Macadamia Nut Butter vs Cashew Butter: The Ultimate Verdict

Macadamia nut butter is one of those “trophy” nut butters – it’s super sought-after for its delicious creaminess and rich, buttery flavor! Truly, you won’t want to put it down after starting with it – unfortunately, its price tag is a bit high…

Now, another great nutty spread is cashew butter, which boasts a mild and nutty flavor encased in a deliciously thick and creamy texture! It’s also definitely more affordable than macadamia nut butter, but a price tag isn’t the only thing that decides which spread is better.

We’ll put these two great spreads side-by-side, raising a magnifying glass to them to see which one is truly butter in terms of culinary uses, flavor profiles, nutritional characteristics, and much more!

Then, you’ll know exactly which of these delicious nut butters is for you!

Let’s jump in!

Comparing macadamia nut butter vs cashew butter

Macadamia nut butter and cashew butter are both made from nuts, giving them tree nuts as an allergen. They also share nutty properties in their flavor profiles and creamy textures, and both spreads are great for vegan and paleo diets (as long as the cashew butter is unsweetened). Macadamia nut butter is also suitable for keto diets, unlike cashew butter.

Both spreads have a low glycemic index, making either a great choice if you’re watching your blood sugar levels – talk to your physician if you have concerns about your blood sugar levels spiking with these!

	Macadamia nut butter	Cashew butter
Taste	Rich, nutty, buttery	Mild, nutty, sweet
Texture	Runny, smooth & creamy	Thick, creamy
Allergens	Tree nuts	Tree nuts
Vegan?	Yes	Yes
Paleo?	Yes	Yes (if unsweetened)
Keto?	Yes	No
Glycemic index (GI)	Macadamia nuts=10	1 oz cashews= 25

What is macadamia nut butter?

Macadamia nut butter is made by grinding down macadamia nuts down into a smooth, creamy, and delicious spread. The texture is also a bit runny, which makes it really melt off the knife when you spread it! 

Its rich and buttery flavor comes from the high fat content of the macadamia nuts, which you can use to make macadamia nut butter at home. Unfortunately, the nuts are very expensive, so you won’t be saving a ton of money by making it at home – although it’s definitely worth it!

What is cashew butter?

Cashew butter is made by grinding roasted or raw cashew nuts down into a thick, smooth, and creamy spread that boasts a mild, nutty, and sweet flavor. 

Using roasted cashews is usually the best because it enhances the flavor, but you can use raw ones if you prefer when you want to make cashew butter at home! The only thing to keep an eye on for store-bought ones is the sugar content, as some brands will add extra sugar to enhance the flavor.

Differences between macadamia nut butter and cashew butter 

The biggest differences between macadamia nut butter and cashew butter are their flavor and texture.

Macadamia nut butter boasts a rich, nutty, and buttery flavor that is absolutely mouth-watering, while cashew butter has a mild, nutty, and sweet flavor that’s also delicious!

Texture-wise, both spreads have a creaminess to them, but macadamia nut butter is smooth and runny from the added fats and emulsifiers in it, while cashew butter is deliciously thick and creamy.

There’s also a price difference, with macadamia nut butter being fairly expensive compared to cashew butter. However, I’d say the price tag is definitely worth it!

How to use macadamia nut butter vs cashew butter

Both spreads can be used in many of the same ways!

You can mix either into your smoothies and oatmeal for a delicious twist, or add them to your bakes as ingredients or as a spread on top! If you want to use them in the classic way, spread them on your toast, waffles, or pancakes.

Try dipping fruits and vegetables in them for a healthy snack, or mix them into your pasta and salads if you’re feeling creative! 

Macadamia nut butter will add a rich and buttery flavor, while cashew butter’s mild nutty flavor is a great addition in recipes that emphasize the flavor of other ingredients more.

Nutrition: Macadamia nut butter vs cashew butter

Macadamia nut butter has a lot of healthy fats in it – 24 grams per serving! That’s great, and adds to its texture. Plus, it’s really low in carbs, having just 2 grams of net carbs per serving – this makes it ideal for keto diets! Macadamia nut butter has 3 grams of fiber per serving, and another 3 grams of protein per serving.

Cashew butter is much higher in carbs, with 9 grams of net carbs per serving. It also contains healthy fats, and boasts 4 grams of protein per serving! The fiber is low with 1 gram per serving, but it only has 190 calories per serving as compared to macadamia nut butter’s 239 calories. It tends to have added sugar, so keep an eye on that!

Serving size: 2 tbsp	Macadamia nut butter	Cashew butter
Calories	230	190
Total fat (saturated)	24 g (4 g)	16 g (3 g)
Total carbs	5 g	10 g
Net carbs (fiber)	2 g (3 g)	9 g (1 g)
Total sugars (incl. added)	1 g (0 g)	3 g (4 g)
Protein	3 g	4 g

How to store macadamia nut butter and cashew butter

Macadamia nut butter and cashew butter usually don’t have added preservatives in them, so you should store both in the fridge. This will help prevent them from spoiling too soon, and will also help prevent oil separation!

Most nut butters last 2-3 months after opening, but check the labels for any specific storage instructions and best-before dates with these!

Macadamia nut vs cashew butter: The ultimate verdict

So, which spread wins here?

Macadamia nut butter has that rich, nutty, and buttery flavor that’s absolutely delicious, along with a creamy and smooth texture that’s highly sought-after. However, it’s quite pricey…

Cashew butter has a thick and creamy texture that’s also amazing, with a milder nutty taste that has a sweetness to it – it pairs great with many bakes!

Both spreads are great and you should definitely try both, but macadamia nut butter wins here due to its amazing taste and texture, along with a great healthy fats content and an amazing dietary versatility!

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