Out of Peanut butter, one case
Peanut butter substitute for cookies
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Almond butter
Same amount as the peanut butter
The best peanut butter substitutes for cookies are almond butter, cashew butter, and sunflower seed butter (for nut allergies). Use a 1:1 ratio and adjust sugar slightly for different nut butters.
- Best for —
- chocolate chip cookies
One casethe full peanut butter card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of peanut butter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almond butterchocolate chip cookies | Same amount |
| 2 | Cashew buttersoft cookies | Same amount |
| 3 | Sunflower seed butterschool-safe cookies | Same amount |
| 4 | Tahinisavory cookies | ¾ cup tahini + 2 tbsp oil + ½ tsp salt per 1 cup peanut butter |
| 5 | Coconut buttertropical cookies | Same amount |
Almond butter
nutty, slightly sweeter
Best overall substitute with similar fat content and texture to peanut butter
- Best for
- chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, thumbprint cookies, energy cookies
- Texture
- similar consistency
Slightly sweeter than peanut butter. Consider reducing sugar by 1-2 tbsp per cup.
Cashew butter
mild, creamy
Creamy, mild-flavored substitute that creates soft, chewy cookies
- Best for
- soft cookies, chewy cookies, thumbprint cookies, delicate cookies
- Texture
- creates softer cookies
- Prep
- May need to warm slightly if too thick.
Milder flavor allows other ingredients to shine. Creates softer texture.
Sunflower seed butter
nutty, slightly different
Nut-free alternative good for allergy-friendly cookies
- Best for
- school-safe cookies, nut-free cookies, chocolate cookies, energy cookies
- Texture
- similar to peanut butter
- Prep
- Stir well before using.
May give cookies a slight green tint. Works well in chocolate recipes to mask color.
Tahini
nutty, slightly bitter
Sesame paste that creates unique, slightly savory cookies
- Best for
- savory cookies, biscuits, halva-inspired cookies, unique flavor profiles
- Texture
- creates crispier cookies
- 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 tropical-flavored cookies
- Best for
- tropical cookies, dessert cookies, coconut cookies, sweet treats
- Texture
- similar when warm
- Prep
- Warm slightly if solid, then use as 1:1 replacement.
Adds natural sweetness. Reduce sugar by 2-3 tbsp per cup. May solidify when cool.
How it behaves in this recipe
Making cookies 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 how the substitute will affect cookie texture and flavor.
Tips for substituting peanut butter
10 tips- For chewy cookies: cashew butter creates the softest, chewiest texture
- For crispy cookies: tahini creates a crispier texture due to lower fat content
- For nut allergies: sunflower seed butter works best and is school-safe
- For chocolate cookies: sunflower seed butter pairs well and masks any color changes
- For soft cookies: cashew butter and almond butter work best
- For energy cookies: any nut butter works, but almond butter provides the best texture
- For thumbprint cookies: cashew butter creates the smoothest filling
- For drop cookies: almond butter and cashew butter hold their shape best
- For rolled cookies: cashew butter is easiest to work with
- For no-bake cookies: any nut butter works, but cashew butter creates the creamiest texture
Notes on peanut butter
- For chewy cookies: cashew butter creates the softest texture
- For crispy cookies: tahini creates a crispier texture
- For nut allergies: sunflower seed butter is the best choice
- For chocolate cookies: sunflower seed butter pairs well
- For soft cookies: cashew butter and almond butter work best
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 soft cookies?
Cashew butter creates the softest, chewiest cookies due to its creamy texture and fat content. It's good for soft cookie recipes.
Can I use sunflower seed butter in cookies if I have nut allergies?
Yes, sunflower seed butter is the best nut-free alternative for cookies. It has similar texture and fat content to peanut butter and works well in most cookie recipes.
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 use tahini in sweet cookies?
Yes, tahini can work in sweet cookies, but it has a more savory flavor. It works best in cookies with chocolate or other strong flavors that can balance the slightly bitter taste.