Out of Peanut butter, one case
Peanut butter substitute for baking
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Almond butter
Same amount as the peanut butter
The best peanut butter substitutes for baking are almond butter, cashew butter, and sunflower seed butter (for nut allergies). Use a 1:1 ratio for most recipes, but adjust liquid ingredients slightly for tahini.
- Best for —
- cookies
One casethe full peanut butter card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of peanut butter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almond buttercookies | Same amount |
| 2 | Cashew buttercookies | Same amount |
| 3 | Sunflower seed buttercookies | Same amount |
| 4 | Tahinicookies | ¾ cup tahini + 2 tbsp oil + ½ tsp salt per 1 cup peanut butter |
| 5 | Coconut buttercookies | Same amount |
Almond butter
nutty, slightly sweeter
Best overall substitute with similar fat content and texture to peanut butter
- Best for
- cookies, cakes, muffins, brownies, energy bars
- Texture
- similar consistency
Slightly sweeter than peanut butter. May need to reduce sugar by 1-2 tbsp per cup.
Cashew butter
mild, creamy
Creamy, mild-flavored substitute that works well in most baked goods
- Best for
- cookies, cakes, muffins, cheesecakes, frostings
- Texture
- smooth, creamy
- Prep
- May need to warm slightly if too thick.
Milder flavor allows other ingredients to shine. Great for delicate baked goods.
Sunflower seed butter
nutty, slightly different
Nut-free alternative good for allergy-friendly baking
- Best for
- cookies, muffins, energy bars, school-safe treats
- Texture
- similar to peanut butter
- Prep
- Stir well before using.
May give baked goods a slight green tint. Works well in chocolate recipes.
Tahini
nutty, slightly bitter
Sesame paste that works well in certain baked goods, especially Middle Eastern-inspired recipes
- Best for
- cookies, biscuits, savory baked goods, halva-inspired treats
- Texture
- thinner, more liquid
- Prep
- Mix with oil and salt, then reduce liquid ingredients in recipe.
More liquid than peanut butter. Reduce other liquid ingredients by 2-3 tbsp.
Coconut butter
sweet, coconut
Naturally sweet substitute good for desserts and tropical-flavored baked goods
- Best for
- cookies, cakes, muffins, dessert bars, tropical treats
- Texture
- similar when warm
- Prep
- Warm slightly if solid, then use as 1:1 replacement.
Adds natural sweetness. May need to reduce sugar by 2-3 tbsp per cup.
How it behaves in this recipe
Baking with peanut butter substitutes requires understanding how different nut butters behave in the oven. The key is matching the fat content and texture of peanut butter while considering flavor profiles that complement your baked goods.
Tips for substituting peanut butter
10 tips- For cookies: almond butter and cashew butter work best as 1:1 replacements
- For nut allergies: use sunflower seed butter - it bakes similarly to peanut butter
- For tahini: reduce liquid ingredients by 2-3 tablespoons per cup of tahini used
- For coconut butter: reduce sugar by 2-3 tablespoons per cup due to natural sweetness
- For energy bars: any nut butter works, but cashew butter creates the creamiest texture
- For chocolate recipes: sunflower seed butter pairs well and masks any color changes
- For school-safe baking: use sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter
- For vegan baking: all nut butters work well, but check for added honey in some brands
- For gluten-free baking: nut butters add moisture and help bind ingredients
- For low-sugar baking: coconut butter adds natural sweetness without refined sugar
Notes on peanut butter
- For chocolate chip cookies: almond butter or cashew butter work best
- For energy bars: any nut butter works, but cashew butter creates the creamiest texture
- For school-safe treats: sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter
- For vegan baking: check labels for honey-free nut butters
- For low-sugar options: coconut butter adds natural sweetness
Questions
5 questionsCan I substitute almond butter for peanut butter in cookies?
Yes, almond butter works excellently in cookies as a 1:1 replacement. It may make cookies slightly sweeter, so consider reducing sugar by 1-2 tablespoons.
What's the best peanut butter substitute for baking if I have nut allergies?
Sunflower seed butter is the best nut-free alternative for baking. It has similar texture and fat content to peanut butter and works well in most recipes.
Can I use tahini instead of peanut butter in baking?
Yes, but tahini is more liquid than peanut butter. Use ¾ cup tahini + 2 tbsp oil + ½ tsp salt for every 1 cup of peanut butter, and reduce other liquid ingredients by 2-3 tablespoons.
Why do my cookies spread more when using nut butter substitutes?
Different nut butters have varying fat contents. If cookies spread too much, try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, or reduce the amount of butter/oil in the recipe by 1-2 tablespoons.
Can I substitute peanut butter powder for regular peanut butter in baking?
Yes, but you'll need to add liquid. Mix ¼ cup peanut butter powder with 3 tablespoons water to replace ¼ cup of regular peanut butter.