The healthiest peanut butters are free of added sugar and made with just one or two ingredients. They should taste good, too. See which brands our dietitians and editors picked as the best.
A quick look at the best healthy peanut butters
Best overall healthy peanut butter: Crazy Richard's 100% Peanuts! Natural Peanut Butter|Skip to review
Best affordable peanut butter: Trader Joe's Creamy Salted Peanut Butter|Skip to review
Best creamy peanut butter: Smucker's Natural Creamy Peanut Butter|Skip to review
Best crunchy peanut butter: Adam's Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter|Skip to review
Best organic peanut butter: Spread The Love Naked Organic Peanut Butter|Skip to review
Countless peanut butter options are available on grocery store shelves today, but not all of them are created equal when it comes to nutritional value.
Certain types are rich in unsaturated fats, protein, and fiber with minimal additives, while others are high in added sugar and ingredients that might be less nutritious.
You may wonder what the healthiest choices are when it comes to peanut butter.
This article explains how to choose a healthy peanut butter and lists five options that our dietitians and editors buy on a regular basis.
How we chose
We considered several factors when determining which products to feature, including:
- Ingredients: We chose peanut butters that contain minimal ingredients and are free of additives, preservatives, added sugar, and other sweeteners.
- Nutritional content: We selected varieties of peanut butter that are free of added sugar, low in sodium, and rich in protein and heart-healthy fats.
- Taste: Our dietitians and editors have taste tested all the peanut butters included in our list. The brands were selected for their flavor and texture.
- Price: We included peanut butter brands at a variety of price points to fit almost any budget.
- Availability: We chose several products that are widely available at many grocery stores or online retailers.
- Customer reviews: We chose peanut butters that customers have highly rated online.
- Vetting: All the peanut butters on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more aboutour vetting process.
A note on price
General price ranges are indicated below with dollar signs ($ to $$$).
We based the price ratings on the approximate cost for a 16-ounce (480-gram) jar of peanut butter.
- $= under $3 per jar
- $$= $3 to $7 per jar
- $$$= over $7 per jar
Keep in mind that prices may vary based on location and retailer. Additionally, some products are also available in larger sizes, which may be less expensive per ounce.
Healthline’s picks for the healthiest peanut butters
Product comparison table
Here’s a closer look at how our top natural peanut butter picks compare:
| Best for | Ingredients | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crazy Richard’s 100% Peanuts! Natural Peanut Butter | overall | peanuts | $$$ |
| Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Peanut Butter | affordable | • dry-roasted peanuts • salt | $ |
| Smucker’s Natural Creamy Peanut Butter | creamy | • peanuts • salt | $$ |
| Adam’s 100% Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter | crunchy | • peanuts • salt | $$ |
| Spread the Love Naked Organic Peanut Butter | organic | organic peanuts | $$$ |
What are the benefits of peanut butter?
Peanut butter is a great source of several nutrients,
- heart-healthy fats
- fiber
- protein
- B vitamins
- magnesium
- vitamin E
- manganese
In addition to its nutritional benefits, peanut butter is also relatively easy to find, has a long shelf-life, and has affordable options.
For all of these reasons, peanut butter can be a convenient food to keep on hand for pairing with fiber-rich foods, like oatmeal, toast, and apples, to create a balanced meal or snack.
What makes a healthy peanut butter?
Palm oil
Some peanut butters — including ones with otherwise minimal ingredients — contain palm oil.
Palm oil has a neutral flavor, and its main purpose is to prevent the natural separation of oils in the product. Although palm oil isn’t a hydrogenated trans fat, there may be other concerns associated with its use and consumption.
For example, palm oil is high in saturated fat, which
There are also some indirect public health effects of palm oil. Clearing forests for palm oil production causes air pollution that
It also releases greenhouse gases and destroys the habitats of at-risk species.
While peanut butters that contain palm oil can still be a part of a nutritious diet, they may come with some other health considerations when choosing which peanut butter is best for you.
Quick tip
The natural oils found in many varieties of peanut butter tend to separate and float to the top, requiring a quick stir with a spoon or knife before you start spreading.
Try storing your jar of peanut butter upside down and shaking it before opening. This causes the oil to rise to the bottom. Mix the oil back into your peanut butter once you’re ready to use it.
Frequently asked questions
Natural peanut butter tends to be more nutritious because it typically contains just peanuts and sometimes salt. It’s also often free of ingredients that you might want to limit or avoid, such as added sugar or palm oil.
Jif and Skippy peanut butter can both fit into a balanced diet. Like other brands, these peanut butters are a good source of protein, fat, and fiber. However, when possible, it’s best to opt for peanut butter varieties that contain fewer ingredients and are free of added sugar.
The bottom line
Some peanut butter varieties are more nutritious than others.
Look for peanut butter that contains minimal ingredients — ideally just peanuts and possibly salt — and consider skipping products that contain added sugar or hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Whichever peanut butter you choose, remember to eat it in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet that’s full of nutritious whole foods.
