7 Easy Almonds Substitutes: Spruce Up Dishes

Oh, almonds (Prunus dulcis), a tree nut native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia.

But sometimes, you just run out. Or maybe nuts aren't your thing.

Totally get that. It's all about finding that perfect crunchy thing to toss into our baking or snacks when almonds just aren't happening.

So, we got to experimenting in our kitchen, throwing in all sorts of unexpected stuff. Sure, some of those experiments were total fails, but others?

Pure genius.

Here are our top picks for swapping out almonds. And trust us, this list isn't the same old, same old.

We're talking about stuff you've probably got hanging out in your pantry right now, ready to take your dishes from meh to amazing.

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7 Easy Substitutes for Almonds

Substitute	Taste	Texture	Suitable Dishes
Cashews	Creamy, mild	Smooth, buttery	Desserts, sauces, pesto
Pecans	Sweet, buttery	Crunchy	Baked goods, salads, candies
Walnuts	Earthy, slightly bitter	Crunchy	Breads, cakes, pies
Hazelnuts	Sweet, nutty	Crunchy	Chocolate desserts, spreads
Macadamia Nuts	Buttery, rich	Creamy	Cookies, ice cream, sauces
Pine Nuts	Sweet, buttery	Crunchy	Pesto, salads, pasta dishes
Sunflower Seeds	Nutty, earthy	Crunchy	Breads, crackers, trail mixes

1 - Cashews

Cashews add a creamy touch to every bite and are awesome in both sweet and savory dishes, with a buttery, slightly sweet flavor. They're bold yet smooth and mix into recipes like a dream.

We absolutely love them for sauces and baking. Cashews have this subtle sweetness that almonds just can't match - they're a useful for vegan recipes, giving that lush creamy texture we all crave.

Swap them in 1:1 for almonds in most recipes.

We've nailed it with everything from pesto to cookies using cashews. Want more tips on switching up nuts in your recipes?

Explore these innovative substitutes for cashews here. Trust us, finding the right alternative can truly improve your dish with a wow factor.

2 - Pecans

Pecans, with their awesome rich taste, fit right into recipes that call for almonds, offering buttery, caramel-like notes.

These nuts add a crunch that's unbeatable in both baked treats and salads.

Plus, they've got this slight sweetness that just makes any dish better.

We tried swapping pecans for almonds in cookies once, and wow, it was a useful. Pecans are tough, but they mix right in without taking over the flavor of everything else.

For anyone looking to mix up their nut game, checking out cool pecan alternatives is super helpful.

3 - Walnuts

Have you ever tried walnut butter? If not, drop everything and go make it.

It's the most delicious thing on the planet - promise.

But we digress.walnuts (Juglans regia, of the Juglandaceae family) are another great almond substitute (1:1 swap), and they've got a perfect balance of bitterness that almonds lack; they're also delicious as a walnut topping for baked brie.

While we love walnuts on their own, sometimes their bold flavor can be too much in a delicate dish. So, we recommend using them in bold-flavored recipes like dark chocolate brownies or rich stews.

4 - Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts aren't just for Nutella, they're awesome as an almond swap too! They've got a similar vibe and add that perfect nutty flavor to any recipe, with toasty, sweet, brown-butter notes.

Just like with almonds, you can chop 'em up and add them to cookies or sprinkle over salads for some crunch.

But the best way to use hazelnuts? Crush 'em and mix 'em into a pound cake.

Seriously, it's insanely good. Looking for more fun ways to use hazelnuts in your recipes?

Check out these cool hazelnut swaps. You'll thank us later!

5 - Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts take the crown. They're super smooth and add an indulgent touch to anything they're in.

We love them for snacking on their own (or maybe dipped in chocolate - whatever we don't judge), but they also make a great substitute for almonds.

Macadamias have this mild taste that works well with both sweet and savory dishes, with a rich, buttery, almost coconut-like flavor. They're perfect in sauces or baked goods, adding some luxury to every bite.

Here are some great macadamia substitutes for baking that will help you get started.

6 - Pine Nuts

Pine nuts (the edible seeds of Pinus pinea), don't we just adore them for that buttery crunch they add to our salads? They bring a touch of luxury without being too much.

We usually go for a straight swap with almonds, 1:1.

In our kitchen, these little guys are the real MVPs of pesto, and Brazil nut swaps for rich, creamy pesto can be useful when pine nuts are scarce.

Seriously, you'd be amazed how such a simple switch can take a dish to the next level.

7 - Sunflower Seeds

They're awesome in pretty much any dish, thanks to that nice crunch and nutty taste, and are rich in vitamin E with a mild, slightly sweet flavor.

We just swap them in one-for-one, and it works like a charm. They fit right in with baked treats and salads.

Oh, and have you tried them in pesto? Seriously, just use these instead of almonds, and you're golden.

If you're looking to shake things up in your kitchen, check out sunflower oil alternatives for dressings.