It's no surprise that almond butter makes a healthy snack and lunchtime addition as it's loaded with heart-healthy fats, filling fiber, and is packed full of other nutritional benefits.
We consulted with nut butter brands Barney Butter and Justin's to give you an assortment of their finger-licking delicious recipes that you'll love and devour.
MORE: The Matcha Recipes That Will Make You Rethink Your Afternoon Treat
Here are nine tasty recipes using almond butter that you'll go nuts over.
(Find out how to stop the craving cycle before it starts and burn fat around the clock with the naturally sweet, salty, and satisfying meals in Eat Clean, Lose Weight & Love Every Bite.)
Honey Almond Butter Apple Bread
For bread
1/2 cup apple sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup Justin's Honey Almond Butter
1 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 large apple, chopped
1 banana, mashed
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cloves
For topping
1/4 cup oats
1/8 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Justin's Honey Almond Butter
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1. PREHEAT the oven to 350°F.
2. MIX all of the wet ingredients for the bread, the apple, and the banana together in a large bowl.
3. COMBINE dry ingredients in a medium bowl and transfer to the large wet ingredient bowl, folding gently. Pour the bread mixture into a greased loaf pan.
4. MIX all of the topping ingredients together in a small bowl, and sprinkle on top of the bread mixture.
5. BAKE for 50-55 minutes (or until toothpick comes out clean). Cool completely.
Chocolate Banana Stuffed French Toast
The whole grain bread and banana slices boost the fiber in this all-time favorite.
Get the Chocolate Banana Stuffed French Toast recipe from The Diabetes Comfort Food Diet Cookbook.
Gluten-Free Pancakes
1 1/3 cup gluten-free, all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup almond milk
2 Tablespoons Justin's Classic Almond Butter
2 Tablespoons coconut oil (melted)
Justin's Peanut Butter Cup (optional)
1. COMBINE the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
2. WHISK together the eggs, milk, nut butter, and oil in a separate bowl.
3. STIR wet ingredients into dry ingredients until smooth. Spoon approximately 1/3 cup pancake batter onto hot griddle. Flip when bubbly and edges are golden brown.
4. SERVE with a drizzle of nut butter and, if you're feeling extra nutty, top with a peanut butter cup.
Winter Kale Salad with Almond Butter Dressing
This hearty Winter Kale Salad With Almond Butter Dressing (recipe courtesy of Georgie at In it 4 the Long Run) is a reminder that salads never have to be boring.
For salad
2 cups of kale, massaged
1 1/2 Tablespoons of olive oil
1 cup of roasted butternut squash peeled and roughly cubed
1 Tablespoon of sunflower seeds
2 heaping Tablespoons of pomegranate seeds
For dressing
1/4 cup of Barney Butter Almond Butter Smooth
1 Tablespoon of tahini
1/4 cup of olive oil
2 Tablespoons of warm water
salt and pepper to taste
1. PREHEAT oven to 400ºF.
2. PEEL and cube butternut squash.
3. TOSS in 1 Tablespoon of olive oil with salt and pepper to taste.
4. PLACE on a greased baking tray and bake for 20 minutes, take squash out and flip it over then bake for another 15 minutes until tender, but not burnt.
5. MASSAGE kale to break up fibers.
6. SAUTÉE over medium heat with 2 teaspoons of olive oil for approximately seven minutes, until kale is wilted but not completely crispy.
7. WHISK together a 1/4 cup of almond butter, 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1 Tablespoon of tahini, 2 Tablespoons of warm water, and salt and pepper to taste for the dressing. Leftover dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks.
9. TOSS together sautéed kale, 1 cup of roasted butternut squash, sunflower seeds, avocado slices, and pomegranate seeds with 1-2 Tablespoons of almond butter dressing (depending on how heavily you want it dressed).
Simple Monkey Smoothie
We're not monkeying around when we say that this creamy, chocolatey treat is oh-so-delicious! It tastes so good that you'll kind of wonder how it can be good for you. Almond butter adds a boost of healthy fats to keep you fueled.
Get the Simple Monkey Smoothie recipe from Simple Green Smoothies.
Looking for more delicious smoothies? Whip up this banana almond protein shake:
Tomato, Mushroom & Arugula Pizza with Almond Butter Sauce
1/2 cup Justin’s Classic Almond Butter
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 Tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 Tablespoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
pinch of cayenne pepper (to taste)
1/4 cup water
1. PREHEAT oven to 450°F.
2. COMBINE first nine ingredients (almond butter through water) in the bowl of a small food processor to make the sauce. Blend until smooth.
3. SAUTÉ onions and mushrooms in 1 Tablespoon olive oil for eight to 10 minutes, or until soft.
4. SPREAD almond butter sauce in a thin layer over prepared pizza crust. Arrange onions, mushrooms, and sliced tomatoes over sauce.
5. BAKE for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are slightly browned.
6. SPRINKLE arugula on top of cooked pizza. Cut into six slices and serve warm.
Chocolate Chip Trail Mix Balls
Salty and sweet, these tasty little snacks pack the essential components of trail mix-nuts, dried fruit and, yeah, chocolate-into an easily portable package. Not only are they a delicious prerun snack but they also make for a quick breakfast on the go.
Get the Chocolate Chip Trail Mix Balls recipe from Runner's World Meals on the Run.
Almond Coco-Nutty Buddies
8 cups chex cereal (any variety)
1 cup dark chocolate chips (divided)
1/2 cup Justin's Classic Almond Butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup shredded coconut
1. PLACE cereal in a large bowl, set aside. Combine Justin's and 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips in a large saucepan over medium heat and stir until melted.
2. POUR melted almond butter mixture over the cereal and gently fold until cereal is completely coated.
3. PLACE sugar in a large zip-top plastic bag, then fill with the coated cereal. Close bag and shake lightly.
4. SPREAD mix onto wax paper to dry. Toss together cereal, remaining chocolate chips, coconut, and almonds.
Double Chocolate Chunk Almond Butter Cookies
These Double Chocolate Chunk Almond Butter Cookies (recipe courtesy of Georgie at In it 4 the Long Run) are just oozing with rich dark chocolate that will melt in your mouth. The best part? They couldn't be any easier to make.
1 egg
1 cup of Barney Butter Almond Butter Vanilla + Espresso
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 cup of cocoa powder
1 cup of dark chocolate chunks
1. BEAT egg, brown sugar, and almond butter together.
2. MIX in cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda.
3. STIR in chocolate chunks.
4. REFRIGERATE dough for at least 1 hour.
5. PREHEAT oven to 350º F.
6. SCOOP dough into 1 inch balls (makes approximately 20 cookies).
7. COOK for 10 minutes.
8. WARNING: Allow cookies to cool, may be delicate and oozing with chocolate.
9. STORE in an airtight container for up to a week.
The article 9 Healthier Recipes You Can Make With Almond Butter originally appeared on Rodale Wellness.
