What is the healthiest creamy peanut butter?

November 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to dietitians, the healthiest peanut butters are those with the fewest and simplest ingredients. This guide will explain exactly what to look for, helping you find the purest and most nutritious jar of creamy peanut butter for your pantry.

Quick Summary

Ingredient transparency is key to finding a nutritious peanut butter. This article evaluates the healthiest creamy brands by examining added sugars, oils, and salt levels. It provides a simple guide for discerning quality ingredients from unnecessary additives.

Key Points

Ingredient Purity: The healthiest creamy peanut butter contains only peanuts, with some varieties adding a small amount of salt.
Avoid Additives: Steer clear of brands with added sugars, hydrogenated oils, or stabilizers for the most natural option.
Natural Separation is Normal: The layer of oil on top of a natural peanut butter jar is a sign of minimal processing and should be stirred in.
Dietitian-Approved Brands: Top choices include Crazy Richard's, Once Again, Smucker's Natural, and Trader Joe's Organic for their simple, clean ingredient lists.
Consider Powdered Options: For a lower-fat alternative, powdered peanut butter like PB2 offers the flavor with a fraction of the calories.
Read the Label Closely: Always check the ingredients list and nutritional information to make an informed decision based on your dietary goals.

Decoding the Peanut Butter Label: Ingredients Matter

When you're searching for the healthiest creamy peanut butter, the ingredients list is your most important tool. Unlike conventional peanut butter, which often contains unnecessary additives, the healthiest options are much simpler. The golden rule is to look for a short list of ingredients, ideally just peanuts and a small amount of salt.

The Additives to Avoid

Added Sugars: Many popular brands include high levels of added sugar to appeal to a sweeter palate. This can turn a healthy snack into a sugar-laden treat. Look for brands that list zero grams of added sugar per serving.
Hydrogenated Oils: These are added to prevent the natural oil separation in peanut butter, creating a 'no-stir' product. While full hydrogenation is safer than partial hydrogenation (which creates trans fats), these added oils contribute extra calories and fat that are not part of a truly natural product. A visible layer of oil on top is actually a sign of a healthier, less processed peanut butter.
Palm Oil and Stabilizers: Like hydrogenated oils, palm oil and other stabilizers are used to prevent separation. While some brands claim sustainable palm oil, the most nutritious choice is always one with fewer, simpler ingredients.

Top Contenders for Healthiest Creamy Peanut Butter

Several brands consistently earn praise from nutritionists for their clean ingredient lists and commitment to quality. These brands prioritize the natural goodness of peanuts over artificial enhancements.

The Brands with Minimal Ingredients

Crazy Richard's 100% Peanuts! Natural Peanut Butter: As the name suggests, this brand uses only peanuts, with no added salt, sugar, or oil. This makes it one of the purest options available, offering a rich, unadulterated peanut flavor.
Once Again Unsweetened Creamy Peanut Butter: This certified organic, unsweetened, and salt-free option is made with a single ingredient: organic dry-roasted peanuts.
Smucker's Natural Creamy Peanut Butter: A widely available option containing just peanuts and salt. Like other natural varieties, it requires stirring to mix the separated oil back in.
Teddie All Natural Smooth Peanut Butter: A fan-favorite with a simple ingredient list of dry-roasted peanuts and salt, known for its classic taste and spreadable texture after stirring.
Trader Joe's Organic Creamy Peanut Butter: This option is made with just organic dry-roasted peanuts and is unsalted and unsweetened.

Powdered Peanut Butter: A Lighter Alternative

For those looking to reduce fat and calories, powdered peanut butter is an excellent option. By pressing roasted peanuts to remove most of the oil, brands like PB2 create a powder that can be reconstituted with water. The result is a high-protein, low-calorie alternative that is perfect for smoothies or baking. It's a great choice for managing caloric intake while still enjoying the flavor of peanuts.

