Almond Butter Unleashed: Go Nuts with 10 Creative Ways to Eat It
Almond butter is a plant-based spread made by grinding up blanched almonds into a smooth texture. Unlike peanut butter, it has a milder, nuttier taste that comes just from the almonds. With a texture like peanut butter, it can be used as a substitute in many recipes.
Almond butter provides an array of health benefits thanks to its stellar nutritional profile. Just one serving offers a hefty dose of vital vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats. Keep reading to learn more about the specific nutrients found in nut butter.
This versatile spread can be incorporated into sweet and savoury dishes in so many creative ways, from smoothies to stir-fries. Here are 10 delicious ways to eat more nut butter as part of a healthy diet:
1. Spread on Toast or Bagels
Slather Nut Butter onto your morning whole grain or seeded toast just like you would peanut butter. Top it with sliced bananas, and a drizzle of honey, cinnamon, or jam to balance out the nutty flavour. Almond butter contains more magnesium and riboflavin than peanut butter to help energize your day.
The healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats will keep hunger at bay so you can power through the morning. Compared to butter or cream cheese, nut butter provides more nourishment to start your day off right.
2. Blend into Smoothies
Smoothies make it easy to turn almond butter into a drinkable meal or snack. Add 1-2 tablespoons of nut butter to your favourite smoothie recipe for extra staying power. The protein and fat help create a more satiating, meal-like smoothie compared to just fruit and juice.
Some tasty flavour combos include nut butter with banana, cocoa powder, peanut butter, vanilla Greek yogurt, or chocolate protein powder. The nutty flavour pairs perfectly with the sweetness. Blend it up with non-dairy milk for a dairy-free option.
3. Make Energy Bites
Combining almond butter with oats, honey, chia seeds, coconut, and chocolate chips makes for little bite-sized bursts of energy. These no-bake treats are easy to make and provide balanced nutrition to power you through a workout or busy day.
The nut butter and oats supply carbohydrates for energy, while the nuts offer protein and healthy fats to keep you feeling satisfied. Form the mixture into balls and refrigerate for a grab-and-go snack anytime.
4. Stir into yogurt or oatmeal
Plain yogurt and oatmeal are two perfect vehicles for adding a boost of almond butter. Stir just a spoonful into your Greek yogurt for a nutrition upgrade. The protein punch helps keep you full while the hint of nutty flavour takes yogurt from boring to brilliant.
You can also fold a dollop of nut butter into overnight oats. Let the oats soak in milk overnight in the fridge, then stir in nut butter before eating for extra creaminess and 8 grams of protein per tablespoon. A little goes a long way with yogurt and oats.
5. Protein-Packed Cereal Topper
If you love cereal but need more staying power, drizzle a teaspoon of almond butter over your bowl to make it more satisfying. The nutty accent adds another layer of flavour and nutrition to otherwise plain cereal.
Almond Spread contains filling protein and healthy unsaturated fats to help steady your blood sugar compared to eating cereal alone. Some cereals that pair well with almond Spread include granola, Raisin Bran, Special K, or Grape Nuts, but get creative!
6. Creamy Salad Dressing
Skip the store-bought bottles and whip up this easy homemade almond butter salad dressing. Blend almond Spread with lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, herbs, and a splash of water.
The creamy nut butter acts as an emulsifier to bring the ingredients together into a smooth, lush dressing that lightly coats greens. Almond Spreads monounsaturated fat helps your body better absorb the vegetables’ beneficial antioxidants too.
7. Fruit and Nut Dessert Dip
For a simple two-ingredient dessert dip, combine almond butter with a bit of honey, maple syrup, or agave. Use this sweet dip as a lower-calorie option with chocolate or caramel sauce.
Serve with fresh apple, pear, and banana slices for dipping. The vitamin E in almond Spread acts as an antioxidant to neutralize free radicals from the fruits. You can also try dipping whole-grain graham crackers, pretzel crisps, or ginger snaps into this nutritious dip.
