Is Powdered Peanut Butter Good for You?

Powdered peanut butter is made from roasted peanuts that have been pressed to remove most of the oil and then ground into a fine powder. Some brands contain a little sugar and salt. With most of the fat gone—powdered peanut butter has about 85 percent less than regular—you’re left with protein and fiber. A tablespoon has about 25 calories, 1 gram of fat, 3 to 4 grams of protein, and 1 gram of fiber. Regular peanut butter has the same protein and fiber counts, but has 96 calories and 8 grams of fat per tablespoon.

The fat in regular peanut butter is mostly the heart-healthy monounsaturated kind, so the only nutritional advantage of powdered peanut butter is its much lower calorie count. If you like to spread peanut butter on toast or an apple, you’re probably better off with the real thing, though. You can reconstitute powdered peanut butter with water to make a bread spread, but it won’t have the creamy texture of regular peanut butter, says Ellen Klosz, test program leader for food at Consumer Reports. Where powdered peanut butter comes in handy is in adding peanut flavor and some protein to baked goods, oatmeal, smoothies, and yogurt. You can even sprinkle popcorn with it or use it to make an Asian-style sauce for chicken or noodles.

Taste Test

Of course, if you’re giving up the creaminess of peanut butter, you want to be sure your powdered peanut butter packs the most flavor. Our food team tasted three popular brands. “You can definitely tell they’re lower in fat, so good roasted peanut flavor becomes especially important,” says Klosz. Here’s how the three stack up, in order of quality:

Jif Peanut Powder. The clear winner. Had a sweet roasted peanut taste and was only slightly bitter. Contains no salt or sugar, but the package tells you how much to add, if you desire. When mixed with water, the texture is smooth and soft. $4.50/12 ounces.

PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter. Some peanut taste, but with a beany undertone that detracts from the flavor. Slightly salty, sweet, and bitter. Contains added salt and sugar. Smooth and soft texture. $5/15 ounces.

Peanut Butter & Co. Mighty Nut Powdered Peanut Butter Original. Tastes distinctly bitter and slightly sweet and salty. Contains added salt and sugar. Smooth, soft texture. $6/15 ounces.

If you're looking for information about healthy snack options, check our Food & Drink Guide. And send your questions to ConsumerReports.org/askourexperts.

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