Buying guide for Best peanut butter powders
Love peanut butter? It’s healthy in moderation, but imagine if you could enjoy it with fewer calories, less fat, and lower sugar. That product has officially arrived on the market and sparked its own craze: peanut butter powder.
Peanut butter powder is made from peanuts ground to a flour-like consistency. To achieve the spreadable texture of regular peanut butter, simply add water. You can also enjoy peanut butter powder as a substitute in recipes or as a flavor burst in protein shakes. In fact, peanut butter powder manufacturers often create their own cookbooks with plenty of recipes for you to try.
Fitness enthusiasts use peanut butter powder as a protein source to meet macro goals, and those on weight loss journeys use it as a low-calorie spread alternative. Peanut butter powder is also top-rated by parents, who appreciate the simple, natural ingredients with a flavor that kids enjoy.
Using peanut butter powder
Peanut butter powder is typically used as a spread, flavor addition to prepared goods, and substitute in recipes. To get a spread consistency, add a tablespoon of water to two tablespoons of powder. Depending on your texture preference, you might want more or less water. The less water, the thicker the peanut butter.
As far as adding it to prepared foods, peanut butter powder reacts differently depending on the food. If it’s a thick, viscous food like oatmeal, the powder is sometimes difficult to evenly blend. Powder is more easily combined with liquids, such as dressings, sauces, and protein shakes.
Peanut butter powder is versatile enough to incorporate into a recipe or use as a substitute for other ingredients. It involves a bit of balancing and measuring to find the right amount, and you’ll also need to determine whether to use it in powder, liquid, or butter form. When using peanut butter powder in baking, it’s important to consider when to add it. If it’s in powder form, mix it with the dry ingredients. In liquid form, add it with the liquid ingredients. A lot of baking with peanut butter powder is trial and error.
Expert TIp
Add protein and flavor to your smoothies with a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter powder. Keep in mind that it’s a powder, so it thickens a smoothie. You may want to add ice or other liquid to counter the drying effect of the powder.
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Key considerations
Ingredients
Peanut butter powders have a short list of ingredients as the goal is to be as natural as possible. Roasted peanuts are usually the first ingredient listed, followed by a sweetener and sea salt. Sweeteners are different in every variety and could include cane sugar, stevia, Splenda, or monk fruit.
Nutritional comparison to regular peanut butter
How does peanut butter powder compare to regular peanut butter? The recommended serving size of both is two tablespoons.
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Calories: Peanut butter powder ranges from 45 to 60 calories per serving, whereas regular peanut butter has a whopping 190 calories. On average, that’s almost 60% to 70% fewer calories in peanut butter powder.
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Fat: Peanut butter powder has 80% to 90% less fat. Even in reduced-fat varieties of regular peanut butter, there are at least 10 more grams of fat than in peanut butter powder.
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Protein: Regular peanut butter usually has around seven grams of protein per serving, whereas peanut butter powder has four to six grams. Consumers who want to make up the protein difference often use a serving size of three or more tablespoons of powder as the calorie count still doesn’t come near that of regular peanut butter.
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Sugar: Regular peanut butter has approximately three to four grams of sugar. Sugar content is where peanut butter powders vary the most. Expect to see between one and four grams of sugar. There are also sugar-free powders available, though they are harder to find.
- Sodium: Sodium content also varies quite a bit between different peanut butter powders, from no sodium to up to 110 grams. Regular peanut butter usually has between 90 and 150 grams of sodium.
Expert tip
This powder has a dense concentration of protein and can be a great way to get protein as a vegan or vegetarian.
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Features
Flavor varieties
The most popular specialty peanut butter powder flavor is chocolate. Less common flavors include salted caramel, toasted coconut, vanilla, and honey. There are mild consistency differences with flavored varieties, with some chunkier or grittier than others. Flavored peanut butter powders tend to work better as protein shake flavors than nut butter alternatives.
