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Gone are the days of just peanut butter being stocked in your pantry. Well, it’s still there, but with some attractive alternatives. A quick glance online or in your favorite farmer’s market, and you’ll see that nut butters like almond butter are increasingly gaining popularity in the States. But there are so many tastes and textures when it comes to almond butter.
How do you know which one is the right one for you to buy? That's where we come in. We’re going to explore the different qualities of almond butter and introduce to you our favorites. We chose Legendary Foods' Pecan Pie Keto Almond Butter as one of our favorites, for its unique spin on the product and the great reviews. Check out our other picks below!
I am a pastry chef of 10+ years, classically trained. I'm also the owner and operator of Bleu Moon Bakery - Vegan (2016-2021). My newest endeavor (small business) - Baby Cakes - creates custom cakes and treats with allergy-friendly options.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
So, you know there are different flavors and textures of almond butter. Now, let’s take a closer look at them in order to decide which one or two are best for you.
When choosing an almond butter, screen through the ingredient list to make sure that the product works for your diet. Many almond butters contain extra ingredients such as sugar, salt, chocolate, or maple syrup for more flavor. However, those products might not be suitable for those following stringent diets.
If you're sticking to a keto diet or trying to lose weight, you might want to look for almond butters made with only a few simple ingredients such as almonds and oil. They are healthy and won't jeopardize your diet. If you have diabetes or are watching your sugar intake, there are many sugar-free products available online that you can choose from!
Like the American favorite, peanut butter, you can find almond butter in either raw or roasted forms. If you like a rich, toasted nut flavor, roasted is the way to go. However, if you’ve only eaten roasted nut butters in the past, you might be slightly surprised at the taste of raw almond butter.
Raw almonds tend to have a potent, cherry-like flavor. That being said, if you’re not a fan of cherry, raw almond butter is not for you. People typically choose roasted almond butter to use for a spread on toast or crackers, whereas raw almond butter is often used for dips and sauces.
Also, like most foods, when almonds are roasted, their nutritional value decreases because the heat causes the enzymes and antioxidants to start breaking down, leaving you with a lower vitamin E content.
In addition, dry roasted almonds are a little higher in calories and fat and a bit lower in protein. So the nutritional differences between raw and dry roasted almonds are small, but they’re still there.
If you were considered a “picky eater” back in grade school, crunchy might actually be more to your liking. That’s because most “creamy” almond butters have a slightly grainy texture that’s difficult for some to get over.
But if you’re like a lot of gym-goers and enjoy your daily protein shake, the grainy texture probably won’t make a difference. Some companies do blanch their almonds, leaving you with a smoother, less grainy texture.
Creamy almond butter spreads more evenly on breads or fruits and is easier on the teeth. Crunchy almond butter will give a nice crunch to your morning banana toast. But creamy almond butter might be easier to spot on the shelves, as it is more abundant in stores.
Keep in mind that the nutritional differences between creamy and crunchy almond butter are not significant. So it's really up to your preference.
This is definitely a personal preference. For substituting in baking, smooth works best. But for a filling a cupcake, for example, crunchy all the way!
Many manufacturers add palm oil to their almond butters to make the consistency creamy and spreadable. However, there are many environmental problems related to palm oil production, including air pollution and deforestation.
So if the environment is your concern, try to avoid a product that has palm oil. You can also look for products that contain sustainably-produced palm oil!
If you’re someone who enjoys pastries, then you might get excited about a blueberry cinnamon bun almond butter. If you like a little kick in your food, then ginger almond butter is for you (often with added health benefits). There is even vanilla espresso almond butter for coffee lovers.
