You may be as surprised as I was to hear that watermelon seed butter exists – it’s actually a great spread! It has very few calories, mimicking the delicious summer snack that the white seeds come from!
We’re going to take a close look at it, and also compare it to tahini – a popular ingredient in hummus, but also something that’s been making a strong case for itself to be a stand alone spread!
We’ll dive into their culinary uses, dietary versatility, flavor profiles, nutritional profiles, and more! They’ll compete head-to-head, fighting for your attention…then, in the end, you’ll know exactly which of these nut butter alternatives is the victor!
Let’s dive right in!
Comparing watermelon seed butter vs tahini
Watermelon seed butter and tahini are both made from seeds, but tahini is the only one with allergens – it has sesame as an allergen. Both spreads have very similar textures, being thin and creamy! They also share milder flavor profiles, and have the same versatility – you can use them for vegan, paleo, and keto diets!
Watermelon seed butter’s glycemic index is unknown, but we have good reason to believe that it’s low. Tahini is also low, making both great choices for anyone watching their blood sugar levels – talk to a physician if you have concerns about your blood sugar levels spiking with these!
| Watermelon seed butter | Tahini (sesame seed butter) | |
| Taste | Mild, earthy (similar to tahini) | Mildly nutty, toasty, slightly bitter |
| Texture | Thin, smooth & creamy | Thin, creamy |
| Allergens | None | Sesame |
| Vegan? | Yes | Yes |
| Paleo? | Yes | Yes |
| Keto? | Yes | Yes |
| Glycemic index (GI) | Unknown; likely low | 40 |
What is watermelon seed butter?
Watermelon seed butter is made from those soft, white, edible seeds that we usually spit out when eating watermelons! These are ground down into a thin, smooth, and creamy spread that’s perfect for drizzling!
It’s a great alternative to things like peanut butter if you’re looking for a nut-free spread!
What is tahini?
Tahini is a thin, creamy, and smooth spread (similar to watermelon seed butter) that comes from the Middle East. It’s a popular ingredient in hummus, but its nutty, toasty, and slightly bitter flavor profile makes for a great stand alone spread!
It’s made by grinding down toasted sesame seeds, and you can easily make tahini at home!
Differences between watermelon seed butter and tahini
The biggest difference between watermelon seed butter and tahini is their flavor.
Watermelon seed butter boasts a mildly nutty taste that is actually similar to tahini, but it has more of an earthy vibe to it while tahini has a slightly bitter and toasty undertone.
Other than that, they’re quite similar, with smooth, creamy, and thin textures that are both great for drizzling!
The two spreads have some nutritional differences, but we’ll get into that in just a bit…
How to use watermelon seed butter vs tahini
Watermelon seed butter and tahini have such similar flavors and textures that you can use them in all the same ways!
Their milder flavors make them perfect for both sweet and savory dishes, and won’t overpower any other ingredients. You can use them as spreads on your toast, drizzled over your salads, mixed into your smoothies and oatmeal, or even used as ingredients in your bakes!
Let your creativity flow with these, and feel free to use them interchangeably!
Nutrition: Watermelon seed butter vs tahini
Watermelon seed butter is the lowest-calorie seed butter, having just 156 calories per serving! Tahini is also quite low in calories, with 176 per serving. Watermelon seed butter has very few carbs, and boasts some healthy fats. Interestingly enough, those seeds contain an astounding 8 grams of protein per serving, which holds up with the best of nut and seed butters!
Tahini has a decent protein content as well, with 5 grams per serving. It also has a lot of healthy fats, and has 3 grams of net carbs per serving – both spreads are great for keto recipes! You’ll also find 3 grams of fiber per serving in it, giving it more fiber than watermelon seed butter.
| Serving size: 2 tbsp | Watermelon seed butter | Tahini (sesame seed butter) |
| Calories | 156 | 176 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 13 g (3 g) | 16 g (2 g) |
| Total carbs | 4 g | 6 g |
| Net carbs (fiber) | 4 g (0 g) | 3 g (3 g) |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 0 g | 0 g |
| Protein | 8 g | 5 g |
How to store watermelon seed butter and tahini
Watermelon seed butter should be stored in the fridge or in another cool and dry place for the best shelf-life! The fridge will thicken it up a bit, making it easier to handle.
Tahini can also be stored in the fridge – it’ll also thicken up a bit like watermelon seed butter! You could also store tahini in a cool and dry place outside the fridge, but keep it away from sunlight!
Check the labels for the best-before dates and any specific storage instructions for both spreads here, as those can change from brand-to-brand!
Watermelon seed butter vs tahini: The ultimate verdict
This is an interesting match-up because both spreads have very similar tastes and textures.
That’s why we have to look at the bigger picture, including their differences in nutritional profiles. Whichever spreads wins here will have done so by just a hair…
Looking at everything about these two, watermelon seed butter squeaks by with the win due to having less calories, more protein, and no allergens!
FAQs
Yes you can! Watermelon seed butter has no nuts in it, and has no allergens at all!
Almond butter is said to be the healthiest nut butter due to its high vitamin E, mineral, and healthy fats content, which are all important for overall health.
Watermelon seed butter can be considered a healthy choice due to its high protein content, low calories, and low sugar content.
That depends on what you’re looking for! Seed butters are generally better for people who have nut allergies, while nut butters have a creaminess and flavor that is hard to beat.
Tahini and watermelon seed butter both have a low carb content, so you can choose either for your keto diet!
Tahini is made from sesame seeds, making it a nut-free spread!
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