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8 Healthy Peanut Butter Brands You Should Have in Your Kitchen

These delicious peanut butters are high in nutrition and low in unhealthy ingredients.
8 Healthy Peanut Butter Brands You Should Have in Your Kitchen
Olga Buntovskih/iStock
By
and Jenna Fletcher
Updated on June 30, 2025
by

Peanut butter can do so much more than accompany the jelly on your PB&J. This versatile nut butter can also be used as a quick protein base in smoothies, oatmeal, or hummus, and its rich, creamy texture has complemented many a decadent dessert.

Peanut butter can be part of any healthy diet, provided you aren’t allergic to it. Peanuts — the star in any jar of peanut butter — contain several necessary nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and healthy fats.

Here’s what to look for in a healthy peanut butter, plus a list of eight great options to consider adding to your shopping cart.

Choosing a Healthy Peanut Butter

While peanuts themselves are nutritious, commercially available peanut butters vary widely in their added ingredients. We asked a few dietitians to give us some advice on what to look for — and what to avoid — when choosing a healthy peanut butter. Here are their tips.

Opt for Sodium-Free or Low-Sodium Varieties

While many peanut butter manufacturers add salt to their spreads, excessive sodium can be an issue for heart health. The American Heart Association recommends that Americans with healthy blood pressure take in no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day, which is the amount in slightly less than 1 teaspoon of salt. The organization advises those with high blood pressure to limit their intake even further, to 1,500 mg per day.

If sodium-free PBs aren’t to your taste, choose the one with the lowest sodium, says Jaclyn Morris, RD, a dietitian with DaVita Kidney Care, particularly if you are living with certain health conditions, such as heart disease.

Look for Brands That Do Not Use Hydrogenated Oils

Natural peanut butters without added oils tend to separate, which isn’t a bad thing — it just means you may need to mix it a bit before spreading the peanut butter.

Many companies once relied on partially hydrogenated oils to prevent that separation. But partially hydrogenated oils — made of unhealthy trans fat — are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

 Because of these health risks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of partially hydrogenated oils in food in 2018.

Some companies add neutral-flavored palm oil to their product to prevent separation. Fully hydrogenated oils create more shelf stable products and are not trans fats. “They aren’t necessarily bad but should be consumed in moderation,” says Morris.

“There is also the environmental impact to consider,” Morris continues. According to World Wildlife Fund, palm oil plantations have led to the destruction of rainforests, which has threatened many animal species and human inhabitants.

Watch for Added Sugar 

Morris suggests checking the ingredient list for added sugars. As with salt, you’ll want to limit sugar: Too much in your diet can lead to high blood pressure and chronic inflammation, both risk factors for heart disease.

In 2016, the FDA updated the nutrition facts label on packaged foods to make added sugars easier to spot.

 The 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that added sugars constitute no more than 10 percent of your daily calories.

The healthiest peanut butters generally stick to peanuts as the sole ingredient, with a small amount of added salt, says Morris. If you prefer sweetness with your peanut butter, she suggests adding a small amount of honey or maple syrup.

Here are eight healthy peanut butters recommended by registered dietitians:

1. Crazy Richard’s 100 Percent Peanuts Creamy Peanut Butter

crazy richards peanut butter

Nutritional Information

  • Serving Size 2 tablespoons (tbsp)
  • Calories 190
  • Fat 16 grams (g) (2.5 g saturated fat)
  • Sodium 0 mg
  • Sugar 2 g (0 g added sugar)
  • Protein 8 g

Everything you need to know about this PB is in the name: all peanuts, no additives. This option from Crazy Richard’s is sodium-free with no added sugar. A savory and simple peanut butter like this pairs perfectly with fruit; try spreading it on whole-wheat toast and topping it with sliced bananas.

2. Stonewall Kitchen Chunky Peanut Butter

Healthier-Peanut-Butter-Brands-Stonewall-Kitchen-722x406

Nutritional Information

  • Serving Size 2 tbsp
  • Calories 190
  • Fat 16 g (2.5 g saturated fat)
  • Sodium 100 mg
  • Sugar 2 g (0 g added sugar)
  • Protein 8 g

If you prefer a bit of salt, consider this chunky peanut butter from Stonewall Kitchen — it contains only peanuts and salt.

3. Once Again Unsweetened Crunchy Peanut Butter

Healthier-Peanut-Butter-Brands-Once-Again-722x406

Nutritional Information

  • Serving Size 2 tbsp
  • Calories 190
  • Fat 16 g (3 g saturated fat)
  • Sodium 50 mg
  • Sugar 1 g (0 g added sugar)
  • Protein 9 g

Once Again gets down to the bare bones of peanut butter. Its lightly salted variety already has minimal sodium (50 mg), but this brand also offers completely salt-free options. All of its peanut butters are made from blanched, dry-roasted peanuts and include no added sugars. Eat Once Again’s peanut butters within three months for the best taste.

