Almond butter has become widely used in cooking but not everyone enjoys its flavor or texture. Whether you are looking for a nut-free option or other almond butter substitute this list has ten options to choose from. This list will include whether or not the butters are suitable for baking or cooking as well as their recommended uses.
Almond Butter Substitutes and Alternatives
1. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is probably the most popular alternative to almond butter. It is a delicious nut butter that is widely available and can be purchased sweetened or unsweetened. The creamy consistency of peanut butter makes it an excellent substitute to bake with. It is also great on toast, in smoothies, in sauces and more.
When comparing almond butter versus peanut butter the clearest difference is in the fiber content. Peanuts have a much higher fiber content than almonds. Peanut butter also tends to have more sugar than almond butter but it can be purchased with no added sugar. Because these two butters are so similar they make the best replacements for each other.
2. Cashew Butter
Cashew butter is a nut-based butter made from roasted cashews and has a creamy texture. Cashew butter has a nutty but mild flavor and smooth texture. This will make it a great addition to recipes where you are not getting flavor from the nut butter.
This nut butter is a great substitute for almond butter however it is not always easy to find in grocery stores. The good news is that its popularity is rising and places like Target, Whole Foods and Thrive Market carry it. Cashew butter has a slightly higher fat content than almond butter so it may not make a great substitution for every recipe when it comes to baking.
3. Sunflower Seed Butter
Looking for nut-free butters to replace almond butter? Have peanut allergies? Sunflower butter is made from crushed sunflower seeds and does not contain nuts making it suitable for those with nut allergies.
Sunflower seed butter is a good choice and has a rich flavor that is slightly nutty making it similar to almond butter. It is a great substitute for baked goods and salad dressings. Sunflower seed butter is widely available in grocery stores.
4. Hazelnut Butter
Hazelnut butter can be substituted for almond butter however due to its distinctive flavor it will alter that flavor of the recipe. This almond butter alternative can be used for baked goods, sauces and dressings.
Hazelnut butter is not easy to find yet in traditional grocery stores but you easily make homemade hazelnut butter at home if it is something you are interested in trying.
5. Coconut Butter
Ever heard of coconut butter? This butter is made from pureéd coconut meat. This butter has a sweet taste that is associated with coconut. This should be kept in mind when substituting for almond butter in recipes since you will definitely have the coconut flavor there. Since coconut butter has a sweet flavor I would recommend not using it for savory recipes.
This butter is not as widely available as some of the other nut butters however it can be found at more specialty grocers such as Sprouts and Whole Foods.
6. Walnut Butter
Walnut butter has the very distinct flavor that raw walnuts have. If you love the earthy flavor then this will be a great alternative for you in any recipe that calls for almond butter.
Walnut butter is a little hard to find as it is becoming more popular but some grocery stores like Walmart do carry it. This butter would be great to use when making homemade granola or energy bars.
7. Pumpkin Seed Butter
Pumpkin Seed Butter is very different from the other nut butter options we have covered so far. It has a green color due to the color of pumpkin seeds. It does have a subtle nutty flavor just like almond butter so it is easy to substitute just keep in mind that the color or the recipe may be altered.
8. Sesame Seed Butter (Tahini)
Sesame Seed Butter also known as Tahini is made from toasted sesame seeds. It is a good alternative for those who are looking for nut-free options. Tahini has a slightly bitter taste compared to most nut butters. It is mostly used for dressings and hummus but it can also be used to make baked goods.
Thankfully, tahini can be found at most grocery stores since it is used in many kinds of cuisine. Ask at your local grocery store where they carry it and they will point you in the right direction.
9. Nutella Spread (Hazelnut and Cocoa Spread)
Nutella spread is a delicious spread that can be used on toast and in baked goods. This spread is made from a combination of crushed hazelnuts and cocoa is much sweeter than traditional nut butters making it one of the best alternatives for baked goods. This recipe for Nutella Chickpea Brownies is a must try if you haven’t baked with Nutella yet!
10. Soy Nut Butter
Soy nut butter is made from roasted soybeans. This nut butter has a similar texture to other nut butters but with a milder flavor. It is a good substitute for almond butter in baked goods recipes.
Soy nut butter can be found in grocery stores by the name of Wow Butter. If you have a nut and seed allergy this is one of the best alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
I would not recommend replacing almond butter with regular butter in a recipe. Another nut or seed butter should be used in its place. See our list above for 10 options!
This goes along the same lines as butter. I would not recommend this. Oil and butter are 100% fat and are not recommended for substituting in recipes. Check out our list for 10 alternatives to almond butter in recipes from salad dressings to baked goods.
Aside from almond butter, try peanut butter, cashew butter and hazelnut butter. These nut butters will also leave your recipe with a similar taste as if you used almond butter. Nutella is also a great option if you are making something chocolate.
We recommend trying peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, tahini or pumpkin seed butter.
Almond butter is a delicious nut butter made from crushed roasted or unroasted almonds. This nut butter is very versatile and can be used in all kinds of recipes or as a topping.