Some other popular and trendy flavors include honey, coconut, and cinnamon raisin. There are naturally flavored almond butters for the more health-conscious, but we found that both naturally and artificially flavored almond butters are both a hit with consumers.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Zinke Orchards Crunchy Almond Butter | $32.64 High | Best Healthy and Rich Almond Butter Made Without Palm Oil | ||
2 | Legendary Foods Pecan Pie Keto Almond Butter | $17.99 Mid | Best for the Rich Pecan Pie Flavor | ||
3 | Once Again Creamy Almond Butter | $23.94 High Mid | Best Certified Organic Almond Butter With a Crunchy Texture | ||
4 | Justin’s Nut Butter Maple Almond Butter | $6.83 Low | Best for the Warming Spicy Cinnamon Flavor | ||
5 | Barney Almond Butter | $11.17 Low Mid | Best for the Smooth, Creamy Texture | ||
6 | Artisana Organics Raw Almond Butter | $19.99 Mid | Best Sugar- and Salt-Free Almond Butter for Weight Loss | ||
7 | NuttZo Almond Butter Variety Pack | $19.92 Mid | Best Mix of 7 Wholesome Nuts and Seeds | ||
8 | RXBAR Coconut Almond Butter | $13.63 Low Mid | Best for the High Protein Content | ||
9 | Almondee California Almond Butter | $13.29 Low Mid | Best All-Natural, Single-Ingredient Roasted Almond Butter | ||
10 | Jiva Organics Raw Sprouted Organic Almond Butter | $16.99 Mid | Best Sprouted Almond Butter That's Easy to Digest |
This additive-free almond butter has a rich roasted almond flavor. It’s smooth and easily spreadable. This protein-rich almond butter pairs well with apple or nectarine slices, as well as toasts or crackers. You can also add it to your favorite fruit smoothie.
Some reviewers mention that it does separate will need mixing to reincorporate the oil with the solids. Still, most are happy with the flavor and the smooth and creamy consistency. They also like that it doesn't contain sugar, salt, and palm oil and goes well with many things, including fruit slices and smoothies.
Pros:
Cons:
For anyone looking for a healthier version of pecan pie, this almond butter tastes pretty close to the real thing. It has a creamy texture and a crunch of pecans throughout to mimic the mouthfeel of a traditional pecan pie. Legendary Foods doesn’t roast their nuts, so all those nutrients originating from almonds make their way straight into the jar.
A few reviewers complain that the almond butter is too hard and impossible to stir. Nonetheless, the majority love its delicious taste and further mention that the sweetness is just enough to satisfy their sweet tooth. Many reviewers also love that it's sugar-free and suitable for a low-sugar or keto diet.
Cons:
Once Again's almond butter is certified organic by the USDA. It's made with only almonds that are lightly toasted for a rich and fragrant flavor. It doesn't contain any added sugar or salt and is suitable for those who are trying to limit their sugar or salt intake.
Pros:
Cons:
Justin’s Cinnamon Almond Butter is the perfect combination of warm, slightly spicy cinnamon and roasted almonds with just a hint of saltiness. It’s a bit coarser than some almond butters, with some tiny crunchy nut pieces. One con is that it contains palm oil. However, the palm oil is produced at sustainable plantations.
According to a couple of buyers, this almond butter separates and must be stirred to incorporate the oil. On another note, many compliment the delicious taste and further mention that the cinnamon flavor is spot on. The sweetness is just right as well, buyers mention.
Pros:
Cons:
Another California almond product, this almond butter is a smooth spread. Unlike most almond butters, the almonds here are blanched to remove the skins, creating an ultra-smooth, velvety texture. With just one gram of sugar and zero milligrams of sodium, this almond butter is neither salty nor sweet. It has a mild flavor.
A few buyers are disappointed that this almond butter contains palm oil. However, the palm oil used in this product is sustainably sourced. On another note, the majority love that this almond butter doesn't contain any added salt or sugar and has a thick, smooth, creamy texture. Many find that it goes well in smoothies, on toast, and even in baked goods.
Pros:
Cons:
If you're trying to lose weight, this product is a good choice! The only ingredient in this almond butter is organic pure ground California almonds, so there are no extra calories from additives. It’s dense and has a potent almond flavor. This almond butter’s somewhat grainy texture really complements fresh fruit slices, smoothies, or tastes divine on top of your morning oatmeal.
