The nutty goodness of almond butter has found its way into all sorts of recipes, but not everyone can enjoy this nut butter. Those with nut allergies or who don’t enjoy the taste of almonds can’t include almond butter in recipes. Almond butter can also be expensive and isn’t available in some areas.
Whatever your reason for steering clear of almond butter, almond butter alternatives can be substituted for almond butter. Each offers health benefits similar to almond butter as well as the fats needed for baking.
Each of these five almond butter alternatives is a substitute for almond butter in baking that also provides healthy fats and flavor. These options can also provide a tasty flavor of their own in muffins, quick breads, cakes, and other baked items.
Top 5 Almond Butter Alternatives
These almond butter alternatives give bakers more options when making recipes that call for almond butter. Each performs well in a variety of recipes, and several of these almond butter alternatives are less expensive than almond butter. Most of these almond butter substitutes can be found easily in any supermarket.
Peanut Butter
If almond butter is expensive or hard to find, consider trimming the cost of your recipe by substituting peanut butter. Peanut butter pairs well with chocolate in most dessert recipes and is low in cost. This almond butter alternative is readily available and is probably at home in most kitchen pantries already.
Those who don’t like the taste and texture of almonds may find peanut butter to be a delicious alternative. The taste of peanut butter may bring to mind the joys of childhood and eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and finding peanut butter cups in their Halloween candy.
Peanut butter is similar in texture to almond butter, making it an easy almond butter alternative to use. If your recipe calls for almond butter, use an equal amount of peanut butter instead. Since they are so similar, you can expect peanut butter to melt and coat dry ingredients the same way almond butter does.
High in protein, peanut butter has plenty of health benefits. Peanut butter is low in carbohydrates, making it a popular ingredient in meal replacement bars and smoothies. Since peanut butter is derived from plants, it doesn’t contain any cholesterol. It’s high in healthy fats, so peanut butter keeps you satisfied.
Try a swirl of peanut butter in a bowl of oatmeal for a quick breakfast that will last until lunchtime. Peanut butter is also a delicious addition to smoothies, cookie dough, muffins, bread, and Thai cooking.
Peanut butter may not be an option for small children or those with peanut allergies.
Cashew Butter
Cashew butter can be pricier than almond butter, but it works well as an almond butter alternative in baking since it has a similar texture.
If you love the rich taste of cashews, cashew butter can be a substitute for almond butter in baking that you’ll enjoy. Cashew butter can be made into a tasty fudge, too. Use cashew butter as an almond butter alternative in a 1:1 ratio, meaning that if your recipe calls for ½ cup of almond butter, use ½ cup of cashew butter instead.
Cashew butter has more monounsaturated fat than almond butter, giving it a creamier flavor than other nut butters. This almond butter alternative has less protein than almond butter or peanut butter, which is 25 percent protein.
Cashews and cashew butter don’t contain the Omega-3 fatty acids like other nuts. Unsalted cashew butter is nearly sodium-free and contains no cholesterol. A serving of cashew butter does contain about 12 percent of the daily allowance of fat, so enjoy cashew butter as an almond butter alternative in moderation.
Cashew butter can be substituted for almond butter in recipes including chocolate chip cookies and brownies with rich, delicious results.
Mashed Avocado
Nut butters aren’t safe choices for those who have nut allergies. The good news is that people with nut allergies can still enjoy recipes that call for almond butter since they can use mashed avocado as an almond butter alternative.
If you thought avocado was just for guacamole, think again. Avocado and its creamy texture are delicious on toast but can add richness to baked goods, too. Vegans often opt for mashed avocado in baked goods instead of butter, and it can also be an almond butter alternative.
Avocados are higher in healthy fats and lower in calories than almond butter, which is why dieters favor this almond butter alternative. A study by Penn State found that eating an avocado a day will lower LDL cholesterol, the bad cholesterol cardiologists warn patients about.
Mashed avocado can be used as a substitute for almond butter in baking in a 1:1 ratio, but since avocado will not melt like a nut butter will, you may have to increase wet ingredients to get the right consistency in batters for cakes and brownies.
Avocado can also be used in such decadent desserts as chocolate mousse, chocolate pudding, and key lime pie since it adds a rich, creamy texture without an overwhelming flavor. Add mashed avocado to smoothies for a boost of creaminess and healthy fats.
Mashed Banana
If mashed banana already has you thinking about warm banana nut bread, then you already know how wonderful bananas can be in baking. Mashed banana can be an almond butter alternative for those with nut allergies as well as a substitute for butter in vegan baking.
When using mashed banana as an almond butter alternative, remember that soft, very ripe bananas are best. Mashed bananas can be used as a substitute for almond butter in a 1:1 ratio. Imagine how delicious mashed bananas would be in brownies or quick bread recipes.
Technically a berry, bananas are an almond butter alternative for baking that you can feel good about. Studies show bananas are rich in soluble fiber, which can help lower blood sugar. They contain no fat, and each banana has about 112 calories. Bananas are high in potassium, which supports heart health.
Another plus of baking with mashed bananas will make your house smell amazing. Banana cakes, muffins, pancakes, and quick breads are low fat but delicious and decadent. Add bananas to smoothies for more potassium and a tropical flavor boost.
Greek Yogurt
Using Greek yogurt as an almond butter alternative will add protein to baked goods while also adding a rich, creamy flavor. Greek yogurt is another almond butter alternative for those who can’t use nut butters in baking due to their nut allergies, but since Greek yogurt is a dairy product, it’s not an option for vegan baking.
Using Greek yogurt in baking will lower the fat and calories and boost the protein of everything you bake. For each tablespoon of almond butter called for in a recipe, substitute 1 ½ tablespoons of Greek yogurt. A plus of using Greek yogurt as an almond butter alternative is that it gives baked goods a tart flavor similar to buttermilk.
For those watching their sodium, Greek yogurt has 50 percent less sodium than regular yogurt as well as twice the protein. Greek yogurt has fewer carbohydrates since it has less lactose than regular yogurt, which makes it easier to digest.
Since Greek yogurt can come in plain as well as sweetened and flavored varieties, make sure you choose unsweetened plain yogurt, so it won’t clash with other flavors in your recipe. However, you could choose lemon, strawberry, or blueberry flavors of Greek yogurt to add more flavor to quick breads and muffins.
Greek yogurt is also delicious when layered into fruit and granola parfaits for breakfast, snacks, or desserts. Greek yogurt can also become a base for a healthy version of cheesecake or as a creamy smoothie ingredient that adds protein and calcium.
FAQs About Almond Butter Alternatives
These frequently asked questions about almond butter alternatives may answer any further questions about substitutes for almond butter.
Can almond butter be unhealthy?
While almond butter has plenty of health benefits, almond butter that contains added sugar or oils can add extra calories and fats of the unhealthy variety.
Read the ingredients list of almond butter, peanut butter, and cashew butter before buying. Also, be aware that almond butter, peanut butter, and cashew butter can be harmful to those with allergies to peanuts and tree nuts.
What are the advantages of almond butter alternatives?
Almond butter is among the more expensive nut butters, and it may not be available everywhere.
Some bakers may be looking for almond butter alternatives that are lower in fat and calories. Others can’t eat almond butter because of allergies. For these reasons, almond butter alternatives can be a plus in your pantry.
Are all almond butter alternatives lower in calories?
Almond butter can be rich in nutrients, but it can be higher in calories than its alternatives. Some almond butter alternatives such as banana can be lower in calories while nut butters have calories similar to almond butter.
