Go Nutty for These Peanut Butter Substitutes

One of the primary school lunch staples of our childhood — peanut butter — has become increasingly unwelcome in the cafeteria. Peanut allergies have been on the rise since the late 1990’s. For the safety of students, many schools have restricted or even eliminated peanut products.

Foodies have taken these changes as an opportunity to get creative. They’ve developed a wide range of peanut butter substitutes. Some no-nut options taste like the real thing, and others have a delicious taste all their own. No matter what allergen you need to avoid, one of these peanut butter substitutes may become your new favorite to spread on bread (and everything else).

Peanut Butter Substitutes: SunButter

What’s In It: SunButter Sunflower Butter is made from sunflower seeds grown here in the US. Most of the seeds come from North Dakota, with some from Minnesota and South Dakota. SunButter contains no peanuts, tree nuts, soy, dairy, eggs, wheat, fish, or shellfish.

How to Use It: Spread SunButter just as you would spread peanut butter — on sandwiches, celery, apples, and much more. It also works well in baking, though the SunButter website cautions chefs to reduce the baking soda or baking powder. Apparently, the chlorophyll in sunflower seeds can react with baking soda and turn green. It’s perfectly harmless, but the color can be startling.

SunButter can be stored in the cupboard, pantry, or refrigerator for up to two months. Storing it in the refrigerator will keep it fresher longer.

Where to Buy It: Check the SunButter website for a store locator. Type in your zip code, and the site will return a list of local stores. Our local grocery stores carry SunButter.

Peanut Butter Substitutes: No-Nut Butter from The Sneaky Chef

What’s In It: Missy Chase Lapine is known as The Sneaky Chef for her recipes that “sneak” vegetables into kid-friendly dishes. Her No-Nut Butter is made from golden peas, a legume with a nutty sweet taste similar to peanut butter. No-Nut Butter contains no peanuts, tree nuts, seeds, or soy.

How to Use It: Spread No-Nut Butter just as you would spread peanut butter. Of course, there are recipes featuring No-Nut Butter on the website. Check the package for details on how to store No-Nut Butter and how long it will keep.

Where to Buy It: Check the No-Nut Butter website for a store locator. Click the Facebook location link and type in your zip code to get a list of local stores. Select Target stores near us carry No-Nut Butter.

Peanut Butter Substitutes: WOWBUTTER

What’s in It: We’re not sure about the caps-lock spelling of WOWBUTTER, but this toasted soy spread looks like a winner. Other ingredients include pressed soy oil, cane sugar, palm oil, and sea salt. WOWBUTTER contains no peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, or eggs.

How to Use It: Spread WOWBUTTER just as you would spread peanut butter. You can also substitute WOWBUTTER for peanut butter in baking or cooking, without any adjustments.

WOWBUTTER can be stored in the cupboard, pantry, or refrigerator. Storing it in the refrigerator will help preserve the taste. There is a “best by” date on all jars of WOWBUTTER, but it's safe to consume past that date.

Where to Buy It: Check the WOWBUTTER website for a store locator. Type in your zip code, and the site will return a list of local stores. WOWBUTTER is available at our local grocery stores and Walmart.

Peanut Butter Substitutes: Don’t Go Nuts

What’s in It: Don’t Go Nuts was created by a Colorado family whose daughter has life-threatening peanut allergies. This spread is made from dry roasted soybeans, soybean oil, and palm oil. Don’t Go Nuts adheres to a nut-free process they’ve dubbed “Field to Fingers.”

How to Use It: Spread Don’t Go Nuts just as you would spread peanut butter. The Sea Salted variety tastes like natural peanut butter, and the Slightly Sweet variety tastes like traditional peanut butter. For baking or cooking, use the Pure Unsalted variety. No adjustments needed when you substitute Don’t Go Nuts for peanut butter in baking or cooking.

Don’t Go Nuts can be stored in the cupboard, pantry, or refrigerator for up to a year. It will taste better if you store it in the refrigerator.

Where to Buy It: Check the Don’t Go Nuts website for a store locator. Type in your zip code, and the site will return a list of local stores. Don’t Go Nuts is available at our local grocery stores and Walmart.