What fruit goes good with almond butter?

Almond butter is a delicious and nutritious spread that can be paired with a variety of fruits to create tasty and healthy snacks or meals. When choosing fruits to serve with almond butter, there are a few key factors to consider:

Table of Contents

Fruits With Contrasting Flavors and Textures

Since almond butter has a rich, nutty flavor, fruits with bright, sweet, or tart flavors help balance out the taste. Fruits with contrasting textures from the smooth almond butter also make the pairing more interesting. Some top fruit options in this category include:

Strawberries – Juicy, sweet, and slightly tart strawberries are one of the most popular fruits to pair with almond butter.

Raspberries – Like strawberries, raspberries have a sweet-tart flavor that contrasts nicely with almond butter.
Blueberries – Earthy, petite blueberries add great texture and flavor.
Blackberries – The tangy sweetness of blackberries balances the nuttiness.

Pineapple – Pineapple’s tropical sweetness and slightly acidic taste complement almond butter well.
Kiwi – Kiwi offers a tropical twist with its tart, slightly sweet flavor.
Apple slices – Apples, with their sweet-tart flavor and crunchy texture, are a classic pairing.

Pear – The juicy sweetness of pears pairs nicely with almond butter too.

Serving any of these fruits with almond butter makes for a simple, nutritious snack or a quick breakfast. Try spreading almond butter on apple slices, topping strawberries with a dollop of the nutty spread, or dipping raspberries or pineapple chunks into almond butter.

Dried Fruits – Raisins, Dates, Apricots

Dried fruits are also an excellent match for almond butter since their concentrated, sweet flavor stands up well to almond butter’s rich nuttiness. Some good dried fruit options include:

Raisins – Both golden and regular raisins offer caramelized sweetness that complements almond butter perfectly.
Dates – The honey-like flavor of dates pairs wonderfully with almond butter.
Dried apricots – Apricots have both sweetness and tartness when dried that balances the nutty spread.

Dried figs – Figs offer a deep, sweet flavor to contrast the almond butter.
Dried cranberries – If you want some tartness, dried cranberries add a nice tangy kick.

Try spreading almond butter over dried fruit slices for an energizing snack. You can also make little sandwiches with dried fruit like apricot halves filled with almond butter.

Tropical Fruits

The exotic flavors of tropical fruits also stand up well to almond butter’s hearty nuttiness. Some tasty options include:

Banana – Caramelized bananas complement the nuttiness of almond butter.
Mango – Sweet, tropical mango has a great texture contrast.

Papaya – Papaya’s mild sweetness works well with the almond flavor.
Guava – This underrated tropical fruit has a unique aroma and tartness.
Pineapple – Pineapple’s zesty sweetness balances the rich nuttiness.

Passionfruit – Tart, tropical passionfruit cuts through the richness.

You can enjoy these fruits with almond butter in smoothies, sandwiches, chia puddings, parfaits, or on their own for dipping.

Stone Fruits – Peaches, Plums, Nectarines, Cherries

The sweet flavor and soft, juicy texture of stone fruits complement almond butter for a delicious combination. Some top stone fruit choices include:

Peaches – The sweet juiciness of peaches matches up perfectly with almond butter.
Plums – Plums have a burst of sweet-tart flavor to balance almond butter.
Nectarines – Like peaches, nectarines have a sweet, vibrant flavor.

Cherries – Both sweet and tart cherries pair well depending on your taste.
Apricots – Apricots have a similar flavor to peaches but more tartness.

Enjoy stone fruits with almond butter by slicing them and spreading on the nutty goodness or dipping the fruits in almond butter for a simple snack.

Berries – All Types

Thanks to their naturally sweet yet tart flavors, berries of all kinds pair wonderfully with almond butter. In addition to strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, consider:

Cranberries – Fresh cranberries have a tangy zing.
Boysenberries – A hybrid with a raspberry-blackberry flavor.

Gooseberries – Unique, sour-sweet flavor.
Currant – Zesty, vibrant red and black currants.
Elderberries – Tangy and richly flavored.

Berries blend seamlessly into almond butter spreads, smoothies, yogurt bowls, and more for a nutritious snack or meal.

Melons – Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Watermelon

Melons are another fruit category that pairs deliciously with the rich flavor of almond butter. Benefits include:

Cantaloupe – Sweet, aromatic cantaloupe complements almond butter’s nuttiness.

Honeydew – Honeydew melon has a subtle sweetness to balance almond butter.
Watermelon – Watermelon’s juicy sweetness contrasts the thick nut butter.

Try spreading almond butter over fresh melon slices or blending it into a melon smoothie for a delicious result.

Citrus Fruits – Oranges, Grapefruit, Clementines

Bright, juicy citrus fruits can help cut through the rich flavor of almond butter, creating an invigorating flavor pairing. Good citrus options include:

Oranges – Fresh orange segments pop with vitamin C.
Grapefruit – Tart grapefruit segments amp up the flavor.

Clementines – Fun, compact clementines make an easy finger food.
Tangerines – Tangerines have a sweet-tart taste.
Lemons – A touch of lemon juice or zest cuts the richness.

Try assembling colorful fruit salads with citrus and almond butter dressing for a bright, tasty side.

Pomegranate

With their jewel-toned seeds and sweet-tart flavor, pomegranates make for a festive pairing with almond butter. Pomegranate arils offer great texture contrast to the smooth nut butter spread. Add them to yogurt bowls, parfaits, salads and more.

Vegetable Options

While most people pair almond butter with fruit, certain vegetables also complement its flavor nicely when paired creatively:

Carrots – Shredded or sliced raw carrots dipped in almond butter make a crunchy snack.
Celery – Smear almond butter in celery stalks for an easy appetizer.
Sweet potatoes – Baked sweet potato fries with almond butter dipping sauce are delicious.

