Looking for an almond butter substitute? Chances are either you are baking and want to replace butter, OR due to nut allergy looking for a nut-free alternative. OR don’t have it handy and just want to check what you can substitute it for.
Well, whatever is the case I am here to bring some easy solutions to use as a substitute for almond butter. This nut butter is used in baking, making dips, smoothies, and as a spread due to its creamy texture and delicious taste. It is healthier and tastes great.
Let’s see what to use as a replacement for almond butter in a variety of recipes with nut-free options.
Nut-Based Substitutes For Almond Butter
You can always replace almond butter with any other nut butter without any hesitation. The only difference you might feel is a slight change in the taste and nutritional values depending on the nut used. Here are the nut-based substitutes for almond butter.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is the most popular replacement in many recipes. It is sweeter than almond butter, easily available, and affordable. It goes well in every recipe that calls for almond butter, be it a smoothie, a spread, or a topping over your favorite oatmeal.
Similarly, you can always use almond butter in place of peanut butter. Make it at home, smooth or crunchy peanut butter. You can substitute it in a 1:1 ratio. That means substitute almond butter with an equal amount of peanut butter.
Cashew Butter
This is another nut-based replacement. Cashew butter is creamy and slightly sweet. If almond and peanut butter are unavailable then cashew butter is great to use. You will not see much difference in terms of taste, aroma, and texture. Keep in mind that cashew butter is high in fat content as compared to almond one.
Good to use in smoothies, toasts, and in baking. Due to its naturally sweet taste using cashew butter in a dip is another fantastic idea. Use in an equal amount of almond butter as a recipe calls for.
Walnut Butter
It is creamy, nutty in flavor, healthy, and rich in omega fatty acids as compared to any other nut butter. Walnut is the most commonly used ingredient in vegan cooking. It has a slightly bitter taste. You may want to use a little sweetener like maple syrup. It is a great almond butter substitute in baking and as a spread. You can also use it to make dips, stews, pasta sauces, and soups for umami flavors.
Pecan Butter
Pecan butter is creamy and nuttier than almond butter. It is not easy to find online or in stores, but you can always make your own pecan butter at home. Good almond butter substitute in baking and spread. You can always use it in all recipes where walnut butter is required be it in dips, pasta sauces, stews, soups, and smoothies.
Pistachio Butter
This is another creamy and tasty butter after cashew that works great as an almond butter substitute. Creamy, smooth, and green color pistachio butter taste amazing and can be made at home. Use in baking, on toasts, dips, or just use in making ice creams. It is often used in ice creams for richness and flavors.
Hazelnut Butter
Hazelnut butter is another creamy replacement for almond butter. It is nutty in flavor just like pecan, and walnut butter. The addition of chocolate makes a homemade, delicious, and healthy Nutella.
Macadamia Butter
Macadamia nut butter is fatty and creamier than almond butter. It is nice to have almond butter substitutes, as it adds richness to any recipe. It is mild in taste, creamy and subtle in flavors. Goes well in all the recipes that call for almond butter.
Nut-Free Substitutes
If you are allergic to nuts and looking for nut-free substitution of almond butter then the below alternatives will amaze you. Do try them.
Sunflower Seed Butter
If you want the best nut-free substitution for almond butter then sunflower seed butter is the answer. It is creamy, deep in taste, and the texture is similar to almond butter. Easily available in stores and you can make it at home as home.
Pumpkin Seed Butter
For allergy-free and nut-free alternatives, pumpkin seed butter is another great almond butter substitute. It is creamy and green in color made with pumpkin seeds, AKA pepitas.
Mashed Avocado
Avocado is another best almond butter alternative in nut-free options. Use in toasts, spreads, or baking. You already know how versatile avocado toast is with a ton of varieties of toppings. It is creamy, high in fats, and low calorie. Avocado is also great to use in place of normal butter due to its natural fat content. Baking goods really come out fluffy, soft, and moist.
So if you have a nut allergy do try using mashed avocado, you will love the taste and flavors it brings to a smoothie, toast, or baking. Avocado is also used in making no-bake desserts like avocado chocolate pudding.
Mashed Banana
Mashed banana is another best vegan and nut-free replacement for almond butter. If mashed avocado is not your liking then do try mashed banana in baking or smoothies. It is available throughout the year and cheap, make sure to use ripe ones.
