50 Healthy Almond Butter Hacks That Are a Party in Your Mouth
Almond butter is the Kylie Jenner of weight-loss foods. While it's totally new to some, others just can't get enough of the stuff.
Some of the reasons we're obsessed: Almond butter is rich in slow-to-digest nutrients that keep your blood sugar levels stable and make you feel fuller longer, says Bridget Murphy, R.D., nutritionist at NYU Langone Medical Center.
In fact, a single two-tablespoon serving contains over 10 percent of your daily fiber needs and 14 grams of unsaturated fat. Plus, it's got seven grams of muscle-building, metabolism-boosting protein. That’s more than an egg! But wait, there's more: Almond butter is rich in energy-revving iron, which can help you to crush any workout that comes your way, says Murphy.
RELATED: 5 Ways to Eat More and Lose Weight at the Same Time
Even if you're well aware of the powers of nut butter, chances are you’re selling its weight-loss powers short. To add some creativity—and a ton of flavor—to your almond butter habit, we tapped Justin’s, which recently published its own Justin My Kitchen nut-butter cookbook, and a ton of recipe-loving R.D.s to ID 50 (!) almond butter hacks you need.
Image by Alyssa Zolna
Breakfast Hacks
1. Top your oatmeal with a serving of almond butter to help you stay full until lunchtime.
2. Use almond butter as a flavor-packed substitute for syrup on your pancakes, waffles, and French toast.
3. Make almond butter and banana “sushi” rolls. Smear a banana with almond butter, roll the banana in a mixture of hemp hearts and cacao nibs, then slice them into bite-sized rolls.
4. Roll some energy balls using crunchy almond butter, chopped almonds, chopped cranberries, and a drizzle of honey.
5. Pack a savory almond butter sandwich: Spread almond butter on whole grain bread and add in some cucumbers, bean sprouts, jicama, apple slices, or chia seeds.
6. Add almond butter and diced apples to cooked quinoa for a protein-filled breakfast.
7. Blend a banana, kale, almond butter, almond milk, chia seeds, protein powder, and ice for an awesome flavor combo!
8. Use your almost-empty almond butter jar to make overnight oats. Just dump in oats, almond milk (or other milk), some banana slices, and a sprinkle of chia seeds and salt. Refrigerate overnight. Shredded coconut, berries, pumpkin, and cinnamon also taste fab mixed in.
9. Stack your favorite smoothie ingredients—like almond butter, bananas, berries, spinach, and coconut flakes—in a bowl for an Instagram-worthy smoothie bowl. Just go light on the liquids so that you can eat the smoothie with a fork.
10. Toast up a frozen waffle and spread on almond butter for a quick dose of energy before a morning workout.
11. Combine ½ cup honey with 1 cup almond butter and 3 cups rolled oats for easy, no-bake granola bars.
12. Make a pretty parfait by layering Greek yogurt with almond butter, granola, nuts, fruit, and a drizzle of honey.
13. Ever try a breakfast panini? All you need is some whole wheat bread, ricotta cheese, almond butter, and plum preserves. Delish.
14. Spice up your basic breakfast by topping a whole wheat tortilla with almond butter, sliced apples, cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey for an a.m. quesadilla.
Quick Snacks
15. To make a single-serve, no-bake cookie, combine 1 tablespoon of melted almond butter, with 2 tablespoons of oats, 1 tablespoon of hemp seeds, and a drizzle of honey. Yum!
16. Get more out of your fruit by spreading almond butter on apples and pears.
17. Mix a tablespoon of almond butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa in to Greek yogurt for some added sugar-free flavor.
18. Stuff Medjool dates with almond butter for a sweet yet satiating snack.
19. To mix up a chocolate almond butter smoothie, throw Greek yogurt, cocoa powder, half a banana, almond milk, and 2 tablespoons of almond butter into your blender.
20. Make your own almond latte! Warm milk on the stove, stirring in 1 teaspoon of almond butter until it’s dissolved.
21. Make your own pudding by mashing up half a banana and mixing it with 1 tablespoon of almond butter and 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
22. Spread some almond butter on a rice cake for an afternoon pick-me-up.
23. Swirl vanilla, almond butter, and dark chocolate chips into plain Greek yogurt for a treat that tastes amazingly similar to cookie dough.
24. Make some grown-up “ants on a log” by spreading almond butter on celery sticks and topping them with dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds.
25. The next time you go camping, spread almond butter on your graham crackers to add some protein to your typical s’mores.
26. Keep a packet of almond butter in your purse or gym bag at all times to fight hangriness whenever it strikes. Squeeze it on a piece of fruit or cracker, or straight into your mouth.
27. Take your apple slices to the next level. Instead of cutting them into wedges, cut them horizontally into quarter-inch disks, then top with almond butter, almonds, coconut flakes, and berries. So pretty!
28. Sandwich a scoop of almond butter between your favorite crackers for easy snacking.
29. Take your post-workout chocolate milk to the next level with a sprinkle of powdered almond butter.
Healthy Seasonings
30. Combine almond butter with tamari and minced ginger for an Asian-inspired sauce that goes great on salmon, shrimp, and other seafood.
31. Use almond butter as a dip for your vegetables like celery or carrots.
32. Top baked sweet potatoes with a tablespoon of almond butter and cinnamon for the ultimate sweet-and-savory spud.
33. Put a fresh take on any pad thai recipe by subbing out peanut butter for almond butter.
34. Make a protein-packed fruit dip by combining Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and almond butter.
35. Mix almond butter with orange juice, red wine vinegar, and olive oil, and marinade lean chicken or pork overnight.
36. Make your own Asian-inspired dipping sauce by blending almond butter with coconut milk, ginger, and a dash of soy sauce.
37. Dip your sweet potato fries in almond butter, rather than ketchup, to get more protein while slashing your added-sugar intake.
38. Make your own spicy stir-fry sauce: Combine almond butter with low-sodium soy sauce, ginger, lime juice, garlic, water, and a drop or two of hot chili oil.
39. Love pesto? Try adding a scoop of almond butter to your favorite recipe or store-bought variety for an extra nutty flavor.
40. For a creamy, Ranch-free dressing, whisk together almond butter, plain Greek yogurt, and vinegar of your choice.
Cooking Tricks
41. Add a tablespoon of almond butter into your favorite smoothie for an added dose of protein and healthy fat.
42. Use almond butter to replace butter in baked goods like cookies, muffins, and banana bread. Use a one-for-one ratio in recipes.
43. Indian dish too spicy? Mix in some almond butter to tame the flames.
44. Add some whole or powdered almond butter to soups to thicken it up and add nutty creaminess.
45. When you’re jonesing for something sweet, upgrade your Puppy Chow recipe with almond butter and dark chocolate chips.
46. Blend one frozen banana with 1 tablespoon of almond butter and a splash of almond milk for a nutritious faux ice cream.
47. Replace the mayo in your typical chicken salad recipe for almond butter.
48. Melt 1/4 cup of almond butter and combine with 1 tablespoon coconut oil for a healthy take on the Magic Shell topping. Pour it over ice cream and watch it harden into a nutty, crunchy dessert topping.
49. Give your grandma’s chocolate chip cookie recipe a healthy punch by adding in a tablespoon of almond butter to the recipe.
50. Before soaking the seeds for chia seed pudding, mix your almond milk with some almond butter for a flavorful health kick.
Sources: Julianna Abdallah, author of Justin My Kitchen; Tori Holthaus, R.D., founder of YES! Nutrition; dietician Jaime Mass, R.D.; Bridget Murphy, R.D., nutritionist at NYU Langone Medical Center; nutritionist Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D., author Read It Before You Eat It
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