Apple – Sliced apples spread with almond butter are a classic combo.

Get creative with almond butter and veggies by adding them to sandwiches, salads, roasted veggie dipping platters and more.

Best Ways to Enjoy Fruit With Almond Butter

There are endless ways to pair fruits with almond butter. Here are some top preparation methods:

Almond butter toast or sandwiches – Spread fruit preserves, mashed berries, or sliced apples, pears etc. atop almond buttered toast or sandwiches.
Smoothies – Blend almond butter with berries, bananas, pineapples and other fruit.
Yogurt parfaits – Layer almond butter with berries, bananas, stone fruits or citrus segments in parfaits.

Overnight oats – Mix almond butter into overnight oats along with fruit like blueberries or strawberries.
Pancakes or waffles – Top fluffy pancakes or waffles with sliced fruits and almond butter.
Apple slices – Dip apple slices into almond butter for a nutritious snack.

Celery sticks – Fill celery sticks with almond butter and dot with raisins or cranberries.
Lettuce wraps – Spoon almond butter and fruits like diced pineapple or mango into lettuce wraps.
Energy bites – Make no-bake energy bites with almond butter, oats, honey and dried fruit.

Ants on a log – Fill celery sticks with almond butter and top with raisins or dried cranberries.

The possibilities are endless when pairing fruits with almond butter! Let your imagination run wild with different flavor combinations.

Health Benefits of Almond Butter and Fruit

Enjoying almond butter with fruits offers great health perks, including:

Protein – Almond butter provides filling plant-based protein to help keep you satisfied.
Fiber – Fruits and almond butter supply fiber for digestive health.
Vitamins and minerals – Almonds and fruits offer an array of vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, iron, and potassium.

Antioxidants – Many fruits are rich in antioxidants that can help combat disease.
Healthy fats – Almond butter contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

By enjoying almond butter with a variety of fruits, you can easily meet your daily nutritional needs while tasting amazing flavor combinations.

Tips for Picking and Storing Fruit for Almond Butter Pairings

To get the most flavor and nutrition from your fruits, keep these tips in mind:

Choose fruits that are ripe and free of bruised spots.
For fresh-picked flavor, shop for fruits that are in season.

Wash fruits just before eating to preserve freshness.
Rub fruits gently while washing to clean – avoid soaking them.
Refrigerate most fruits to prolong their shelf life.

Freeze overripe bananas and use frozen for smoothies.
Store fruits susceptible to brown spots (apples, pears etc.) in the refrigerator.
Keep fruits separated from other produce that emits ethylene gas to avoid over-ripening.

Proper storage and handling makes a big difference in the flavor and shelf life of fresh fruits. Follow these tips to get the most from your produce.

Creative Almond Butter and Fruit Recipe Ideas

Here are some unique recipe ideas that showcase fruit paired beautifully with almond butter:

Almond butter stuffed French toast – Stuff sliced French toast with almond butter and fresh berries before cooking.

Almond butter fruit pizza – Top a crisp coconut oil crust with almond butter, kiwi slices, berries and shredded coconut.
Almond butter fruit sandwiches – Construct tea sandwiches with almond butter and thinly sliced pears or apples.
Chocolate almond cherry smoothie – Blend almond butter, cocoa powder, cherries, banana, milk and ice.

Breakfast parfait – Make pretty parfaits with layers of yogurt, granola, almond butter and mixed berries.
Almond butter peach dip – Swirl almond butter into plain Greek yogurt with diced peaches for a tasty fruit dip.
Almond plum green smoothie – Blend almond butter, spinach, plums, avocado, ginger and almond milk.

Open-faced apricot almond butter sandwiches – Top bread with almond butter, sliced apricots, honey and cinnamon.

Let your creativity run wild in the kitchen to invent your own tasty almond butter and fruit recipes!

Pre-Made Almond Butter Fruit Spreads

For added convenience, you can purchase pre-made almond butter fruit spreads. Some popular flavor combinations include:

Almond butter and strawberry jam
Almond butter and apricot preserves
Almond butter blended with raspberry

Almond butter with cherry or blueberry
Almond butter mixed with crushed pineapple
Almond butter swirled with orange marmalade

Look for these products at grocery stores and specialty food shops. You can also make DIY fruit almond butter blends easily at home.

Common Questions

Is almond butter healthy?

Yes, almond butter is very healthy. It’s rich in healthy fats, protein, fiber, magnesium, vitamin E and other antioxidants. Just be sure to choose unsweetened varieties without hydrogenated oils.

What’s the best way to eat almond butter?

There are many great ways to eat almond butter! Spread it on whole grain toast, add to oatmeal or yogurt, use it in smoothies, make energy bites, or eat by the spoonful. Pairing with fresh fruit maximizes nutrition.

Is almond butter better than peanut butter?

Almond butter does offer more vitamin E, calcium, iron and magnesium compared to peanut butter. However, peanut butter has more protein. Both can be part of a healthy diet when eaten in moderation.

Does almond butter cause weight gain?

Almond butter is high in calories and fat, so portion control is important. As part of a balanced diet, almond butter may aid weight loss due to its protein, fiber and healthy fats that provide satiety. But overdoing almond butter can lead to excess calories.

Conclusion

When searching for the perfect fruit pairing for almond butter, look for contrasting flavors, textures and colors to balance out the nutty richness. Berries, stone fruits, melons, citrus fruits and tropical fruits all make excellent complements. Enjoy almond butter with a variety of fruits in smoothies, on toast, as dips, in parfaits and more for delicious, nutrient-dense snacks and meals!