4. Smucker’s Natural Creamy Peanut Butter

Nutritional Information

  • Serving Size 2 tbsp
  • Calories 190
  • Fat 16 g (3 g saturated fat)
  • Sodium 110 mg
  • Sugar 2 g (0 g added sugar)
  • Protein 8 g

This peanut butter classic contains just peanuts and salt, and like all natural peanut butters, it tends to separate at room temperature, meaning you’ll need to stir the oil back into the peanut mixture before using. Smucker’s Natural is available at many different retailers, including Walmart and Amazon, and it may also be available at your local grocery store.

5. Vör Peanut Butter

Nutritional Information

  • Serving Size 2 tbsp
  • Calories 180
  • Fat 15 g (2.5 g saturated fat)
  • Sodium 0 mg
  • Sugar 1 g (0 g added sugar)
  • Protein 7 g

Vör Peanut Butter consists exclusively of dry-roasted peanuts, with no added sugar, oil, or salt. The company states that this peanut butter has a 12-month shelf life. With no added sugar, it lends itself to being used in savory or sweet cooking and baking.

6. Santa Cruz Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter

santa cruz organic peanut butter

Nutritional Information

  • Serving Size 2 tbsp
  • Calories 190
  • Fat 16 g (2 g saturated fat)
  • Sodium 50 mg
  • Sugar 1 g (0 g added sugar)
  • Protein 9 g

Santa Cruz peanut butter is organic, Non-GMO Project Verified (contains no genetically modified organisms), and kosher. With just 50 mg of sodium, it’s one of the least-salty choices on this list. It comes in both creamy and crunchy varieties. It also offers “no stir” options that contain palm oil.

7. PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter

Healthier-Peanut-Butter-Brands-PB2-722x406

Nutritional Information

  • Serving Size 2 tbsp
  • Calories 60
  • Fat 1.5g (0 g saturated fat)
  • Sodium 90 mg
  • Sugar 2 g (1 g added sugar)
  • Protein 6 g

If you’ve never tried powdered peanut butter, you might want to check this product out. Just add water to this peanut powder from PB2, and you have a lighter peanut butter right at your fingertips. With just 60 calories and 1.5 g fat in 2 tbsp, this all-natural PB powder is great for dieters, as well as for campers (and anyone else). Plus, since it’s powdered, it’s quick and easy to add to your favorite recipes for baked goods, sauces, and smoothies.

8. Teddie All Natural Peanut Butter

teddie peanut butter

Nutritional Information

  • Serving Size 2 tbsp
  • Calories 190
  • Fat 16 g (2.5 g saturated fat)
  • Sodium 125 mg
  • Sugar 2 g (0 g added sugar)
  • Protein 8 g

Teddie brand offers peanut butters with “just a pinch of salt” (125 mg sodium per 2 tbsp), or unsalted (no sodium at all). Its website offers sweet and savory recipes containing peanut butter for those who are ready to expand their PB horizons beyond the sandwich.

The Takeaway

  • When looking for healthy peanut butters, less is more. Look for ones with either just peanuts or peanuts plus a small amount of salt.
  • Natural peanut butters will naturally separate, which is normal. You can fix this with simple stirring.
  • You can add sweetness to your peanut butter with a bit of honey or maple syrup.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Peanuts, All Types, Raw. U.S. Department of Agriculture. April 1, 2019.
  2. Shaking the Salt Habit to Lower High Blood Pressure. American Heart Association. May 2024.
  3. The Skinny on Fats. American Heart Association. February 2024.
  4. Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Removing Trans Fat). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. October 2024.
  5. Palm Oil. World Wildlife Foundation.
  6. The Sweet Danger of Sugar. Harvard Health Publishing. January 6, 2022.
  7. Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. March 2024.
  8. 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. United States Department of Agriculture. December 2020.
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Roxana Ehsani, RDN

Roxana Ehsani, RD

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Roxana Ehsani, RD, is a Miami-based licensed dietitian-nutritionist, board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, and media spokesperson, consultant, and content creator for food and nutrition brands. She is an adjunct instructor for sports nutrition at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

Ehsani appears as a food and nutrition expert for television stations across the nation and in national publications, including Runner's World, Women's Health, Glamour, and more, and is a contributing writer for EatingWell. She has a strong background in sports nutrition and has worked with professional, Olympic, collegiate, and high school teams and individual athletes, whom she sees through her private practice. 

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Lauren Bedosky

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Lauren Bedosky is an experienced health and fitness writer. She regularly contributes to top websites and publications like Men's Health, Women's Health, MyFitnessPal, SilverSneakers, Runner's World, Experience Life, Prevention, AARP, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Livestrong, Fitness, Shape, Family Circle, Healthline, Self, Redbook, and Women's Running.

When she's not writing about health and fitness — her favorite topics being anything related to running and strength training — she's reading up on the latest and greatest news in the field and working on her own health goals.
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