10 Best Hazelnut Oil Substitute Ideas for Recipes

You’ve probably read recipes that call for hazelnut oil, but you might not have it on hand. The good news it that we’ve got the scoop on hazelnut oil substitutes.

Walnut oil is subtle and versatile, perfect for sweet and savory dishes. Almond oil has a delicate flavor and is suitable for high-heat cooking.

Vegetable oil and canola oil are the most versatile and can be used for almost anything.

Each can add something different to your dish. Learn which one can substitute for your favorite nut oil.

Sesame oil can liven up your dressing and avocado oil can improve your frying.

This comprehensive guide will give you all the tips to making these oil substitutes work for you.

Walnut Oil

Walnut oil is the best replacement for hazelnut oil or any nut oils, its similar nutty flavor makes it a great stand-in.

Jar of walnut oil with a cork top sits on a wooden surface next to half a cracked walnut.

Its cooking properties allow you to use it in just about every way that hazelnut oil is used.

If you’re looking for an oil substitution to add that nutty flavor to your dishes, look no further than walnut oil.

Its flavor is a great complement to salad dressings, drizzled over grilled veggies, or swirled into a marinade.

Walnut oil is a healthful choice when used in place of other oils, because it’s loaded with healthy fats.

While it has a rich flavor, it won’t overpower other ingredients like some other oils can.

It has many heart health benefits, and is a great option for the keto diet. 

In terms of flavor, it’s a good pick for anyone who wants to replicate or enhance the flavor profile of dishes that call for hazelnut oil. 

Almond Oil

Next up, almond oil. It’s another great hazelnut oil substitute because of its neutral sweetness and high smoke point.

A bowl filled with whole, unpeeled almonds soaking in water.

It can withstand high temperatures before boiling which makes it a great substitute.

Almond oil also has a mild flavor, making it a good swap in savory and sweet dishes.

It plays well with other ingredients in salad dressings, marinades and baked goods.

Almond oil, high in monounsaturated fats that are known to be good for the heart, is good for cooking almost anything because of its very high smoke point.

This means you can use it for sautéing, grilling, etc – cooking at higher temperatures without risk of burning.

If you choose almond oil, its unique flavor is sure to be a show stopper.

Pecan Oil

Pecan oil, has a rich, buttery flavor, and is a good swap for hazelnut oil in pretty much any application.

A close-up image of a white bowl filled with shelled pecans. The text "sarahscoopeats.com" is visible at the bottom of the image.

It’s a solid substitute for a lighter flavor, buttery texture, and touch of sweetness.

Where hazelnut oil is narrow in its expression, pecan oil is even creamier but similarly nutty.

This makes it a good substitute for salad dressings, baked goods and sautés just like hazelnut oil.

Packed with oleic acid, this oil will also enhance the sweetness of your food while providing many health benefits.

Its versatility and subtle nuances of flavor make it an excellent stand-in for hazelnut oil if you don’t have any on hand.

Give it a try and see how it works in your recipes

Macadamia Nut Oil

A great alternative to hazelnut oil, this buttery oil is perfect for salad dressing and high-heat cooking.

Close-up of a bowl filled with round, brown macadamia nuts bearing visible cracks on their shells, placed on a neutral background. The website SarahScoopEats.com is visible at the bottom of the image.

Derived from the creamy macadamia nuts, it’s a good option for those wanting a different oil with a mild hazelnut flavor.

The high smoke point makes it a good choice for frying and sautéing savory dishes without overpowering your food’s natural flavor making it one of the best hazelnut substitutes.

Macadamia nut oil is an edible plant-based oil that brings goodness to your culinary creations while improving your health.

If you are looking for the best substitutes that maintain integrity while not compromising the flavor of your dish, macadamia nut oil is always a good idea.

It is the most versatile option when it comes to taste and adds a deliciously creamy texture to your dish.

Pistachio Oil

Pistachio oil is another of the best substitutes for hazelnut oil.

A close-up image of cracked-open pistachios, showing their green nuts inside. Several pistachio shells and nuts are scattered on a dark surface.

It has reached a higher level of popularity in recent years, and although it has a very unique taste, it can be used to add a touch of something different to a variety of culinary applications. 

Here’s why pistachio oil is a popular choice and a good alternative:

  • Flavor Profile: It has more flavor than hazelnut oil, and adds a hearty nutty flavor to foods
  • Nutritional Value: Rich in vitamins and minerals, it’s a healthy choice.
  • Multitasking: Great for sweet and savory dishes, from baking with hazelnut flour to garnishing salads with its crunch, this oil’s versatility makes it one of the best hazelnut alternatives.

Sesame Oil

Use sesame oil as a multipurpose replacement for hazelnut oil when you want that nutty, buttery taste.

A pile of sesame seeds on a wooden spoon with a clear container of yellow liquid, possibly oil, in the background. "SARAHSCOOPEATS.COM" text is visible at the bottom.

