What is Considered the Best Peanut Butter for Taste, Health, and Texture?

December 22, 2025 •

2 min read

According to a 2024 report, over 90% of U.S. households purchase peanut butter, making it one of America's most popular pantry staples. However, with the sheer number of varieties available—from classic processed spreads to artisanal natural butters—determining what is considered the best peanut butter is not a simple task.

Quick Summary

An in-depth look at what makes a peanut butter 'best' by examining popular brands, ingredient quality, and nutritional information to inform consumer choices for taste, health, or texture.

Key Points

Ingredient List is Key: The healthiest peanut butter often contains only peanuts and salt, while conventional varieties include added sugars and stabilizers like hydrogenated oils.
Natural Requires Stirring: Natural peanut butters separate because they lack emulsifiers, requiring a stir before use, which is a sign of purity.
Reduced-Fat is a Misnomer: Reduced-fat peanut butters often contain higher amounts of added sugar to compensate for lost flavor, making them a less healthy choice.
Creamy vs. Crunchy is Personal Preference: Both creamy and crunchy peanut butters have nearly identical nutritional profiles; the choice comes down to your desired texture.
Best Varies by Use: Creamy peanut butter is ideal for baking and smoothies, while crunchy adds texture to sandwiches and sauces.
Consider Your Priorities: Whether the best peanut butter is about nostalgic flavor, minimal ingredients, or a satisfying crunch depends on individual taste and health goals.

Defining "Best": Taste vs. Health

For many, the "best" peanut butter is linked to nostalgic flavor and consistent texture, often found in popular conventional brands. These typically contain added sugar and stabilizers to prevent oil separation. In contrast, health-conscious consumers often prefer natural and organic options, which usually contain only peanuts and salt, requiring stirring. The best choice ultimately depends on individual priorities.

The All-Natural vs. Conventional Debate

Natural peanut butter typically contains just peanuts and salt, offering a more intense, authentic peanut flavor but requiring stirring due to natural oil separation. Conventional brands, like Jif or Skippy, use stabilizers and often include added sugars for a consistent, sweeter taste and smooth texture without separation. Conventional types may also contain processed oils.

Natural Peanut Butter Characteristics:

Ingredients: Typically just peanuts and salt.
Flavor Profile: More authentic roasted peanut flavor.
Texture: Requires stirring; can be looser.

Conventional Peanut Butter Characteristics:

Ingredients: Peanuts, sugar, hydrogenated oils, molasses, and salt.
Flavor Profile: Sweeter and uniform.
Texture: Creamy and consistent, no stirring needed.

Creamy vs. Crunchy: A Matter of Texture

The choice between creamy and crunchy is largely about texture preference. Creamy peanut butter is smooth and versatile, while crunchy offers added texture with peanut pieces. Nutritionally, the difference is minimal.

How to Choose the Healthiest Peanut Butter

Dietitians recommend checking the ingredient list for just peanuts and salt, avoiding added sugars and hydrogenated oils. Labels like "natural" or "organic" often indicate fewer additives, but checking the ingredient list is still essential. Reduced-fat varieties often add sugar to compensate for lost fat. For those monitoring sodium, low-sodium options are available. You can find further details on reading food labels from resources like Health.com.

A Brand-by-Brand Comparison

Here is a comparison of some popular brands based on key factors:


Brand	Type	Ingredients	Taste Profile	Texture	Best For
Teddie All-Natural	Natural	Peanuts, salt	Rich, authentic	Grainy, needs stirring	Classicists, health enthusiasts
365 by Whole Foods	Organic	Organic peanuts	Clean, nutty	Natural oil separation	Ingredient purists
Jif Creamy	Conventional	Peanuts, sugar, molasses, hydrogenated oils	Sweet, iconic	Smooth, consistent	Comfort food, baking
Skippy Natural Creamy	Hybrid	Peanuts, sugar, palm oil, salt	Familiar flavor	Smooth, no-stir	Versatility, traditional taste
Peter Pan Creamy	Conventional	Peanuts, sugar, hydrogenated oils, salt	Mild, sweeter	Very smooth	PB&J sandwiches
Wild Friends Classic	Natural	Peanuts, salt	Perfectly peanutty	Creamy, minimal stirring	Health-focused, flavor

Conclusion: Finding Your Personal Best

Determining what is considered the best peanut butter is subjective, based on individual preferences for taste, texture, and health. Whether you prefer the classic sweetness of conventional brands or the simplicity of natural options, understanding the ingredients is key. Consider your priorities and check labels to find the perfect peanut butter for your needs. Always remember that formulations can change, so reviewing the ingredient list is crucial.

Disclaimer: Always check ingredient lists as formulations can change over time. Personal taste and health considerations should guide your decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Natural peanut butter is generally considered healthier as it contains fewer ingredients, typically just peanuts and salt. Regular peanut butter often includes added sugars, stabilizers, and hydrogenated oils.

For consistent results in baking, a conventional, no-stir peanut butter like Jif Creamy is often recommended. Its uniform consistency and sweetness make it reliable for recipes.

Natural peanut butter separates because it does not contain stabilizers or emulsifiers. The peanut oil naturally rises to the top, and you simply need to stir it back into the peanut paste.

The standard recommended serving size for peanut butter is 2 tablespoons. While nutritious, it is also calorie-dense, so portion control is important.

No, reduced-fat peanut butter is often not a good choice. To make up for the loss of flavor and texture from the fat, manufacturers typically add more sugar, which can make the product less healthy.

Nutritionally, there is no significant difference in protein, fat, or calories between creamy and crunchy peanut butter. The choice is purely based on texture preference.

Yes, making your own peanut butter is simple. You can achieve a healthy, preservative-free spread by blending dry-roasted peanuts in a food processor until smooth. You can add a pinch of salt if desired.