Cashew butter is, in my opinion, an underrated nut butter. It’s delicious, thick, creamy, and the perfect companion for so many different dishes (we’ll talk about those in this article)! Plus, cashews have been suggested to promote weight loss and maintain heart health!
But I don’t blame you if you’re feeling a bit more tropical – and I’ve got just the spread for you!
Coconut butter takes your taste buds surfing on the ocean waves before relaxing under the palm trees of Hawaii – it’s quite tasty and super versatile in many dishes, giving them a delicious twist!
Now, how can you ever decide between these two wonderful spreads?
Well, this article will help you do just that! We’ll discuss the differences and similarities between the two, ultimately finding out which one is best!
Let’s jump in!
Comparing cashew butter vs coconut butter
Cashew butter is made from cashews, while coconut butter is made from coconuts (it’s right there in the name), which means that the former has tree nuts as an allergen while the latter has coconuts as one!
Coconut butter is great for vegan, paleo, and keto diets, while cashew butter is just good for vegan and paleo (if unsweetened) diets. Both spreads have a low glycemic index, although cashew butter’s is lower – talk to a physician if you have concerns about your blood sugar levels spiking with these!
| Cashew butter | Coconut butter | |
| Taste | Mild, nutty, sweet | Coconut, rich, slightly nutty |
| Texture | Thick, creamy | Thick, pasty, slightly gritty |
| Allergens | Tree nuts | Coconuts* |
| Vegan? | Yes | Yes |
| Paleo? | Yes (if unsweetened) | Yes |
| Keto? | No | Yes |
| Glycemic index (GI) | 1 oz cashews= 25 | Low** |
*The USDA considers coconuts as tree nuts, but many people with tree nut allergies can safely consume coconut products.
**Coconut butter is made from the flesh of coconuts, which have a glycemic index of 45, classifying it as a low GI food. Although there isn’t clear data on the GI of coconut butter, we would assume it’s the same, or very similar, to coconuts.
What is cashew butter?
Cashew butter is a thick, creamy, and smooth spread made by grinding roasted or raw cashew nuts.
You can definitely use raw cashews if you’re making cashew butter at home, but I recommend roasting them first to enhance the flavor!
You’ll also find a lot of brands adding extra sugar in the spread for the taste, so double check the label if that’s something you don’t want (like in a paleo diet).
What is coconut butter?
Coconut butter is that thick, pasty, and slightly gritty spread made by grinding down dried coconut meat. You’ll enjoy little bits of coconut flesh in it, and you can even make coconut butter at home if that’s something you’d like!
Plus, you can warm coconut butter up to make it thin and runny – perfect for drizzling!
Differences between cashew butter and coconut butter
The biggest differences between cashew butter and coconut butter are their flavors and textures.
Cashew butter offers a mild, nutty, and slightly sweet taste while coconut butter has a very, well, rich coconut taste (with some nutty undertones).
Their textures are different too in that cashew butter is thick and creamy, while coconut butter is slightly gritty (from the bits of coconut flesh), thick, and pasty – but it can quickly change to thin and runny when it’s warmed up!
They’re quite different in nutritional profiles too, which we’ll take a look at in just a second!
How to use cashew butter vs coconut butter
Even though these two have different flavors and textures, you can use them in many of the same ways!
You can use them as a spread on your toast, waffles, and pancakes, or mix them into your oatmeal and smoothies for extra flavoring and texture. You can also dip fruits and vegetables into them!
Coconut butter can also be warmed before drizzling it over salads, bakes, and other dishes – there are many delicious ways you can use coconut butter due to its versatility in textures!
Nutrition: Cashew butter vs coconut butter
Cashew butter is a good source of vitamins and minerals, and has a solid amount of healthy unsaturated fats. However, it is a bit higher in carbs, with 9 grams of net carbs per serving. The protein is alright, with 4 grams per serving – remember to check the label for any added sugar!
Coconut butter, on the other hand, has a lot of saturated fat – 18 grams per serving! Generally, we want to limit our saturated fat intake, so keep coconut butter in moderation.
It’s also got an awesome 6 grams of fiber with no added sugar, and contains 2 grams of protein per serving.
| Serving size: 2 tbsp | Cashew butter | Coconut butter |
| Calories | 190 | 210 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 16 g (3 g) | 22 g (18 g) |
| Total carbs | 10 g | 8 g |
| Net carbs (fiber) | 9 g (1 g) | 2 g (6 g) |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 3 g (4 g) | 2 g (0 g) |
| Protein | 4 g | 2 g |
How to store cashew butter and coconut butter
Cashew butter should be stored in the fridge because it doesn’t have added oils or preservatives, especially in the natural kinds. The fridge will slow down oil separation and make sure that it doesn’t go rancid as quickly!
Coconut butter is totally fine at room temperature, and stays solid and spreadable there. The fridge will thicken it up a little, but keeping it in a warm place will make it runnier.
The shelf-life varies from brand-to-brand, but coconut butter usually lasts 6-12 months before going rancid.
Always make sure to check the labels for best-before dates and any specific storage instructions for both of these!
Cashew butter vs coconut butter: The ultimate verdict
Cashew butter is a great spread that has a thick and creamy texture containing a mild and nutty flavor. It’s pretty good in terms of nutrition, and pairs really well with many dishes!
Coconut butter is also great, providing a wonderful coconut experience in many different dishes – it’s very versatile in terms of how you use it, being either spreadable or drizz-able (is that word?).
But, there can only be one winner here today.
After looking at all the facts, cashew butter takes the crown because it has a better nutritional profile while providing similar versatility, and it also provides a flavor that can be paired with things a little easier than coconut butter.
FAQs
Cashew butter does have great nutritional benefits like vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, but it also has a high carb content, low fiber, and low protein. Plus, a lot of brands add extra sugar.
That would be almond butter due to its great healthy fat, mineral, and vitamin content! I recommend checking out walnut butter as well!
Not quite. Coconut butter tastes more like coconut since it’s made from ground up coconut meat, while coconut oil is actually made by extracting the oil from this meat!
Probably…the USDA considers coconuts as tree nuts, but lots of people with tree nut allergies can safely eat coconut butter. I recommend talking to your physician first!
Leave a Comment