You reach for hazelnut butter mid-recipe and the jar is empty. Swapping it means matching more than just the spread-you need something with a similar fat content, a nutty base, and enough body to hold up in baking or blending.
The best substitute depends on what hazelnut butter is doing in your dish. If it's adding richness to a dessert, almond or cashew butter works.
If it's binding a sauce or smoothie, tahini or sunflower seed butter gets you there. Use this list to pick the swap that fits your recipe.
Hazelnut butter is nutty, slightly sweet, and rich, with a toasted aroma that shows up fast in baking. For baking, match fat and sweetness first, then adjust liquid so batters do not tighten or turn greasy.
7 Smart Hazelnut Butter Swaps When You're Out
These substitutes range from pantry staples to specialty picks. Pick based on what you're making and what you have on hand.
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| # | Substitute | Best For | Ratio | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Almond Butter | ✨ Both | 1:1 | Milder, less sweet |
| 2 | Peanut Butter | 🍳 Cooking | 1:1 | Stronger, saltier |
| 3 | Cashew Butter | ✨ Both | 1:1 | Creamier, sweeter |
| 4 | Sunflower Seed Butter | 🌱 Nut-Free | 1:1 | Earthy, slightly bitter |
| 5 | Tahini | 🍳 Cooking | 1:1 | More bitter, savory |
| 6 | Nutella | 🥧 Baking | 1:1 | Sweeter, chocolaty |
| 7 | Walnut Butter | ✨ Both | 1:1 | Bolder, earthier |
1 - Almond Butter
Almond butter delivers a smooth texture and mild nuttiness, making it the most straightforward swap. It works in baking, spreads, and sauces without pulling focus from other flavors.
The taste runs lighter and less sweet than hazelnut butter. For recipes where hazelnut flavor defines the dish-like praline fillings or Frangelico-based desserts-you'll notice the difference.
- Replace at a 1:1 ratio in cookies, brownies, and energy bars.
- Stir into oatmeal or smoothies for similar creaminess.
- Toast almond butter lightly in a dry pan to deepen the flavor.
- If you're short on almond butter as well, instead of Butter try these for texture-matched picks.
Skip if: the recipe hinges on hazelnut's distinct sweetness or aroma.
Almond Butter
Works for: Baking, spreads, and no-cook desserts where mild nuttiness fits
Skip if: You need hazelnut's signature sweetness or a bold roasted flavor
Peanut Butter
Works for: Savory sauces, stir-fries, and desserts that pair well with salt and richness
Skip if: You're avoiding allergens or working with delicate pastries
2 - Peanut Butter
Peanut butter brings a stronger, saltier profile that works best in savory dishes and bold desserts. It holds up in stir-fries, satay sauces, and chocolate-peanut butter pairings.
The earthier taste shifts the flavor direction. For Peanut Butter alternatives to try, check options with similar richness if you're missing both.
Skip if: you're working with light, delicate pastries or avoiding nut allergens entirely.
3 - Cashew Butter
Cashew butter offers a creamier, sweeter base that blends seamlessly into desserts and sauces. Its neutral flavor makes it a flexible swap in recipes where hazelnut isn't the star.
Use it in cheesecakes, frostings, or vegan cream sauces. The texture stays smooth even when chilled, unlike some nut butters that stiffen.
- Swap at a 1:1 ratio for hazelnut butter in no-bake desserts.
- Blend into smoothies or ice cream bases for silky results.
If cashew butter isn't available either, common Cashew Butter swaps ranked covers creamier alternatives.
Skip if: you need a pronounced nutty aroma or deeper roasted flavor.
4 - Sunflower Seed Butter
Sunflower seed butter provides a nut-free option with an earthy, slightly bitter edge. It works in baking and spreads, especially when you need to avoid tree nuts and peanuts.
The flavor leans savory, so it fits better in recipes with chocolate, cinnamon, or maple. Add a pinch of salt or a drizzle of honey to balance the bitterness.
Sunflower seed butter can turn green when mixed with baking soda or baking powder due to a chemical reaction with chlorogenic acid. This doesn't affect taste, but it might surprise you in cakes or muffins.
To prevent it, reduce baking soda slightly or add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the batter.
Here's what to know:
- Replace at a 1:1 ratio in cookies, granola bars, and spreads.
- Stir into oatmeal or yogurt for a nut-free breakfast option.
- Expect a slightly thicker consistency than hazelnut butter-thin with a splash of neutral oil if needed.
