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    Home » Substitutes

    Published: Dec 16, 2022 by Claire · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases · Leave a Comment

    12 Best Almond Butter Substitutes

    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.

    collage of nuts, cream cheese and peanut butter with text saying almond butter substitutes.
    Jump to:
    • What is Almond Butter?
    • Why May You Wish To Substitute Almond Butter?
    • 12 Almond Butter Substitutes
    • Peanut Butter
    • Macadamia Nut Butter
    • Cashew Nut Butter
    • Pistachio Nut Butter
    • Hazelnut Butter
    • Pumpkin Seed Butter
    • Sunflower Seed Butter
    • Tahini
    • Applesauce
    • Chia jam
    • Hummus
    • Cream Cheese
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Recipes using almond butter substitutes
    • More Substitute Posts

    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.

    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 in a blue and white bowl being stirred by a white spoon.

    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 nuts on a white surface with some being opened from their shells.

    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.

    Cashew Nut Butter

    brown bowl on cashew nuts on a wooden surface.

    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

    pile of pistachios nuts.

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

    pile of hazelnuts.

    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

    small glass jar of pumpkin seed butter on a white and black checked cloth.

    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

    pile of sunflower seeds.

    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

    glass jar of tahini next to a wooden spoon of sesame seeds.

    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.

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

    Applesauce

    blueberry applesauce in a glass jar on a wooden board next to blueberries and red apples.

    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 for even more goodness!

    Chia jam

    blueberry chia jam in a glass jar.

    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 have a small amount of protein and healthy fats too.

    Hummus

    white bowl of hummus on a wooden board next to garlic and crackers.

    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 in a food processor.

    Cream cheese doesn't have a similar taste to almond, but is similar in being a source of protein. Spread on crackers for a quick snack!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are some nut free substitutes for almond butter?

    Instead of almond butter you can use tahini and seed butters such as pumpkin seed or sunflower seed butter.

    Can I use butter instead of almond butter?

    You can use butter, but it doesn't have the same consistency or taste as almond butter. As it isn't as thick, you may find it doesn't work too well in baking or hot meals.

    What are some savory alternatives to almond butter?

    Hummus, cream cheese or vegetable dips would work well!

    Recipes using almond butter substitutes

    Enjoy these tasty recipes using tahini, cream cheese and chia jam!

    • Herb Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
    • Sesame Energy Balls (with Tahini)
    • Maple Chia Pudding with Blueberry Jam
    • Creamy Tahini Dill Dressing

    More Substitute Posts

    9 Best Tomato Substitutes

    10 Healthy Spinach Substitutes

    10 Tasty Bean Substitutes

    9 Quinoa Substitutes

    12 Best Yogurt Alternatives for Smoothies

    I'm always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes and resources!

    Don't forget to pin the post!

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    More Easy Ingredient Substitutes

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    • 10 Best Bean Substitutes (and Recipe Ideas!)

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    Hi, I’m Claire. After a diagnosis of MCAS I began to follow a low histamine diet, which has helped me manage my symptoms. Here I hope to show that a restrictive diet can still be full of flavourful meals, and help you enjoy being creative in the kitchen.

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