These Healthy Almond Butters Have Everything You Want and Nothing You Don't Need

Almond butter gained traction only a decade or so ago, but almonds have been ground into a paste since at least the 1300s. While not as popular as peanut butter, it's the superior health choice with a 2-tablespoon serving dishing up about 7 grams of protein, along with fiber, healthy fats, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin E. Of course some varieties aren't as virtuous as others, so you want to be cognizant when shopping for healthy almond butter.

If health is your main concern, you'll want to prioritize brands that avoid certain additives, detracting from almonds' intrinsic health benefits. Almonds are high in two nutrients essential to our everyday diet, providing 52 percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin E—an antioxidant that supports your immune system and protects against cell damage and chronic diseases, as well as magnesium, which is crucial for nearly every process in your body, from bone-building to muscle function, and may even affect your mood and sleep quality.

To help you find the best almond butter, we've scrutinized top brands, narrowing them down to 10 healthy almond butter options. Check them out below, along with tips on what to look for in a good almond butter.

Add to a bagel or other healthy carb source, or drizzle over a Greek yogurt bowl.

Want the latest fitness advice and workouts to tackle any adventure? Sign up for our Blueprint newsletter.

Related: Yes, You Can Find Healthy Breakfast Fast Food. We Asked a Nutrition Coach to Rank the Best

10 Best Healthy Almond Butters

Here are 10 of the best almond butters available.

1. MaraNatha No Stir Creamy Natural Almond Butter No Sugar or Salt Added

MaraNatha makes a range of almond butters using California almonds. Its No-Stir Creamy Almond Butter has no added sugar or salt. A double-grinding process gives this almond butter a smooth, velvety texture, and since the almonds are roasted, the flavor is rich and delicious. It does have a bit of added palm oil, though, to bind and add to the creamy texture, which is what makes it a no-stir option. MaraNatha also produces chunky, raw, and flavored almond butters like vanilla, maple, and caramel.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 200
• Carbs: 6 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Fat: 17 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fiber: 3 g

2. Barney Butter Bare Smooth Almond Butter

If you like roasted almond butter, Barney's is a safe bet. It's made with blanched almonds for a smooth, grit-free texture and mild almond taste without any bitterness. There's no added sugar or salt, but it does contain a bit of palm oil to keep it from separating. One big benefit of Barney's is it's not cross-contaminated with any other nuts, so if other allergies (like peanuts) are an issue, this is a great option.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 190
• Carbs: 6 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Fat: 18 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Fiber: 3 g

3. Justin's Classic Almond Butter

Justin's is a widely available and popular almond butter with only two ingredients—dry roasted almonds, and palm oil. Though Justin's is a tasty, natural almond butter, it stands out by coming in handy portable pouches (along with the traditional jars), so you can take almond butter with you anywhere. It makes an ideal post-workout snack on crackers or apple slices. You can find Justin's in vanilla, cinnamon, maple, and honey flavors, too. The company strives for sustainable and organic practices wherever possible and are certified gluten-free.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 220
• Carbs: 5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Fat: 19 g
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Fiber: 3 g

4. Fix & Fogg Crunchy Almond Butter

Made with dry-roasted almonds and New Zealand sea salt, Fix & Fogg's crunchy almond butter has a creamy texture with a satisfying crunch. It's made without added oil or sugar, just the two ingredients. It's got a delicious, nutty taste and firm, crunchy texture people love. Hailing from New Zealand, you can find Fix & Fogg at Whole Foods, Amazon, and Thrive Market. It also comes in a smooth option if you prefer.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 170
• Carbs: 6 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Fat: 15 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Fiber: 4 g

5. Burroughs Family Farms Organic Almond Butter

Burroughs Family Farms makes its almond butter with regenerative organic almonds, which is a sustainable farming practice honoring the soil, air, water, and wildlife. It's creamy with no added ingredients, just the single source almonds with a rich, nutty flavor thanks to roasting. This pick is certified organic and peanut allergy-safe, though the processing facility does handle other types of nuts.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 190
• Carbs: 6 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Fat: 18 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fiber: 3 g

