Peanut butter substitutes
Peanut butter substitutes — 6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Almond butter
Same amount as the peanut butter
Smooth spread made from ground almonds with similar texture and protein content.
The best substitutes for peanut butter are almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini depending on your dietary needs and flavor preferences.
Peanut butter is doing more than tasting of peanuts. It is roughly half fat, it is thick and sticky enough to hold a no-bake bar or a flourless cookie together as one mass, and stirred into a hot sauce it both enriches and thickens. That means a swap has to match the consistency as well as the flavour — a runnier or a harder-setting paste changes whether the thing holds together at all.
- The tweak —
- Stir well before using as it may separate.
- Best for —
- sandwiches
Updated 26 Jul 2026 · no sponsored swaps
- Jobs
- Fat & richnessprimary
- Aroma & flavor identitysecondary
- Bindingsecondary
- Thickeningsecondary
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of peanut butter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almond buttersandwiches | Same amount |
| 2 | Cashew buttersauces | Same amount |
| 3 | Sunflower seed buttersandwiches | Same amount |
| 4 | Tahinisauces | ¾ cup tahini + 2 tbsp oil + ½ tsp salt per 1 cup peanut butter |
| 5 | Soy nut buttersandwiches | Same amount |
| 6 | Coconut butterbaking | Same amount |
Almond butter
nutty, slightly sweeter · similar texture
Smooth spread made from ground almonds with similar texture and protein content.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Binding
- Thickening
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- sandwiches, baking, smoothies, dips, sauces
- Prep
- Stir well before using as it may separate.
Slightly sweeter and more expensive than peanut butter. May need to stir before using.
Cashew butter
mild, creamy
Creamy, mild-flavored nut butter with smooth texture.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Binding
- Thickening
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- sauces, dips, baking, smoothies, spreading
- Texture
- smooth, creamy
- Prep
- Blend with a little oil if too thick.
Milder flavor than peanut butter. Great for savory applications.
Sunflower seed butter
nutty, slightly different · similar texture
Nut-free alternative made from sunflower seeds, safe for nut allergies.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Binding
- Thickening
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- sandwiches, baking, dips, smoothies, nut-free recipes
- Prep
- May need to stir before using.
Best nut-free alternative. May have a slightly green tint due to sunflower seeds.
Tahini
nutty, slightly bitter
Sesame seed paste with rich, nutty flavor, common in Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Binding
- Thickening
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- sauces, dips, dressings, hummus, savory applications
- Texture
- thinner, more liquid
- Prep
- Mix tahini with oil and salt to achieve peanut butter-like consistency and flavor.
More liquid than peanut butter. Add oil and salt to match consistency and flavor.
Soy nut butter
nutty, slightly different · similar texture
Nut-free alternative made from roasted soybeans, safe for nut allergies.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Binding
- Thickening
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Best for
- sandwiches, baking, dips, nut-free recipes
- Prep
- May need to stir before using.
Good protein content. May have a slightly different flavor profile.
Coconut butter
sweet, coconut
Spread made from ground coconut meat, naturally sweet and creamy.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Binding
- Misses
- Aroma & flavor identity — not covered
- Thickening — not covered
- Best for
- baking, smoothies, desserts, tropical recipes
- Texture
- similar when warm
- Prep
- Warm slightly if solid.
Naturally sweet. May solidify at room temperature, warm slightly to soften.
Questions
4 questionsWhat's the best substitute for peanut butter in baking?
Almond butter and cashew butter work best in baking as they have similar fat content and texture to peanut butter.
Can I use sunflower seed butter if I have nut allergies?
Yes, sunflower seed butter is the best nut-free alternative to peanut butter and works well in most recipes.
Is tahini a good substitute for peanut butter?
Tahini works well for savory applications like sauces and dips, but it's more liquid and has a different flavor profile than peanut butter.
Why do nut butters separate and how do I fix it?
Natural oils rise to the top. Simply stir the butter well before using, or store it upside down to help redistribute the oils.
Tips for substituting peanut butter
10 tips- Choose your substitute based on dietary restrictions and flavor preferences
- For nut allergies: use sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter
- For baking: almond butter and cashew butter work best as 1:1 replacements
- For savory dishes: tahini adds authentic Middle Eastern flavor
- For smoothies: any nut butter works well, but cashew butter is especially creamy
- For sauces: tahini or cashew butter create smooth, rich textures
- For sandwiches: almond butter and sunflower seed butter spread easily
- For dips: cashew butter and tahini work well with savory flavors
- For desserts: coconut butter adds natural sweetness
- Always stir nut butters before using as they may separate