Both olive oil and butter are considered fats, yet some health-conscious consumers may prefer olive oil for its comparatively lower saturated fat content. Additionally, since butter is made up of not only fat but milk solids, folks who consider themselves lactose intolerant may opt to use olive oil as a sufficient replacement.

The Washington Post claims olive oil should only be used as a replacement in recipes calling for melted butter. Creamed butter creates a perfectly springy texture in whichever cookie, cake, or muffin you're attempting, and you can't mimic this particular process with liquid olive oil.