In this article we will go over the best substitutes for coconut butter. No matter what you need coconut butter for, one of these alternatives will work perfectly.
Coconut butter is one of those ingredients that require a substitute that offers not only great flavor but the right texture. Unfortunately a lot of advise I’ve seen on the web is just flat out inaccurate.
So when you need a coconut butter replacement, make sure you use one of the following kitchen staple ingredients.
The main thing to keep in mind when replacing coconut butter is that no single ingredient offers the flavor of coconut as well as the texture needed to provide the texture of coconut butter.
So what are the best substitutes for coconut butter?
The best substitutes for coconut butter are peanut butter, cashew butter, tahini, and almond butter.
You can actually use any nut butter as an alternative to coconut butter. We will go over each of these substitutions below, but if you wish to still get coconut flavor in your recipe then you will want to add a bit of coconut extract to taste.
Coconut Butter Alternatives
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is my preferred coconut butter replacement. Peanut butter has a natural sweetness that works well in cakes, cookies, and smoothies.
If you are baking with peanut butter then the recipe will work best if the peanut butter is mixed with some coconut oil to give it a creamier texture and flavor.
Cashew Butter
Cashew butter is my second favorite coconut butter replacement. I like it better than almond butter because cashews have a sweeter flavor profile.
The flavor of cashew butter is much closer to coconut than other nut butters. And it mixes well with coconut extract for a unique and tasty flavor.
Tahini
Tahini is a great replacement for coconut butter because it has a similar texture. Tahini is ground sesame seeds and you can buy it in either a paste form which is very thick or a more runny form.
The tahini most people will be familiar with is the runny kind like you see in hummus. This tahini style will work well for cakes, cookies, and smoothies.
Almond Butter
Almond butter is a great substitute for coconut butter. It has a very similar flavor to the cashew flavor profile. Almond butter makes a great substitute for coconut butter because it is moist and easy to work with.
Unlike peanut butter, tahini, and cashew butter, almond butter is not too sweet and will help balance out the sweetness of other ingredients in your recipe. Add in a bit of coconut oil or extract for extra flavor.
What Is Coconut Butter
Coconut butter is a spread made from grated coconut meat. It can be used as a condiment on top of breads, as an ingredient in recipes and as a topping for cakes and cupcakes. The texture of the spread is similar to that of cream cheese but it is not quite as thick.
Coconut butter is fairly high in fat and calories so only use it for recipes that you would normally use whipped cream or buttercream.
Bottom Line
Coconut butter is a wonderful ingredient for all sorts of recipes. It has a sweet flavor that works well with many different ingredients. And the texture makes it fun to work with and play around with in the kitchen.
It can be challenging to find at some grocery stores so having some suitable substitutions is a great idea. You will find that most nut butters will work in most recipes that call for coconut butter.
While nut butters won’t offer the same flavor, they provide the needed texture and some coconut oil or extract can be added to fill out the coconut flavor.