Nut butter isn’t just a toast topping. I have it with fruit, on oats and drizzled over yoghurt… but mostly I have it straight out the jar. I am a self-confessed nut butter addict. I would go as far as saying I am a nut butter connoisseur. I have tried practically every nut butter around and if I ever see a new brand or flavour, I get embarrassingly excited. With all this nutty experience, I think it is about time I share my top recommendations.
Meridian Cashew Butter
Cashew butter is my favourite kind of nut butter. It has a less powerful flavour than a peanut or almond butter, but seriously creamy and smooth. My personal favourite brand is Meridian as they produce a pure, natural cashew butter which has the perfect texture. I literally can’t buy it though, as a jar doesn’t even last an afternoon! Meridian also do amazing natural butter blends of most nuts from almonds through to macadamias, all with minimal ingredients. However, if you’re less fussy about ingredients, M&S do a fantastic cashew and peanut blend which has crunchy pieces in it. I also love the Pip & Nut Cinnamon Raisin Cashew butter which has a more runny texture, perfect for drizzling.
Pip & Nut Coconut Almond Butter
Speaking of Pip & Nut, my personal favourite nut butter from their range is the Coconut Almond. It is both sweet and nutty, and again has the dreamy drizzly texture of all Pip and Nut blends. Pip and Nut also do an incredible Crunchy Maple Peanut Butter, but it is limited edition so I don’t want to get you too excited as it won’t be around forever!
Raw Ecstasy Raw Chocolate & Activated Almond Butter
My client Camilla introduced me to this nut butter, and I have never looked back. It is ridiculously expensive and pretty hard to justify buying, but trust me it is INSANELY good. It has the most runny texture, kind of like melted chocolate… but it also has a rich nutty taste along with the sweet cocoa kick. It is amazing for dipping apple slices or a banana into.
Pic’s Peanut Butter
Let’s bring is back to basics with my favourite bog standard peanut butter. No frills, no added flavours. Just pure, wholesome and delicious ingredients. There are many peanut butters on the market but my top choice is Pic’s. Why? Because it has the ideal texture which is in-between runny and hard. It has a hint of saltiness which isn’t overwhelming and it has minimal additives or nasties. Plus it just tastes bloody brilliant. It is a fairly new brand to be available in the UK, having come over from New Zealand but if you can find it, definitely give it a try.
Dr Zak’s Cherry Bakewell Protein Peanut Butter
Stepping away from the more wholesome nut butters, lets talk about Dr Zak’s. This brands nut butters are less natural and have more exotic flavours like Salted Caramel and Banoffee. Plus they have added protein powder. My personal favourite is the Cherry Bakewell. It literally takes like a bakewell tart, but you can scoop it out a jar with a spoon! Dangerous. I love adding it to berry-based oatmeal recipes.
Peanut Butter & Co. Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Peanut Butter –
The Peanut Butter Co. brand is not exactly one for the clean eaters. It focuses on tasting great, rather than nourishing your body; which I think is totally fine in moderation. They do an incredible Dark Chocolate Dreams peanut butter which goes well on chocolate-y oats or flexbowls. However if I had to choose one of their flavours, I would definitely go for the Cinnamon Raisin. It is sweet, nutty and full of whole raisins – which adds an awesome texture and bite. I love it straight out the jar or with apple chunks.
So that’s it…
My top nut butter choices. As you can tell, I have an addiction to the stuff. My cupboards always have an abundance of different tubs and jars, ready to be delved into. The only nut butter I am missing from my collection is a good pecan based spread. I have tried a few independent brands including an incredible Pecan and Fig butter from a market which blew my mind (I have never found it since!). Let me know if you have any Pecan butter recommendations below, and any nut butter tips in general. I am always looking for new brands and flavours to try!
Zanna x
