April 26, 2019
updated
All the articles & recipes on this website have been created through real-life testing and experience (no ai) since 2010. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
We spread it onto sandwiches, mix it into recipes, and eat it by the spoonful, but for anyone who has a nut allergy or parents with kids in a nut-free school, peanut butter, and nut butter can be a problem.
Below, you’ll learn the top peanut butter alternatives that passed the test and became kid approved!
What is the Closest Non-Nut Butter to Peanut Butter?
Most kids agree that soy butter tastes the closest to peanut butter and don’t mind the swap in their sandwiches, toasts, and treats. It’s perfect for lunches because it spreads smoothly on sandwiches, can be sealed in a DIY uncrustable, and holds no-bake treats like energy bites very well!
Best Nut-free Peanut Butter Alternatives:
Now, we’re at the most important part of the whole post. The review! I bet you are wondering “how do they taste?”, “where can I get them?”
I’ve got all the answers right below, so let’s begin:
Peanut Butter Alternatives for School
Sunflower butter is the most popular peanut butter alternative for school lunches because it spreads easily, has milder taste kids enjoy, and is available at most local grocery stores.
Whether you use it to make a quick peanut butter sandwich, pack it in a bento lunch to dip apples, or for a snack, ultimately, the best option is one your child enjoys.
Nut Butter Substitutions Video
Watch the video to see why these made my choice for the top peanut butter alternatives!
Peanut Butter Alternatives Using Tree Nuts
Other peanut butter alternatives that are peanut free but are made with tree nuts include almond butter, cashew butter, walnut butter, and pecan butter.
Top tree-nut butters to try:
- Nut-zo butters: made tree nuts and seeds they are super nutritious and delicious.
- Almond butter: few can resist it’s delicious taste and if you love it, buy it big!
- Cashew butter: smooth taste, pairs great with everything, and tastes luxurious.
Myrna Smith
I really like your review. For my child, texture is as much of importance as flavor. Your presentation was helpful. Thanks for doing it.
Now that Soy is frowned upon by many nutritionist, it’s not so easily accessible as it once was. My son has Milk AND Nut allergies, so the trendy Cashew & Almond milk alternatives are not an option for him. I’d really like to find a soy whipping cream or ready-made whipped cream, just something that’s neither nut or milk based. Any ideas?
Thanks,
MOMables-Laura
Possibly soy whipped cream or coconut whipped cream?
Huong Nguyen
reddiwhip makes a vegan whipped cream made from coconut !!
Christina
It’s really good too!
tara
sunbutter is gross. is wow butter that much better?? i miss PB
MOMables-Laura
My family and others that have tried it are pleasantly impressed with WOW butter. It’s not exactly like peanut butter but a similar taste and texture.
Lori
I enjoy wow butter it what we use as our house is peanut free now. I have baked with it as a peanut butter substitute also.
Sandy Buchart
I missed Pb for many years and then I found wow butter ! It tastes so much like Pb that I eat my first jar by the spoon ful try it you will like it !
WINKS
Good alternatives for nut allergies but a PEANUT IS NOT A NUT. It is a LEGUME. You can have an allergy to peanuts but not be allergic to nuts. I did not develop a peanut allergy until I was in my 50’s but eat nuts almost daily. Putting peanuts in the nut catergory is misleading.
MOMables-Laura
Hi Winks, I realize peanuts are a legume but most people reading this post, are looking for peanut butter alternatives for basic lunch recipes, therefore tagging it in the nut category makes it easier for them to find.
Judith Parker
I mix Wow utter and Sun Butter to a consistency and taste that’s not as good as my beloved Jiff, but closer than anything else I’ve tried.
MOMables - Laura
Brilliant mix!
Jenna
I bought the granola butter and the seed butter and they were great! Thanks for the recommendation!
MOMables - Laura
The sesame seed butter way my favorite. So glad you liked them!