What is PB2 powder used for? A Comprehensive Guide

December 9, 2025 •

4 min read

With up to 85% fewer calories from fat than its traditional counterpart, PB2 powder has become a popular and versatile ingredient for health-conscious consumers and home cooks alike. This defatted peanut butter powder offers a robust peanut flavor without the excess oils, making it a powerful tool for enhancing a wide variety of dishes.

Quick Summary

This guide explores the numerous applications for PB2 powder, including its use in smoothies, baking, savory sauces, and rehydrated spreads. It details how this high-protein, low-calorie ingredient can be easily mixed with liquids or integrated into batters, offering a healthy flavor boost and texture to countless recipes.

Key Points

Low-Calorie Alternative: PB2 contains significantly fewer calories and fat than traditional peanut butter, making it ideal for weight management.
High-Protein Boost: It provides a substantial amount of plant-based protein per serving, perfect for shakes and meals.
Enhanced Smoothies: PB2 blends effortlessly into liquids, adding a rich peanut flavor to smoothies and protein shakes without the oily texture.
Versatile for Baking: The powder can be added to batters for cookies, pancakes, and brownies, creating a nutty flavor in lower-fat treats.
Savory Ingredient: PB2 is a fantastic base for savory sauces, dressings, and marinades, particularly for Asian-inspired dishes.
Easy-to-Mix Spread: You can quickly rehydrate the powder with water to create a lower-fat spread for sandwiches, toast, and fruit.
Long Shelf Life: Unlike regular peanut butter, the powder is shelf-stable and lasts longer before being rehydrated.

PB2 is a powdered peanut butter created by pressing roasted peanuts to remove most of their natural oil, then grinding the remaining product into a fine powder. This process concentrates the protein and flavor, resulting in a versatile, low-calorie, and high-protein alternative to traditional peanut butter. Because it is a powder, it can be easily blended into liquids or dry ingredients, opening up a world of culinary possibilities beyond the classic peanut butter sandwich. From sweet to savory, PB2 is a convenient way to add nutty flavor and protein to your favorite foods.

Sweet Blends: Smoothies, Shakes, and More

One of the most popular uses for PB2 is incorporating it into blended beverages. Its powdered form mixes seamlessly into smoothies and shakes without adding the heavy, oily texture of regular peanut butter. This makes it an ideal ingredient for post-workout protein shakes or a nutritious morning smoothie. The rich peanut flavor provides a satisfying, familiar taste without the extra calories from fat.

Blended beverage ideas:

Classic Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie: Blend PB2 with a frozen banana, milk of your choice, and a scoop of protein powder for a creamy, filling shake.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake: Combine PB2 with cocoa powder, milk, and ice for a healthier take on a classic dessert drink.
Oatmeal Shake: Add PB2 to a blender with cooked oatmeal, milk, and sweetener for a quick, protein-packed breakfast.

Baking and Desserts: Flavorful and Lower-Fat Options

PB2 powder is a baker's best friend, allowing you to infuse baked goods with a deep peanut flavor while controlling the fat content. It can be mixed directly into dry ingredients or rehydrated and used as a filling or topping. This versatility is especially useful for creating lighter versions of your favorite peanut butter treats.

Baking applications:

Cookies and Brownies: Substitute a portion of the flour with PB2 powder in recipes to create peanut butter-flavored cookies, brownies, or blondies.
Pancakes and Waffles: Stir the powder into your batter for a protein-rich, nutty breakfast treat.
Mug Cakes: Create single-serving microwave desserts by incorporating PB2 into a mug cake recipe.
Dips and Toppings: Mix with water to a drizzle consistency for topping ice cream, fruit, or yogurt.

Savory Dishes and Sauces

Beyond sweet applications, PB2 can be a secret weapon in savory cooking. Its concentrated flavor is perfect for building complex sauces and marinades, particularly in Asian-inspired cuisine. Its low-fat nature prevents sauces from becoming too greasy or heavy.

Savory uses:

Spicy Peanut Sauce: Combine PB2 with soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a quick and flavorful Thai-style sauce for noodles or chicken skewers.
Peanut Hummus: Add a spoonful of PB2 to your hummus recipe for a delicious, nutty twist.
Protein Dredge: Mix with flour and spices to create a savory coating for chicken or tofu before frying or baking.

Rehydrated Spread: The Classic with a Twist

For those who miss the classic spread, PB2 can be easily rehydrated to form a paste similar to traditional peanut butter. The standard ratio is two tablespoons of PB2 to one and a half tablespoons of water, though you can adjust the liquid to achieve your desired consistency. While the texture may differ slightly, it provides that unmistakable peanut flavor for sandwiches and toast with a fraction of the calories.

PB2 vs. Traditional Peanut Butter


Feature	PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter	Traditional Peanut Butter
Fat Content	1.5g per 2 tbsp	~16g per 2 tbsp
Calories	~60 calories per 2 tbsp	~190 calories per 2 tbsp
Protein	6g per 2 tbsp	~7g per 2 tbsp
Saturated Fat	0g per 2 tbsp	~3.5g per 2 tbsp
Versatility	Excellent, can be used as powder or paste	Limited to paste form
Shelf Stability	Long-lasting and does not require refrigeration before mixing	Requires refrigeration after opening to prevent oil separation
Mixing	Blends easily into liquids	Does not blend smoothly into liquids due to oil content

Conclusion

PB2 is a remarkably versatile and convenient ingredient that offers the delicious flavor of roasted peanuts with significantly less fat and fewer calories. Its powdered form allows it to be used in countless ways, from boosting protein in morning smoothies to crafting low-fat desserts and savory sauces. Whether you're looking to manage your weight, increase your protein intake, or simply enjoy the nutty taste in a new way, PB2 provides an easy and healthy solution. Its ability to serve as both a dry and wet ingredient makes it an indispensable addition to any health-conscious kitchen. For more information on the nutritional aspects and comparisons, you can consult articles from reputable sources like Healthline.

Frequently Asked Questions

To make a spread, mix 2 tablespoons of PB2 powder with 1.5 tablespoons of water. You can adjust the amount of liquid to achieve your desired consistency.

PB2 is lower in calories and fat, making it suitable for weight management. However, regular peanut butter retains more heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and vitamin E that are mostly removed during the pressing process.

A standard 2-tablespoon serving of PB2 contains 6 grams of protein, comparable to regular peanut butter but with a much lower fat and calorie count.

Yes, PB2 can be used as a substitute. For most recipes, you can rehydrate it with water first. In baking, you can often mix the powder directly into the dry ingredients.

PB2 offers a strong, roasted peanut flavor, but because it contains less fat, it lacks the creamy mouthfeel of regular peanut butter. Some people find the rehydrated spread to be slightly grainy or bitter.

The original PB2 formula contains three simple ingredients: roasted peanuts, sugar, and salt. Other varieties, such as Pure (no added sugar or salt) and Chocolate, are also available.

Yes, PB2 products are certified gluten-free, kosher, and vegan, making them suitable for a wide range of dietary needs.

PB2 powder is shelf-stable and should be stored in a cool, dry place. Once rehydrated, any leftovers should be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator and consumed within 48 hours.