We all know and love peanut butter – it’s creamy, delicious, and brings back memories of childhood snacks.
But nowadays, there are more than 20 different types of nut butters, and one of them, almond butter, is becoming more and more popular.
So, let’s compare almond butter vs peanut butter and find out if almond butter can become your new favorite!
Comparing almond butter vs peanut butter
| Almond butter | Peanut butter | Reduced-fat peanut butter (Jif brand) | |
| Taste | Nutty, rich, slightly sweet | Nutty, slightly sweet | Mild peanut flavor, slightly sweet |
| Texture | Slightly grainy and runny (or crunchy) | Thick, smooth & creamy (or crunchy) | Thick, smooth & creamy (or crunchy) |
| Allergens | Tree nuts | Peanuts | Peanuts, soy |
| Vegan? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Paleo? | Yes | No | No |
| Keto? | Yes | Maybe (4 g net carbs) | No |
| Glycemic index | 0 | Peanuts=14 | Unknown; likely low like regular peanut butter |
What is almond butter?
Almond butter is made by blending raw or roasted almonds until they turn into a smooth and creamy spread.
When you’re buying almond butter, always check the ingredients to make sure it’s made from 100% almonds without any added sugars, oils, or preservatives. This way, you can be sure you’re getting the real deal!
What is peanut butter?
Peanut butter, on the other hand, is made from peanuts. But guess what? Peanuts are not actually nuts! They are legumes. So, if you follow a strict paleo diet, peanut butter might not be the best choice for you.
And although peanut butter is not safe for people with peanut allergies, it’s generally okay for those with tree nut allergies.
Peanut butter comes in various varieties, including natural, chunky, smooth, salted/unsalted, and even flavored options. Some brands also offer reduced fat peanut butter, which has about 30% less fat than regular peanut butter.
However, many reduced-fat peanut butters contain added pea protein, vegetable oils like rapeseed and soybean oil (soy allergy folks, take note!), and added sugars.
Differences between almond butter and peanut butter
Almond butter and peanut butter are both made by grinding nuts into a smooth paste, and you can get them creamy or crunchy.
I find that almond butter is usually a bit stickier and thinner than peanut butter, but this can vary depending on the brand.
Both are widely available in grocery stores, but almond butter tends to be more expensive than peanut butter due to the higher cost of almonds.
How to use almond butter vs peanut butter
Almond butter is a great substitute for peanut butter in PB&J sandwiches, on toast, oatmeal, or in your morning smoothies. It also makes the best chewy almond butter cookies or almond butter cups! Sometimes I mix almond butter or peanut butter with greek yogurt and eat it with an apple for a snack!
Peanut butter is also great in savory dishes like peanut sauces for dips, stir-fries or satays. Feel free to get creative and try them in different recipes to see what you like best!
Nutrition: Almond butter vs peanut butter
Almond butter and peanut butter have similar amounts of calories, fat, and sugar.
If you’re on a low-carb or keto diet, almond butter might be better since it has fewer carbs than peanut butter. But if you want more protein, go with peanut butter.
I love that almond butter has more fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E – giving you a little extra nutrients.
And remember, reduced-fat peanut butter might have less fat, but it could have more carbs and added sugar, so it’s not necessarily healthier.
| Serving size: 2 tbsp. | Calories | Total fat (saturated) | Total carbs | Net carbs (fiber) | Total sugars (incl. added) | Protein |
| Almond butter | 190 | 17 g (2 g) | 7 g | 3 g (4 g) | 1 g (0 g) | 7 g |
| Peanut butter (Adams natural) | 200 | 16 g (3 g) | 7 g | 4 g (3 g) | 2 g (0 g) | 8 g |
| Reduced-fat peanut butter (Jif) | 190 | 12 g (2.5 g) | 15 g | 13 g (2 g) | 4 g (3 g) | 7 g |
How to store almond butter and peanut butter
Now, how should you store these nut butters? Natural ones, like pure almond butter, need to go in the fridge since they don’t have added oils or preservatives. This also helps them thicken up a bit.
Other shelf-stable/no-stir types, like Jif or Skippy peanut butter, can stay in the pantry because they have added oils and salt. They are usually thicker too.
Most nut butters usually last at least 2-3 months after opening, but putting them in the fridge can make them last even longer.
No matter which one you choose, always read the label for specific storage instructions.
Almond butter vs peanut butter: Which is better
Now, the big question – which one is better, almond butter or peanut butter? The truth is, both of them are absolutely delicious and rich in healthy fats, so you can’t go wrong with either. Personally, I love them both, and they each have a spot in my fridge.
However, almond butter’s additional nutrients give it a slight edge, so I would say it’s slightly better than peanut butter overall.
FAQs:
Almond butter is slightly healthier because it has more fiber and micronutrients like magnesium and vitamin E compared to peanut butter. However, peanut butter typically has more protein. It depends on what you want for your diet.
Almond butter is often considered one of the healthiest nut butters due to its higher content of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals compared to other options.
Some bodybuilders may prefer almond butter due to its clean ingredients or lower carb content compared to some peanut butter brands or other nut butters.
Pros of almond butter include its rich nutrient profile, high content of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. The cons are that it’s relatively calorie-dense and it may be more expensive compared to other nut butters.
You can use almond butter instead of peanut butter in most recipes because they have a similar texture and taste. It’s a good option if you can’t have peanuts or if you prefer almonds.
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