If you were playingFamily Feudand you had to name something that someone might spread on a sandwich, peanut butter would surely be at the top of the list. The ubiquitous peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a classic lunchbox staple.
1Cream CheeseLanaSweet / Getty ImagesThis is not for the dairy-allergic, of course, but cream cheese has several virtues as a sandwich spread. It’s got a thick, spreadable texture; it acts as a moisture barrier to keep the bread from getting soggy, and it comes in flavors from fruit (to go with jelly) to chopped vegetable (to go with cold cuts).
1
Cream CheeseLanaSweet / Getty ImagesThis is not for the dairy-allergic, of course, but cream cheese has several virtues as a sandwich spread. It’s got a thick, spreadable texture; it acts as a moisture barrier to keep the bread from getting soggy, and it comes in flavors from fruit (to go with jelly) to chopped vegetable (to go with cold cuts).
Cream Cheese
LanaSweet / Getty Images
This is not for the dairy-allergic, of course, but cream cheese has several virtues as a sandwich spread. It’s got a thick, spreadable texture; it acts as a moisture barrier to keep the bread from getting soggy, and it comes in flavors from fruit (to go with jelly) to chopped vegetable (to go with cold cuts).
2GuacamoleEnvision/Getty ImagesGuacamole is hearty enough to stand on its own as a sandwich topping. It goes especially well in pitas and tortillas and makes a nice counterpart to chicken. And the rich green color may appeal to an adventurous child.
2
GuacamoleEnvision/Getty ImagesGuacamole is hearty enough to stand on its own as a sandwich topping. It goes especially well in pitas and tortillas and makes a nice counterpart to chicken. And the rich green color may appeal to an adventurous child.
Guacamole
Envision/Getty Images
Guacamole is hearty enough to stand on its own as a sandwich topping. It goes especially well in pitas and tortillas and makes a nice counterpart to chicken. And the rich green color may appeal to an adventurous child.
3Whole Berry Cranberry SauceRichard Jung/Getty ImagesMany families buy cranberry sauce once a year at Thanksgiving. But it’s a lovely counterpart to turkey or chicken sandwiches throughout the school year. Consider adding mayonnaise to your turkey-and-cranberry sandwiches to keep the bread from getting soggy.
3
Whole Berry Cranberry SauceRichard Jung/Getty ImagesMany families buy cranberry sauce once a year at Thanksgiving. But it’s a lovely counterpart to turkey or chicken sandwiches throughout the school year. Consider adding mayonnaise to your turkey-and-cranberry sandwiches to keep the bread from getting soggy.
Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
Richard Jung/Getty Images
Many families buy cranberry sauce once a year at Thanksgiving. But it’s a lovely counterpart to turkey or chicken sandwiches throughout the school year. Consider adding mayonnaise to your turkey-and-cranberry sandwiches to keep the bread from getting soggy.
4HummusJim Scherer/Getty ImagesHummus, a Middle Eastern appetizer that’s become quite popular in the United States, is a great, healthy choice for sandwiches (and dips, too). You can buy this sesame-chickpea spread at the deli counter of many supermarkets, or find recipes online to make your own. High in protein, it’s especially good for vegetarian families.People who are allergic to peanuts may also be sensitive to sesame, so proceed with caution.Talk to your child’s healthcare provider if you have questions.
4
HummusJim Scherer/Getty ImagesHummus, a Middle Eastern appetizer that’s become quite popular in the United States, is a great, healthy choice for sandwiches (and dips, too). You can buy this sesame-chickpea spread at the deli counter of many supermarkets, or find recipes online to make your own. High in protein, it’s especially good for vegetarian families.People who are allergic to peanuts may also be sensitive to sesame, so proceed with caution.Talk to your child’s healthcare provider if you have questions.
Hummus
Jim Scherer/Getty Images
Hummus, a Middle Eastern appetizer that’s become quite popular in the United States, is a great, healthy choice for sandwiches (and dips, too). You can buy this sesame-chickpea spread at the deli counter of many supermarkets, or find recipes online to make your own. High in protein, it’s especially good for vegetarian families.
People who are allergic to peanuts may also be sensitive to sesame, so proceed with caution.Talk to your child’s healthcare provider if you have questions.
5Vegetable PureesMichael Piazza/Getty ImagesMany kids who won’t eat vegetables when they look like, well, vegetables will eat them if they’re cleverly disguised. Vegetable purees, like red pepper puree, are colorful and tasty, betraying a little hint of their healthful origins. These purees make excellent sandwich spreads, though you’ll want to add a moisture barrier like cream cheese, butter, or oil to prevent soggy bread, especially if you’re packing lunch to eat later.
5
Vegetable PureesMichael Piazza/Getty ImagesMany kids who won’t eat vegetables when they look like, well, vegetables will eat them if they’re cleverly disguised. Vegetable purees, like red pepper puree, are colorful and tasty, betraying a little hint of their healthful origins. These purees make excellent sandwich spreads, though you’ll want to add a moisture barrier like cream cheese, butter, or oil to prevent soggy bread, especially if you’re packing lunch to eat later.
Vegetable Purees
Michael Piazza/Getty Images
Many kids who won’t eat vegetables when they look like, well, vegetables will eat them if they’re cleverly disguised. Vegetable purees, like red pepper puree, are colorful and tasty, betraying a little hint of their healthful origins. These purees make excellent sandwich spreads, though you’ll want to add a moisture barrier like cream cheese, butter, or oil to prevent soggy bread, especially if you’re packing lunch to eat later.
