Pantry Math

Ingredient Substitutions

Need a substitute? Browse our database of 63 ingredients with tested alternatives and exact ratios. Whether you're out of an ingredient, cooking for dietary needs, or just curious — we've got you covered.

🌾 Flours

Plain Flour

5 alternatives

Self-Raising Flour

1 alternative

Bread Flour

1 alternative

Wholemeal Flour

1 alternative

Almond Flour

3 alternatives

Coconut Flour

1 alternative

Cornflour

3 alternatives

Rice Flour

2 alternatives

🍯 Sugars & Sweeteners

Caster Sugar

3 alternatives

Granulated Sugar

3 alternatives

Brown Sugar

3 alternatives

Icing Sugar

1 alternative

Honey

3 alternatives

Maple Syrup

2 alternatives

🧈 Dairy

Butter

5 alternatives

Whole Milk

5 alternatives

Double Cream

3 alternatives

Cream Cheese

3 alternatives

Greek Yoghurt

3 alternatives

Sour Cream

2 alternatives

Buttermilk

3 alternatives

Condensed Milk

2 alternatives

Evaporated Milk

2 alternatives

Mascarpone

1 alternative

Ricotta

2 alternatives

🫒 Oils & Fats

Vegetable Oil

3 alternatives

Olive Oil

2 alternatives

Coconut Oil

2 alternatives

🍚 Grains & Pasta

White Rice (dry)

3 alternatives

Rolled Oats

2 alternatives

🥜 Nuts & Seeds

Walnuts (chopped)

2 alternatives

Peanut Butter

4 alternatives

Chia Seeds

1 alternative

Flaxseed

1 alternative

🧁 Baking

Cocoa Powder

2 alternatives

Chocolate Chips

1 alternative

Baking Powder

1 alternative

Bicarbonate of Soda

1 alternative

Vanilla Extract

2 alternatives

Golden Syrup

3 alternatives

Treacle

2 alternatives

Molasses

2 alternatives

Cream of Tartar

2 alternatives

Dry Yeast

2 alternatives

🧂 Spices & Seasonings

Salt (fine)

2 alternatives

🍎 Fruits

Banana (mashed)

2 alternatives

Lemon Juice

2 alternatives

Lime Juice

1 alternative

Raisins

2 alternatives

Dates (pitted)

2 alternatives

🥕 Vegetables

Pumpkin Purée

2 alternatives

🫘 Legumes & Beans

Chickpeas (cooked)

2 alternatives

Black Beans (cooked)

2 alternatives

Kidney Beans (cooked)

2 alternatives

🫙 Condiments & Sauces

Soy Sauce

3 alternatives

Mayonnaise

2 alternatives

Worcestershire Sauce

1 alternative

🧀 Other

Breadcrumbs (dry)

1 alternative

Panko Breadcrumbs

1 alternative

Tahini

2 alternatives

Miso Paste

1 alternative

Nutella

2 alternatives

Applesauce

2 alternatives

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most commonly substituted baking ingredient?▼
Butter is one of the most commonly substituted baking ingredients. Popular alternatives include margarine (1:1), coconut oil (1:1), olive oil (¾ cup per 1 cup), and applesauce (½ cup per 1 cup) for low-fat baking.
Can I substitute ingredients 1:1 in baking?▼
Not always. While some swaps are 1:1 (like margarine for butter or oat milk for whole milk), others require ratio adjustments. For example, coconut flour needs only ¼ cup per 1 cup of regular flour. Always check the specific ratio for each substitution.
How do I find a dairy-free alternative?▼
Browse our dairy category above to find substitutes for butter, milk, cream, yoghurt and more. Common dairy-free swaps include oat milk, coconut cream, and plant-based butters.