A few buyers report that this almond butter has a bitter taste. But keep in mind that raw almonds tend to be slightly bitter. On another note, the majority love that this almond butter is healthy and contains only raw almonds without any sugar, salt, or artificial additives. They also compliment the crunchy, thick, and easy-to-spread texture.
NuttZo's Power Fuel Mixed Nut & Seed Butter is made with seven different nuts and seeds, including cashews, almonds, flax seeds, and hazelnuts. It's nutty and rich, with a touch of Celtic sea salt for a well-balanced flavor. This certified organic nut butter is high in protein as well, giving you six grams per serving.
Some reviewers don't like the texture of this nut butter, saying it's dry and hard to spread. However, most are satisfied with the rich nutty taste and the pure, simple ingredients. Buyers also love that this nut butter is free from added sugar and oil and provide them with a good amount of healthy fats and protein.
Pros:
Cons:
This vanilla almond butter is made with only natural ingredients, including almonds, egg whites, dates, coconut oil, and vanilla bean. It's a great source of protein, providing you with nine grams per serving. The sweetness is derived from dates, and there are no added sugars in the ingredient list.
Some reviewers complain that this almond butter separates into oils and solids. A few reviewers suggest kneading the packet before opening it to combine all the ingredients. Meanwhile, most buyers rave about how delicious this vanilla almond butter tastes. Many also love the single-serve packaging that's convenient for on the go.
Cons:
This is a simple and creamy almond butter, popular among health-conscious consumers. Grown in California, the almonds made to use this almond butter are gluten-free, GMO-free, and all-natural. The almond butter itself blends well with smoothies and is great as a fruit dip. It's also high in protein, giving you six grams per serving.
Jiva's Raw Sprouted is unique in its production of their creamy concoction. They soak their raw, unpasteurized almonds for a full day, allowing them to sprout before drying them and grinding them in small batches. This technique imparts more enzymes into the mix, making it easier to digest. It also adds a distinct, slightly fruity flavor to the product that makes it different from its competitors.
A couple of reviewers complain that the consistency of the product is runny. On the other hand, most reviewers like the taste of this almond butter, saying that it is sweet despite no added sugars. Many also confirm that it's gentle on the digestive system.
Shayanne is also here to ask some commonly asked questions about almond butter on the Internet! Read on for more of her insight.
"Almond butter can be a great replacement in baking," Shayanne says. "It does offer a lower fat content than the usual oil and butter, which can help you achieve crispier edges and thinner bakes. It can be a good replacement for oil and butter in a recipe while adding extra health benefits, nutty flavor and texture."
Shayanne says, "This question is completely opinion-based, but I am and forever will be a peanut butter lover. The taste and uses are endless. I eat peanut butter at least once a day. Though almond butter is also delicious and has many uses, it just doesn't satisfy the way peanut butter does."
There are so many nut butters to choose from these days which can all be a great substitue for almond butter in baking and beyond. For an allergy, sunflower butter is creamy, light in flavor and nut free, as well as pumpkin seed butter but the green color could affect some bakes. Peanut butter also works as a great substitute but can affect taste. Cashew butter would be my favorite substitute for its similar qualities to taste and texture to almond butter.
Almond butter isn't the only type of alternative peanut butter out there. There are so many new types of nuts being used to make creamy spreads with new flavor profiles! Of course, sometimes nothing beats the good old stuff, though. If you need help choosing either product, look at the links below!
If you still haven't found a good pick for yourself, check out Amazon's best-selling almond butters!
No. 1: Zinke Orchards|Crunchy Almond Butter
No. 2: Legendary Foods|Pecan Pie Keto Almond Butter
No. 3: Once Again |Creamy Almond Butter
No. 4: Justin’s Nut Butter|Maple Almond Butter
No. 5: Barney|Almond Butter
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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