5 Alternatives to Peanut Butter That You Need to Try
Peanut butter is the "it" girl of spreads.
Peanut butter is a versatile treat that can stand out on its own or perfectly complement anything literally. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? A classic. Peanut butter and chocolate? The best combination. Peanut butter and banana? The most delicious snack. Peanut butter and pickle? Don't knock it 'til you try it. There's nothing peanut butter can't do. Peanut butter is such a star, but sometimes it overshadows the other nut and seed butters.
The other nut and seed butters are not only delicious, but they all have diverse nutritional values. You can get more vitamin E from almonds and more magnesium from hazelnuts. Diversifying your diet helps you explore new flavors and is a great way to ensure you are getting a variety of nutrients and antioxidants. Let us introduce you to five alternatives to peanut butter that you need to try. You don't have to give up peanut butter- just put her to the side and let these other butters wow you!
1. Almond Butter
Almond butter is a popular replacement for peanut butter, but it has more protein and calcium. It is also a great source of fiber, manganese, magnesium, vitamin E and antioxidants. It has a smooth, creamy texture and a subtle nutty taste. You can even buy roasted almond butter if you want a more robust flavor. Almond butter is great when added to smoothies or baked goods, but it's also excellent on its own, like apple and almond butter or almond butter toast. Almond butter is also more mainstream than other nut butter, so it should be available at most grocery stores.
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2. Cashew Butter
Cashew butter is a hidden gem in the nut butter world, as well as a nutritional powerhouse. It's an incredible source of copper, which is necessary to create red blood cells and support your immune system, among other essential functions. Cashew butter is creamier and naturally sweeter than other nut butters. It has a more subtle taste, like almond butter, so that you can add it to any recipe or snack. It's a great way to elevate your classic morning peanut butter toast.
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3. Sunflower Seed Butter
Sunflower seed is the ultimate allergy-friendly butter for people with nut allergies. It provides the same nutritional benefits of peanut butter, but it's also rich in zinc and selenium. Sunflower seed butter has the most distinct taste of the butter on this list. It has an earthy flavor that can be slightly bitter. Some people like that it's not too sweet, but it can be too strong for other people. Brands like SunButter offer sweetened sunflower seed butter, which is a great option for those who are not ready to embrace natural sunflower seed butter. You can use it as an alternative to peanut butter in any meal and it adds a wonderful roasted flavor. It's even good with chocolate! Check out these Trader Joe's chocolate sunflower seed cups.
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4. Hazelnut Butter
Hazelnut butter is naturally sweet nut butter and it's just as nutritious as the other kinds of butters. This nut's nutritional highlights include fiber, 2.7g of protein per serving and a high level of antioxidants that protect your cells and boost your immune system. The tase of hazelnut butter is reminiscent of cocoa, so it is often mixed with chocolate. You can buy chocolate hazelnut butter or make your own, but it's also delicious naturally without flavoring.
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5. Walnut Butter
Walnut butter has an earthy flavor that is slightly savory. It is exceptionally high in ALA antioxidant and linoleic acid, which helps maintain heart health. This nut is known to be a little less sweet than the others, but you can add sweetness like a drizzle of maple syrup or sweet fruit yourself to balance it out. It has a denser texture that creates a thick and satisfying spread. Give it a chance because you'll be surprised by how much you love walnut butter.
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Nut and seed butters are staples in a plant-based diet. If you're interested in learning more about vegetarianism and veganism, check out THESE plant-based eating myths that are totally wrong.