Skip to content

Is PB fit the same as peanut flour? A look at the key differences

3 min read

Approximately 87% less fat than regular peanut butter, powdered peanut products have soared in popularity for health-conscious consumers. But is PB fit the same as peanut flour? The straightforward answer is no; one is a finished product with added ingredients, while the other is a singular, base ingredient.

Quick Summary

PBfit is a brand of powdered peanut butter made from defatted peanut flour blended with coconut palm sugar and salt. In contrast, peanut flour is a single-ingredient product consisting of 100% peanuts that have been roasted, pressed to remove oil, and ground into a powder.

Key Points

  • Not the Same Product: PBfit is a brand of powdered peanut butter, while peanut flour is a single-ingredient base product.

  • Ingredient Difference: PBfit contains peanut flour, coconut palm sugar, and salt, whereas pure peanut flour is made from 100% peanuts.

  • Uses Vary: PBfit is best for rehydrating into a spread or adding to shakes, while peanut flour excels in baking and as a thickener.

  • Nutritional Control: Pure peanut flour offers more nutritional control as it has no added sugar or salt, making it ideal for specific diets like keto.

  • Similar Origin: Both products are made from roasted peanuts that have been pressed to remove most of the oil.

In This Article

The Manufacturing Process: From Peanut to Powder

Both PBfit and peanut flour begin their lives in a similar fashion: with roasted peanuts. To create a lower-fat product, manufacturers press the roasted peanuts to extract a significant portion of their natural oils. This pressing process is what transforms the high-fat nut into a dry, low-fat powder, also known as defatted peanut flour. The key divergence between the two products occurs immediately after this step.

How PBfit Is Made

After the oil is extracted and the peanuts are ground into a fine powder, BetterBody Foods, the makers of PBfit, add a pinch of salt and coconut palm sugar. The addition of these ingredients creates a product that is sweeter and more savory, designed to be reconstituted with water to form a classic-tasting, low-fat peanut butter spread. The brand's focus is on delivering a familiar peanut butter flavor and texture with significantly reduced fat and calories, making it a popular choice for smoothies, shakes, and low-fat spreads.

What Is Peanut Flour?

Peanut flour, in its purest form, is simply 100% defatted peanuts. No added sugar, no salt, and no extra flavors. The amount of fat removed during the pressing process can vary, resulting in different grades of peanut flour, such as low-fat or high-fat versions. This versatility makes it an ideal ingredient for a wide range of culinary applications where the cook has complete control over the final flavor profile. It is often used in baking, as a thickening agent, or as a high-protein supplement.

Key Differences: PBfit vs. Peanut Flour

To better understand the distinction, here is a detailed comparison of the two products:

Feature PBfit Peanut Flour
Ingredients Defatted peanut flour, coconut palm sugar, salt 100% defatted peanuts
Flavor Sweetened and salted, designed to taste like traditional peanut butter Pure, unadulterated peanut flavor, customizable by the cook
Primary Use Reconstituting into a spread, adding to smoothies and shakes Baking, thickening sauces, adding protein to recipes
Nutritional Profile Contains added sugar and sodium, slightly different macronutrient breakdown than pure flour No added sugar or sodium; nutritional values depend on the specific grade (fat content)
Shelf Life Long shelf life, comparable to other powdered peanut butter products Long shelf life, but should be stored carefully to prevent clumping

Culinary Uses and Nutritional Implications

The distinct differences in their composition lead to different ideal uses in the kitchen. Understanding these roles is crucial for anyone looking to incorporate these products into their diet.

Best Uses for PBfit

PBfit is a convenient choice for applications where you desire a classic peanut butter flavor with less fat. Its pre-sweetened and salted nature makes it perfect for:

  • Quickly mixing a low-fat peanut butter spread for sandwiches or toast.
  • Blending into smoothies or protein shakes for a boost of flavor and protein.
  • Adding to oatmeal or yogurt to enhance the taste without excessive calories.

Best Uses for Peanut Flour

For more control over your recipes, plain peanut flour is the superior option. Its single-ingredient nature and versatile texture allow it to be used in several ways:

  • Baking: Substitute some of the flour in recipes for cakes, cookies, and bread to add a nutty flavor and protein.
  • Thickening: Act as a gluten-free thickener for savory sauces, soups, and gravies.
  • Coating: Create a crispy, nutty coating for savory dishes like chicken or fish.
  • Protein Enrichment: Add it to protein bars or other high-protein recipes.

The Nutritional Angle

While both products are excellent sources of protein, the added ingredients in PBfit are a critical distinction for those watching their sugar and sodium intake. For individuals on a ketogenic diet, for example, pure peanut flour would be a better choice, as PBfit contains added sugars. Pure peanut flour provides a clean, high-protein base that you can sweeten or flavor precisely to your liking, offering maximum control over your nutrition.

Conclusion

While PBfit is a popular brand of powdered peanut butter, it is not the same as peanut flour. PBfit is a finished, multi-ingredient product that contains peanut flour, sugar, and salt. Peanut flour, on the other hand, is a single-ingredient product consisting only of defatted, ground peanuts. This key difference in ingredients dictates their ideal use cases and nutritional implications. Choosing between them depends on whether you need a ready-to-use, sweetened mix for a spread or smoothie, or a pure, versatile flour for baking and cooking where you control the added flavors. For more information on ingredients, you can visit the product manufacturer's website: BetterBody Foods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can substitute peanut flour for PBfit, especially in baking. However, since peanut flour has no added sugar or salt, you may need to adjust the recipe to add sweeteners and seasoning to achieve a similar flavor profile.

In its purest form, peanut flour is healthier for those concerned about added sugar and sodium, as it contains only ground peanuts. PBfit contains coconut palm sugar and salt, which adds to its carbohydrate and sodium content.

PBfit is often preferred for smoothies because it is pre-sweetened and pre-salted, giving it a taste closer to traditional peanut butter. You can use peanut flour, but you may need to add extra sweeteners or flavors to taste.

Yes, PBfit can be used in baking. However, because it contains added sugar and salt, you should adjust the amounts of these ingredients in your recipe accordingly to avoid an overly sweet or salty result.

The primary ingredient in PBfit is peanut flour, which is made from roasted, pressed peanuts to remove most of the oil.

Both PBfit and peanut flour have low fat content compared to traditional peanut butter because they are made from pressed, defatted peanuts. The exact fat content of peanut flour can vary depending on the grade, but PBfit's is consistent due to its standard formulation.

PBfit is a brand name created by BetterBody Foods for their powdered peanut butter product, distinguishing it from generic peanut flour.

References

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.