Mixed nut butter is like the stir fry of the nut butter world – take a bunch of different nuts (and sometimes seeds) and blend them together into a delicious final product. It boasts different qualities from different nuts, but they all complement each other.
Now, that’s perfect if you want multiple nut butters in one, but what if you’re feeling a little more tropical?
Well, coconut butter would be your answer! This spread gives you a little slice of the tropical beaches of Hawaii, and gives whatever you pair it with a delicious coconuty twist!
Both these spreads sound amazing – and they are – but which one should you choose if you can only have one?
That’s exactly what we’ll be exploring in this article – we’ll put both these great spreads side-by-side and put a magnifying glass to them, and see which one is the best!
Let’s jump in!
Comparing mixed nut butter vs coconut butter
Mixed nut butter and coconut butter boast rich flavors, with each having at least some aspects of nutty in them. They’re quite different otherwise, with mixed nut butter having tree nuts as an allergen and coconut butter having coconuts. Both spreads are suitable for vegan, paleo, and keto diets.
Mixed nut butter has different nuts and seeds in it, making it difficult to know exactly what the glycemic index would be, but it’s likely low. Coconut butter does have a low glycemic index, making it ideal if you don’t want your blood sugar levels to spike – talk to a physician if you have concerns with that!
| Mixed nut butter | Coconut butter | |
| Taste | Nutty, rich, almondy | Coconut, rich, slightly nutty |
| Texture | Creamy, slightly grainy | Thick, pasty, slightly gritty |
| Allergens | Tree nuts | Coconuts* |
| Vegan? | Yes | Yes |
| Paleo? | Yes | Yes |
| Keto? | Yes | Yes |
| Glycemic index (GI) | Unknown due to a mix of different nuts/seeds; likely low | 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 mixed nut butter?
Mixed nut butter is right in the name – it’s a delicious spread made by blending multiple nuts together. The types and ratios of nuts can differ from brand-to-brand, but they often contain almonds, cashews, walnuts, and hazelnuts in the spread.
Kirkland Signature’s mixed nut butter, which is the one we’re referencing in this article, has almonds listed as its first ingredient, giving it a more almondy taste. It also has seeds in it, which you’ll find in some different brands as well.
You can make mixed nut butter at home if you want more control about which nuts go into your spread!
What is coconut butter?
Coconut butter is made by grinding dried coconut meat into a paste that’s thick and slightly gritty – this grittiness is from the pieces of coconut flesh that are in it.
A cool thing about coconut butter is that at room temperature, it’s solid and spreadable, but if you heat it up, it becomes thin and runny for drizzling!
You can even make coconut butter at home if you want a different option from the store-bought ones!
Differences between mixed nut butter and coconut butter
The biggest differences between mixed nut butter and coconut butter are the flavors and textures.
Mixed nut butter has a nutty and rich taste, with this Kirkland one having an almond flavor – mixed nut butter usually takes on the first ingredient’s taste. Coconut butter, on the other hand, has a coconut taste that’s also rich, with some slightly nutty undertones.
Texture wise, mixed nut butter has a creamy and slightly grainy texture (due to the chia seeds in Kirkland’s mixed nut butter). Coconut butter is thick, slightly gritty, and pasty, but becomes thin and runny when warmed up!
How to use mixed nut butter vs coconut butter
These two spreads have very different flavors, making it really interesting using them interchangeably for certain things…
Mixed nut butter is really good as a spread and in bakes, but can also be used as a dip for things like fruits and vegetables, added into smoothies, and even mixed into pasta!
Coconut butter is great for adding that tropical twist, and can also be used for spreading on toast, adding to bakes, mixing into smoothies, and experimenting with different dishes. You can even warm it up and drizzle it over different foods!
Just remember, these spreads have different flavor profiles so using them interchangeably will cause whatever you pair it with to taste quite different!
Nutrition: Mixed nut butter vs coconut butter
Mixed nut butter has a good source of healthy fats, fiber, and protein while being low in sugar, but it really shines due to the fact of having multiple nuts in it…
That means you get zinc and copper from cashews, vitamin E and healthy fats from almonds, folate from hazelnuts, and omega-3 fatty acids from walnuts! It really gives a well-rounded health profile that you can enjoy in a tasty spread!
Coconut butter is very high in saturated fat with 18 grams per serving, which isn’t something we really want. However, it has 6 grams of fiber, bringing the net carbs down to 2 grams per serving.
It’s not the best in protein, and is slightly more calorie-dense than mixed nut butter.
| Serving size: 2 tbsp | Mixed nut butter | Coconut butter |
| Calories | 200 | 210 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 16 g (4 g) | 22 g (18 g) |
| Total carbs | 8 g | 8 g |
| Net carbs (fiber) | 4 g (4 g) | 2 g (6 g) |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 1 g (0 g) | 2 g (0 g) |
| Protein | 7 g | 2 g |
How to store mixed nut butter and coconut butter
You should store mixed nut butter in the fridge because it usually doesn’t have any added oils or preservatives, so it’ll go rancid quicker. The fridge will also slow oil separation and thicken the texture a bit if you want that!
Coconut butter is fine at room temperature – just remember it gets runnier the warmer it gets! Its shelf-life can vary a little from brand-to-brand, but you can usually expect it to last 6-12 months before going rancid.
Make sure to check the labels for best-before dates and any specific storage instructions for both these spreads!
Mixed nut butter vs coconut butter: The ultimate verdict
So, which one is the best?
Mixed nut butter offers a tasty spread with some great health benefits, and it’s really easy to make at home.
Coconut butter is very tasty, providing a tropical twist to whatever you pair it with…
Now, I’d say go for coconut butter if you need something coconuty, but mixed nut butter beats it out in nutritional profile, culinary versatility, and ease of finding in the store/making it at home!
FAQs
Your best bet would be almond butter, as it has an awesome blend of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Walnut butter is also great – mixed nut butter offers some awesome health benefits, but there are too many variables from brand-to-brand that makes it difficult to consistently call it the healthiest option.
Nope, mixed nut butter isn’t too different in price compared to other nut butters.
Coconut butter tastes more like coconut because it’s made from ground up coconut meat, while coconut oil is made by extracting the oil from this meat.!
You could…the USDA considers coconuts as tree nuts, but many people who have a tree nut allergy can safely eat coconut butter. I recommend talking to your physician first!
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