Bananas are also a great substitute for eggs in vegan and gluten-free baking.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a creamy, thick, and protein-packed nut-free alternative to almond butter. It is commonly used in baking. Keep in mind, using yogurt is not vegan-friendly and you may want to use plant-based yogurt. Plain or vanilla-based greek yogurt is good to use in smoothies, spread, or in baking until any flavors are mentioned. You can replace 1 tablespoon almond butter with 1.5 tablespoons of greek yogurt in baking.
Coconut Butter
Coconut butter is another great vegan substitute for almond butter if you are allergic to nuts and looking for a nut-free option. It is slightly sweet with coconut flavors and creamy. Coconut butter is perfect for no-bake desserts or in any baking if you don’t mind that coconutty flavors.
Black Bean Paste
Black beans are healthy and a good alternative in baking and making dips. Just blend black beans with water or little oil to make a smooth paste and use. It is great to use in baking especially making brownies, muffins, and cakes.
Other Alternatives
Apart from these substitutes for almond butter, you can also try using fruits and vegetable-based butter. The only difference that will come out while using them is, the main ingredient will overpower the overall flavor profile. They can not be used in many ways. For example, pumpkin butter is good to use in dips, smoothies, and savory dishes but will taste pumpkin only. Same with apple and pear butter.
There is one more “5 seed butter” from the company Beyond the Equator that is a mix of sunflower, chia, flax, hemp, and pumpkin seeds. It is vegan and nut-free.
Unsalted Butter
Butter is always a default choice in baking and making toasts. Nowadays you can get vegan and low-fat butter in the market. By default using butter ensures that your baked good is soft, fluffy, spongy, and moist. However, nut butter, seed butter, mashed avocado & banana, and Greek yogurt are still healthier substitutions for almond butter anytime.
What To Look For In A Substitute
There are a few factors while choosing an almond butter substitute in a variety of recipes. You may want to replace it just to try a new flavor, or be allergic to nuts and want a nut-free substitution.
- Baking Desserts– Cashew, peanut, pecan, walnut, macadamia, and hazelnut butter are a good alternatives to use in baking. All go well with chocolate but hazelnut creates the BEST flavors with chcolate. Remember “Nutella”. Seed butter are BEST for nut-free recipes. Mashed banana, mashed avocado, and greek yogurt are also commonly used in baking at room temperature.
- No-bake desserts– Coconut cream works best when you want a nut free replacement and do not mind the tropical flavors and aroma from the butter. It is great in no bake desserts. Chia seeds pudding, energy bites with dates, and pies to name a few desserts.
- Smoothies– Greek yogurt, avocado, cashew butter, banana, macadamia butter, hazelnut butter, peanut butter, are great for smoothies. Just add 1 tablespoon for richness and extra nutrients.
- Dips & Spread– Almost all nut butters and seed butters are good for making a spread on toasts and dips.
- Savory Dishes– Walnut and pecan butter are perfect for savory dishes to bring out the umami flavors. Cashew, peanut, and macadamia butter is good in savory dishes like soups and stews.
- Similer Flavor Profile– Peanut butter is the closest to almond butter in all sort of recipes. Other close butter recipes are cashew butter, pistachio, and pecan butter are slightly sweeter and creamier.
Conclusion
You can use any nut butter as a replacement for almond butter in a nutshell. Just a few calories and nutritional values may differ as per the nut. Using nut-free almond butter substitutes may not give similar flavors, tastes, and nuttiness in the recipe. But all of these nut-free substitutions for almond butter works well and definitely serve the purpose.
Must-Try Almond Butter Recipes
- Almond Butter Blondies
- Vegan Salted Caramel
Frequently Asked Question
Mashed banana, mashed avocado, Greek yogurt, and black bean paste are the great healthiest substitutes for almond butter anytime. Apart from these any nut-based or nut-free butter works well in a recipe. Nutritional values will be different as per the chosen butter.
Any nut butter (cashew, peanut, hazelnut, macadamia, pistachio, walnut, pecan), avocado, banana, Greek yogurt, black beans paste, coconut butter, and seed butter are perfect for baking and no-bake goods.
Sunflower seed & pumpkin seed butter, banana, avocado, Greek yogurt, black beans paste, and coconut butter are nut-free almond butter substitutions.
You can easily substitute peanut butter for almond butter and vice versa. Both are creamy and have a similar texture.
Sunflower seed butter is a perfect nut-free and vegan substitute for almond butter. It is creamy and has a similar texture. You can make it at home or get it from online stores.
Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates.
Let me know in the comments if I missed any other good substitutes for almond butter. Will add it to the list. Thank You.