Sugar-free
There are sugar-free varieties of peanut butter powder for those who are on special diets, tracking their macros, or diabetic. Instead of sugar, these special powders are sweetened naturally with stevia, monk fruit sugar, or coconut sugar. Many peanut butter powders advertise “no added sugar,” which is not the same as sugar-free. This simply means there is no additional sugar added, but there is still naturally occurring sugar present in the ingredients.
Expert Tip
Peanut butter powder is expensive compared to regular peanut butter, so avoid tossing a handful into box brownies or cake icing. It’s a health-focused ingredient, so save it for mixing with oil and dipping celery sticks, or as a sprinkled topping on a healthy smoothie.
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Added nutrients
Some peanut butter powders include additional ingredients that boost nutritional content like flax seeds, which have omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and vitamin B1. Chia seeds are also often included in peanut butter powders. They also have omega-3 fatty acids and provide fiber, iron, and calcium.
Accessories
Because peanut butter powder requires a specific type of preparation, having the right kitchen accessories makes the process quicker and mess-free.
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Small prep/salsa bowl: Mix your peanut butter powder and water in a small prep bowl. Salsa bowls like these KSEV Salsa Bowls are ideal, especially when mixing peanut butter powder to be used as a dip.
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Small silicone or plastic spatula: The easiest way to mix peanut butter powder and liquid is with a small spatula.
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Measuring spoons: If your peanut butter powder isn’t packaged with a pre-measured scoop, you’ll need measuring spoons.
- Measuring cups: If you don’t have a small prep bowl, mix your powder inside a measuring cup.
Peanut butter powder prices
Peanut butter powder is generally more expensive than traditional peanut butter.
Inexpensive
Budget-friendly peanut butter powders cost $4 to $8 for jars up to 12 ounces.
Mid-range
In this range, peanut butter powders cost between $8 and $14, but you get more for your money with these. Not only are jars usually 12 to 16 ounces, there’s also more flavor variety.
Expensive
The most expensive peanut butter powders run from $14 to $22. You can find packs of two to three pounds of powder at this price. There are also sugar-free varieties as well as those made with additional nutrients or premium ingredients.
Expert TIp
I recommend refrigerating your peanut butter powder after opening it to preserve the small amount of oil still left in the nuts after pressing. Even if marked shelf-stable, oil goes rancid over time.
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Tips
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Measure accurately to avoid waste. Peanut butter powder isn’t cheap, so measure each serving carefully to avoid over-measuring or spills.
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Add a pinch of sugar-free or natural sweetener. Especially in chocolate or cocoa-flavored powders, a sugar substitute like a little bit of stevia or a dash of coconut sugar adds a sweet kick for a taste akin to chocolate spread.
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Try different flavors for pancakes and waffles. Regular and flavored peanut butter powders add protein and interesting flavor combinations to your favorite breakfast foods.
- Kick up oatmeal’s fun factor. If you find oatmeal a bit bland, add peanut butter powder for a nutritious boost of flavor.
FAQ
Q. Can I eat peanut butter powder if I have a peanut allergy?
A. No. Peanut butter powder is made with 100% peanuts. There is no peanut butter powder alternative available for those with peanut allergies. It’s best for people with peanut allergies to steer clear.
Q. Should I refrigerate my peanut butter powder once it’s opened?
A. Certain manufacturers say their peanut butter powders are shelf-stable, whereas other manufacturers simply don’t mention it. Many powders are preservative-free, so they’ll spoil more quickly at room temperature. Even with shelf-stable peanut butter powders, some consumers report a rancid or sour smell if the jar is left in a cupboard or pantry. For best results, keep your peanut butter powder in the refrigerator with your other condiments.
Q. When cooking, how do I measure out the correct substitution of peanut butter powder for actual peanut butter?
A. You can simply measure the same volume, but not all peanut butter powder has the same ingredients or consistency. You also have to compare the mixed powder formula to the peanut butter, which could get tricky. To get a definitive answer on how the powder compares to peanut butter, visit the manufacturer’s website. Many companies include their own conversion charts for common recipes.
