Peanut Butter: Top Picks and Buying Guide

Creamy on your morning toast, 100% natural for a post-workout snack, or blended with sesame in an exotic sauce… Peanut butter comes in many forms. It's not always easy to navigate the options on the shelf.

I'm the Head of Product Recommendations at Joybuy, and my mission is simple: to guide you. In this guide, we'll decode the labels and present our top picks to help you find THE perfect peanut butter for you, whether you're looking for a nutritional ally, a pure indulgence, or a secret ingredient for your recipes.

How to Choose Your Peanut Butter?

To make the right choice, here are the criteria to keep in mind before you check out.

1. The Ingredient List: Simplicity Is Key

First instinct: turn the jar around and read the ingredients. This is the best indicator of quality for a peanut butter. There are two main categories?:

• 100% Peanuts: The purist's version. One single ingredient, and that's it. This is the top choice for those who want a raw, no-frills product. This sugar-free peanut butter, with no added salt or oil, delivers the true taste of peanuts. Don't be surprised if a thin layer of oil forms on the surface: it's a sign of its natural quality. A quick stir with a spoon is all it takes?!
• "Formulated" Peanut Butters: These often include a bit of sugar, salt, and oils (like palm or sunflower oil) to achieve an ultra-creamy texture and a more indulgent flavour. These more stable versions make the perfect, ready-to-use peanut spread for family snacks.

2. Texture: Creamy or Crunchy??

It's the great debate: team creamy or team crunchy? Beyond personal preference, the texture also matters depending on how you plan to use it?:

• Creamy (or smooth): With a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture, it's perfect for spreading, but also for blending seamlessly into smoothies, yoghurts, or sauces.
• With chunks (or crunchy): The bits of peanuts provide that satisfying crunch. Ideal on toast, in porridge, or to add texture to homemade cereal bars.

3. Intended Use: From Toast to Satay Sauce

What do you plan to do with it?? That's the key question.

• For everyday toast: A classic creamy peanut butter is a reliable choice.
• For cooking and baking: 100% peanut butter is your best friend. Its neutral base respects the balance of your recipes without adding unwanted sugar or salt.
• For Asian cuisine: To prepare an authentic Asian peanut sauce (like satay), dan dan noodles, or a dipping sauce for a Chinese hot pot, a sesame and peanut paste is essential. This blend offers a complexity and depth of flavour that's impossible to achieve otherwise.

Recommended Peanut Butters and Pastes

Let's get practical with a few products that perfectly illustrate the market's diversity, each with its own unique character.

PCD Peanut Butter (Creamy)

Why we chose it: This is the quintessential classic. With 90% peanuts, it strikes the perfect balance between a pronounced peanut flavour and an ultra-smooth texture, making it ideal for daily use.

Highlights:

• Creamy and easy-to-spread texture.
• Rich in plant-based protein (27g per 100g).
• Versatile: just as good on toast as it is in cooking.

Who is it for?? Ideal for families and anyone looking for a convenient and delicious peanut spread for breakfast or a snack.

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Liu Bi Ju Sesame and Peanut Paste

Why we chose it: Be warned, this isn't your typical peanut butter. It's an authentic blend of half sesame, half peanuts (50% / 50%), specially designed for Asian cooking. Liu Bi Ju is a true institution in China, a historic brand founded in 1436?!

Highlights:

• Balanced blend for a rich, complex flavour.
• Simple ingredients: only sesame and peanuts.
• Ideal texture for preparing sauces, dressings, and noodle dishes.

Who is it for?? A must-have for fans of Asian cuisine who want to recreate authentic flavours at home, especially for an Asian peanut sauce or as a base for Wuhan's famous dry noodles.

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PCD Peanut Butter (100% Peanuts)

Why we chose it: Its ultra-minimalist ingredient list. This is 100% peanuts, full stop. No sugar, salt, oil, or preservatives. The raw product, in all its simplicity.

Highlights:

• 100% peanuts: no added ingredients.
• Sugar-free and salt-free peanut butter, giving you full control over your diet.
• Natural source of protein (26g per 100g) and healthy fats.

Who is it for?? For athletes adding it to their protein shakes, for those watching their diet, and more broadly, for all fans of natural, unprocessed products.

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Looking for Other Options??

Our selection is just a taste. Fancy a crunchy texture, a family-size jar, or want to discover other brands?? The choice is vast.

Discover the entire peanut butter range

Frequently Asked Questions About Peanut Butter

What's the difference between peanut butter and peanut paste??

In English, the terms peanut butter and peanut paste are sometimes used interchangeably. For purists, "paste" originally referred to a simple preparation (closer to 100% peanuts), while "butter" suggested a creamier, often enriched texture. In reality, the safest bet is to read the ingredient list rather than relying on the name on the jar.

Is peanut butter healthy??

Yes, provided you choose it wisely and consume it in moderation. It's an excellent source of plant-based protein, fibre, and "good" fats (monounsaturated), but it remains very high in calories. It all depends on the version and the quantity. Opt for sugar-free and 100% peanut options, which are much better from a nutritional standpoint.

How should you store peanut butter??

It all depends on its ingredients. A 100% natural butter is best stored in the refrigerator once opened: this slows down oil separation and preserves its freshness. For versions with stabilisers (added oils), a cupboard away from heat and light is sufficient. The best advice?? Always refer to the instructions on the label.