Jumping into the world of the many nut butters out there, it’s hard to pick the best one. Pistachio butter and sunbutter are two contenders vying for your attention, but which one should you pick?
Let’s dive into the differences between pistachio butter and sunbutter, and see which one deserves the main spot in your pantry!
Comparing pistachio butter vs sunbutter
Pistachio butter and sunbutter both boast an earthy flavour profile, with smooth and creamy textures that differ just in how runny they are (more on that later).
They’re also both good for vegan diets, as well as paleo diets assuming that the sunbutter you’re using is unsweetened. Their glycemic indexes are both in the low range, making them good options for anyone worried about spiking their blood sugars.
| Pistachio butter | Sunbutter | |
| Taste | Nutty, earthy, slightly sweet | Intense, earthy, roasted |
| Texture | Smooth, creamy | Smooth, creamy |
| Allergens | Tree nuts | None |
| Vegan? | Yes | Yes |
| Paleo? | Yes | Yes (if unsweetened) |
| Keto? | No | No |
| Glycemic index (GI) | Pistachio nuts=15 | Sunflower seed=35 |
What is pistachio butter?
Take some roasted pistachios, blend them together, and you get the delicious, velvety spread called pistachio butter.
Pistachio butter has an earthy taste that’s complemented by the slightly sweet and nutty flavors it carries. It’s also quite easy to make at home, requiring only pistachios, a bit of salt, and maybe some other nut-based oils if you want to blend in some extra flavors.
What is sunbutter?
Sunbutter, AKA sunflower butter, is a wonderful nut-free alternative to nut butters – most popularly peanut butter!
It’s made by grinding roasted sunflower seeds, creating a spread that only requires a small amount of salt to be added to it. In fact, there are no nuts, sesame, peanuts, or other common food allergens added, making this an allergy-friendly spread!!
On top of that, it’s really easy to make sunbutter at home!
Differences between pistachio butter and sunbutter
There aren’t huge differences between the two, but they vary mainly in their consistencies and allergens.
Pistachio butter is a bit thinner and perfect for drizzling over your food while sunbutter resembles traditional peanut butter, although they are both smooth and creamy. Taste-wise, pistachio butter and sunbutter both have a more subtle nuttiness to them than a lot of other nut butters.
Sunbutter is also completely free of allergens, being made from roasted sunflower seeds. Pistachio butter is a no-go if you have a tree nut allergy, as it’s made from pistachio nuts.
How to use pistachio butter vs sunbutter
Pistachio butter and sunbutter both offer creamy, tasty additions to your dish. They can each be used to mix into your oatmeal or yogurt – but they go especially great in your smoothie or as a base for a delicious dip or sauce!
With their earthy and nutty tones, pistachio butter and sunbutter are both delicious ingredients in your desserts if you want to add a nice subtle kick to them – or spread them over your pancakes as a simple and tasty spread!
Nutrition: Pistachio butter vs sunbutter
Pistachio butter and sunbutter are fairly comparable when it comes to nutrition. Pistachio butter has a slightly lower calorie count, as well as a lower fat and (very slightly) lower protein content.
However, the differences are minor – it should be noted that a lot of brands will add sugar to their sunbutter to enhance the taste, so make sure to check the label first! Otherwise, these two are quite similar.
| Serving size: 2 tbsp | Pistachio butter | Sunbutter |
| Calories | 180 | 200 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 14 g (2 g) | 17 g (2 g) |
| Total carbs | 8 g | 6 g |
| Net carbs (fiber) | 5 g (3 g) | 4 g (2 g) |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 2 (0) g | 3 g (3 g) |
| Protein | 6 g | 7 g |
How to store pistachio butter and sunbutter
Pistachio butter should be stored in the fridge to help with the oil separation and to thicken it up a bit – it can be quite runny otherwise!
Sunbutter is fine in room temperature environments, although you can put it in the fridge to thicken it up a bit if you’d like.
Give each butter a stir if oil separation happens (storing them upside down could help with that), and make sure to check the best-before dates – they should last around 2-3 months, but that can vary from brand-to-brand.
Pistachio butter vs sunbutter: The ultimate verdict
Now, preference is everything at this stage. Pistachio butter and sunbutter are fairly similar, although pistachio butter is runnier and has nuts in it – sunbutter is the way to go if you have any nut allergies.
I recommend switching these out for one another and see which one you prefer – better yet, have a jar of each so that you can base it on how you’re feeling that day!
Otherwise, all things considered, I recommend pistachio butter for its lower fat, sugar, and calorie content over sunbutter.
FAQs
Nut butters differ in several ways, so it really depends on what you’re looking for. Almond butter is often considered one of the healthiest options, with high vitamin E and monounsaturated fat content.
Sunbutter is made from sunflower seeds, and has absolutely no nuts in it! In fact, it’s overall allergy-friendly with no added ingredients that cause allergies!
Yes you can! Sunbutter doesn’t have any nuts in it, making it a great alternative to nut butters like pistachio butter.
Pistachio butter contains monounsaturated fats, fiber, and protein, making it a decent choice for the health-conscious. Just remember, enjoy it in moderation due to the calorie-density!
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