Step aside, peanut butter: you’ve got some major competition of late.
It’s hard not to notice the shift that’s taken place on the peanut butter aisle of every grocery store in America over the last few years. First, there started to be more peanut butter varieties as organic and natural options hit the scene. Then, slowly, different types of nut butters started to make their way onto mainstream grocery shelves.
Before long, familiar names like Jif and Skippy were accompanied by brands such as Justin’s and MaraNatha. The question was no longer, “Creamy or crunchy?” Instead, consumers have their pick of nut butters – peanut and otherwise – with characteristics like “raw,” “powdered” (thanks, PB2) and more.
Similar to the shift from dairy milk to non-dairy options, peanut butter has officially been compromised. For those of us who love variety and are always down for a new food trend, though, this is great news. But in a crowded market, what to try? Here are a few of the most delicious options.
Almond Butter
Barney Smooth Almond Butter
Y’all. This stuff is straight up delicious. There are lots of tasty flavor and texture options (and there’s a version free of sugar and salt called Bare Butter), but Barney’s original almond butter is tough to beat. It’s made with high-quality almonds and the almonds are blanched after roasting (a unique quality in the almond butter world that gives Barney Butter an ultra creamy texture) and all varieties are gluten and peanut free. Plus, it’s more nutrient-packed than peanut butter. Enjoy it on, well, just about anything – including a spoon.
Other Great Almond Butter Picks
Justin’s Maple Almond Butter
MaraNatha All Natural No Stir Almond Butter
365 Brand Almond Butter (Whole Foods)
Sunflower Seed Butter
Naturally Nutty Cinnamon Vanilla Sunflower Butter
What do you get when you combine sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds? Pure deliciousness, as it turns out. Naturally Nutty is a company that was started by a vegan mom looking for ways to make great-tasting, healthy, organic foods for her kids, and this sunflower seed butter is proof she was able to succeed in that goal. The cinnamon and vanilla add make for a wonderful flavor profile as well. Try this on toast or in oatmeal!
Other Great Sunflower Seed Butter Picks
SunButter Sunflower Butter
Trader Joe’s Sunflower Butter
Cashew Butter
Once Again Organic Cashew Butter