Not Enough Items doesn't have an options button

Solution 1:

The Problem

You are in a scenario where you set the mode on other mode that cheat mode but you can't change it.

Solution

Try to click the button on the bottom left. If you click it, it will change the mode into the world mode. Now just go to the option to change cheat mode and recipe mode. You'll notice a W button in front of the mode selection. Now, click it so it disappears. There you go! Recipe mode!

What is World Mode?

To simply explains it, NEI can save your own setting in each world. Lots of people are getting this trouble too. So I suggest you to check that.