12 Best Almond Butter Substitutes (including Nut Free Options)

Almond butter is a delicious smooth, nutty and creamy spread and is so good for breakfast recipes and tasty snacks. But what if you need some almond butter substitutes?

I have you covered here with the best almond butter substitutes, with both sweet and savory options, as well as nut free alternatives. All tasty swaps to make your fun recipes!

As a note for my low histamine readers - this is a broad informational post and refers to some foods that are considered higher histamine. Always follow the advice of your doctor or dietician.

What is Almond Butter?

Almond butter is a smooth (or crunchy!) spread made from ground almonds. It has a lovely nutty flavor, and is sometimes used as alternative to peanut butter.

It's quite easy to make almond butter at home. You simply roast almonds in the oven and then blend them in a food processor until it becomes a smooth paste-like consistency. For those who like more flavor, you can add in a pinch of spice too.

Almond butter is quite a versatile ingredient, and can be used in recipes such as my blueberry almond butter smoothie. But if it doesn't work for you, there are lots of alternatives!

Why May You Wish To Substitute Almond Butter?

I think one of the big reasons you may need an almond butter alternative is simply because you go to the pantry and there is an empty jar there!

It may also be the case that you have a sensitivity or allergy to almonds, and some people who follow a low histamine diet prefer not to eat them if they cause increased symptoms.

12 Almond Butter Substitutes

Let's talk through some delicious almond butter alternatives, with both sweet and savory options, and nut-free ideas too!

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter can be either smooth or crunchy in texture and is a very popular nut butter. Store-bought peanut butter is a combination of sweet and savory, with a nutty and slightly salty flavor.

However, many people are unable to eat peanut butter due to a peanut allergy or because it is a higher histamine food.

Macadamia Nut Butter

Macadamia nut butter works well as an almond butter substitute and can be used in baking, or as a spread on toast. It's very smooth, rich and creamy in taste.

It's a little more tricky to find macadamia nut butter in stores but it's so good if you can get a jar (or buy online!). The health benefits of macadamia nut butter include it being rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, as well as monounsaturated fats, as Healthline describes.

For more on this nut, have a peek at my macadamia nut substitutes post and try my macadamia pesto for a pasta dinner idea!

Cashew Nut Butter

Cashew nut butter has a slightly sweet taste, and is more mild in its nutty taste than almond butter or peanut butter. It is creamy and works well as a topping for oatmeal or pancakes as an alternative to almond butter.

Pistachio Nut Butter

Pistachio nut butter has a more earthy taste than other nut butters, but still has a hint of sweetness. Enjoy on toast, crackers or use in baking!

Where I am, it's a little tricky to find pistachio nut butter in stores so it is easier to buy online.

Hazelnut Butter

Hazelnut butter feels quite indulgent in my opinion, with an earthy, sweet and creamy taste. It's a great alternative to almond butter on waffles, pancakes or toast. Hazelnuts are famously an ingredient of Nutella spread.

Pumpkin Seed Butter

Pumpkin seed butter is a really good nut free almond butter substitute, and has a lovely earthy, creamy taste. You can easily make pumpkin seed butter at home by roasting and blending pumpkin seeds to get your delicious spread!

I find that pumpkin seed butter is a good substitute for almond butter in smoothies, as well as being lovely as a topping for oatmeal.

Sunflower Seed Butter

Sunflower seed butter (most often found as the brand Sunbutter) is another nut free alternative to almond butter. It has a stronger flavor than most nut butters and can be a slightly acquired taste.

Tahini

Tahini is a very popular nut free sauce, and equally be used in sweet and savory cooking. It's made of sesame seeds which are ground into a creamy sauce.

As a more savory option, why not try my tahini dill dressing for summer salads or my broccoli tahini pasta for dinner!

Just to note that sesame is a potential allergen, so only enjoy if you know it works for you.

Applesauce

While a rather different taste and consistency to nut or seed butters, applesauce is a great alternative as a topping for oatmeal, pancakes or desserts.

Applesauce can be made simply with stewed and blended apples, but you can also make fun versions such as my blueberry applesauce and peach applesauce for even more goodness!

Chia jam

Another sweet alternative to almond butter, chia jam is very easy to make and has a more dense consistency than regular jam. As it is made with seeds, recipes such as my blueberry chia jam are a bit more hearty than regular jam.

Hummus

Let's talk about a couple of savory almond butter substitutes! If you don't have much of a sweet tooth or just fancy a change, then hummus, including chickpea-free cauliflower hummus, is a lovely spread for toast or crackers.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese doesn't have a similar taste to almond butter, but is similar in being a tasty spread on crackers for a quick snack!

Frequently Asked Questions