How Much Almond to Substitute for Tahini
Works for baking, sauteing, and frying. Almond brings a noticeably different flavor than Tahini.
How much almond equals one cup of tahini?
Use 1 cup almonds (or 3/4 cup almond butter for sauces) per 1 cup tahini.
Health notes
Compared with Tahini, Almond has: more calories (614 vs 570 per 100g in Tahini), more fat (55.5g vs 48g per 100g in Tahini), less saturated fat (4.2g vs 6.7g per 100g in Tahini), more protein (21g vs 17.8g per 100g in Tahini), and less carbs (18.8g vs 26.2g per 100g in Tahini).
Using almond as a tahini substitute in baking
Use whole or ground almonds 1:1, but you'll lose the creamy paste texture tahini gives batters.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
Chopped almonds toast well 1:1; add near the end so they don't burn.
- Frying
Works 1:1 as a crunchy coating or mix-in, not as a sauce base.
- Slow Cook
Add whole or sliced 1:1 for texture; won't melt into a sauce like tahini does.
- Grilling
Toss chopped almonds over grilled veg or meat 1:1 for crunch.
- Steaming
Sprinkle toasted almonds 1:1 after steaming since they can't emulsify into a sauce.
- Raw Cold
Use almond butter at 3/4:1 for dressings; whole almonds won't blend smooth.
- Drinks
Use almond butter or milk at 3/4:1; whole nuts need blending and straining first.
FAQ
- How much almond equals one cup of tahini?
Use 1 cup almonds (or 3/4 cup almond butter for sauces) per 1 cup tahini.
- Can I substitute almond for Tahini in baking?
Yes. Use whole or ground almonds 1:1, but you'll lose the creamy paste texture tahini gives batters.
- How much almond to use as a tahini substitute?
Sweeter and less bitter than tahini; add a pinch of sesame oil to bring back that nutty edge.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Almond for Tahini?
Almond brings a noticeably different flavor than tahini.
- How does texture change when substituting Almond for Tahini?
Almond crunchy and dense rather than smooth and pourable; needs blending to match tahini's paste form.
- What else should I know about substituting Almond for Tahini?
For granola, baked goods, and roasted veg. Expect a crunchier, less creamy result since whole almonds don't emulsify. Skip hummus and tahini sauce unless you blend almonds into butter first. Add a little oil or water to smooth things out.
- What still works when substituting Almond for Tahini?
Almond still works as a fat, flavor carrier, and texture.
- What won't work when substituting Almond for Tahini?
Almond won't work as a emulsifier.
- How well does Almond match Tahini?
Almond is stretch on structure, good on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Almond for Tahini?
Almond is slightly higher in fat and protein, and has about x2 fewer sat. fat. Overall, calories is similar.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Almond for Tahini?
The flavor shifts toward more sweet, less bitter, less pungent, and less umami notes.