Sunbutter is one of the most popular alternatives to nut butters, while almond butter is a nut butter at the top of the hill in terms of popularity and healthiness.
In this article, we’ll match these two heavy-hitters up in a showdown that’ll compare everything about them, helping you decide which one deserves a spot in your kitchen!
Let’s begin!
Comparing sunbutter vs almond butter
There’s not a whole lot that’s similar between sunbutter and almond better. Both of them are good for vegan and paleo diets assuming that your sunbutter is unsweetened. The glycemic index score of both is also in the low range, making them good choices for anyone watching their blood sugar levels.
| Sunbutter | Almond butter | |
| Taste | Intense, earthy, roasted | Nutty, rich, slightly sweet |
| Texture | Smooth, creamy | Slightly grainy and runny (or crunchy) |
| Allergens | None | Tree nuts |
| Vegan? | Yes | Yes |
| Paleo? | Yes (if unsweetened) | Yes |
| Keto? | No | Yes |
| Glycemic index (GI) | Sunflower seed=35 | 0 |
What is sunbutter?
This popular nut-free spread is made by grinding roasted sunflower seeds into a creamy and smooth paste. Sunbutter, also known as sunflower butter, can easily be made at home – you just need sunflower seeds and a pinch of salt!
Sunbutter is an especially popular substitute to peanut butter, with no nuts or other common food allergens, making it a spread for everybody!
What is almond butter?
Almond butter, one of the most popular nut butters, is made by blending raw or roasted almonds into a delicious paste that boasts a rich and nutty flavor. It’s a great option if you’re looking for an alternative to peanut butter, and is actually considered to be one of the healthiest nut butters!
The texture can range from smooth to crunchy depending on your preferences, but it’s always grainy and a bit sticky.
Differences between sunbutter and almond butter
The biggest differences between sunbutter and almond butter are their textures and ingredients.
Sunbutter has a smooth and creamy texture to it that resembles traditional peanut butter, while almond butter’s texture is runny, sticky, and slightly grainy (or crunchy depending on the type).
The ingredients are a big difference, considering that sunbutter is nut-free (made from sunflower seeds) and almond butter is made from, well, almonds! This difference in ingredients means that you need to be aware of the allergens, with sunbutter having none, but almond butter having tree nuts as something to be mindful of.
Their tastes are different too, with sunbutter having an earthy, roasted flavor to it while almond butter has a rich, nutty, and slightly sweet taste!
I’ll cover the nutritional differences in just a bit…
How to use sunbutter vs almond butter
Both spreads are very versatile, being used as ingredients in bakes, mixed into smoothies, used as dips, creating dressings or sauces with them as a base, or simply spread on your toast!
Almond butter can also be used to make almond body butter, giving you a natural way to combat dry skin! Or, you can make this delicious almond butter banana ice cream – with just 2 ingredients!
Their versatility allows you to experiment with different recipes and dishes, and it means that you can switch out sunbutter for almond butter and vice versa! Just remember, their different textures and tastes will change whatever dish you’re using them for.
Nutrition: Sunbutter vs almond butter
Sunbutter is a source of vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy fats. It’s got a good amount of protein, but often has added sugar in it to enhance its flavor – so be sure to check the label before you buy!
Almond butter, on the other hand, is hailed as one of the healthiest nut butters. It has a really great blend of protein, vitamin E, healthy fats, and fiber. Plus, it’s keto friendly with a relatively low amount of net carbs, meaning that you can use it in your keto recipes.
| Serving size: 2 tbsp | Sunbutter | Almond butter |
| Calories | 200 | 190 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 17 g (2 g) | 17 g (2 g) |
| Total carbs | 6 g | 7 g |
| Net carbs (fiber) | 4 g (2 g) | 3 g (4 g) |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 3 g (3 g) | 1 g (0 g) |
| Protein | 7 g | 7 g |
How to store sunbutter and almond butter
Sunbutter is generally fine at room temperature, but throwing it into the fridge won’t hurt it – it’ll just thicken up a little and potentially lengthen its shelf-life!
Almond butter doesn’t usually have extra oils or preservatives added, meaning that it’s prone to going rancid. Make sure to store it in the fridge – it’ll thicken it up a bit too, making it less runny.
Most nut butters last approximately 2-3 months after opening, but always check their labels for the best-before date and any specific storage instructions!
Sunbutter vs almond butter: The ultimate verdict
While sunbutter has a great texture and is a solid nut-free alternative, almond butter takes the win here.
Almond butter has an awesome nutritional profile, a great amount of versatility, and a delicious rich taste that is hard to beat.
Plus, almond butter comes in different crunchiness levels, making it more customizable to your preferences. There are also a ton of recipes made for almond butter, with its flavor and texture taken into account – this makes it super easy to find some delicious dishes!
So, while sunbutter can be a great option, almond butter takes the crown in this showdown!
FAQs
Almond butter is often hailed as the healthiest nut butter. Its strong blend of essential vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats are good for overall health, and it very rarely has added oils or preservatives. Walnut butter is also a healthy choice!
That depends on your preferences and allergies. Seed butters are better for people who have nut allergies, while nut butters have that delicious nutty taste and creaminess that seed butters sometimes struggle to achieve – but sunbutter definitely got the texture down!
Yes, sunbutter has no nuts in it so you can enjoy it – it’s a really good alternative to almond butter if you have a nut allergy.
Yes, almond butter is often said to be one of the healthiest nut butters. It has an awesome blend of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals!
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