Oil derived from sesame seeds mimics the flavor of butter and can also be used interchangeably for various culinary applications.

Sesame oil is another great alternative to hazelnut oil as it allows the dish to have a healthy amount of essential fatty acids and polyunsaturated fats.

Sesame oil has a lower smoke point, so it shouldn’t be heated much at all, if possible, and certainly shouldn’t be used for high-heat cooking.

It’s low smoke point means it works best at room temperature, at these high temperatures, it will burn and lose many of its benefits and most of its flavor.

For the best results, use this excellent substitute for its sweet taste and try palm oil or sunflower oil for high heat cooking

Due to its different flavor, sesame oil makes a fine substitute for hazelnut oil in dressings or marinades.

Sunflower Oil

Similar to safflower oil, sunflower oil (with a smoke point of 232°C/450°F) has a similar smoke point to regular olive oil and hazelnut, making it a sturdy alternative to sesame oil in high-heat cooking applications.

A glass bottle of sunflower oil and a small bowl of sunflower seeds are placed on a wooden surface, surrounded by vibrant yellow sunflowers in the background.

Extracted from sunflower seeds, this oil is a great alternative for culinary uses, but it also enhances soap and cold process recipes with its high vitamin E content.

Here are some key benefits of using sunflower oil as a substitute:

  • High Smoke Point: Ideal for frying and sautéing without burning.
  • Rich in Vitamin E: Offers antioxidant properties that benefit your skin. It’s has better health benefits than pure olive oil too, and not as much lye. 
  • Versatile Use: Effective in both cooking and in creating personal care products.

Sunflower oil also is a great option to give french fries their crunchy texture. Keep it in mind next time your cooking fried food

Avocado Oil

You will find avocado oil a reliable replacement for hazelnut oil, both for cooking and for cosmetic uses.

A glass bottle of avocado oil is displayed on a dark surface, with a halved avocado and a whole avocado in the background.

This specific oil has a buttery flavor and a high smoke point, so it works well on the stove with a variety of foods, similar to grapeseed oil (used in soap recipes) and safflower oil.

Whether you’re making the best meal of your life in your kitchen, or you’re a strict keto disciple, avocado oil is the way to replace the amount of oil called for in the recipe.

It’s also the perfect coconut oil substitute, since it’s tasteless and healthy.

If you like to experiment with different oils — such as extra virgin olive oil, peanut oil, or hemp seed oil — avocado oil offers a richness that enhances everything you add it to.

Because of its light flavor, its totally versatile. 

Flaxseed Oil

Slightly more dense than molasses but still pourable, flaxseed oil is rich in the nutrients found in other vegetable oils, especially omega-3 fatty acids.

A glass jar filled with flaxseed oil is placed on a surface surrounded by flaxseeds. Two wooden bowls, one empty and one with flaxseeds, are in the background. The jar is sealed with a cork.

Flaxseed oil is a healthy cooking oil replacement on salads or in cold dishes or dressings, where its nutty flavor is pronounced.

Consider these benefits and tips when using flaxseed oil as a hazelnut oil substitute:

  • Nutrient-Rich: Besides the omega-3s, it’s loaded with many other essential oil components, also needed by your skin and heart. 
  • Best Used in Cold: Use unheated to retain its delicate profile. Try it in smoothies or salad dressings. 
  • Pair With Complements: Flaxseed oil partners well with raw almonds and pumpkin seed oil, lending flavour and nutritional benefits to your dishes. 

Hazelnut Extract

For those who want and need an oil-free alternative – and who like their hazelnut aromas to be decidedly nutty – try using hazelnut extract as a 1:1 substitute for hazelnut oil.

A close-up image of several brown hazelnuts with smooth shells, stacked together. The website "sarahscoopeats.com" is visible at the bottom.

Made form raw hazelnuts, a lot of people prefer this option because this hazelnut alternative packs a bold flavor punch, sans the grease.

This extract is great for adding a hazelnut flavor note to cakes, chocolate chip cookies, ice creams and pastries.

Unlike hazelnut oil, the extract will blend well with your dry ingredients, ensuring that your food has a consistent taste.

You can easily drop some of it in a dish, and it will add the stronger flavor of authentic hazelnut that you are looking for.

Now it’s Your Turn!

That’s it! Now you have a few more suitable substitutes to hazelnut oil to experiment with in your kitchen.

Quick Tip: If health is what you’re worried about, don’t hesitate to insert your dish into a lye calculator to determine the fat levels. 

You can dress a salad in walnut oil, sauté in almond oil, or bake with hazelnut extract, each choice adding a distinctive flavor. 

Try these options to introduce new mouthfeels and tastes into your dishes, but don’t be afraid to try something new like making pumpkin seed oil from pumpkin seeds.

Start experimenting, get creative, and enjoy these good substitutes with your taste buds! Good Luck!

Get the scoop on more like this:

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *