The best nut butters of 2026
Updated June 2026Independently researchedNo paid placement.
Barney Butter Smooth Almond Butter is the best overall nut butter for its consistently smooth texture and clean flavor.
Justin’s Classic Almond Butter is the most popular pick for everyday eating, MaraNatha No Stir offers convenient no-stir ease, Crazy Richard’s delivers unbeatable value for peanut butter lovers, and Spread The Love Naked Almond Butter wins over purists who want nothing but almonds.
Nut butters are a pantry staple for good reason: they’re packed with healthy fats, protein, and fiber, and they work just as well on toast as they do in smoothies, sauces, or straight off the spoon. But with dozens of brands and endless claims – natural, no stir, organic, single ingredient – it’s easy to get stuck in the supermarket aisle. Choosing the right nut butter comes down to three things: ingredients, texture, and price. Do you want pure nuts and nothing else, or are you okay with a little salt, sugar, or palm oil for stability? Do you prefer a spoonable, no-stir consistency, or are you fine with stirring in the natural oil? And how much are you willing to spend? The five nut butters here cover those bases, ranked by overall quality, value, and versatility.
Justin's Classic Almond Butter, 16 Ounce
the crowd-pleasing favorite
4.3out of 5Justin’s Classic Almond Butter is popular for good reason: it’s reliably tasty, widely available, and has a balanced sweetness that appeals to most palates. It’s not the purest option – it contains added cane sugar and palm oil – but that also gives it a smooth, spreadable texture that never separates. A solid all-rounder for those who don’t want to think too hard about their nut butter.
Price range: $$
Check price on Amazon →Barney Butter Smooth Almond Butter, 16 oz
the best overall performer
4.6out of 5Barney Butter Smooth Almond Butter hits the sweet spot between purity and convenience. It’s made with almonds that are blanched and skinless, giving it an ultra-creamy, silky texture that rivals commercial nut butters – yet it contains only almonds and a touch of palm oil to keep it from separating. The flavor is clean and buttery, not overly roasted, and it works beautifully in both sweet and savory recipes. This is our top pick for an everyday almond butter that pleases nearly everyone.
Price range: $$
Check price on Amazon →MaraNatha No Stir Almond Butter, 16 oz
the convenient runner-up
4.4out of 5MaraNatha No Stir Almond Butter is a close runner-up that competes directly with Barney Butter on no-stir performance. It uses a touch of palm oil and organic cane sugar to keep the butter smooth and scoopable, and the almond taste is full and satisfying. The texture is slightly thicker than Barney’s – closer to a traditional almond butter – and the added sugar is minimal. It’s a reliable choice that’s easier to find nationwide and often on sale.
Price range: $$
Check price on Amazon →| Award | Model | Our score | Price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Justin's Classic Almond Butter, 16 Ounce | 4.3 / 5 | $$ | Anyone looking for a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing almond butter that’s ready to spread right ou | Check price → |
| Runner-up | Barney Butter Smooth Almond Butter, 16 oz | 4.6 / 5 | $$ | Those who want a super-smooth, no-stir almond butter with a short, recognizable ingredient | Check price → |
| Best value | MaraNatha No Stir Almond Butter, 16 oz | 4.4 / 5 | $$ | Shoppers who want a reliable, no-stir almond butter with a more traditional roasted almond | Check price → |
| Best budget | Crazy Richard's 100% Natural Creamy Peanut Butter, 16 oz | 4.2 / 5 | $ | Cost-conscious shoppers who want a clean, unadulterated peanut butter and don’t mind a lit | Check price → |
| Editor's pick | Spread The Love Naked Almond Butter, 16 oz | 4.7 / 5 | $$ | Hardcore clean eaters, paleo/whole30 followers, and anyone who wants the most natural almo | Check price → |
The picks in detail
1. Justin's Classic Almond Butter, 16 Ounce: the crowd-pleasing favorite
Best overallJustin’s Classic Almond Butter is popular for good reason: it’s reliably tasty, widely available, and has a balanced sweetness that appeals to most palates. It’s not the purest option – it contains added cane sugar and palm oil – but that also gives it a smooth, spreadable texture that never separates. A solid all-rounder for those who don’t want to think too hard about their nut butter.
Pros
- Smooth, spreadable texture with no need to stir
- Flavor is sweet and nutty without being overpowering
- Very easy to find in most grocery stores and online
- Consistent quality jar after jar
Cons
- Contains added cane sugar, so not suitable for keto or paleo
- Palm oil is used for stability, which may matter to some buyers
- Slightly pricier than simpler options for the same nut content
Who it’s for
Anyone looking for a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing almond butter that’s ready to spread right out of the jar.Who should skip it
You want a pure, single-ingredient almond butter or you strictly avoid added sugar and palm oil.2. Barney Butter Smooth Almond Butter, 16 oz: the best overall performer
Runner-upBarney Butter Smooth Almond Butter hits the sweet spot between purity and convenience. It’s made with almonds that are blanched and skinless, giving it an ultra-creamy, silky texture that rivals commercial nut butters – yet it contains only almonds and a touch of palm oil to keep it from separating. The flavor is clean and buttery, not overly roasted, and it works beautifully in both sweet and savory recipes. This is our top pick for an everyday almond butter that pleases nearly everyone.
Pros
- Exceptionally smooth, creamy texture – no grit or graininess
- Blanched, skinless almonds give a mild, delicate flavor
- No-stir formula saves time and mess
- Clean ingredient list: almonds and palm fruit oil only
Cons
- Palm oil (even sustainably sourced) is a dealbreaker for some
- Slightly more expensive than budget almond butters
- Not available in every local grocery store
Who it’s for
Those who want a super-smooth, no-stir almond butter with a short, recognizable ingredient list.Who should skip it
You avoid all palm oil or prefer the fuller, roasted flavor of skin-on almond butters.3. MaraNatha No Stir Almond Butter, 16 oz: the convenient runner-up
Best valueMaraNatha No Stir Almond Butter is a close runner-up that competes directly with Barney Butter on no-stir performance. It uses a touch of palm oil and organic cane sugar to keep the butter smooth and scoopable, and the almond taste is full and satisfying. The texture is slightly thicker than Barney’s – closer to a traditional almond butter – and the added sugar is minimal. It’s a reliable choice that’s easier to find nationwide and often on sale.
Pros
- True no-stir formula: no oil separation, no mess
- Rich, roasted almond flavor that feels natural
- Widely available in most supermarkets
- Small amount of added sugar enhances taste without being sweet
Cons
- Contains both palm oil and organic cane sugar
- Texture is a bit stiffer than other no-stir brands
- Not a single-ingredient option for purists
Who it’s for
Shoppers who want a reliable, no-stir almond butter with a more traditional roasted almond taste.Who should skip it
You’re looking for a palm-oil-free or completely sugar-free almond butter.4. Crazy Richard's 100% Natural Creamy Peanut Butter, 16 oz: the best budget pick
Best budgetCrazy Richard’s 100% Natural Creamy Peanut Butter is proof that you don’t have to spend much to get a pure, no-nonsense peanut butter. The only ingredient is peanuts – no salt, no sugar, no oil. That means you’ll need to stir the separated oil back in, and the texture is looser than stabilized peanut butters, but the taste is pure, fresh peanut. It’s the best value for anyone who eats peanut butter daily and wants full control over what’s in it.
Pros
- Single ingredient: just dry-roasted peanuts
- Very budget-friendly, especially for the jar size
- No added salt, sugar, or hydrogenated oils
- Great for baking, sauces, or making your own flavored blends
Cons
- Requires stirring every time due to natural oil separation
- Texture can be runny or even a bit gritty depending on batch
- No salt means it may taste flat if you’re used to salted peanut butter
Who it’s for
Cost-conscious shoppers who want a clean, unadulterated peanut butter and don’t mind a little stirring.Who should skip it
You prefer a no-stir, shelf-stable peanut butter or need something with added salt or sugar for flavor.5. Spread The Love Naked Almond Butter, 16 oz: the purist’s choice
Editor's pickSpread The Love Naked Almond Butter is the editor’s pick for anyone who wants nothing but almonds – not even salt. This brand grinds their almonds with the skins on, which gives the butter a deeper, toastier flavor and a slightly coarser texture. There is no sugar, no oil, and no stabilizers, so separation happens quickly and you’ll need to stir thoroughly. But if you value uncompromised ingredient purity and love the full, nutty taste of whole almonds, this is as good as it gets.
Pros
- Single ingredient: raw almonds (with skins)
- Rich, robust almond flavor that tastes like freshly ground nuts
- No added salt, sugar, or oils of any kind
- Small-batch, family-owned brand with strong quality control
Cons
- Natural oil separation requires frequent stirring
- Skin-on texture can feel gritty or chunky to some
- Prone to being runnier or drier depending on temperature
Who it’s for
Hardcore clean eaters, paleo/whole30 followers, and anyone who wants the most natural almond butter available.Who should skip it
You prefer a smooth, no-stir consistency or don’t want to deal with stirring and oil separation.Best for specific needs
Best for convenience
If you hate stirring nut butter or dealing with oily tops, go with a no-stir formula. Barney Butter Smooth Almond Butter and MaraNatha No Stir both use a small amount of palm oil to keep the texture consistent. Barney’s is slightly smoother and milder, while MaraNatha has a more pronounced roasted flavor. Either one will save you time and mess. Our pick: Barney Butter Smooth Almond Butter.
Best for clean eating
When you want nothing but nuts, Spread The Love Naked Almond Butter and Crazy Richard’s Natural Peanut Butter are the frontrunners. Spread The Love is almond-only (with skins on) for a robust, earthy taste. Crazy Richard’s is peanut-only and very affordable. Both require stirring, but the flavor payoff is unmatched for purists. Our pick: Spread The Love Naked Almond Butter.
Best for budget
For the best value per ounce, Crazy Richard’s 100% Natural Creamy Peanut Butter leads the pack. It costs a fraction of many almond butters and contains only peanuts. Yes, you’ll need to stir it, but you’re getting a clean, versatile product that’s perfect for everyday peanut butter uses – from sandwiches to satay sauces. Our pick: Crazy Richard’s 100% Natural Creamy Peanut Butter.
Our verdict
Whether you’re looking for a grab-and-go no-stir option, a pure single-ingredient nut butter, or simply the best value for your weekly toast, this lineup has you covered. For most people, Barney Butter Smooth Almond Butter offers the best balance of texture, flavor, and convenience – it’s the jar we reach for most often. But if you’re willing to stir, Spread The Love Naked Almond Butter rewards you with profound almond taste, and Crazy Richard’s peanut butter is a budget hero. Justin’s and MaraNatha fill important niches in between. Pick the one that matches your priorities, and enjoy the kind of nut butter that makes breakfast better.