Nutrition Products Food and Beverages The Best Almond Butters, According to a Dietitian Once Again's Unsweetened & Roasted Creamy Almond Butter is our dietitian's pick By Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN Eliza Savage, MS, RD is a senior editor at Verywell Fit, a registered dietitian, and a published author. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 25, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Marisa Moore, RDN, MBA Medically reviewed by Marisa Moore, RDN, MBA Marisa Moore is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a BS in nutrition science and MBA in marketing. She is also the founder of Marisa Moore Nutrition. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim LinkedIn Emily is a fact checker, editor, and writer who has expertise in psychology, health and lifestyle content. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Almond butter is a versatile, protein-packed spread with a ton of health benefits. Research shows that almonds—and, therefore, almond butter—may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Almonds, almond butter, and other nuts and nut butters also improve satiety due to their protein, fiber, and fat content. The best almost butters are made with high-quality ingredients, come in a variety of flavors, and have the right packaging for your needs. Reviewed & Approved Once Again's Unsweetened & Roasted Creamy Almond Butter is our top pick because it's unsweetened, high-quality, and tasty. If you're looking for a smooth and creamy option, go for the Barney Butter Bare Smooth Almond Butter. Looking for USDA organic, non-GMO, and other certifications is a great way to ensure the almond butter you are purchasing is made with high-quality ingredients. You should also consider the amount of sugar and salt inside if you are trying to watch your sugar or sodium intake. To help you find the best almond butter for your needs, we researched a variety of options, considering their nutritional value, flavor, certifications, and price. Here are the best almond butters, chosen by a dietitian. In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look for What Experts Say Why Trust Verywell Fit Best Overall: Once Again Unsweetened & Roasted Creamy Almond Butter 4.8 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Once Again's Creamy Roasted Almond Butter gets the top spot because it is high-quality and has a minimal ingredient list. The Non-GMO verified almond butter is made from unblanched almonds that are dry roasted and milled into a creamy, easy-to-spread consistency. Unlike many almond butters on the market, this vegan and kosher nut butter is free of salt and added sugars. In fact, it contains only one ingredient: dry roasted unblanched almonds. Some almond butters are subject to cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains; however, Once Again's product is Certified Gluten-Free by the National Celiac Association. Once Again is committed to sustainability for the environment, the supply chain, and the food industry as a whole. Once Again uses green energy, chooses sustainable products, and has glass jars that are easy to recycle or reuse. The Best Natural Peanut Butters That a Dietitian Recommends Best Smooth: Barney Butter Bare Smooth Almond Butter Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Thrive Market One complaint about almond butter is that it can be a bit gritty. That’s not the case with extra smooth and creamy Bare Smooth Barney Butter. It's made with blanched almonds, meaning that the potentially gritty skins were removed. If you’re a peanut butter lover, the thick texture and no-stir consistency of Barney Butter makes it a worthy substitute. It also has no bitter taste from the roasted skin, so you just get a creamy, delicious flavor. While research suggests that removing the skin decreases some of the nutrients in almonds, blanching decreases potential contamination, including mold and bacterial growth. Made in a peanut-free, almond-only facility with non-GMO ingredients, there’s no contamination risk if you’re worried about a peanut allergy. It’s also easy to spread and mix with other ingredients, so it works well in baking and cooking. Stir it into baked goods, oatmeal, and other dishes for some nutty flavor and a protein boost. True to its name, this Barney Butter product is truly bare—it's made with no added sugar or salt. Best Crunchy: MaraNatha All Natural No Stir Almond Butter Crunchy Courtesy of Target View On Amazon View On IHerb If you love a satisfying crunch in your almond butter, you’ll appreciate the nuttiness of this one from MaraNatha. Made with all-natural, non-GMO California almonds, this spreadable, velvety smooth almond butter contains extra almond pieces to add texture and flavor. With 6 grams of protein per 2-tablespoon serving, this almond butter on fruit or toast will keep you feeling full and satisfied until your next meal. There’s no need to stir this one, so you can dig right in. The high-quality nut butter uses sustainably sourced palm oil plus a touch of organic cane sugar and sea salt to create a craveable nut butter. MaraNatha hand-crafts their almond butter in small batches to create a distinct flavor and precise texture that's lightly sweet and perfectly crunchy. Best Organic: Artisana Organics Raw Almond Butter Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Thrive Market If you want an almond butter that contains