My two youngest sons have peanut allergies, and my middle son is very aware of how prevalent peanut butter is in the world around him. It was important for us to have a peanut butter alternative that he could safely eat so he didn’t feel left out. We tried some of the more popular ones, including the often-recommended SunButter, but he rejected them all.
One day, while scrolling through a favorite Instagram account, I read a recommendation for Oat Haus Granola Butter. It was a little on the pricier side, but we decided to try it.
It was a HIT!
My son will give you a glowing thumbs-up review for all the flavors we’ve tried so far, but in fairness, I’d like to give you a balanced review so you can decide if it’s worth trying for your family:
Pros
-Flavors: There are LOTS of different flavors to try! We’ve tried the Original, Vanilla, and Chocolate, and all three are winners in our book. They have 8 flavors in total, including cookie dough and brownie batter. We like the Chocolate flavor as an alternative to Nutella and spread it on waffles for breakfast.
-Texture: When well mixed, it has a good texture. Part of our issues with other non-nut butters were texture-based. Although it can get a little runny if not fully mixed or too warm, we can drizzle it over apples or put it in a bowl for dipping when not spreading it on a sandwich. Putting it in the fridge can help solidify it, which is useful when we give our son a spoonful just like his big brother takes a spoonful of peanut butter.
-Nut-free: This one is obvious, but not only is the product itself nut-free, but it’s also made in a nut-free facility!
-Toddler-approved: The two-year-old LOVES it. Need I say more? It doesn’t matter if my husband and I do or don’t like the other kinds of non-nut butter… it all comes down to what the toddler with the peanut allergy likes.
Cons
-Mixing: The product definitely needs a good deal of mixing before use, especially when you first open the jar. If you’re cracking open a new container in the morning to make sandwiches for school during the hectic morning rush, it’s not ideal. For a new jar, I have to set aside a few minutes to stir it properly so the oil distributes evenly to make it spreadable. But once it’s mixed, it’s a good consistency!
-Online only: Currently, Oat Haus isn’t sold locally; we have to order it online through their website or Amazon. Although it sells in brick-and-mortar stores elsewhere in the country, New Orleans has yet to see it on shelves.
-Price: Of all the non-nut butters, it’s definitely on the pricier side. For some people, the cost could be off-putting, especially considering the small size of the jar. We have a monthly subscription and receive three jars a month, usually going through about two and a half. But for us, finding a tasty peanut butter alternative for our family is worth the price.
Whether you’re a parent of a child with an allergy, a person with an allergy yourself, or have a student at a nut-free school, and you’re looking for a peanut butter alternative, I definitely recommend giving granola butter a try!
