Uses for Peanut Butter Powder

Have a jar of peanut butter powder in your pantry but don't know how to use it? Follow these tips to make this pantry staple a skinny staple in your kitchen without the added calories from fat!

Many food storage plans suggest having peanut butter powder on the shelf, but don't really give you an idea of what it is or how to use it. You can't just add water to it to make peanut butter, so it can be confusing about what you can and cannot do with peanut butter powder.

I'll be honest and let you know that I do stock regular peanut butter and use it most for things like sandwiches, etc. for my kids and husband (who loves a big heaping TB for some added protein to his day). I have found, however, after having had my gallbladder removed, certain fats really don't sit well with me any longer. Peanut butter really can give me fits. So peanut butter powder has saved the day! It allows me to have many treats I would have passed over before.

So let's dive into it!  (you can read even more food storage tips here)

What is Peanut Powder?

Peanut butter powder, technically peanut powder, is roasted peanuts that have been pressed to remove most (but not quite all) of the oils, then ground into a fine powder. It is not simply dehydrated or freeze-dried peanut butter.

How Long does Peanut Butter Powder Last?

The lack of fats makes this peanutty powder a viable option for an extended pantry. Peanut butter tends to go rancid because of the oils in long-term storage, but peanut butter powder can last for 25 months unopened in optimum conditions, according to my communications with the manufacturer. To this date, there is no information on their website, but a representative gave me the information after contacting them.

Nutritional Benefit of Powdered Peanut Butter

• Contains 85% less fat than peanut butter - the missing fat is good healthy mono-unsaturated, heart-healthy fat, but what you're really missing is calories:
• Regular Peanut butter - 95 calories vs 25 calories from powder
• All the same protein and fiber of peanut butter
• Some manufacturers may add more salt and sugars - so be sure to check the labels if those are concerns for you.

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How Long Does Peanut Butter Powder Last?

Peanut butter tends to go rancid because of the oils in long-term storage, but peanut butter powder can last for years with optimum storage conditions. So it makes a great pantry staple for long-term storage!

Once reconstituted, keep in the fridge for up to a week.

► OTHER FOOD STORAGE TIPS: Freezer Tips When the Power Goes Out

What does Peanut Butter Powder Taste Like

Different manufacturers create this nutty peanut butter alternative differently.

JIF Peanut Butter Powder has no added sugar or salt. It is simply roasted peanuts. Consumer Reports rated this as the best tasting of the available powders they tested, with very little bitter aftertaste.

PB2 - This is the powder I stock, does have added sugar and salt (not much). Some reported a slight bitter aftertaste, but I don't find it there at all.

How to Use Peanut Butter Powder

Use these tips to add extra protein and flavor to all sorts of things you eat on a daily basis - all from your food storage without the added calories.

1. Peanut Butter Replacement

Peanut butter powder can be 'reconstituted' to make a peanut butter paste that is not too far off from creamy peanut butter.

I'm using the PB2 brand powder, and your results may vary depending on which brand you get. JIF peanut butter powder has no added salt or sugar, so you may need to adjust accordingly.

► For Peanut Butter Paste - mix equal parts peanut butter powder to water. To make it even more spreadable, add a little more water.

While the package directions on PB2 call for 2 TB powder to 1 TB water, I find the 1:1 ratio to be more pleasing.

► For Creamy Peanut Butter - mix 2 parts peanut butter powder to 1 part flavor-neutral oil  (or some peanut oil if you have it!)

To make enough to replace peanut butter on a PB&J sandwich, you'll be using a fair amount of powder. However, if used as an accent or dip, you can really make it stretch.

2. Smoothies

Take your favorite smoothie base recipe and add:

• PB&J Smoothie - mix with some frozen berries
• PB&B Smoothie - mix with frozen bananas
• Peanut Butter Cup- mix with cocoa powder

3. Muffins and Pancakes

Mix in a little powder to your favorite muffin or pancake mix to add a hint of flavor and protein boost.

4. Oatmeal

Adding peanut powder lifts the taste of oatmeal. You can smash a banana to add some sweetness or add some berries. You can try these overnight oats for a quick breakfast treat.

5. Granola

Yes, you can add peanut butter flavor to granola or granola bars to give the peanutty taste without the added fats or calories

6. Hot Chocolate

Yes...add a heaping teaspoon to your hot chocolate for a delightfully tasty peanut butter cup hot chocolate!

7. Coffee

You can add some awesomeness to your chocolate lattes by adding 2 TB of cocoa powder & 2 TB of peanut butter powder to your favorite latte base.

8. Asian Dishes

In many Asian dishes, peanut butter is used to form tasty sauces. If you'd like to cut back on your calories, but still like the taste, add this nutty powder. Here's just a few to try

• Healthy Thai Chicken Salad
• Spicy Carrot Noodles
• Chicken Peanut Stew

9. Snacks

• Dehydrated Banana & Peanut Butter Chips - Sprinkle peanut butter powder on your banana slices, dehydrate at 135F until well done and have some really yummy snacks! Don't forget to make the Peanut Butter Chocolate spread (see Dipping Sauces) to use as a fun dip for your banana chips
• Ants on a log - mix powder to create a creamy spread, fill in celery troughs, place raisins on top.
• Popcorn - instead of using salt or typical popcorn toppings - add a little protein to your snack and sprinkle with peanut butter powder.

10. Dipping Sauces

Dipping sauces make eating foods a little more fun, don't they? Here are a few you can use to spice up your dishes, both savory and sweet!

• Spicy Peanut Aoli - use this for dipping chicken nuggets or tenders in, vegetable sticks, or use as a sandwich spread.
• Peanut Butter Fruit Dip  - Add a little cocoa powder (and extra liquid) to this recipe to make an awesome mock peanut butter cup dipping sauce, too!
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Spread - 2 parts peanut butter to 1 part cocoa powder, add raw honey to taste

11. Rubs

Peanut Butter Chicken - Use 1 part peanut butter powder to 1 part whole wheat flour, season with garlic powder, cumin and a little cayenne if you're feeling spicy. Then coat chicken tenders or cutlets and bake until done.

Peanut Butter Turkey -- here's an interesting take on using a spicy peanut butter rub that you can replace the peanut butter with peanut butter powder + water.

12. Ice Cream

One of my favorite ice creams is peanut butter cup ice cream. Chocolate ice cream with rivers of peanut butter gooeyness inside. You can make your own peanut butter ice cream by adding peanut butter powder to your favorite ice cream base OR by mixing it into softened store-bought ice cream.  Or make one of the peanut butter sauces at the top of the post and drizzle it over your ice cream!

13. Frosting

Add some peanut butter powder to your favorite buttercream frosting recipe.

14. Baked Goods

Adding an awesome nutty flavor to chocolate desserts is a way to kick up the flavor. You can just replace 1/3 of the flour with peanut butter powder, or sprinkle some in for a hint of flavor.

Or create a peanut butter 'sauce' by mixing peanut butter powder, water, and confectioner's sugar, and drizzling over your favorite brownies or chocolate cake!

Even More Recipes

You can find more recipes at PB2Foods.com and at Jiff. But remember, for most recipes that you love already using peanut butter, you can use pb powder, instead!

While peanut butter powder may not be on my list of 20 Essential Pantry Items You Need to Store, it does make my list of awesome items it would make my "The next 20 awesome pantry items you need to stock for your pantry" list. If for nothing more than it's shelf-stable, long-term storage benefit and the 'skinny' protein boost it adds to so many dishes, this peanut butter alternative is an awesome addition to anyone's pantry.