The best almond butter is packed with almond flavor, it’s not too oily, and it’s great for myriad culinary uses.
I rarely think about almond butter, so I had to do my research before heading into our almond butter taste tests. In my mind, most people eat almond butter because they think it’s a “healthy” alternative to peanut butter. Then, there are some people who opt for almond butter because they are allergic to peanuts. That’s it. Those are the two people that eat almond butter—or so I thought. After tasting my way through more than a dozen brands, flavors, and styles of almond butter over the course of two separate taste tests, I’m singing a different tune. Almond butter—whether it’s no stir almond butter, crunchy almond butter, or creamy almond butter—is its own unique thing that deserves respect.
We decided that we were looking for a pleasant texture and a notable almond flavor. What we didn’t want to see was that thick, oily layer at the top of the jar. Here’s the best almond butter you can buy.
- Maisie Jane’s Crunchy Almond Butter
I rarely see almond butters that aren’t smooth, so I was intrigued by Maisie Jane’s Crunchy Almond Butter. It’s speckled with tiny chunks of nuts, but this nut butter still maintains a smooth, creamy base that perfectly contrasts with the almond pieces. It has a complex, deep flavor because it’s made with 100% dry roasted almonds. The natural, unprocessed texture and the cute little bee on the jar make me feel effortlessly outdoorsy and in touch with nature (like someone who lives a #VanLife). This is the best almond butter if you like a little crunch.
Credit: Liv Averett / Whole Foods
- Trader Joe’s Creamy Almond Butter No Salt
I was shocked when I realized that Trader Joe’s Creamy Almond Butter contains no added sugar or salt. It manages to be lightly sweetened and a little salty without any help. Since it’s protein-packed and totally sugarless, this is the best almond butter for breakfast. Stir it into oatmeal, add a scoop to Greek yogurt, or smear some onto a toaster waffle with some strawberries. Don’t get me wrong, though. This would also be good in homemade chocolate almond butter cups or coconut almond butter milkshakes.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- RXBAR RX Nut Butter Vanilla Almond Butter
RXBAR RX Vanilla Almond Butter tastes exactly like Nilla Wafers. What more could you want from a health food product? The smell reminds me of birthday cake lipgloss. Does it look a little gross when you open the jar? Yes. Why does almond butter need eggs in it? I have no clue. What I do know is that this stuff is tasty. If you’re in the market for a protein almond butter for snacks or smoothies, this is the best almond butter you can buy.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Maranatha No Stir Creamy Almond Butter
Maranatha No Stir Creamy Almond Butter is thicker than most of the almond butters we tried, making it perfect for sandwiches. This plus banana plus honey? A dream come true. The flavor is extremely nutty without blasting you with almond, which happened with some of the other butters we tried. If you like eco-friendly foods, Maranatha uses ethically sourced palm oil, is packaged in jars made from recycled glass, and is a “proud supporter” of the bee conservation efforts of the Xerces Society.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Sam’s Choice Slow Roasted Creamy Almond Butter
Sam’s Choice Creamy Almond butter is thick, luscious, sweet almond butter perfection. The nuts taste toasted without tasting bitter or burnt like other nut butters I’ve tasted. It’s really pleasantly sweet without being cloying. A hint of salt finishes each bite. Bonus: There’s not an upsetting amount of oil when you open the jar. I typically wouldn’t choose almond butter over peanut butter, but I would take Sam’s Choice Creamy Almond Butter over any other nut butter on the market.
Credit: Ryan Martin / Walmart
- Good & Gather Dark Chocolate Creamy Almond Butter
This flavored almond butter promises dark chocolate, and it gives you dark chocolate. That is why it is one of the best almond butter options at the grocery store. The chocolate flavor is rich and dark without being bitter. I would love to eat an apple dipped in this. The fresh crunch and the luxurious chocolate would be a match made in heaven.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Maranatha Coconut Almond Butter
Maranatha Coconut Almond Butter is so unbelievably good. It’s creamy, no stir, and tastes like coconut without tasting like a candle. This is one of the best flavored almond butter brands we tried and it’s one of the best almond butter options in general. I specifically named it the best multi-purpose almond butter because this would be great on its own, incorporated into desserts, and as an ingredient in savory dishes. I want to make chicken satay with this stuff so bad.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Good & Gather Cinnamon Almond Butter
This is, hands down, the best flavored almond butter we tried. It has the perfect amount of cinnamon. It’s not spicy and it doesn’t taste like fall or a cinnamon roll. It tastes like great almond butter with a touch of cinnamon. It’s pleasantly salty. Despite this being flavored, it wouldn’t clash with jelly in an almond butter and jelly sandwich. Honestly, no notes.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Good & Gather Creamy No Stir Almond Butter
Good & Gather Creamy No Stir Almond Butter is such a treat. It’s so good that it’s even better than all the fun, flavored almond butter. All the almond butters on this list are really good, and this one still managed to be the best almond butter of all. It’s so simple, but it is everything you want in an almond butter. It’s a tad sweet, it’s nice and salty, there’s plenty of toasted almond flavor, it’s creamy, and it’s no stir. If you haven’t been buying almond butter at Target, you should really start.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
Best Crunchy
Best for Almond Lovers
Best Flavored
Best for Sandwiches
Best Roasted
Best Chocolate
Best Multi-Purpose
Best Flavored
Best of the Best
Other Products We Tried: Simple Truth, Good & Gather Vanilla, Barney’s, Barney’s Chocolate, Justin’s, Justin’s Cinnamon, Justin’s Vanilla, Justin’s Maple, Good & Gather Crunchy Stir, Great Value, 365 Almond Butter Creamy, Artisana Raw Almond Butter, Happy Belly Almond Butter, Once Again Crunchy Almond Butter, Kirkland Creamy Almond Butter
I LOVE Barney Butter, Crunchy style (<$12 on Amazon). I'm obsessed with it and have to have it in my hot cereal. Came to see if you all reviewed it and how it may compare.