Peanut Butter Substitutes - The Complete Guide

Peanut butter is one of the most popular products in the world. It is used in many countries, cuisines, and cultures and is employed in many different ways.

But, due to the recent massive culture shift around food allergies, tons of new products have been released in the last decade as alternatives for people with allergies or intolerances.

So what are some of the best peanut butter substitutes?

Some of the best substitutes for peanut butter are other nut butters, such as almond or macadamia butter, and non-nut butters, such as soy or coconut.

Surprisingly, there are more than you might think, including nut and non-nut alternatives!

Peanut butter is a spread made from dry-roasted peanuts. It almost always contains other ingredients to adjust flavor and texture, act as a preservative, and even change color.

Peanuts are one of the most common food allergies, especially among children. However, it is so tasty, creamy and smooth that it is very difficult to remove after eating it, or to prevent others from eating it.

Fortunately, in the last decade there has been a shift in focus on food alternatives for those with intolerances and allergies or just personal preferences. This has produced tons of products that are just as flavorful and delicious as peanut butter.

Nut butter substitutes

Not surprisingly, the best peanut butter substitutes are often a nut-based alternative. Fortunately, today there is practically a butter spread for every type of nut.

The only caveat here is that, of course, you’ll need to make sure other nut allergies aren’t an issue before choosing a nut butter substitute.

However, the positive is that many of these butters are usually vegan. However, you should always check the ingredient list to make sure that a particular brand is truly vegan.

1. Almond butter

It is an amazing alternative to peanut butter. It is very similar to peanut butter, with a similar consistency and a nutty flavor.

Almond butter is also considered a bit healthier than peanut butter and contains a ton of nutrients like potassium, iron, and magnesium.

This substitute can easily be used in almost any recipe, savory or sweet. It will have the same functions and produce the same results with just a different flavor. Their consistency is almost identical and should not alter the final product in anything other than taste.

One important thing to keep in mind is that almond butter is usually produced in factories where peanut butter is also produced. Therefore, there is some possibility that your almond butter still contains traces of peanuts. If you are very allergic, you will have to check if they have occurred in the same place.

Almond butter isn’t necessarily allergy-free either, as some people are severely allergic to nuts. Make sure you know which nuts you are allergic to before substituting another type of nut.

2. Macadamia Nut Butter

This is another nut butter that has become very popular and is also a very healthy alternative. Like almond butter, it’s one of the best and least fussy substitutes that doesn’t require any adjustments to the recipe.

It’s loaded with omega-6 fatty acids, but less than peanut butter. It’s still a very healthy substitute with tons of health benefits. Most macadamia butters are sugar free, making it even healthier.

3. Walnut butter

Nut butter is very rich in omega 3 and omega 6. It is very nutritious, although it contains a lot of fat.

Nut butter also has a consistency very similar to peanut butter, although the texture is sometimes slightly grainy. But if you like nuts, you’re sure to enjoy this peanut butter alternative.

4. Hazelnut butter

Hazelnut butter is a very high-protein butter that can be a great substitute. If you like the nutty undertones of Nutella, you’ll probably like hazelnut butter. (In fact, you can substitute Nutella for peanut butter directly in some sweet recipes.)

It will make a great substitute and its flavor pairs beautifully with chocolate and coffee flavored dishes and cakes.

5. Pistachio butter

Pistachio butter is a bit tricky, as it often contains almonds as well. This is probably to prevent green pistachios from turning a gray or mossy brown color, which might not look as appetizing as they taste.

However, pistachio butter is a very fibrous, protein-packed butter that will make a great alternative in baked goods. Whether you already like pistachio delights or enjoy a lighter, nuttier flavor, pistachio butter won’t disappoint.

6. Walnut butter

This is a very popular and sought after nut butter as it contains tons of minerals and vitamins. However, it is lower in protein, so don’t rely on nut butter as much of your daily protein count.

7. Cashew Butter

Cashew butter is another very trendy product right now. Cashews are very nutrient-dense and work exceptionally well in savory foods, especially in their spreadable form.

It is a butter that has been around for a long time and can be used in many different cuisines, including some Asian ones.

There are loads of nut butters out there, it’s impossible to go over them all, but a few other honorable mentions are

• Brazil nut butter
• acorn butter
• chestnut butter
• Pinions

While we think almond, macadamia, and hazelnut butters are the best direct substitutes, these other nut butters will work perfectly as well, and in the end, it all comes down to personal preference and taste.

They can also be substituted directly without changing anything in the recipe. If you’re not sure about the substitution, a good rule of thumb is to see if the consistency is the same as peanut butter.

If the texture and thickness are more or less the same, it should be a good substitute.

Some of these nut butters will also be harder to come by than almond or macadamia butter, for example, but if you can find them, you should try them! You just might discover a new family favorite.

8. Flavored Butter Substitutes

There’s a long list of peanut butter alternatives that don’t fit into a good category other than “flavored.”

These are butters, spreads, or pastes that are made with a combination of ingredients and are not necessarily healthy, readily available, or nut-free; however, they are delicious and make great substitutes.

As with nut butter substitutes, check the consistency to make sure the flavor only changes during cooking.

• Pure Maple Butter (Maple Cream)
• Cookie Dough Butter
• Cardamom and pistachio rose butter
• caramel butter
• Graham cracker butter

There are many other examples, but these are our favorites. Each one has a unique flavor, especially if you want to change the old traditional peanut butter cookie.

