Making a recipe that calls for peanut butter and don’t have it? Or working around a peanut allergy? Peanut butter is the most popular nut butter around. It’s sweet and creamy, and good on just about anything. It’s perfect sandwiches, but it’s often used in recipes like no bake cookies, bars, desserts, and more. Need a replacement? Here’s the best peanut butter substitute.
Best peanut butter substitute
1. Sunflower butter
The best peanut butter substitute if you’re working around a nut allergy? Sunflower butter! This butter made with sunflower seeds is creamy and full flavored, a widely accepted substitute for any type of nut butter. You can find it at your local grocery or make it at home. Keep in mind: if you add sunflower butter a baked good, it can turn a green color due to a chemical reaction with the baking soda or baking powder! It is safe to eat, per the Sunbutter website. They suggest reducing the baking powder or baking soda by ⅓ in baked goods.
2. Pumpkin seed butter
Another good peanut butter substitute for a nut allergy? Pumpkin seed butter! This creamy green butter is made with pumpkin seeds, or pepitas. You can find it in grocery stores or online these days, and it’s very delicious! Whether you’re making a sandwich or using it in baked goods, it’s a great alternative.
3. Cashew butter
The best nut-based peanut butter substitute? Cashew butter! In our opinion, the creamy texture and lightly sweet flavor of cashew butter is a closer match than the more popular almond butter. You can use it anywhere you’d use peanut butter: toast or baked goods. Buy it or make our Homemade Cashew Butter.
4. Almond butter
Another great peanut butter substitute? Almond butter! Almond butter is a fantastic replacement for PB, and works just as well in sandwiches, oatmeal, and baked goods. It does have a more neutral flavor. The texture can also differ: because almonds are harder than peanuts, sometimes almond butter can be a bit thicker. Try to find a creamy almond butter to sub for creamy peanut butter. Or try our Homemade Almond Butter.
5. Pecan butter
Another peanut butter substitute? Pecan butter! The nutty flavor and creamy texture of pecan butter is a close match, though the flavor is not as sweet. It’s harder to find at stores, but it’s very easy to make at home! Try this Homemade Pecan Butter.
6. Pistachio butter
Pistachio butter is another nut butter that works in place of peanut butter. It’s creamy and green: and it one of the best tasting nut butters around! You can find it at some grocery stores in the nut butter section or online, or it’s easy to make at home.
7. Hazelnut butter
Hazelnut butter is another nut butter that works in place of peanut butter. It’s creamy and has a beautifully nutty flavor (combine it with chocolate and it’s Nutella!). It’s more of a niche product, but you can find it at some grocery stores in the nut butter section or online.
8. Walnut butter
A final peanut butter substitute? Walnut butter! Walnut butter is creamy and ultra nutty in flavor, but it can have a bitter aftertaste so you may want to combine it with honey in a sandwich. Find it at grocery stores, online, or make your own homemade.
Related recipes
Here are some peanut butter recipes where you could use this substitute:
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter CookiesPeanut Butter SmoothiePeanut Butter DipVegan Peanut Butter CookiesHomemade Peanut Butter CupsPeanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Bites“Bliss Bites” Healthy No-Bake CookiesChocolate Peanut Butter Mousse
No reviews **The amount of salt will add based on the nuts you have on hand. If you use salted nuts, taste and add enough so the flavor pops. We use ¼ teaspoon kosher salt with unsalted nuts.