For more nut-free picks, Sunflower Seed Butter alternatives to try keeps you covered if you're out of both.
Skip if: you want a sweet, mild flavor or need a perfectly white batter.
| Use | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Baking (cookies, bars) | 1:1 | May turn green with baking soda; adjust acidity to prevent |
| Spreads and dips | 1:1 | Thin with oil if too thick; add honey to balance bitterness |
| Smoothies and oatmeal | 1:1 | Earthy flavor pairs well with chocolate, banana, or maple |
5 - Tahini
Tahini swaps in for hazelnut butter when you need a rich, savory base. It works in dressings, sauces, and baked goods that lean toward Middle Eastern or Mediterranean flavors.
The sesame taste runs more bitter and less sweet than hazelnut butter. Pair it with honey, maple syrup, or dates to round out the flavor.
Use it in hummus-style dips, halva-inspired desserts, or drizzled over roasted vegetables.
Tahini separates easily, so stir it well before measuring. If it's too thick, thin it with a splash of warm water or neutral oil until it reaches hazelnut butter's consistency.
- Replace at a 1:1 ratio in recipes where savory flavors fit.
- Blend into energy balls, granola, or salad dressings.
- Toast tahini lightly in a pan to deepen the nutty notes.
For more sesame-based swaps, simple Sesame Seed substitutes list covers firmer options if you're out of tahini too.
Skip if: the recipe needs a sweet, dessert-forward flavor or relies on hazelnut's distinct aroma.
6 - Nutella
Nutella brings a sweeter, chocolate-forward profile that works best in desserts and spreads. It replaces hazelnut butter when you want a decadent, ready-made option without extra mixing.
The added sugar and cocoa shift the flavor balance. For recipes where hazelnut butter is a base-like in frostings, fillings, or drizzles-Nutella simplifies the process.
Skip it in savory dishes or recipes where you need to control sweetness.
If Nutella isn't on hand either, swaps when Hazelnut runs out covers a few more chocolate-hazelnut alternatives.
Skip if: you're avoiding refined sugar or need a neutral, less sweet base.
7 - Walnut Butter
Walnut butter offers a bolder, earthier flavor that works in baking and savory sauces. The taste runs slightly bitter and more pronounced than hazelnut butter, making it a good match for recipes with strong spices or chocolate.
Use it in brownies, spice cakes, or grain-based salads. The oil content is similar to hazelnut butter, so it behaves the same in most recipes.
If you're missing walnut butter too, Butter replacements that work offers a few comparable picks.
Skip if: you want a mild, sweet flavor or need a neutral base for frostings.
Final Thoughts on Swapping Hazelnut Butter
Most of these substitutes work without major adjustments, but the best choice depends on your recipe. For baking and spreads, almond or cashew butter stays closest to hazelnut's texture.
For savory dishes, tahini or peanut butter brings the richness you need.
- Closest match - Almond butter for mild, flexible swaps
- Easiest grab - Peanut butter if you need bold flavor fast
- Nut-free option - Sunflower seed butter for allergen-safe recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but expect a stronger, saltier flavor. Peanut butter works best in recipes where its bold taste complements chocolate or spices, like brownies or cookies.
No, it's earthier and slightly bitter. It works as a nut-free alternative but needs sweeteners or chocolate to balance the flavor in desserts.
Yes, but add extra sweetener. Tahini's bitterness works better in savory recipes, so pair it with honey or maple syrup if you're using it in baked goods.
Yes, for desserts and spreads. It's sweeter and more chocolaty, so reduce added sugar in your recipe to avoid over-sweetening.
Sunflower seed butter is the top nut-free option. Use it in a 1:1 ratio and adjust sweetness or acidity to balance the earthy flavor.
7 Best Substitutes for Hazelnut Butter
Ingredients
Method
- Select your substitute based on recipe needs: almond or cashew butter for desserts, peanut or tahini for savory dishes, sunflower seed butter for nut-free options.
- Prepare the substitute by lightly toasting almond or walnut butter when applicable, stirring well tahini before use, or thinning sunflower seed butter with neutral oil if thick.
- Replace hazelnut butter with any substitute at a 1:1 ratio according to the recipe's requirements.
- Adjust sweetness when using Nutella by reducing added sugar in the recipe by 1 teaspoon per tablespoon of Nutella added.
- Taste and texture test your substitution; add sweetener to balance bitterness when using tahini or sunflower seed butter and adjust oil or liquid to achieve desired consistency.
