Granola butter combines the goodness of granola with the creamy texture of nut butter! But is it like peanut butter? Possibly better? Let’s compare these two spreads to find out…
Comparing granola butter vs peanut butter
| Granola butter | Peanut butter | Reduced-fat peanut butter (Jif brand) | |
| Taste | Toasty, roasted (like granola or a graham cracker) | Nutty, slightly sweet | Mild peanut flavor, slightly sweet |
| Texture | Creamy, slightly grainy | Thick, smooth & creamy (or crunchy) | Thick, smooth & creamy (or crunchy) |
| Allergens | Tree nuts (coconut) | Peanuts | Peanuts, soy |
| Vegan? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Paleo? | No | No | No |
| Keto? | No | Maybe (4 g net carbs) | No |
| Glycemic index | Unknown; likely medium due to added sugar | Peanuts=14 | Unknown; likely low like regular peanut butter |
What is granola butter?
So, what is granola butter exactly? Think of it as a spreadable version of your favorite granola!
The best part is that you can make it at home using simple and wholesome ingredients such as rolled oats, nuts, seeds, coconut oil, spices, and natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey. Everything is blended up into a nut-butter consistency.
What is peanut butter?
Peanut butter is made from roasted peanuts that are ground into a creamy or chunky paste.
Typical ingredients in peanut butter include roasted peanuts, salt, and sometimes a small amount of sweeteners or oils to enhance flavor and texture. Some variations may include additional ingredients like sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oils, or emulsifiers.
Differences between granola butter and peanut butter
Granola butter and peanut butter differ in taste, texture, and potential allergens.
Granola butter offers a roasted, nutty and slightly sweet flavor with hints of cinnamon or other spices (depending on the ingredients). Its texture is creamy yet grainy due to the presence of oats.
Peanut butter, on the other hand, boasts a rich, savory taste with a smoother, spreadable texture.
Regarding allergens, granola butter may contain various nuts, oats, and coconut oil (tree nuts), posing a potential risk to those with nut or gluten sensitivities. Peanut butter, made primarily from peanuts, can trigger peanut allergies, one of the most common food allergies. Individuals with nut or peanut allergies should be cautious when choosing between these spreads.
How to use granola butter vs peanut butter
Just like regular peanut butter or other nut butters, you can use granola butter on your favorite snacks like English muffins, bagels, toast with jelly, yogurt, pretzels, celery, or apple slices.
You can also use peanut butter for savory dishes like peanut noodles, satay sauce, or peanut dressings and dips! Granola butter is usually sweeter than peanut butter and not used in this way, making it slightly less versatile.
Can you substitute granola butter for peanut butter?
You can substitute granola butter for peanut butter for spreading, snacks, and sweet dishes.
Granola butter can be used in a variety of sweet applications such as spreading it on toast, pancakes, waffles, or using it in desserts like cookies, bars, and smoothies.
However, it may not be suitable for savory dishes due to its sweet flavor profile. For savory recipes, it’s better to stick with traditional peanut butter or other nut butters.
Nutrition: Granola butter vs peanut butter
Granola butter generally has a lower fat (and calorie) content than traditional nut butters like peanut butter. It’s rich in fiber from oats and seeds, but because it contains oats and sweeteners, it’s also a lot higher in carbs and sugar. However, the exact nutritional profile of granola butter varies depending on the ingredients used.
In contrast, peanut butter typically contains more protein and healthy fats. Reduced-fat peanut butter has around 30% less fat than the original stuff, but it may also have more added sugar and vegetable oils, so natural peanut butter is the way to go!
| Serving size: 2 tbsp. | Calories | Total fat (saturated) | Total carbs | Net carbs (fiber) | Total sugars (incl. added) | Protein |
| Granola butter | 170 | 12 g (4 g) | 14 g | 13 (1 g) | 4 g (4 g) | 3 g |
| Peanut butter (Adams natural) | 200 | 16 g (3 g) | 7 g | 4 g (3 g) | 2 g (0 g) | 8 g |
| Reduced-fat peanut butter (Jif) | 190 | 12 g (2.5 g) | 15 g | 13 g (2 g) | 4 g (3 g) | 7 g |
How to store granola butter and peanut butter
Due to its lower fat content and the potential for the ingredients to separate, it’s best to store granola butter in the refrigerator. This helps preserve its texture and prevents rancidity. Covered homemade granola butter can last in the fridge for up to 1 month.
Peanut butter can be stored at room temperature, especially if it’s the shelf-stable variety with added preservatives. However, for natural peanut butter, it’s better to store it in the refrigerator to help thicken it and extend its shelf life.
Peanut butter typically has a long shelf life (a few months), but it’s a good idea to check the expiration date and follow any storage recommendations provided on the label.
Granola butter vs peanut butter: Which is better
Between granola butter and peanut butter, I personally prefer natural peanut butter. It’s simple and doesn’t have a lot of sugar. Natural peanut butter is just made from peanuts and maybe a bit of salt, without any extra stuff. Granola butter is also good with its various wholesome ingredients, but it’s higher in sugar, which also makes it less versatile than peanut butter in some cases.
FAQs:
Yes, granola butter is similar to peanut butter but is made from blended granola ingredients rather than peanuts, offering a unique flavor and texture profile.
Almond butter, made from blended almonds, is a nutritious alternative to peanut butter, providing similar creamy texture and beneficial fats.
Taste preferences vary, but many people enjoy almond butter for its slightly sweet and creamy taste, or hazelnut butter for its rich and indulgent flavor reminiscent of chocolate-hazelnut spread.
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