What peanut butter is allowed on Daniel Fast?

November 26, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 20 million people in the United States participate in a spiritual fast each year, with many following the biblically-inspired Daniel Fast. For those observing, a common question arises: what peanut butter is allowed on Daniel Fast, and what ingredients should be avoided?

Quick Summary

Only natural peanut butter with minimal ingredients like peanuts and salt is permitted on the Daniel Fast. Brands containing added sugar, hydrogenated oils, or preservatives should be avoided.

Key Points

Check Ingredients: A compliant peanut butter should contain only peanuts and maybe a little salt.
Avoid Added Sugars: Read labels carefully to ensure there are no added sweeteners, like molasses or cane juice.
Say No to Additives: Steer clear of hydrogenated oils and preservatives often found in conventional peanut butter.
Look for 'Natural': Natural food aisles often carry brands with minimal ingredients, though you should still verify the label.
DIY is Best: The safest option is to make your own peanut butter at home with a food processor and roasted peanuts.
Use Other Nut Butters: Other natural nut butters like almond or cashew are also acceptable, provided they meet the same strict ingredient rules.
Understand the 'Why': The fast is about choosing pure, unprocessed foods as an act of faith and discipline.

The Core Rule for Daniel Fast Peanut Butter

The Daniel Fast is a partial fast focused on consuming plant-based, unprocessed foods, and abstaining from animal products, leavened bread, added sugars, and certain fats. When it comes to peanut butter, the rules follow the same principle of minimal processing and purity. The short answer is that natural peanut butter is allowed, but only if you carefully read the ingredients list.

A compliant peanut butter should ideally contain only one or two ingredients: peanuts, and maybe a small amount of salt. The goal is to consume food in its most whole and unadulterated form. Many popular brands add extra ingredients for flavor, texture, and to prevent oil separation. These additives are the reason why most commercial peanut butters are not allowed on the fast.

Decoding Peanut Butter Labels: What to Look For

To be certain your peanut butter is Daniel Fast approved, you must inspect the nutrition label. Here is a breakdown of what to look for and what to avoid.

Ingredients to Include

Peanuts: This should be the first and, ideally, only ingredient.
Salt: Some natural peanut butters include salt, which is permitted on the fast. It is best to choose brands with a minimal amount or no added salt if possible.

Ingredients to Avoid

Added Sugars: The most common offender is added sugar, which can be listed under many names, including cane sugar, corn syrup, molasses, or brown rice syrup. All forms of added sweeteners are prohibited.
Hydrogenated Oils: These are added to prevent the oil from separating from the peanut solids. Partially or fully hydrogenated oils are not allowed as they are a form of processed fat.
Preservatives and Additives: Look out for chemicals, stabilizers, and other artificial ingredients that do not come from a natural plant source.
Other Oils: While some oils like peanut or olive oil are fine for minimal cooking, avoid peanut butters that add a significant amount of extra processed oil beyond the natural oils found in the peanuts themselves.

Allowed vs. Not Allowed Peanut Butter Table


Feature	Daniel Fast Approved	Not Allowed on Daniel Fast
Ingredients	Peanuts, possibly salt	Sugar, molasses, hydrogenated oils, stabilizers
Processing	Minimal processing; oil naturally separates	Heavy processing; homogenized to prevent separation
Sweeteners	None	Cane sugar, molasses, corn syrup, etc.
Oils	Natural peanut oil only	Hydrogenated vegetable oils
Texture	Must be stirred after opening	Uniformly creamy, no stirring needed

How to Find Daniel Fast Approved Peanut Butter

Finding a compliant peanut butter requires diligence but is not difficult. The key is knowing where to look and what to look for.

Shop the Natural Foods Aisle

Most grocery stores now have a natural foods section where brands offering simple, single-ingredient peanut butter are readily available. Look for varieties labeled "Natural" or "Organic" and always double-check the ingredient list, as these labels can sometimes be misleading.

Grind Your Own at the Store

Many health food stores and larger supermarkets offer in-store nut grinders. This is arguably the purest option, as you can see the peanuts being ground into a butter right in front of you. This ensures there are zero added ingredients.

The Single-Ingredient Approach

When in doubt, choose a brand with only one ingredient listed: peanuts. A brand like Smucker's Natural Creamy Peanut Butter, for instance, has been noted as a good option with just peanuts. However, brands can change their formulas, so always read the label each time you purchase.

Making Your Own Daniel Fast Peanut Butter

For those who prefer complete control over their food, making your own peanut butter at home is an excellent option. It requires a food processor and a little patience.

Simple Homemade Peanut Butter

Ingredients: 2 cups of dry roasted, unsalted peanuts (raw is also fine). Optional: a pinch of fine salt if desired.
Instructions:
1. Add peanuts to a high-powered food processor.
2. Process for 30 seconds, scrape down the sides, and repeat.
3. The peanuts will go through several stages: from crumbles to a pasty ball, and finally, a smooth, creamy butter as the natural oils release.
4. Add salt if using, and blend for a few more seconds to combine.
5. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Beyond Peanut Butter: Other Daniel Fast Approved Nut Butters

The same principles that apply to peanut butter extend to all nut butters on the Daniel Fast. Almond butter, cashew butter, and tahini (sesame seed paste) are all excellent alternatives, provided they too are all-natural and contain no added sugars, oils, or preservatives. Reading labels is paramount for any nut butter you choose.

Conclusion

Yes, peanut butter is allowed on the Daniel Fast, but the key is adhering strictly to the fast's rules of purity and minimal processing. The journey of finding or making the right peanut butter reinforces the spiritual discipline of mindfulness and intentionality that the fast encourages. By reading ingredient labels diligently and opting for simple, all-natural products, you can enjoy peanut butter as a healthy and satisfying component of your Daniel Fast meal plan. Remember that the ultimate goal is not just dietary restriction, but focusing on God with an undefiled heart, as Daniel did.

For more guidance on the Daniel Fast, you can consult authoritative resources online, such as the comprehensive food list provided by Ultimate Daniel Fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, dry-roasted peanuts without any added oils, salt, or seasonings are generally acceptable for making homemade peanut butter on the Daniel Fast. Raw, unsalted peanuts are the purest option, but plain roasted are often used as well.

Yes, a peanut butter with just peanuts and salt is allowed, as long as the salt is minimally processed. Look for brands that explicitly state just these two ingredients.

While brand formulas can change, many sources mention Smucker's Natural peanut butter as a compliant option because it often contains only peanuts and salt. However, you must always read the ingredient label yourself to be certain.

Yes, you can use compliant, all-natural peanut butter in Daniel Fast-approved recipes. This includes using it in smoothies, with fruit, or in sauces, as long as all other ingredients in the recipe also meet the fast's guidelines.

Conventional peanut butter is not allowed because it contains added sugars (like molasses or corn syrup) and often includes hydrogenated oils and other additives that are not permitted on the fast.

No, you should never assume a peanut butter is approved just because it is labeled 'natural'. The best practice is to always check the ingredient list for hidden sugars, hydrogenated oils, and other preservatives.

Yes, quality oils including peanut oil are allowed on the Daniel Fast, but they should be used minimally, such as for sautéing vegetables, and not for deep-frying.