Can You Use Olive Oil in Brownies? (2024)

You are mixing together brownies and realize that you are completely out of vegetable oil. Not only that, but the only other oil you have in your pantry is olive oil. So, can you substitute olive oil in brownies? Find out in our quick guide.

Can You Use Olive Oil in Brownies?

Most brownie recipes call for some kind of oil — usually vegetable oil or canola oil. This oil acts as the primary fat in brownie batter, giving it that delicious, fudgy texture we all know and love. When you are out of the specific oil the recipe calls for, you can use another oil to substitute for it — and that includes olive oil.

Note that while some brownie recipes do call for melted butter instead of oil, the butter can aerate the batter, altering the texture of the brownies and making them cakey rather than fudgy. So, while you can substitute butter for oil and vice versa, remember that it might alter the texture.

Learn more about butter vs olive oil here.

Can You Use Olive Oil in Brownies? (1)

Olive oil is an easy substitute for brownies because it is the same density as other oils, so you do not have to change the measurements or do any conversions, as you would if you were to substitute in oil. However, adding olive oil can change the taste of the brownies. Most baking oils such as vegetable oil and canola oil have a neutral or nonexistent taste, whereas olive oil has a peppery, grassy taste that can affect the flavor of the brownies. Use olive oils that are lighter and smoother in flavor, or opt for infused olive oils with flavors that pair well with chocolate, like chili or basil for a more complex twist.

Browse Our Healthy Olive Oils

Another factor to consider is the smoke point of oils. While extra virgin olive oil has a similar smoke point to vegetable oil and canola oil, lower quality olive oil often has a lower smoke point. This means that the edges of the brownie might get crispy faster than the recipe’s cooking time. Either choose an extra virgin olive oil or keep a close eye on the oven so the top of the brownies do not overbake; you may need to put some foil over it part way through cooking. Get more tips for baking with olive oil on our blog.

Health Benefits of Olive Oil in Brownies

Taste and texture are not the only things you need to consider: The health benefits of your food are also important. On that front, olive oil is one of the most beneficial cooking oils that you can put into brownie batter or, really, any recipe. Olive oil is packed with antioxidants that can help fight free radical damage and protect your cells from stress.

Healthy olive oil is also chock-full of polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats, which are the two healthy kinds of fats. These healthy fats help boost your good cholesterol levels and lower your bad cholesterol levels. Most other baking oils are low in these types of healthy fats and higher in saturated fats, which are not good for you, making olive oil a better choice. If you are trying to make your brownies a little bit healthier, substituting olive oil for butter or another cooking oil is a solid choice.

Can You Use Olive Oil in Brownies? (2)

Other Tips for Baking Brownies

Trying to bake the best olive oil brownies? Here are some tips for getting a perfect pan every time:

  • Measure the ingredients accurately. This is true for pretty much any baking recipe, including brownies. Baking recipes are very precise and even small deviations in amounts can have big consequences.
  • Sift the cocoa powder. This prevents lumps and means that the chocolate flavor will get distributed evenly through the batter.
  • Spread the batter evenly. This ensures that the batter cooks evenly and that you have a reduced chance of “hot spots” that get too crispy too fast.
  • Choose the size pan that your recipe calls for. Selecting a different size pan means the batter will be either thinner or thicker, changing the cook time and potentially altering the texture of the brownies.
  • Use a light-colored pan. Dark-colored pans make it hard to see how the brownies are cooking, so choose a lighter-colored pan so you can check on the brownies without opening the oven all the way.

Brightland will ship high-quality olive oil straight to your door. Choose from several varieties of extra virgin olive oil, as well as flavored olive oils, or opt for a sampler set if you cannot make up your mind. Start shopping today!

  • Alive Grassy extra virgin olive oil For salads, hummus, baked goods, fresh greens, and bread. Made with Arbequina, Arbosana, and Koroneiki olives grown on small family farms in California.
  • Awake Robust extra virgin olive oil For roasting, sauteing, soups, stews, and bread. Made with Arbequina olives grown on small family farms in California.
  • Alive Grassy extra virgin olive oil For salads, hummus, baked goods, fresh greens, and bread. Made with Arbequina, Arbosana, and Koroneiki olives grown on small family farms in California.
  • Awake Robust extra virgin olive oil For roasting, sauteing, soups, stews, and bread. Made with Arbequina olives grown on small family farms in California.

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Can You Use Olive Oil in Brownies? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Use Olive Oil in Brownies? ›

Yes, you can use olive oil when baking. Just because olive oil is commonly referred to as a cooking oil, do not be afraid to use olive oil in your baked goods.

Can you only have olive oil for brownies? ›

Yes, you can use olive oil in brownies!

In addition, it's an incredible preservative, so the brownies stay moist for longer! Olive oil has been gaining popularity in recent years as a substitute for butter and other vegetable oils in baked goods.