6. Big Spoon Roasters Almond Butter with Wildflower Honey

If gourmet is more your style, you'll love Big Spoon Roasters. Yes, they're on the pricier side, but the ingredients read like a bougie restaurant with a lengthy waitlist. This almond butter has a touch of raw organic wildflower honey to gently sweeten the heirloom mission almonds and Jacobsen sea salt. It's hand-crafted in small batches and produced with sustainable, fair trade, and organic farming practices. For a unique twist, you can try its Espresso Almond Butter, which features Saigon cinnamon, coconut nectar, and Tigerwalk espresso.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 170
• Carbs: 6 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Fat: 15 g
• Sodium: 55 mg
• Fiber: 3 g

Related: 9 Healthiest Hot Dogs That Rival Your Ballpark Favorites

7. Good & Gather Creamy Almond Butter

Good & Gather almond butter has no added stabilizers, salt, or sugar, just almonds. You can get it in a creamy, easy-spreading texture or a crunchy one. It's sold only at Target stores, but it's a decently priced almond butter, around half the price of some competitors. Good & Gather isn't organic, which is one reason it's more affordable, but since it's free from everything except, well, almonds, it's nutrient-dense.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 190
• Carbs: 7 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Fat: 17 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fiber: 4 g

8. Once Again Nut Butter Almond Butter

Made only with dry-roasted, unblanched almonds, Once Again makes high-quality almond butter with a fresh nutty flavor fans rave about. On its website, you can pick from creamy or crunchy, roasted or slightly toasted, which feels like you're buying a custom product. If you're a big fan, they even sell its almond butter in buckets up to 35 pounds.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 200
• Carbs: 4 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Fat: 16 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fiber: 3 g

9. Artisana Organics Raw Almond Butter

If you prefer a raw, natural almond taste profile or want to avoid heat-processed almonds, Artisana is a great option. It doesn't contain palm oil, added sugar, or salt, and has 0g sodium. It's also slightly lower in saturated fat than most brands with only 1g per 2 tbsp serving. Artisina uses California almonds and claims its raw processing means you'll get the "full benefits and natural flavors of almonds," which leaves all the micronutrients intact. It's certified organic, R.A.W., and Clean Food Certified, meaning its almond butter has minimal processing, bioavailable nutrients, and has low levels of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, among other standards.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 190
• Carbs: 7 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Fat: 16 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fiber: 4 g

10. Kirkland Signature Creamy Almond Butter

Kirkland Signature Creamy Almond Butter is a one-ingredient almond butter made from roasted almonds—no preservatives, additives, colors, flavors, salt, or sugar added. It's an affordable option you can find in every Costco store for about $8 per 27-ounce jar. Plus, it tastes great. Like other almond butters made without palm oil, it needs a good stir before using. Once you do, it's creamy and spreads easily on toast, crackers, or pancakes.

Nutrition Facts, Per Serving

• Calories: 210
• Carbs: 7 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Fat: 17 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fiber: 2 g

What to Look for in Healthy Almond Butter

Almond butter brands don't tend to produce sugar- and hydrogenated oil-laden versions. Most almond butter on store shelves is the natural, all-nuts kind, which is a good thing for your health and your waistline. Nevertheless, to find the healthiest almond butter, be on the lookout for the following:

• Ingredients: The best almond butters have minimal ingredients, ideally just almonds and maybe a pinch of salt. Some may contain palm oil to bind butter and prevent separation.
• Processing: If you want the best flavor, look for almond butter made with roasted almonds. Roasting the almonds before grinding them gives the almond butter a richer flavor. If you prefer a smooth, creamy texture above all else, look for varieties made with blanched almonds (almonds with the skins removed).
• Texture: Beyond processing, you can find varieties that are labeled smooth and creamy or crunchy with large almond chunks, so pick one with your ideal texture.
• Nutritional Value: Look for almond butters with at least 3 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per serving.
• Sustainability: Nuts are a water-intensive food to produce, but choosing organic, fair-trade options can help reduce the burden on the soil, water, animals, and people involved.