7 Nutty Alternatives to Hazelnut Oil for Flavorful Cooking

We all love a good drizzle of hazelnut oil in our dishes - a pressed nut oil from the hazelnut tree (Corylus avellana) with a rich, toasty flavor. It's like a secret ingredient that makes everything better.

Today, we're on a mission to find alternatives that are just as awesome. Olive oil?

Too mainstream. Walnut oil?

Been there, done that.

We're talking walnut, almond, and even avocado oil. These are game changers, folks.

Each one brings its own unique flair to the table. Personally, I can't get enough of the rich, nutty flavor walnut oil adds to salads.

And almond oil? Perfect for those who love baking as much as I do.

Get ready to give your cooking a fun twist. These oils are not just substitutes; they're upgrades.

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7 Easy Substitutes for Hazelnut Oil

The following oils are readily available at your local grocery store or online. So, no need to worry about hunting around in specialty stores for these gems.

Substitute	Taste	Smoke Point	Suitable Dishes
Walnut Oil	Nutty, earthy	320°F (160°C)	Salads, baked goods, roasted vegetables
Almond Oil	Mild, nutty	420°F (216°C)	Sautéing, baking, dressings
Pecan Oil	Rich, buttery	470°F (243°C)	Roasting, baking, sauces
Pumpkin Seed Oil	Nutty, slightly sweet	320°F (160°C)	Dips, dressings, drizzling over dishes
Sesame Oil	Nutty, toasted	410°F (210°C)	Stir-fries, marinades, dressings
Avocado Oil	Mild, buttery	520°F (271°C)	High-heat cooking, baking, dressings
Olive Oil	Fruity, peppery	375-400°F (190-204°C)	Sautéing, roasting, dressings

1 - Walnut Oil

We often use walnut oil instead of hazelnut oil. It adds a deep, nutty flavor that's really good in all kinds of dishes, with warm, slightly bitter notes typical of English walnut (Juglans regia).

We find it perfect for dressing salads and for adding to baked goods.

We tried it in our favorite brownie recipe, and the result was amazing - similar successes can come from vegetable oil swaps for brownies.

The nuttiness it brings out in the chocolate is unbeatable.

For those looking to get creative in the kitchen, walnut oil's your go-to. It's not just about the switch; it's about improving what you cook.

We always have a bottle on our shelf.

We also stumbled upon an insightful read about alternatives to this oil. For more ideas on switching things up in your dishes, check out substitutes for walnut oil.

This guide helped us a lot.

2 - Almond Oil

Almond oil steps in smoothly for hazelnut oil (from the sweet almond tree, Prunus dulcis). Its light flavor works wonders in sweets and dressings.

It's a straight-up 1:1 substitute, making things easy.

We've tossed it in with our pancake mix for a slight almond kick. The outcome?

Fluffy, with a hint of nuttiness that improves the whole breakfast game.

Almond oil isn't just a backup; it's a solid choice on its own. We keep it handy for moments of inspiration.

And if you're curious about other ways to use this oil, our team found a great read on alternatives to almond oil and almond extract alternatives for baking that opened our eyes to new mix-ins and swaps.

3 - Pecan Oil

We found pecan oil to be a stellar swap for hazelnut oil. Its rich flavor improves any dish.

We use it one for one, just like we'd use hazelnut oil (1:1 ratio).

The outcome was a nutty, delicious twist that made our morning routine anything but ordinary; for similar baking swaps see canola oil swaps for baking.

Pecan oil has this way of making flavors pop. We keep a bottle within reach for those times we feel like mixing things up.

Our team discovered a cool use for pecan oil in chocolate chip cookies. Replacing butter with pecan oil gave the cookies a deep nuttiness we all loved.

4 - Pumpkin Seed Oil

We always reach for pumpkin seed oil instead of hazelnut. It has a deep flavor that's perfect for drizzling over dishes, with earthy, toasted pepita notes.

We use it just like hazelnut oil, one for one.

In our kitchen, pumpkin seed oil went into a salad dressing. It was a hit.

The flavor it adds is not to be missed.

We've found it's great not just for salads but also for finishing off soups. It gives them an extra oomph.

It brings out a richness that's hard to beat, and if you want autumnal spice options alongside it, see pumpkin pie spice swaps for fall recipes.

Ratio? Simple. One to one with hazelnut oil. Try it in your next recipe.

5 - Sesame Oil

We often grab sesame oil as a stand-in for hazelnut oil. It brings a rich, toasted flavor to the table that's hard to overlook, with the sesame seed aroma (Sesamum indicum) prominent.

We use it in a one-to-one ratio for a seamless swap.

In our tests, sesame oil worked magic in stir-fry dishes. The taste it injects is second to none.

It's not just a backup plan; it becomes the star.

We've found it perfect for marinades too. It lends a depth that makes every bite memorable.

For those who love a bit of flair in their food, we recommend checking out suggestions on using sesame oil as an alternative, including sesame seed swaps for nutty flavor. This spot has ideas that can help improve your dishes.

6 - Avocado Oil

We usually pick avocado oil as our go-to replacement for hazelnut oil. Its smooth taste fits right in many dishes, with a mild, buttery flavor and high monounsaturated fats.

We swap it at a straight one-for-one rate.

In our experience, it shines in homemade mayo. It adds a subtle flavor that really makes a difference.

We always have a bottle ready for our cooking needs.

We also found out avocado oil is great for grilling veggies. It coats them nicely and keeps them from sticking.

This oil is a solid pick for everyday cooking.

7 - Olive Oil

Olive oil is our top pick for swapping in place of hazelnut oil (pressed from the Mediterranean olive, Olea europaea, with fruity, peppery notes). This oil fits smoothly into almost any dish we make.

We use it one-to-one.

It means for every bit of hazelnut oil your recipe needs, you just fill in with olive oil.

We found out olive oil is perfect for pastas and breads. It brings a mild, pleasing flavor that does not overpower.

We always keep it on hand for quick uses.

Interested in other ways to use this oil in cooking? Our go-to guide is on alternative uses for olive oil - it's filled with ideas that can help switch things up.