How Much Tahini to Substitute for Almond
Works for baking, sauteing, and slow cook. Tahini brings a noticeably different flavor than Almond.
How much tahini equals one cup of almonds?
Use 3/4 cup tahini per cup almonds.
Health notes
Compared with Almond, Tahini has: less calories (570 vs 614 per 100g in Almond), less fat (48g vs 55.5g per 100g in Almond), more saturated fat (6.7g vs 4.2g per 100g in Almond), less protein (17.8g vs 21g per 100g in Almond), and more carbs (26.2g vs 18.8g per 100g in Almond).
Using tahini as an almond substitute in baking
3/4 cup per cup; good in cookies and halva. Reduce other oils slightly.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
3/4 cup per cup; use low heat to avoid bitterness.
- Slow Cook
3/4 cup per cup; stir into stews at the end.
- Raw Cold
3/4 cup per cup in dips and dressings.
- Drinks
3/4 cup per cup in smoothies; blend with citrus.
Methods to avoid (3)
- Frying
Not recommended: tahini burns quickly in hot oil.
- Grilling
Not recommended: paste won't char like nut pieces.
- Steaming
Not recommended: too rich for delicate steam cakes.
FAQ
- How much tahini equals one cup of almonds?
Use 3/4 cup tahini per cup almonds.
- Can I substitute tahini for Almond in baking?
Yes. 3/4 cup per cup; good in cookies and halva. Reduce other oils slightly. Not recommended: tahini burns quickly in hot oil.
- How much tahini to use as an almond substitute?
Balance bitterness with lemon juice or a touch of honey.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Tahini for Almond?
Tahini brings a noticeably different flavor than almond.
- How does texture change when substituting Tahini for Almond?
Tahini smooth paste instead of crunchy bits; sauces thicken faster.
- What else should I know about substituting Tahini for Almond?
For hummus, dressings, and halva-style sweets. Expect denser, creamier texture with sesame depth instead of almond crunch. Skip coatings, streusel, and anything needing distinct nut pieces. Thin tahini with water or lemon if it seizes. Tahini turns bitter when overheated, so keep heat moderate.
- What still works when substituting Tahini for Almond?
Tahini still works as a fat enricher, binder, emulsifier base, and protein fortifier.
- What won't work when substituting Tahini for Almond?
Textural component - loses discrete nut particles.
- How well does Tahini match Almond?
Tahini is okay on structure, okay on heat, and okay on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Tahini for Almond?
Tahini is slightly lower in fat and protein, and has about x2 more sat. fat. Overall, calories is similar.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Tahini for Almond?
The flavor shifts toward less sweet, less bitter, less pungent, and more umami notes.