Jason Speed
Looking for a healthy alternative to peanut butter, or just a change of pace? Then alternative nut butter is perfect for you! Use one to make any peanut butter recipe a little healthier. Or, simply spice up your next PB&J. Either way, your choice of flavor variations are endless and variety is the spice of life!
A Handful of Almonds
Almond butter is the most well-known alternative. This alternative nut butter is perfect for someone looking for a healthier departure from classic peanut butter. (For example, almond butter is a great source of vitamin E.) In addition, these butter alternatives offer a greater assortment of healthy fats. These fats can lower your risk of heart disease and are easier on your stomach. Roast the nuts to make this espresso almond cashew butter which is perfect in a green smoothie or in overnight oats. So yummy and made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Almond Butter Recipe
16 ounces dry-roasted unsalted almonds (1lb. or 3 cups)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Here’s a base recipe we like to use for almond butter. It’s a great first recipe to start you on your alternative nut butter journey. Make it as directed and adjust it to make your own flavor of almond butter. For instance, if you’re a chocoholic, add cacao powder to satisfy your cravings in a healthy way. Use a food processor or a trusty blender (we like Vitamix or SMEG) to chop the nuts to perfection.
Cashews: Savory + Sweet
Cashew butter is good enough to eat by the spoonful. This alternative nut butter also tends to be the star of many raw vegan recipes. Cashews have a natural sugar content that sets them apart from other nuts. In contrast, cashew butter is primarily used in savory raw vegan recipes for natural richness. Try using cashew butter and bananas instead of the standard avocado toast. Cashew butter is also perfect to use if you’re on an artificial sugar detox.
Cashew Butter Recipe
3 cups (450g) Roasted, Salted Cashews
2 Tbsp Coconut Oil (Melted)
Even if you’re not vegan, you’ll love this cashew butter recipe. This alternative nut butter recipe has very minimal ingredients. Notably, the lack of additives allows the natural flavor of cashews to shine. Again, feel free to adjust and add various ingredients to make this recipe your own! Particularly, we recommend using flaked sea salt to add a unique savory flare. It’s perfect on toasted baguette slices as part of an afternoon tea. It gives you a little boost of protein and minimal carbs that keep you going through the day.
Spread Some Sunshine
Sunflower seed spread is definitely the stand out of the trio we presented you with today. Sunflower seed butter is a true alternative nut butter, due to the fact it doesn’t contain nuts. This alternative is perfect for anyone who suffers from nut allergies. Sunflower seed butter has that classic nutty flavor. Additionally, it offers a greater supply of Vitamin E and magnesium that peanut butter simply lacks. We dip baked beet chips in the butter to boost the magnesium intake. You can use sliced apples or any other fruit that you like to dip for a healthy snack.
Sunflower Seed Butter Recipe
3 cups hulled sunflower seeds
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Here’s an easy sunflower seed butter recipe to start with. This alternative nut butter recipe allows you to have an allergy-friendly treat at home! In fact, this recipe is oil free which makes the butter even healthier. As with the others, feel free to adjust it to the way you prefer. For example, adding coconut oil boosts the richness and creaminess of the sunflower butter. Chia seeds or pepita seeds give the spread a hearty dose of protein.
Alternative Nut Butters; Versatile & Tasty
Now you can make a myriad of PB&J variations. Joking aside, alternative nut butter is not only tasty; it is super healthy, too. It can be used in any recipe that calls for peanut butter. (For example, you can use them in our already protein-enhanced chocolate no-bake cookies.) Freshen up an old recipe or just enjoy a spoonful as an easy snack!