6Salad DressingJames Baigrie/Getty ImagesSalad dressings are a potential source of hidden allergens, so do check labels closely.But your child’s favorite dressing might be delicious on a sandwich. Try blue cheese, ranch, or Thousand Island dressing.
6
Salad DressingJames Baigrie/Getty ImagesSalad dressings are a potential source of hidden allergens, so do check labels closely.But your child’s favorite dressing might be delicious on a sandwich. Try blue cheese, ranch, or Thousand Island dressing.
Salad Dressing
James Baigrie/Getty Images
Salad dressings are a potential source of hidden allergens, so do check labels closely.But your child’s favorite dressing might be delicious on a sandwich. Try blue cheese, ranch, or Thousand Island dressing.
7
Bean Dips
Philippe Desnerck/Getty Images
8Soy and Sunflower ButtersNorman Hollands/Getty ImagesTwo items specifically created for kids with peanut allergies (or who might be attending peanut-free schools) are “soy nut” butter and sunflower seed butter. You’ll find these in the health or specialty food aisle of your grocery store, at specialty retailers like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, or at health food stores. Both are peanut- and tree nut-free, although soy nut butter is obviously not safe for children withsoy allergies.
8
Soy and Sunflower ButtersNorman Hollands/Getty ImagesTwo items specifically created for kids with peanut allergies (or who might be attending peanut-free schools) are “soy nut” butter and sunflower seed butter. You’ll find these in the health or specialty food aisle of your grocery store, at specialty retailers like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, or at health food stores. Both are peanut- and tree nut-free, although soy nut butter is obviously not safe for children withsoy allergies.
Soy and Sunflower Butters
Norman Hollands/Getty Images
Two items specifically created for kids with peanut allergies (or who might be attending peanut-free schools) are “soy nut” butter and sunflower seed butter. You’ll find these in the health or specialty food aisle of your grocery store, at specialty retailers like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, or at health food stores. Both are peanut- and tree nut-free, although soy nut butter is obviously not safe for children withsoy allergies.
9Other Nut ButtersDave King/Getty ImagesThis may be a risky alternative, as some children who are allergic to peanuts are allergic totree nutsas well. However, if your child has been tested and is definitely allergic to only peanuts and not to tree nuts, alternative nut butters will be the nearest experience to peanut butter you can get. Almond butter, cashew butter, and hazelnut butter are relatively widely available. Talk to your allergist or dietitian if you have any concerns about the suitability of tree nut butters for your child’s diet.CAUTION: If you’re avoiding peanut butter because your child’s school has a “no peanuts” policy, be aware that substituting other nut butters may not be allowed, either.
9
Other Nut ButtersDave King/Getty ImagesThis may be a risky alternative, as some children who are allergic to peanuts are allergic totree nutsas well. However, if your child has been tested and is definitely allergic to only peanuts and not to tree nuts, alternative nut butters will be the nearest experience to peanut butter you can get. Almond butter, cashew butter, and hazelnut butter are relatively widely available. Talk to your allergist or dietitian if you have any concerns about the suitability of tree nut butters for your child’s diet.CAUTION: If you’re avoiding peanut butter because your child’s school has a “no peanuts” policy, be aware that substituting other nut butters may not be allowed, either.
Other Nut Butters
Dave King/Getty Images
This may be a risky alternative, as some children who are allergic to peanuts are allergic totree nutsas well. However, if your child has been tested and is definitely allergic to only peanuts and not to tree nuts, alternative nut butters will be the nearest experience to peanut butter you can get. Almond butter, cashew butter, and hazelnut butter are relatively widely available. Talk to your allergist or dietitian if you have any concerns about the suitability of tree nut butters for your child’s diet.
CAUTION: If you’re avoiding peanut butter because your child’s school has a “no peanuts” policy, be aware that substituting other nut butters may not be allowed, either.
A Word From VerywellWhen you’re looking for a peanut butter substitute, there’s no doubt that other nut butters will allow you to duplicate the texture, feel, and taste of peanut butter most closely. Your child may be a picky eater, and may balk at something that’s not truly “peanut-like.”But if you can get beyond that issue, you may find that trying some of these other interesting peanut butter substitutes allows you to introduce some new foods to your child’s diet… and maybe even get some extra vegetables onto her lunch plate.
A Word From Verywell
When you’re looking for a peanut butter substitute, there’s no doubt that other nut butters will allow you to duplicate the texture, feel, and taste of peanut butter most closely. Your child may be a picky eater, and may balk at something that’s not truly “peanut-like.”
But if you can get beyond that issue, you may find that trying some of these other interesting peanut butter substitutes allows you to introduce some new foods to your child’s diet… and maybe even get some extra vegetables onto her lunch plate.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bublin M, Breiteneder H.Cross-reactivity of peanut allergens.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(4):426. doi:10.1007/s11882-014-0426-8Food Allergy Research and Education.Food Additives and Allergies/Intolerances.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Soy Allergy.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bublin M, Breiteneder H.Cross-reactivity of peanut allergens.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(4):426. doi:10.1007/s11882-014-0426-8Food Allergy Research and Education.Food Additives and Allergies/Intolerances.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Soy Allergy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bublin M, Breiteneder H.Cross-reactivity of peanut allergens.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(4):426. doi:10.1007/s11882-014-0426-8Food Allergy Research and Education.Food Additives and Allergies/Intolerances.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Soy Allergy.
Bublin M, Breiteneder H.Cross-reactivity of peanut allergens.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2014;14(4):426. doi:10.1007/s11882-014-0426-8
Food Allergy Research and Education.Food Additives and Allergies/Intolerances.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Soy Allergy.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
