Coconut oil is a popular plant-based butter substitute that has proved incredibly useful in the kitchen because of its flexibility. It can even transform a grilled cheese.

While unrefined coconut oil adds a richer flavor, refined coconut oil has a high smoke point (around 400 degrees F) and minimal flavor optimal for sautéing and frying.

With refined coconut oil’s elevated smoke point, you can cook your grilled cheese with more intense heat, producing a crispier exterior.

In contrast, butter’s smoke point is 350 degrees F, so coconut oil may be less likely to burn at higher temperatures, giving you a perfectly crispy grilled cheese.

While coconut oil has about 90% saturated fat, it raises HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, per Mayo Clinic. It’s also vegan, so you can make a dairy-free grilled cheese.