocolate Cake

virgi

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Wacky cakes were developed during the depression era and are made without milk or eggs, and in this case without butter. "Still can't believe beans are in this cake," says reviewer EHJOY. "Excellent taste, very moist and so easy."

20 of 25

Chocolate Fudge Banana Bread

My Hot Southern Mess

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Chocoholics will fall in love with this moist and rich banana bread. "Followed the recipe exactly and it turned out beautifully," says reviewer Ginger13. "I'm not a banana fan but I had some that were going bad, so I figured I would give this a try! It is warm and gooey when it first comes out of the oven but I also have enjoyed it at room temperature."

21 of 25

Chocolate Apple Zucchini Picnic Cake

Oxbow Farm

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No one will be able to tell this chocolate apple cake is loaded with zucchini. "This recipe was so easy," says reviewer liz192.

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22 of 25

Vegan Oat Flour Muffins

cori

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"Good afternoon snacks without the guilt," says reviewer virgi. "Not really sweet which is what I like." Raw sunflower seeds, raw pumpkin seeds, flax seed meal, and oat flour make for a nutritious breakfast muffin.

23 of 25

EVOO Sugar Cookies 

Buckwheat Queen

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"Extra-virgin olive oil replaces butter in a simple sugar cookie recipe. The result is a rich, dense cookie to sink your teeth into. These are great for dunking in your tea," says recipe creator Buckwheat Queen.

24 of 25

Very Banana-y Whole Wheat Banana Bread

lutzflcat

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This healthier take on banana bread is made with unsweetened applesauce, whole wheat flour, and chopped walnuts. "Delicious, wholesome, and easy," says reviewer Sailorsal.

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25 of 25

Olive Oil Orange Cornmeal Cake

Linda T

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Reviewer Nancy Welch Pertiz says, "This cake is so easy to make and so delicious. It is moist, has great flavor and a perfect crumb. I skipped sprinkling the sugar on the top before baking and instead sprinkled powdered sugar on it once it had cooled. We bake this once a week and devour it!"

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