The 8 Best Almond Butters, According to a Dietitian

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Our Picks
What to Look for
What Experts Say
Why Trust Verywell Fit?

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 and improve satiety due to the protein and fiber content. Whether you like to pair it with apple slices, blend it into a smoothie, or smear it onto a sandwich, almond butter is a nutritious way to add flavor to your favorite foods. The thick spread comes in a variety of textures, flavors, and packaging to meet your needs and satisfy your tastebuds.

Here, the best almond butters:

Once Again Unsweetened & Roasted Creamy Almond Butter

A great almond butter is unsweetened, salt-free, creamy, and made from top-quality ingredients. Once Again's Creamy Roasted Almond Butter checks all the boxes. 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.

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, 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 make 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.

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.

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.

Woodstock Smooth Lightly Toasted Almond Butter

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.

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.

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.

Justin's Classic Almond Butter Squeeze Pack

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.

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, low-sugar choice.

Packaging:

Almond butter comes in a variety of packaging. For example, it can come in a glass jar, plastic jar, single-serve packet, or even a pouch. If recycling or reusing jars is important to you, choose a product that's made in a glass 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

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

A personal note on my recommendations written above. 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

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3 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

The 8 Best Almond Butters of 2021, According to a Dietitian

Creamy, delicious, and protein-packed

Best Overall: Once Again Unsweetened & Roasted Creamy Almond Butter

Best Smooth: BARNEY Almond Butter

Best Crunchy: MaraNatha All Natural No Stir Almond Butter Crunchy

Best Organic: Artisana Organics Raw Almond Butter

Best Low-Sodium: Woodstock Smooth Lightly Toasted Almond Butter

Best Flavored: Justin's Maple Almond Butter

Best for Drizzling: Wild Friends Classic Creamy Almond Butter

Best Single-Serving: Justin's Classic Almond Butter Squeeze Pack