nothing but organic almonds, this product from Artisana is a clear winner. Its only ingredient is raw almonds, which means they’ve never been heated or treated. Whether you add it to smoothies, slather it on bread, or eat it straight out of the jar, you’ll love its pure, clean taste. This top-quality almond butter is not only Non-GMO Project Verified and USDA Organic, but it's also certified clean and certified raw. Each 100% vegan product is also free of peanuts and dairy. Artisana is committed to creating organic products that are beneficial to the consumer and the health of the planet. Each nut butter is made in small batches using precisely controlled temperatures to protect the delicate nutrients in the almonds. The Basics of a Keto Diet and How It Works Best Low-Sodium: Woodstock Smooth Lightly Toasted Almond Butter Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart If you’re looking to reduce your sugar and salt intake, add this delicious Woodstock almond butter to your shopping list. Some almond butters are made with added salt to improve flavor and texture. For an almond butter with tons of taste but no sodium, Woodstock Lightly Toasted Unsalted Almond Butter is an excellent choice. The light roasting of the almonds adds rich flavor to the creamy, smooth nut butter, which is perfect for spreading on bread or fruit. The Non-GMO Project Verified Almond Butter is made with only one ingredient: lightly dried unblanched pasteurized almonds. This means that the nutrition from the skins are retained, the almonds were gently heated to preserve nutrients, and they're pasteurized to ensure that they're free of potential contaminants. Best Flavored: Justin's Maple Almond Butter Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Justin's is known for their delicious almond butters that come in various flavors such as Chocolate Hazelnut, Honey Almond, Vanilla Almond, and Cinnamon Almond. Even Justin—the owner of the brand—would agree that the best-tasting flavor is Maple Almond. The sweet, indulgent, maple-infused almond butter combines dry roasted almonds, organic maple sugar, palm oil, and sea salt. This mix creates a creamy, protein-packed nut butter that lends flavor to your favorite sandwich, smoothie, or bowl of oatmeal. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated, so it’s smooth and easy to spread. Like all of Justin's almond butters, the Maple Almond is a certified gluten-free nut butter, so it's safe for those who avoid gluten. If you love Justin’s almond butter but want something more portable, it also comes in convenient, single-serving squeeze packs that are perfect for lunchboxes or as an easy-to-carry snack when hiking or biking. Best for Drizzling: Wild Friends Classic Creamy Almond Butter Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Many almond butters are super thick and spreadable, but sometimes a drizzle of almond butter is the perfect subtle flavor boost on top of a smoothie bowl, oatmeal, or even a bowl of fruit. If you're looking for the perfect almond butter drizzle, Wild Friends Classic Creamy Almond Butter has the perfect creamy texture. You'd think that adding extra palm oil would be the key to creating a more liquid, drippy texture; however, Wild Friends only uses roasted almonds and sea salt to achieve the gooiest, most decadent almond butter on the market. Wild Friends dry roasts and double-grinds their USA-grown almonds to create the perfect almond butter texture. Each jar contains almond butter that's easy to spread or spoon so that you can enjoy it with any of your favorite foods. Every batch is taste-tested at the Portland, Oregon headquarters to ensure it's 100% delicious. If you want to take the almond butter with you on the go, Wild Friends also makes single-serve packets. Best Single-Serving: Justin's Classic Almond Butter Squeeze Pack Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Thrive Market Almond butter jars can be inconvenient, cumbersome, and messy to take with you on the go. For this reason, companies like Justin's created single-serve packets that make enjoying almond butter while traveling, at work, or even cycling super easy. All you have to do is rip the package, squeeze, and enjoy. Single-serving packets are also great for those looking for built-in portion control. Justin's Almond Butter Squeeze Packs contain 1.15 ounces—or about two tablespoons—of their delicious and nutritious almond butter. They're also convenient if you want to try a new flavor or type of almond butter before committing to purchasing a whole jar. Justin's Almond Butter Squeeze Packs are made from top-quality ingredients and are easy to squeeze. They're keto-friendly, Certified Gluten-Free, Vegan, Non-GMO Project Verified, and kosher. Plus, if you prefer a flavored almond butter, Justin's Squeeze Packs comes in a variety of flavors, including Chocolate Hazelnut, Cinnamon, Honey, Maple, and Coconut & Vanilla. The Best Snacks, According to a Dietitian Final Verdict For delicious and nutritious almond butter, try Once Again's Unsweetened & Salt-Free Almond Butter (view at Amazon). If you're looking for a convenient, single-serve squeeze pack, Justin's Almond Butter Squeeze Packs (view at Amazon) are an excellent choice. What to Look for in Almond Butter Ingredients Always take a look at the ingredient list of your almond butter before purchasing. If you're watching your salt and sugar intake, you will want to buy a product