Give me cashew or almond butter and I’ll be smiling from ear to ear – these delicious spreads have that nutty goodness to them with unique textures that will get your mouth watering!
But, like all good things in life, it’s hard to decide between two amazing things. How do you choose one good thing over another?
Well, you could read this article, which is going to put these two nut butters head-to-head in a showdown that’ll only see one of them emerge victorious! We’ll judge them on flavor, texture, culinary uses, ease of storage, and more, helping you make a decision between these two and find out which one is better!
Let’s dive in!
Comparing cashew butter vs almond butter
Cashew butter and almond butter are both made from nuts, and therefore boast nutty flavor profiles. They also share tree nuts as an allergen, but are great for vegan and paleo diets (given that the cashew butter is unsweetened). Cashew butter and almond butter both sit low on the glycemic index, meaning they won’t spike your blood sugar too much!
| Cashew butter | Almond butter | |
| Taste | Mild, nutty, sweet | Nutty, rich, slightly sweet |
| Texture | Thick, creamy | Slightly grainy and runny (or crunchy) |
| Allergens | Tree nuts | Tree nuts |
| Vegan? | Yes | Yes |
| Paleo? | Yes (if unsweetened) | Yes |
| Keto? | No | Yes |
| Glycemic index (GI) | 1 oz cashews= 25 | 0 |
What is cashew butter?
Cashew butter is the delicious spread you get by grinding roasted or raw cashew nuts into a smooth and creamy consistency. The only other ingredients you might need are a little oil or salt to enhance the taste and texture – in fact, you can easily make cashew butter at home!
It fits into the paleo diet as well, but sometimes cashew butter brands will add extra sugar, which makes it paleo-unfriendly – always check the label if you’re buying at the store!
What is almond butter?
Almond butter is made by blending almonds into a delicious spread that makes for a great substitute for peanut butter! It’s often considered to be one of the healthiest nut butters, and comes in different textures ranging from smooth to crunchy based on your preferences. It’s always a bit grainy with a runny and sticky consistency.
Differences between cashew butter and almond butter
The biggest differences between cashew butter and almond butter are their flavor and (especially) texture.
Cashew butter has a mild, nutty, and slightly sweet taste while almond butter has more of a richly nutty taste. Cashew butter also has a thicker, creamier, and smoother texture than almond butter, which has more of a runny, grainy, and sticky texture.
Each spread is made from a different type of nut, making the potential allergies different as well (cashews for cashew butter and almonds for almond butter…but you probably figured that one out).
How to use cashew butter vs almond butter
Both cashew butter and almond butter are versatile nut butters!
They can both be used as a spread on your bakes, toast, pancakes, etc., as an ingredient in your smoothies and oatmeal, mixed into your yogurt, used as a dip for sliced apples and other fruits and vegetables, or utilized as a base in salad dressings and sauces!
I personally like to use nut butters as an ingredient in my muffins or smoothies, giving a creamy and nutty twist to my creations!
You can also use almond butter to make your own almond body butter, giving you a natural/vegan way to combat dry skin! Plus, these delicious almond butter freezer bars are something you need to try out!
Nutrition: Cashew butter vs almond butter
Cashew butter is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, but it is fairly high in carbs, making it a poor choice for keto recipes.
Almond butter, on the other hand, has a strong mix of protein, vitamin E, healthy fats, and fiber, making it one of the best nut butters health-wise.
If you’re buying either of these from the store, make sure to check the label to avoid any unwanted additions. For example, cashew butter often has sugar added to enhance the taste.
| Serving size: 2 tbsp | Cashew butter | Almond butter |
| Calories | 190 | 190 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 16 g (3 g) | 17 g (2 g) |
| Total carbs | 10 g | 7 g |
| Net carbs (fiber) | 9 g (1 g) | 3 g (4 g) |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 3 g (4 g) | 1 g (0 g) |
| Protein | 4 g | 7 g |
How to store cashew butter and almond butter
Cashew butter and almond butter should both be stored in the fridge, especially the natural types. It helps keep them from going rancid too soon, stops oil separation, and thickens them up a bit as well.
Nut butters generally last about 2-3 months, but make sure to check the labels for best-before dates and any specific storage instructions for the store-bought versions.
Cashew butter vs almond butter: Which is better
Cashew butter and almond butter are both solid options, and it really comes down to your preferences.
Cashew butter has a thick and creamy consistency with a mild taste, while almond butter has a richer nutty flavor with a runny and sticky texture. They also differ in their nutritional profiles, so stick to almond butter if you want a lower-carb and higher protein nut butter.
Either way, try each out to see what consistencies and flavors work better for you – while I personally recommend almond butter for its nutritional profile and great taste, you may find use for each of them in different dishes!
FAQs
Almond butter is considered one of the healthiest nut butters, with a great blend of vitamins, minerals, and protein to offer a well-rounded nut butter!
It really depends on your preferences, including for taste and texture. Cashew butter offers a milder taste with a thick, creamy consistency while almond butter has a rich, nutty taste with a runnier and stickier texture. Health-wise, almond butter has a better nutritional profile than cashew butter.
Yes, cashew butter can be used for basically all things that almond butter is used for. The consistency and taste is different, so keep that in mind! It’s also a great alternative if you’re allergic to almonds.
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