Making biscuits from scratch can be a lot of fun.
You get to choose the ingredients, and you know exactly what is going into them.
Plus, they are usually pretty easy to make.
One question that often comes up is whether or not you can use oil instead of butter in biscuits.
You can use oil instead of butter in biscuits, but just keep in mind that oil-based biscuits tend to come out more dense, with a softer texture than those made with butter. Butter gives them a richer flavor, whereas oil tends to make biscuits a bit more bland.
However, there are a few important steps you can follow when making this switch in order to ensure a great result nonetheless.
In this blog post, we will give you helpful tips on how to make sure your biscuits come out perfect every time!
What Happens If You Use Oil In Place Of Butter?
When substituting oil for butter, it is important to remember that they have different consistencies and melting points.
As a result, your biscuits may end up being more dense and crumbly than those made with butter.
When using oil instead of butter, I would encourage you to use a neutral-tasting variety such as canola or vegetable.
Olive oil tends to have a stronger flavor that could overpower the other ingredients in your biscuits.
Now let’s go ahead and cover our top tips to ensure you’ll have some delicious biscuits!
7 Tips For Making Oil-based Biscuits
1. Use A Light Oil
The type of oil you use will make a difference in the texture and flavor of your biscuits.
For example, light oils like vegetable or canola have a milder flavor than heavier oils like olive or peanut.
Vegetable or canola oil also have a higher smoke point, which means they are better for baking.
2. Use Room Temperature Ingredients
It is important to use room temperature ingredients when making biscuits with oil instead of butter.
This ensures that all the ingredients mix together evenly and that your biscuits will bake up nice and perfect.
3. More Leavening
When you use oil in place of butter, you need to add more leavening like baking soda or baking powder.
This will help your biscuits rise and give them a light texture.
4. Measure Carefully
When making biscuit dough with oil instead of butter, it’s important to measure the amount of oil carefully.
Oil is more liquid than butter, so you will need to use less.
Use a light hand when measuring and don’t over do it!
5. Add Extra Liquid
Since oil is more liquid than butter, you may need to add a bit of extra liquid (milk, water or cream) to the dough.
This will help keep your biscuits from drying out.
6. Add Some Spices And Flavoring
Try adding in spices such as cinnamon to enhance the flavor of the biscuits.
You can also add in a teaspoon of sugar or vanilla extract to give them a sweeter flavor.
7. Don’t Overmix The Dough
When making biscuits with oil instead of butter, be sure not to overmix the dough.
Overmixing can cause your biscuits to become tough and dense.
Mix it just until everything is well combined, but not so much that the ingredients start to break down.
How To Make Oil Biscuits
The first step is to measure the correct amount of oil for your recipe.
Depending on how much butter the recipe calls for, you will typically use about half as much oil.
For example, if a recipe requires one cup of butter, use only a half cup of oil.
Next, combine the dry ingredients in a bowl (flour, baking powder/soda and salt).
In a separate bowl, add the oil and either milk or cream. Make sure to use room temperature liquids.
Whisk together the wet ingredients until they are well blended.
Then add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently mix until they are just combined.
Try not to overmix as this can cause your biscuits to be tough and dense.
Finally, shape the dough into circles or squares using a biscuit cutter or spoon.
Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
Once the biscuits are done, remove from the oven and let cool before serving.
Other Questions You May Have
How Much Oil Should I Use?
The amount of oil you need to use will depend on how much butter the recipe calls for.
Generally, you should use half as much oil as butter.
So if a recipe requires one cup of butter, substitute with a half cup of oil.
Can I Freeze Oil Biscuits?
You can freeze biscuits made with oil.
Just place the cooled biscuits in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to two months.
Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Can I Use Coconut Oil Instead Of Vegetable Oil?
You can use coconut oil instead of vegetable or canola oil when making biscuits.
However, keep in mind that coconut oil has a distinct flavor and can overpower the other ingredients.
It’s best to use light oils like vegetable or canola so the flavor of your biscuits is not compromised.
Can I Use Olive Oil Instead Of Butter?
You can use olive oil instead of butter when making biscuits.
Just make sure to measure carefully and add more leavening like baking soda or baking powder.
This will help your biscuits rise and give them a light texture.
Additionally, you may need to add a bit of extra liquid to the dough since olive oil is thicker than butter.
Can I Use Shortening Instead Of Butter?
You can use shortening in place of butter in biscuit recipes.
Shortening is a type of fat that has a higher melting point than butter, so it won’t melt as quickly.
This will help your biscuits hold their shape and rise nicely.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it!
Making biscuits with oil instead of butter is a great way to create delicious, light treats.
Just keep in mind to measure carefully and add extra liquid as needed.
Also know that it’s best to use a neutral oil such as vegetable or canola oil for the best results.
And last but not least, make sure to add some spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg or even a bit of sugar or vanilla extract for added sweetness.
With these tips in the back of your mind, you’ll be able to make delicious biscuits with oil that everybody will absolutely love!