Peanut butter is a staple in many households that has been around for generations. Whether it’s spread on toast, used in baking, or simply eaten straight from the jar as a snack, there’s something undeniably satisfying about the creamy, nutty flavor of peanut butter. March 1st is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day, and peanut butter lovers know that a good recipe can make all the difference in your snacking experience. The best peanut butter should balance flavor and texture while being easy to spread or dip. But with so many different brands and varieties on the market, choosing the best one can be a daunting task. Your preference should focus on texture and ingredients while staying within your budget.
Your preference for creamy or crunchy peanut butter might even give insight into your personality. A study conducted by OnePoll examined the peanut butter preferences of 2,000 Americans – evenly split by their preference of crunchy vs. creamy. Researchers say that those who enjoy the crunchy kind have a cheerier outlook on life. Sixty-three percent of those who prefer crunchy peanut butter describe themselves as optimists, compared to 56% of those who prefer creamy. No matter what your personal preference is, the right brand of peanut butter still matters!
Peanut butter is here to stay. According to a recent survey by Statista, peanut butter is consumed by over 299 million Americans. The most popular brands are still JIF, Skippy and Peter Pan, due to consistency in quality and taste throughout the years. More consumers have turned to making their own spreads, as well as alternatives like almond butter or other nut butters.
If you’re interested in discovering your next favorite brand of creamy peanut butter, StudyFinds is here to help. We’ve researched and compiled a list of the top five recommendations across 10 expert websites. If you have a go-to peanut butter brand or home recipe of your own, share it in the comments below!
The List: Consensus Best Creamy Peanut Butter Products
1. Jif Creamy Peanut Butter
For many years we were told that “choosy moms choose Jif,” until the brand decided to get a little more PC and take the “choosy” out of the equation. But in going through the reviews used for our list, it’s very clear that peanut butter lovers choose Jif. There’s good reason it’s arguably the most recognizable brand when it comes to peanut butter: it’s just that good.
Jif’s creamy classic concoction is listed on eight of our sources and atop multiple lists. Sporked declares it the “peanut butter for the people,” and you’ll be hard-pressed to find folks who disagree.
So what’s Jif’s secret to making such a tasty peanut butter? Their recipe adds molasses to the formula for a hint of rich sweetness that isn’t overpowering. “Because of the hydrogenated oils, the texture of this peanut butter was truly the smoothest and creamiest, and it spread incredibly easy on even the softest piece of bread,” declares AllRecipes.
Sometimes, the classic childhood brand reigns supreme even in a world filled with growing options and trendy brick-and-mortar brands. When it comes to peanut butter, Jif proves that couldn’t be more true.
2. Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter
If there is any brand to rival the household name of Jif, it’s Skippy. And as it turns out, Skippy was the second most-popular creamy peanut butter product across the reviews. It appeared on seven lists, and we should note that Skippy’s Crunchy option and its Natural product were also popular picks.
Skippy prides itself on its perfect combination of “peanutty sweet and savory,” and reviewers agree. “It’s the peanut butter we’d eat by the spoonful, and the one we want to smear on a sandwich or Ants on a Log,” says Serious Eats, which ranked Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter at tops on its list.
Similarly, the New York Times’ Wirecutter review rates Skippy above Jif by pointing out how the flavor lingered on its testers’ tongues longer than Jif and the rest of its samples. It’s fair to say Jif and Skippy are the co*ke and Pepsi of the peanut butter world.
3. Santa Cruz Organic Dark Roasted
Santa Cruz Dark Roasted Peanut Butter stands out as a top-tier product in the natural peanut butter category. Dubbed the “slam-dunk of peanut butters” by Saveur, reviewers consistently praise its rich, intense peanut flavor, which is attributed to the dark roasted peanuts used in the recipe. The peanut butter is also noted for its smooth, creamy texture and its ability to remain well-emulsified, with minimal oil separation compared to other natural peanut butters.
Another key aspect highlighted in the reviews is the peanut butter’s simple, clean ingredient list. Santa Cruz Dark Roasted Peanut Butter contains only peanuts, without any added sugar, salt, or other flavor enhancers. Despite the lack of additives, reviewers find the product to be perfectly seasoned and satisfying. The organic certification and competitive pricing of Santa Cruz peanut butter are also mentioned as additional benefits.
Overall, the reviews suggest that Santa Cruz Dark Roasted Peanut Butter is a high-quality, flavorful, and healthier alternative to traditional peanut butter brands, making it a top choice for peanut butter enthusiasts.
4. Peanut Butter & Co. Smooth Operator
Peanut Butter & Co.’s Smooth Operator is a well-liked, smooth peanut butter option with a balanced flavor profile. Reviewers praise its silky, creamy texture and natural peanut taste, which is complemented by a subtle sweetness from the added dried cane syrup and a hint of salt. The peanut butter’s simple ingredient list, including peanuts, palm oil, and salt, is also appreciated by reviewers, as it contains no trans fats and allows the natural flavor of roasted peanuts to shine through.
However, opinions on Smooth Operator are not entirely unanimous. While some reviewers enjoy the spread’s sweetness and compare it to the flavor of a peanut butter cup, others find the peanut taste to be somewhat muted or “submerged.” The Spruce Eats notes that the texture, while smooth and creamy, may lack the “stick-in-your-mouth feel” that many people associate with peanut butter.
The product’s higher price point compared to similar blends is also mentioned as a potential drawback. Despite these minor criticisms, Peanut Butter & Co.’s Smooth Operator appears to be a popular choice among consumers looking for a smooth, tasty, and slightly sweet peanut butter spread.
5. Justin’s Peanut Butter
Jusitin’s is actually famous for their gourmet dark chocolate peanut butter cups, but they also make natural peanut butter spread as well. The brand was plugged as one of the best unsalted peanut butter spreads, making it a popular choice for the health-conscious consumer. Reviewers applaud the fact that Justin’s Peanut Butter does not require stirring, yet still maintains a natural peanut taste. The inclusion of palm oil in the ingredient list is mentioned as a factor contributing to the smooth and creamy texture, as well as the peanut butter’s no-stir convenience.
Justin’s also has a looser, grainer composition, which makes it feel more like a homemade peanut butter. However, others find the consistency too runny, making it difficult to use as a spread.
As opposed to traditional jars, reviewers appreciate the brand’s small squeeze pouches, which make the peanut butter easy to transport and consume on the go.
Sources:
- Sporked
- Delish
- Wirecutter
- AllRecipes
- The Kitchn
- Saveur
- Food Network
- Serious Eats
- The Daily Meal
- The Spruce Eats
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post contains affiliate links in which StudyFinds receives commission if a purchase is made.
Tags: food, peanut butter, peanuts