Comparison Table: Healthiest Creamy Peanut Butters


Brand	Ingredients	Added Sugar?	Added Oil/Stabilizers?	Sodium per Serving (Approx.)	Note
Crazy Richard's	Peanuts	No	No	0 mg	Widely praised for simplicity
Once Again	Organic peanuts	No	No	0-50 mg (depending on type)	Also offers salt-free
Smucker's Natural	Peanuts, salt	No	No	~110 mg	Readily available
Teddie All Natural	Peanuts, salt	No	No	~125 mg	Beloved classic taste
Trader Joe's Organic	Organic peanuts	No	No	0 mg	Unsalted, unsweetened
PB2 Powdered	Peanuts, salt, sugar*	Yes*	No	~90 mg	Low-fat, low-calorie alternative

*Note: The original PB2 contains a small amount of added sugar and salt. Look for the 'PB2 Pure' variety for a version with no additives.

Choosing the Right Peanut Butter for You

Ultimately, the "healthiest" peanut butter depends on your specific dietary needs. If you prioritize the absolute minimal processing and want to control salt intake completely, a brand with only one ingredient (peanuts) is your best bet. If you prefer a more traditional flavor and don't mind a small amount of salt, options like Smucker's Natural or Teddie are excellent choices. For a lower-fat, lower-calorie alternative, powdered peanut butter offers a versatile solution.

Quick Tips for Making the Healthiest Choice

Read the Label: The shortest, simplest ingredient list is always the best sign. Avoid anything that includes hydrogenated oils, excessive sugar, or unpronounceable stabilizers.
Embrace the Stir: Natural peanut butters separate. It's not a flaw; it's a feature. Embrace the stirring and refrigerate it after opening to maintain a more consistent texture.
Check Sodium: If you are monitoring your sodium intake, compare brands carefully. Many offer unsalted versions that are just as flavorful.

Conclusion: Simple is Best

So, what is the healthiest creamy peanut butter? The answer is the one that is the least processed and has the fewest ingredients. Look for brands that contain only peanuts and maybe a pinch of salt. By prioritizing simplicity and avoiding unnecessary additives like sugar and hydrogenated oils, you can enjoy this versatile spread as a truly nutritious part of your diet. The brands highlighted here—Crazy Richard's, Once Again, and Trader Joe's Organic—stand out as top performers in delivering a pure, wholesome product. Ultimately, a clean, natural jar of peanut butter is a delicious, healthy choice for everyone.

For more nutritional insights and dietary advice, consult a qualified dietitian or refer to resources like those found on the official Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Natural peanut butter is generally healthier because it contains fewer ingredients, typically just peanuts and sometimes salt. Regular peanut butter often includes added sugars, hydrogenated oils, and stabilizers that add unnecessary calories and processed fats.

Both hydrogenated oils and palm oil are added to peanut butter to prevent oil separation. Hydrogenated oils have been chemically altered, which can create unhealthy trans fats (though this is less common now with fully hydrogenated oils). Palm oil is a tropical oil high in saturated fat. Natural peanut butters avoid both, relying on the peanut's own oils.

Organic peanut butter is made from peanuts grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. While the nutritional profile is very similar, choosing organic ensures fewer chemical residues, which some people prefer. The most important factor for health is still the absence of added sugars and oils.

After opening, natural peanut butter should be stored in the refrigerator. This helps keep the oil from separating as quickly and maintains a consistent texture after you've stirred it.

Not necessarily. When fat is removed from peanut butter, manufacturers often add more sugar and salt to improve the taste. The original fat in peanut butter is mostly heart-healthy unsaturated fat, making the full-fat, natural version a better choice for satiety and overall nutrition.

Powdered peanut butter is made by pressing most of the oil out of roasted peanuts. The resulting powder is lower in fat and calories. It can be mixed with water to create a spread or added directly to smoothies and recipes.

The single best ingredient to look for is simply 'peanuts.' If there's a second ingredient, it should ideally be just salt. The fewer ingredients, the better.