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.
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
You might also be interested in:
- Best Dunkin’ Donuts
- Best Foods for Fiber
- Best Candy Bars of All-Time
- Best Chocolates
- Best Types of Cheese
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.
SKIPPY. Horrible that’s the only peanut butter I used to eat but for years I get sick from it so now I only eat JIF do what did Skippy do to change it
JIF all the way even with jelly!
Please reconsider the use of palm oil in any product! It is one of the world’s leading deforestation drivers😠. The huge swaths of tropical forests and peatlands being cleared in Indonesia store more carbon per hectare than the Brazilian Amazon!! Google for more info. Bottom line. Palm oil is in more products you may imagine with greed behind it all.
Well since Jiff has made their jar smaller and raised the price on it, jiff does not come too my house. IT’s anything but jiff even Peter Pan with honey is better than Jiff with smaller jar and higher priced, most people I know feel the same way
To me smuckers is best, the taste is outstanding.
I like Teddie All Natural Super Chunky Unsalted Peanut Butter. It is relatively cheap, compared to the premium brands, which has Hydrogenated Oil, known to clog Arteries? Teddie has the Natural Peanut Oil, at which I turn the jar upside down to settle the oil to the bottom of the jar. So Delicious!
I like Teddie Smooth Unsalted Peanut Butter. I get the one with the glass jar . It only has peanuts for ingredients..
I like Teddie All Natural Super Chunky Unsalted Peanut Butter. It is relatively cheap, compared to the premium brands, with the added Hydrogenated Oil, known to clog Arteries? Teddie has the Natural Peanut Oil, at which I turn the jar upside down to settle the oil to the bottom of the jar. So Delicious!
Hello 🙃hello 🙋♀️Hello🐥
I was delighted to come across the insert in comment about “Crazy Richard”
I splurged – $4.39
I bought it-
I tried it-
I loved it-
That was approximately one year ago.This is the brand i now use.
I never purchased those three famous brands.
I was buying Kroger Creamy.
I liked “Better “Than” , which i found at Trader Joe’s, although I havent seen it in several years. Ok’ Yay 2 votes for CrazyRich! Has no added sugar, no molasses, no “FULLY” Hydrogenated oil
Last Thought is
Food for Thought-
“Crazy Rich” listed ingredients
Peanuts
Other brand – Ingredients are listed
Underneath the Ingredients says:
Contains: Peanuts
Ummm ,,, hmmm,,, I sure f^n hope so
Ooops , ( had to get ($%÷* )one in )
Be well take care <3
Las Vegas Nevada
Teddy’s peanut butter is better than any of these and doesn’t add sugar to their product,
You claim Jif adds molasses but it also adds sugar and is listed as the second ingredient
Teddy, Easily the best PB out there. Nothing but peanuts and salt, if you want it.
I agree. After tasting every brand of PB I could find… Teddies blows everyone one of these other brands out of the water. No comparison!! JIF?!? Are you kidding??
We don’t need sugar in our peanut butter.
Jif and Skippy have added sugar and hydrogenated oils or palm oil. What experts are these, not health experts for sure. I think you are getting paid to advertise the big boys. Disappointed with this review.
Agree! Thought it was advertisement for Jiffy.🤢
Nothing taste better than SKIPPY’s HONEY ROAST PEANUT BUTTER!! it’s awesome just plain on a spoon out of the Jar!!! You should at least give it a try n just maybe your taste buds will fund a NEW heaven in Peanut Butter Taste!!!!
Most of these brand replace the natural peanut oil with rapeseed oil for more profit
What About Peter Pan Peanut Butter?
I love peter pan peanut butter. That’s the only peanut butter I will eat.
I Guess Nobody has got the REESE’S PEANUT BUTTER, I got it when it came out & don’t purchase anything else. I’ve got a lot of people to try & since they have tried REESE, that’s all they buy too. I purchase 6-8 jars at a time.
Kraft peanut butter, only available in Canada
The best is Only Peanuts with Sea Salt!😋
I’m very surprised with this study!! Definitely NOT HEALTH experts that did this study!! They don’t say best peanut butter brands in what way, so yeah, they’re definitely being paid off by these brand makers.
Valid point. Most are sweetened or have inferior oils added to them
Adams!
the author needs to brush up on healthy peanut butter alternatives
Kraft peanut butter is the best!
I second that!
This seems like teenagers did this “study” those are definitely NOT the best peanut butters. They are the cheapest and most basic brands out there. Peanut butter I ate as a High schooler
Agreed! This list is horrible.
The best peanut butter for me, is one that is just peanuts and salt, that’s all. You get 100% taste of peanuts.
Laura Scudders old fashioned
Agreed
Yep, Laura Scudders. Had it since I was a kid and I’m in my 60s now. Real peanut butters without fake oil and sugar, will always be the best. The key here is REAL.
Hampton Farms, a less well known brand, has the perfect blend of sweet n’ salty flavor & a not too creamy or thick texture. Although it contains sugar & oils, it holds it’s own in taste & consistency when compared to more popular brands with the same ingredients.
I disagree with this list only because I was diagnosed with cirrhosis in 2017 an now I live a strict diet everyday. Peanut Butter is one of the main proteins I eat in a daily basis. If you happen to look at the ingredients on the back of Jif the oil in it is vegetable oil. The ONLY ingredients peanut butter should have is peanuts because they have their own natural oil. An if you’d look to another good one the ingredients should be peanuts an peanut oil. Of course I’m no specialist but I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been an all my bloodwork I do every 6mo says the same!! So everyone stay healthy an happy an have a good day!!! Also another one to add is almond butter just watch the ingredients on that too
The peanut butter I love is Crazy Richards natural peanut butter
Note: natural PB should be a little runny
Number 3-5 should be #1-3. Jiffy and Skippy are absolutely horrible quality PB brands. Very surprised by this article and disappointed.
The very best kind, if you’re fortunate enough is the kind you make yourself in the store using the peanut grinder.
I agree not a big fan of these. The best I’ve found that isn’t self ground is Santa Cruz chunky dark roast.
You are so right. Peanut butter with hydrogenated oil as well as sugar ate unhealthy. Peanut butter should not taste sweet for Gods sake- it needs to taste like peanuts- and Smuckers does do better than any other – especially Smuckers Chunky!
Amen. I am 76 years old. Smuckers is only peanuts and salt. I blend it with ginger, cinnamon and turmeric.
I needed to lose 60 lbs. On my ketogenic diet. When I get actual hunger, I eat a tablespoon of the PB mixture out of the covered bowl in the fridge. Hunger is gone. I am 8 lbs away from my goal weight.
Where is Laura Scutter’s. The best by far.
Smart balance creamy is Awesome in my opinion
Yes it is, and has healthy ingredients.
Brands like Jiffy are not healthy, as the contain hydrogenated oils.
Any brand wth hydrogenated oils is not good, health wise.
I am only a chunky peanut butter person. My favorite is made by Aldi. If I can’t get it, I will sadly reduce myself to Jif. However, they are the Only 2 brands I will buy, and there is a huge price difference.