What almond butter does not contain palm oil? A Guide to Sustainable Brands

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the World Wildlife Fund, palm oil expansion has contributed to significant deforestation, impacting half of the world’s threatened mammals. Thankfully, many brands now offer delicious almond butter that does not contain palm oil, making it easier to shop ethically and sustainably.

Quick Summary

This guide highlights numerous brands offering almond butter free of palm oil and explains how to spot hidden palm oil in ingredient lists, empowering healthier, eco-conscious purchases.

Key Points

Check Labels: Look for brands that explicitly state they are palm oil-free, but always read the full ingredient list for hidden derivatives.
Choose Healthier Fats: Palm oil-free almond butter contains more healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats compared to alternatives using palm oil.
Support Sustainable Practices: By avoiding palm oil, you help reduce demand linked to deforestation and habitat destruction for endangered species.
Embrace Natural Separation: If your almond butter requires stirring, it’s likely a pure product without emulsifiers like palm oil.
Consider Homemade: Making your own almond butter is a straightforward way to guarantee it is 100% palm oil-free.
Look for Organic and Non-GMO: Brands that focus on organic and clean ingredients are more likely to be palm oil-free.

The Case for Palm Oil-Free Nut Butter

For many consumers, the choice to purchase products without palm oil is a commitment to both environmental and personal health. The cultivation of palm oil has been linked to severe environmental degradation, including widespread deforestation in tropical regions and the destruction of critical habitats for endangered species like orangutans and tigers. Beyond the ecological impact, avoiding palm oil means your food is free from this particular source of saturated fat, allowing the natural, heart-healthy fats from the almonds to take center stage. Pure almond butter, typically made with just almonds and salt, provides more vitamin E, calcium, and magnesium than many other nut butters.

For these reasons, many brands have responded to consumer demand by eliminating palm oil from their formulas. These alternatives often feature a simpler, more natural ingredient list, leading to a richer flavor profile that truly highlights the taste of the almonds. While some may require stirring due to natural oil separation, this is often a sign of a cleaner, less-processed product. For many, this small extra step is well worth the benefits.

Top Brands: What Almond Butter Does Not Contain Palm Oil?

Fortunately, the market offers a growing selection of almond butters that do not include palm oil. Shoppers can find these options in most grocery stores, especially natural food sections, or from dedicated health food brands. Here are some of the most reliable choices:

Artisana Organics: This brand is known for its raw, organic, and vegan options. Artisana’s almond butters are made from a single ingredient and clearly state "no palm oil" on the label.
Spread The Love: This company is dedicated to creating nut butters with simple ingredients. Their UNSALTED Almond Butter, for example, is free of added salt, sugar, and palm fruit oil.
Once Again: This brand offers organic and non-GMO nut butters, including almond butter packets and jars without palm oil.
MaraNatha: Their Natural Creamy Almond Butter and Natural Creamy Raw Almond Butter varieties are noted for not containing palm oil.
Whole Foods 365: Many of the private-label nut butters from Whole Foods Market, including their Organic Creamy Almond Butter, are made without palm oil.
Barney Butter: This brand offers several almond butter products, including their Bare Smooth and powdered versions, which are palm oil-free.

When in doubt, always read the ingredient list, as even within a single brand, different product lines might have varying formulas. A jar with a layer of oil on top is a strong visual indicator that it’s free from emulsifiers like palm oil.

Comparison Table: Palm Oil-Free Almond Butters


Brand	Ingredients	Palm Oil-Free	Notes
Artisana Organics	Organic Raw Almonds	Yes	Single-ingredient, stir-required.
Spread The Love	Roasted Almonds, Sea Salt	Yes	All-natural, no stir-required.
MaraNatha Natural	Almonds	Yes	Minimal ingredients, often no-stir.
Once Again Organic	Organic Almonds	Yes	Often sold in packets, requires stirring.
Whole Foods 365 Organic	Organic Roasted Almonds	Yes	Simple, store-brand option, may separate.

How to Identify Hidden Palm Oil in Food Labels

Reading the ingredient list is crucial for confirming that a product is genuinely palm oil-free, as manufacturers aren't always required to list it explicitly. Instead, they can use generic terms like 'vegetable oil' or 'vegetable fat.' A strong clue that palm oil is present is seeing a high percentage of saturated fat on the nutrition label, especially if the product uses generic 'vegetable oil'. You can also look for these less obvious derivative names for palm oil:

Palm Kernel Oil
Palm Fruit Oil
Palmitate
Palmate
Hexadecanoic acid
Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Stearate/Stearic Acid (can be derived from palm oil)

Making Your Own Palm Oil-Free Almond Butter

For those who prefer complete control over their food, making almond butter at home is a straightforward and rewarding process. With just raw almonds and a powerful food processor, you can create a fresh, pure nut butter in minutes. Recipes often suggest a pinch of salt and, optionally, a bit of extra oil like walnut or avocado oil to achieve a creamier consistency. Making your own ensures there are no hidden additives, and you can customize the texture and flavor to your liking.

The Benefits of a Sustainable Nut Butter

Opting for a palm oil-free almond butter supports a more ethical and environmentally conscious food system. It encourages companies to prioritize sustainable practices and offers consumers a healthier, cleaner product. The rich taste of pure almonds shines through, and you can enjoy your spread knowing you've made a choice that is better for your health and the planet. For more information on the broader issues, you can reference the Zoological Society of London's guide on the topic: Why is palm oil bad?.

Conclusion

Finding what almond butter does not contain palm oil is now easier than ever, thanks to increased consumer awareness and more transparent branding. Whether you choose a trusted brand like Artisana or Whole Foods 365, or decide to make your own, plenty of delicious and ethical options exist. By checking ingredient labels for hidden palm oil and its derivatives, you can ensure your choice is a healthier one that supports sustainable practices. This simple switch is a powerful way to make a difference with your daily food choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Palm oil is often added to nut butters as an inexpensive emulsifier and stabilizer. It helps prevent oil separation, creating a smoother, no-stir consistency and extending shelf life.

Yes, palm oil-free almond butter is generally considered healthier. It avoids the additional saturated fats from palm oil, concentrating the natural, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and essential nutrients found in almonds.

Yes, once opened, it is often recommended to refrigerate palm oil-free almond butter to prevent the natural oils from going rancid. This is especially true for brands that are minimally processed with no preservatives.

On food labels in some countries, palm oil can be hidden under the generic term 'vegetable oil'. If the product uses this term and lists a high saturated fat content (around 40% or more), it’s likely that palm oil is present.

The rapid and unsustainable expansion of palm oil plantations has led to massive deforestation, primarily in Southeast Asia. This destruction of tropical forests is a major driver of greenhouse gas emissions and threatens numerous species, including orangutans, elephants, and tigers.

Many people find that almond butter without palm oil has a purer, richer almond flavor, as there are no other fats or additives masking the taste. The texture may also be slightly different, being runnier or requiring stirring.

Organizations like the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) offer certification, which is a step in the right direction. However, some critics argue the standards could be stronger. Choosing palm oil-free is a simpler way to ensure a product's ethical footprint.