8. Add to Pancakes or Waffles
Pancakes and waffles become more filling and protein-packed when you add almond butter to the batter. Measure out the dry and wet ingredients like normal, then swirl in 2-3 tablespoons of almond spread before mixing everything.
The nut butter is evenly incorporated into the batter and adds successful flavour throughout each bite, not just as a topping. Top your stack with extra almond Spread and fruit like berries or banana slices for even more nutrition.
9. Nutty Asian Stir Fry Sauce
Skip the high-sodium store-bought stir-fry sauces and make your fresh version at home. Whisk together nut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, ginger, chilli paste, and a splash of water for an easy sauce.
Toss the savoury almond Spread sauce with sliced chicken or beef and your favourite stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, or water chestnuts. Serve over brown rice or quinoa to complete the meal.
10. Fuel Pre- or Post-Workouts
Looking for a way to fuel your workout recovery? Almond butter serves up the perfect balance of protein and carbs. Spread some whole grain toast or apple slices for about an hour pre-workout for sustained energy.
Post-workout, pair almond Spread r with chocolate milk or a banana for the ideal muscle recovery combo. The essential amino acids in almond protein help repair exercise-damaged muscle fibres.
Nutritional Profile of Almond Butter
What makes almond spread stand out nutritionally compared to peanut butter? Here’s an overview of what you get in a 2-tablespoon serving:
- Protein – 8 grams of plant-based protein to build muscle and satisfy hunger.
- Healthy fats – 8 grams of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats to reduce inflammation and balance blood sugar.
- Fibre – 4 grams of dietary fibre improves digestion and heart health.
- Vitamin E – 50% of your daily needs. This antioxidant protects cells from damage.
- Magnesium – 15% DV Magnesium aids nerve and muscle function while lowering blood pressure.
- Riboflavin – Provides 25% DV for cellular energy production and growth.
- Iron – 6% DV to prevent anemia and enhance oxygen delivery to muscles.
- Potassium & and manganese are essential minerals involved in bone health, metabolism, and immunity.
So don’t just limit nut butter to sandwiches or toast. Get creative and add this nutrient-dense spread into smoothies, yogurt, oats, dressings, and more for a health boost. Just watch portion sizes since the almond spread is high in calories.
Conclusion
With its mild nutty crunch and creamy texture, almond butter stands out as one of the most versatile and nutrition-packed spreads you can add to your diet. It provides lasting energy and satisfaction thanks to its powerhouse ingredient – almonds. Incorporate almond spread into both sweet dishes to take advantage of its stellar nutrient profile.
Whip it into smoothies, use it as a salad dressing base, spread it on toast, dip fruit into it for dessert, and explore more creative ways to enjoy almond butter from breakfast to dinner. So go nuts and start experimenting with new ways to eat more almond butter every day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is almond butter healthier than peanut butter?
It has a few advantages over peanut butter: it has more vitamin E, more magnesium, more bone-strengthening nutrients like calcium and phosphorus, as well as more monounsaturated fat. However, both nut butter are highly nutritious options.
Does almond butter cause weight gain?
It is high in calories and fat, so portion control is important. However, the fats it provides are primarily the healthy unsaturated kind. In moderation, as part of an overall balanced diet, almond spread can support weight loss goals.
Can you replace peanut butter with almond butter?
Yes, in most recipes you can substitute almond Spread for peanut butter 1:1. While the taste differs, with almond Spread having a milder, purely nutty flavour without the peanut aroma, the texture works the same in baked goods, sandwiches, smoothies, and more.
Is almond butter good for muscle gain?
Yes, it provides an excellent source of protein and healthy fats that can support muscle growth when paired with strength training exercises. Make it part of a pre- or post-workout snack for optimal results.
What’s the best way to store almond butter?
To maintain freshness and prevent the healthy oils in almond Spread from going rancid, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, refrigerated almond Spread will keep for 3-4 months before going bad. Let it come to room temperature before use for easier spreading.
