4 Reasons you should try powdered peanut butter

Whether slathered on whole-grain toast or layered with dark chocolate in candy cups, peanut butter is a pantry staple beloved by all ages. While most know it as a jarred spread, it’s also now available in powder form, too.

But what exactly makes powdered peanut butter different from the conventional stuff? Is it nutritious? And, most importantly, does it taste good? Read on as a I give you the rundown on powdered peanut butter, and four reasons why I think it’s worth trying.

What Is Powdered Peanut Butter?

Powdered peanut butter is made by mechanically pressing whole roasted peanuts to remove most of their natural oils and fats, and then grinding the remaining nut fragments into a fine powder. Although this process changes the consistency, the powder maintains much of the nutty flavor that we all know and love, but with 85% fewer calories from fat.

It can be used as a powder or rehydrated with water to form a paste. (Though I prefer using it as a powder, as it doesn’t have the same creamy consistency as the regular stuff when rehydrated.)

Different brands offer their own twists on the powder, with various flavors and add-ins, such as probiotics or protein powder. My favorite of the lot has to be Always Naked’s Naked PB, a vegan peanut butter powder made exclusively from non-GMO peanuts grown on U.S. farms. The great thing about this particular product is that it only contains one ingredient: peanuts! That’s right. No added sugar, salt, artificial sweeteners, flavoring agents or any of that icky stuff. Plus, it’s wonderfully nutty and oh-so-delicious!

So, Why Try Peanut Butter Powder?

Glad you asked. Here are four reasons:

Peanut butter powder has fewer calories than regular peanut butter.

Because most of its calorie-rich fats have been removed, powdered peanut butter contains dramatically fewer calories than conventional peanut butter. Two tablespoons of natural peanut butter provide about 190 calories, while two tablespoons of peanut butter powder contain around just 50 calories. In other words, the powdered stuff is a good alternative for peanut butter lovers looking for easy ways to reduce their calorie intake or are on restricted-calorie diets.

It’s a great source of plant-based protein.

With fewer calories and about 90% less fat, you’re left with a product that is mostly made up of protein and carbs. In fact, Always Naked’s Naked PB peanut butter powder is over 40% protein. Per two tablespoon serving, it contains 6 grams of plant-based protein and only 4 grams of carbs.

It contains BCAAs.

Peanut butter powder contains branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which have been shown to increase muscle growth, decrease muscle soreness, reduce exercise fatigue and prevent muscle wasting. In other words, powdered peanut butter is a functional and flavorful add-in for pre- and post-workout shakes.

Powdered peanut butter is perfect for cooking. 

An additional benefit of using peanut butter powders over spreadable versions is that they’re easier to cook with. Since the powder contains little fat, it mixes more easily with liquids than traditional nut butter and doesn’t clump. This means they smoothly and easily incorporate into smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes, power balls and baked goods. Unlike regular peanut butter, powdered varieties can be used as a dry seasoning, shaken onto popcorn or mixed with flour to dredge meats for a pop of peanut-y flavor.

I should mention here that conventional peanut butter is still a nutritious food to have on hand. In fact, the monounsaturated fats it contains are helpful in reducing cholesterol and blood pressure numbers, while its vitamin E content helps the body absorb fat. Personally, I love the flavor of classic, creamy peanut butter (not to mention the comfort that comes along with a good PB&J).

So, while I won’t be giving up the jarred stuff anytime soon, I’m loving powdered peanut butters like my go-to Naked PB as a convenient alternative when on-the-go, cooking or prepping a morning smoothie to get an extra (tasty) dose of plant-based protein.