There are no set rules when it comes to substitutes, so if you want to make your own Frankenstein pasta at home, go for it!

Nut-Free Substitutes

Below you will find a list of nut-free butters for those with allergies, intolerances or simple dietary preferences.

These substitutes are often just as (if not more) healthy and have the same consistency and texture as peanut butter; you won’t even notice the difference.

Most of these butters are made from seeds and beans. Also, most are vegan. However, we want to emphasize again that it is always worth checking the packaging or the ingredients to be sure.

1. Soy butter

Soy butter is a very popular vegan butter made from roasted soybeans. It is very rich in protein and omega-3 fats. It has a very similar consistency to peanut butter and can also be easily found in most grocery stores.

Soy is a controversial ingredient, but it has many benefits. If you’re concerned, research it from credible sources and, as with everything, try not to consume too much.

2. Pea butter

This is a relatively new alternative to peanut butter. It is made from brown and sometimes even green peas - no, not fresh whole peas! These are dried split peas.

They are soaked and then worked into a paste-like consistency with some flavoring ingredients.

Most pea butters are gluten-free , making them even more versatile. Pea butters can be more expensive and hard to find, but they are a must. You can also make them at home.

3. Sunflower Seed Butter

It is the perfect vegan butter for those allergic to peanuts, tree nuts and soy. It contains much less sugar and more nutrients than other butters and works perfectly as a substitute for both its texture and flavor.

4. Tahini

Tahini is a tricky substitute, as you can vary its consistency. However, it is very healthy and very easy to get. Some tahini have a runny consistency, so be sure to substitute correctly.

There are also plenty of tahini recipes you can make at home to meet your dietary needs.

5. Pumpkin Seed Butter

Another amazing nut-free butter that’s as healthy as it is delicious, pumpkin seed butter might just be the substitute you’ve been looking for.

And the best part is that you can use pumpkin seeds that you usually throw away (during pumpkin season, for example) to create this lovely butter, making it sustainable and affordable.

6. Coconut Butter

Coconut butter is also sometimes called “cream of the coconut” and is made from dried coconut flakes that are processed into a paste. It does not contain cholesterol, so it is very healthy for diets that focus on it.

It tends to have a harder consistency than peanut butter; however, it can easily be softened to create a similar texture and produce similar results.

7. Chickpea butter

Chickpeas in general are a very versatile ingredient, so it’s no surprise that chickpea butter exists.

It’s made with roasted chickpeas, but how it differs from hummus (which, of course, would also work as a peanut butter substitute in some savory recipes) is that it often contains seeds and additional thickeners.

These additions give the garbanzo butter a more butter-like consistency, rather than the paste-like texture of hummus.

General Purpose Peanut Butter Substitutes

Peanut butter is a very diverse and flexible product that can be used in endless ways.

Some of them are

• smoothies
• make sandwiches
• Create prepared or frozen desserts like ice cream
• making frosting
• In sauces, dressings or marinades
• To spread, dip or cover
• As an ingredient in roasts or stews

How you want to use the peanut butter will determine which substitute you should use.

Here’s a quick table of substitutions by use for your reference:

Substitutes for peanut butter in baking

When peanut butter is used in baked goods, over the years people have discovered that it does much more than just add flavor.

• Peanut butter is a binding ingredient. This means that it can be used to replace eggs or flour to create cookies, etc.
• It is used to thicken the texture of the baked good in many ways. You can create a denser crumb in cakes, cupcakes, or muffins, or you can adjust the consistency of a batter to create a chewier item, like chewy cookies.
• Peanut butter can also be used to add color to the item. Peanut butter itself has a dark color that will impart into the products. However, most peanut butters also contain sugars that will caramelize during cooking to give an even darker, caramelier color.

Looking at the huge list above of different peanut butter substitutes, how do you choose which one will work best for baked goods?

You can choose a substitute keeping in mind the consistency. Depending on what consistency the peanut butter needs to be for your baked good (crunchy, chunky and grainy, or smooth), you can look for substitutes with similar consistencies.

The recipe will remain pretty much the same with one flavor change only.

The next step to further narrow down a substitute is to look at what the baked item is. If you’re making cookies, think about what flavors will make a good cookie; for example, tahini cookies will not be a hit at children’s birthday parties.

You can also take into account your personal taste preferences to immediately eliminate some options.

If you only have one butter or spread with a different consistency available or want to use a specific one, there are a few things you can do to get a good substitute.

If the nut butter is very thick, thin it out by heating it in the microwave before adding it to the recipe. If it’s too fine, you can try using less of it or adding some flour to help bind the product.

Below is a table of what we consider to be the best substitutes based on consistency and flavor. We won’t count “flavored butters” as there are too many of them and not all of them are easily accessible.

Here are our top substitute recommendations by type of baked good:

Peanut Butter Substitutes in No-Bake Cookies

Just like with baked goods, you need to compare the consistency of the requested peanut butter to the substitute you want to use.

This is especially important with no-bake cookies, as the peanut butter often acts alone as a binding ingredient in the recipe. This means that you won’t be able to use substitutes that are thinner or runnier in consistency than your peanut butter.

Substitutes that are more similar in consistency include other nut butters such as almond, macadamia, walnut, or hazelnut. These would be your safest bet, as they are usually the same.

Other nut-free butters that might have a similar consistency would be most seed butters, as well as soy butter and coconut butter. However, the consistency of each one varies by brand, so make sure you choose one that works.