What happens if you use less oil in brownies? ›

Without it, you're a lot more likely to have a swirled or marbled effect in your brownies from uneven distribution of ingredients. However, there are good substitutes for vegetable oil that actually do a better job of all those things.

What happens if you use olive oil instead of vegetable oil? ›

If substituting olive oil for vegetable oil (or another cooking oil) in your baking recipe, you can use a 1:1 ratio. Because of olive oil's distinct flavor, it might affect the flavor of the baked product.

Why does my brownie batter taste like olive oil? ›

However, adding olive oil can change the taste of the brownies. Most baking oils such as vegetable oil and canola oil have a neutral or nonexistent taste, whereas olive oil has a peppery, grassy taste that can affect the flavor of the brownies.

What oil is best for brownies? ›

A good quality brownie mix.

Use Grapeseed Oil as the vegetable oil. I use Grapeseed oil in all my baking where oil is an ingredient. It's light and flavorless, so that allows the cake or the brownie flavor to really shine.

What can I substitute for 1/2 cup of oil in brownies? ›

Melted, unsalted butter is the perfect substitute for oil, and can even add a richer flavor to baked recipes. Swap in butter for oil in a 1:1 ratio, melting butter in the microwave or on the stovetop. Vegan butter or ghee can also work in this instance.

Are brownies better with oil or butter? ›

the butter brownies actually had a fudgier texture. they were softer, and they really just melted in your mouth. they also had that shiny crust and just better flavor, whereas the oil brownies were actually chewier. they were crunchier at the top and at the edges.

What is the healthiest oil for baking cakes? ›

Canola oil is the most popular baking oil as it's stable at high temperatures, is cost-effective and has a very natural flavour. It also has only 7% saturated fat and contains omega-3s. Choose organic where possible even if it's a little more pricey.

Can I use milk instead of oil in brownies? ›

One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.

Is it safe to bake with olive oil? ›

Olive oil is an extremely versatile type of cooking oil and can be used for anything from baking to frying to sautéing. When recipes call for the use of either butter or any other type of refined oil, such as vegetable oil, we highly recommend substituting this for olive oil instead.

Is it better to bake with vegetable oil or olive oil? ›

Medium-heat cooking: For roasting, both olive oil and vegetable oil will work, though the former will add more flavor. "For baking, most recipes use vegetable oil, so it doesn't [add] flavor," says Chavez. However, some baked goods, such as olive oil cakes, use olive oil specifically for the flavor.

Why shouldn't you cook with extra virgin olive oil? ›

All cooking oils have what is called a "smoke point," the temperature at which the oil starts to break down and smoke. And where there's smoke, there will soon be fire. This is why extra virgin olive oil, which has a low smoke point of 350°F to 410°F, shouldn't be used for high heat cooking, especially frying.

Will olive oil mess up brownies? ›

Olive oil goes well with citrus cakes but can also be delicious in brownies. If the flavor combination of chocolate and olive oil piques your interest, then using olive oil as a substitute for vegetable oil in brownies might be a great choice. It's also a viable option if you don't have vegetable oil on hand.

Why do my brownies taste more like cake? ›

Achieving a fudgy brownie is all to do with the ratio of fat to flour. A fudgy brownie recipe will use more fat than flour. Generally this is achieved by adding more butter or real chocolate to your brownie recipe. A cakey brownie recipe on the other hand will call for more flour in the ratio of fat to flour.

Can I use half butter and half oil in brownies? ›

Replacing Butter with Oil

Depending on the type of oil, it can add complex flavor and welcome moisture to your baked goods. A good rule of thumb is to replace about 3/4 of the butter in a recipe with olive, canola, or vegetable oil.

Can I substitute olive oil for butter in brownies? ›

As a general rule of thumb, substitute three-quarters of the butter in a recipe with olive oil. In other words: If a baking recipe calls for a stick of butter (8 tablespoons), for example, use 6 tablespoons of olive oil.

Is canola oil or olive oil better for brownies? ›

Both canola oil and olive oil make great additions to brownies. Most traditional brownie recipes call for butter, but these shelf-stable oils are perfectly suitable if you do not have butter on hand or are opting for a dairy-free recipe.

Can I use olive oil to grease a pan for brownies? ›

You can use anything from a canola oil or olive oil spray to coconut oil or butter. Olive oil can be used in a pinch, but is a little harder to get to stick to the sides of the pan if you go too heavy handed. My personal choice is an olive oil spray, so it still sticks all around the pan and is easy to use.

Can I use olive oil in cake mix? ›

Yes, it's true! Extra virgin olive oil is a great substitute for butter or other fats when baking cakes. It gives cakes a wonderfully moist texture and a light, subtle flavor that pairs perfectly with other ingredients like fresh fruit and nuts. Plus, it's healthy and packed with antioxidants and healthy fats.

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