You’ve likely heard of almond butter, one of the healthiest and most popular nut butters. But have you heard of granola butter?
(It’s DELICIOUS.)
Today, we’ll check out each of these great spreads in more detail, and help you decide which one is better for you!
Let’s dive in!
Comparing granola butter vs almond butter
Granola butter and almond butter are both great for vegan diets, and each sport a grainy texture – although almond butter tends to be runnier than granola butter.
Almond butter has a glycemic index of 0, while granola butter is generally in the medium range since it has added sweeteners – this is important to note if you’re concerned about spiking your blood sugar levels (talk to your physician if needed). Also keep an eye on what ingredients are in your granola butter, as tree nuts and coconut oil are commonly included and pose similar allergens as almond butter!
| Granola butter | Almond butter | |
| Taste | Toasty, roasted (like granola or a graham cracker) | Nutty, rich, slightly sweet |
| Texture | Creamy, slightly grainy | Slightly grainy and runny (or crunchy) |
| Allergens | Tree nuts (coconut) | Tree nuts |
| Vegan? | Yes | Yes |
| Paleo? | No | Yes |
| Keto? | No | Yes |
| Glycemic index (GI) | Unknown; likely medium due to added sugar | 0 |
What is granola butter?
Granola butter isn’t quite like other nut butters, but it’s basically your favorite granola turned into a creamy spread!
In fact, it’s really not that hard to make. Using simple ingredients that you’d find in granola like nuts, seeds, spices, coconut oil, rolled oats, maple syrup, honey, etc., you can easily make granola butter at home through a blending process!
What is almond butter?
Almond butter is made by blending almonds into a delicious spread that’s often considered to be one of the healthiest nut butters. It’s also become a popular substitute for peanut butter!
It comes in different consistencies, ranging from smooth to crunchy based on your preferences. It’s generally always a bit grainy, with a runny and sticky consistency.
Differences between granola butter and almond butter
The biggest differences between granola butter and almond butter are the flavor and texture.
Granola butter is somewhat of a wild card when it comes to taste since it can be made with a variety of ingredients. It generally boasts a nutty, roasted, slightly sweet flavor with hints of whatever spices were used (like cinnamon, for example).
Almond butter, on the other hand, has a rich and nutty taste with a slightly sweet touch to it.
Texture-wise, granola butter tends to be creamy, but has a grainy texture to it due to the oats. Almond butter is also slightly grainy, but tends to be more runny and sticky. Of course, if you make your own almond butter, you can (to some extent) adjust the recipe to your specific needs and preferences.
Almond butter has tree nuts in it, making it a risk for those with nut allergies. Granola butter often contains different types of nuts, oats, and coconut oil, so you should be cautious of the ingredients if you have a nut or gluten sensitivity.
How to use granola butter vs almond butter
Both granola butter and almond butter are quite versatile.
Granola butter is great as a spread on your toast, pancakes, waffles, as an ingredient in bakes like muffins, and mixed into your smoothies or oatmeal! You can also use it as a dip for sliced apples or other fruits and vegetables.
Almond butter can be used for all the same things, but the rich and nutty flavor tends to do a bit better as an ingredient in bakes. You can also use it to make your own almond body butter, giving you an all-natural vegan way to combat dry skin!
Nutrition: Granola butter vs almond butter
Granola butter varies a bit in its nutritional profile since the ingredients used in one recipe can vary from another recipe. But, generally speaking, granola butter tends to be lower in calories than many other nut butters. It’s also high in carbs, and has a fair amount of sugar from the syrups and sweeteners added.
Almond butter holds the crown of being one of the healthiest nut butters out there, with a high amount of protein, vitamin E, healthy fats, and a good amount of fiber.
| Serving size: 2 tbsp | Granola butter | Almond butter |
| Calories | 170 | 190 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 12 g (4 g) | 17 g (2 g) |
| Total carbs | 14 g | 7 g |
| Net carbs (fiber) | 13 g (1 g) | 3 g (4 g) |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 4 g (4 g) | 1 g (0 g) |
| Protein | 3 g | 7 g |
How to store granola butter and almond butter
Granola butter and almond butter are both prone to oil separation, and are better stored in the fridge. That’ll extend their shelf-life, keep their texture, and thicken them up a bit if that’s something you want!
Homemade granola butter can last in the fridge for up to 1 month if it’s covered, while natural almond butter tends to last about 2-3 months – that being said, make sure to check the labels for best-before dates and any specific storage instructions if you buy either from the store!
Granola butter vs almond butter: Which is better?
Both of these are great options, but I’d say that almond butter takes the win here.
Granola butter is high in sugar and carbs, and has a bunch of different ingredients that can change the nutritional profile a little, making it hard to get consistent values. Almond butter, on the other hand, is simply made from blended almonds, and has an awesome nutritional profile that serves the health-conscious well – so, almond butter takes the cake between these two spreads!
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!
Granola butter is usually creamy with a grainy texture, but some home recipes include bigger chunks of granola to give it a “crunchier” consistency.
No. Granola butter has a very high carb content, and isn’t great in protein. Therefore, it’s not keto diet friendly.
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