If you’ve ever stared at the huge amount of nut butters at the store and weren’t sure which one to choose, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I’ll place pine nut butter and almond butter side-by-side and compare everything about them, giving you the info you need to see if either of these is for you!
Comparing pine nut butter vs almond butter
Both pine nut butter and almond butter are made from nuts – pine nuts and almonds, respectively. They’re both great for vegan and paleo diets, although pine nut butter isn’t suited for keto diets.
Both spreads have low glycemic index scores, so either of them can be good options if you’re watching your blood sugar levels.
Pine nut butter and almond butter share a slightly sweet tone to their tastes, but we’ll talk about how they differ in taste (and more) in just a bit!
| Pine nut butter | Almond butter | |
| Taste | Rich, buttery, slightly sweet | Nutty, rich, slightly sweet |
| Texture | Smooth & creamy (or crunchy) | Slightly grainy and runny (or crunchy) |
| Allergens | Tree nuts | Tree nuts |
| Vegan? | Yes | Yes |
| Paleo? | Yes | Yes |
| Keto? | No | Yes |
| Glycemic index (GI) | Pine nuts=15 | 0 |
What is pine nut butter?
Pine nut butter is made by grinding the small, edible seeds from the cones of pine trees – called pine nuts – into a creamy spread.
This creamy spread has a texture quite similar to peanut butter, and has a rich, nutty, and buttery taste to it. You can get it in different levels of crunchiness, ranging from smooth to crunchy!
What is almond butter?
Almond butter is made by grinding almonds into a delicious spread that’s popular among the health-conscious. People searching for an alternative to peanut butter will often look to almond butter – and for good reason! It has a rich and nutty taste with a unique runny and grainy texture, but can similarly come in smooth to crunchy textures depending on your preferences! (Almond butter is also surprisingly easy to make.)
Differences between pine nut butter and almond butter
The biggest difference between pine nut butter and almond butter is their flavor, with a difference in texture as well.
Pine nut butter has a rich, buttery, and nutty flavor that can’t be mistaken, while almond butter also has a unique taste that boasts rich and nutty flavors as well, although milder than pine nut butter.
Almond butter sports a runny and grainy texture, which is the opposite of the smooth and creamy pine nut butter.
The price of these two is quite different as well, with pine nut butter being a fair bit more expensive than almond butter – making it a true indulgence!
How to use pine nut butter vs almond butter
Both pine nut butter and almond butter are very versatile, being used in basically all the same ways!
You can spread them on your toast, mix them into your smoothies (my personal favorite use), dip fruits and vegetables into them, or even use them as a base for sauces and dressings!
While almond butter’s milder flavor tends to do a bit better as an ingredient in bakes, pine nut butter is also a delicious option with its buttery taste! You can also use almond butter to make your own almond body butter, giving you a natural way to fight dry skin!
Nutrition: Pine nut butter vs almond butter
Pine nut butter has an awesome source of iron, giving you 10% of your daily value in just one serving! It also has one of the lowest carb contents of all nut/seed butters, although its low fiber content doesn’t help lower its net carbs a whole lot…
Also, keep an eye on how much you’re eating – pine nut butter is high in oxalate, which can contribute to kidney stones in some people.
On the other hand, almond butter is considered one of the healthiest nut butters for a reason! It has a high amount of protein, vitamin E, healthy fats, and a good amount of fiber, all promoting overall health in the body.
| Serving size: 2 tbsp | Pine nut butter | Almond butter |
| Calories | 190 | 190 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 19 g (1.5 g) | 17 g (2 g) |
| Total carbs | 4 g | 7 g |
| Net carbs (fiber) | 4 g (<1 g) | 3 g (4 g) |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | <1 g (0 g) | 1 g (0 g) |
| Protein | 4 g | 7 g |
How to store pine nut butter and almond butter
Both pine nut butter and almond butter are best stored in the fridge to help prevent them from going rancid early. Although, you could store pine nut butter in a cool, dark place outside the fridge and it should be fine.
I recommend giving each of these a stir before storing to help prevent oil separation. Also, be sure to check their labels for the best-before date and any specific storage instructions – they can change from brand-to-brand!
Pine nut butter vs almond butter: The ultimate verdict
Pine nut butter and almond butter are both delicious and nutritious options, making either of them a great choice – it really comes down to your preferences.
However, pine nut butter is more expensive, and a bit harder to get your hands on than almond butter. That’s why I recommend almond butter as the best bang-for-your buck – it has an awesome nutritional profile, is more affordable, can easily be made at home, and has a flavor that mixes well with nearly everything!
FAQs
What is the healthiest nut butter to buy?
Almond butter is one of the healthiest nut butters out there because of its great mix of essential vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats that are good for overall health. Walnut butter may also be a great nut butter to check out!
Is pine nut butter expensive?
Pine nut butter tends to be on the expensive side, especially when compared to almond butter! However, its rich and buttery taste with its smooth and creamy texture are definitely worth it in my opinion!
Is almond butter better than pine nut butter?
Almond butter has a stronger nutritional profile and versatile taste, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better than pine nut butter. It really comes down to your preferences and tastes, but I would recommend almond butter over pine nut butter for its affordability, versatility, and nutritional profile.
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