that has little or no added salt and sugar. If quality is of importance to you, choose a USDA Organic or Non-GMO almond butter. Avoid products with artificial ingredients such as sweeteners and coloring. If an almond butter uses palm oil, choose a product that is sustainably sourced. Flavor Almond butter comes in a variety of flavors, such as classic or natural, vanilla, maple, and even chocolate-inspired options. Note that flavored almond butters generally contain added sugar, so it's best to double-check the nutrition label before making your selection. From a nutrition standpoint, unsweetened almond butter is the best choice. Packaging Almond butter comes in a variety of packaging options, from glass and plastic jars to single-serve packets and pouches. If recycling or reusing packaging is important to you, choose a product that's offered in a jar. If you eat your almond butter on the go, single-serve squeeze packets may be the best option for you. What Experts Say "Almond butter is an excellent source of vitamin E, an important antioxidant that helps to quench free radicals in the body. It's also a good source of heart-healthy unsaturated fat and plant protein, providing about 7 grams of protein per 2 tablespoon serving. I encourage clients to use it in place of butter on toast, waffles, or pancakes, add it to smoothies and acai bowls, and use it for nutty flavor in sauces." —Whitney English Tabaie, MS, RDN, CPT Frequently Asked Questions Is almond butter safe for dogs? Yes, almond butter is safe for dogs to eat. In fact, some say it is even more nutritious for dogs than peanut butter due to its vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Not all dogs can digest almonds, so proceed with caution when giving your dog almond butter for the first time. The high fat content of almond butter may upset your dog's stomach, so you may want to limit their intake. Is almond butter more nutritious than peanut butter? Both almond butter and peanut butter have similar nutritional value. Almond butter is slightly higher in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Both nut butters are similar in calories, fat, and sugar, but peanut butter is slightly higher in protein. Almond butter has a higher amount of heart healthy monounsaturated fat than peanut butter. It is good to eat a variety of nut butters as all provide different types of nutrients. Can kids with a peanut allergy have almond butter? If your child has a peanut allergy, they may still be able to enjoy almond butter. While peanuts are legumes, almonds are tree nuts and frequently the allergies do not overlap. Almond butter is a good alternative for those who have a peanut allergy, as long as they do not also have a tree-nut allergy. It's also important to check for cross-contamination: Make sure the almond butter you are giving your child does not come into contact with peanuts in the manufacturing process. What are the benefits of almond butter? Almond butter is high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. It also is a good source of vitamin E, iron, and calcium. Two tablespoons of almond butter contains about 3 grams of fiber, which can help you feel fuller for longer. Additionally, a serving of almond butter provides about 7 grams of protein. Another benefit of almond butter is that is an alternative to peanut butter for people with peanut allergies. Can you eat almond butter every day? Yes, you can eat almond butter daily. It is a nutrient-dense food and a great and easy way to add in additional vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, and healthy fats to your diet. Does almond butter reduce inflammation? Almond butter can reduce inflammation due to its high levels of monounsaturated fat and vitamin E. These nutrients help reduce inflammation and risk of heart disease. Why Trust Verywell Fit A personal note on my recommendations: As a dietitian, I'm a huge fan of almond butter. There are lots of great options on the market, such as the products above, but it's important to consider the quality and ingredients when choosing an almond butter. In writing this article, I looked at multiple products and brands. I believe the products in the round-up are made by trusted brands and are composed of high-quality ingredients. I would recommend the above products to friends, family, and clients, and I have personally tried all of the products. You can currently find Justin's and Once Again Almond Butter in my pantry. —Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get one simple hack every day to make your life healthier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 5 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Kalita S, Khandelwal S, Madan J, Pandya H, Sesikeran B, Krishnaswamy K. Almonds and cardiovascular health: A review. Nutrients. 2018;10(4):468. doi:10.3390/nu10040468 Grundy MM, Lapsley K, Ellis PR. A review of the impact of processing on nutrient bioaccessibility and digestion of almonds. Int J Food Sci Technol. 2016;51(9):1937-1946. doi:10.1111/ijfs.13192 Bingol G, Yang J, Brandl MT, Pan Z, Wang H, McHugh TH. Infrared pasteurization of raw almonds. J Food Eng. 2011;104(3):387-393. doi:10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2010.12.034 Almond butter. Food Data Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ros E, Singh A, O'Keefe JH. Nuts: Natural pleiotropic nutraceuticals. Nutrients. 2021;13(9):3269. doi:10.3390/nu13093269