Sick of Stirring Peanut Butter? Try This Simple Trick. (2024)

Updated: Dec. 18, 2023

Natural peanut butter keeps its ingredient list simple, just like this hack for no-stir satisfaction.

Peanut butter is for way more than sandwiches—I’m talking ice cream pies, shakes and smoothies, granola bars, pizza, even chicken. This creamy ingredient is a favorite not just of mine, but of Americans everywhere.

Did you know that every year the United States produces 5.85 billion pounds of peanuts and Americans spend $1.85 billionon peanut butter?Here’s the brand that won our taste test.

If you’re one of those Americans who prefer natural nut butter, you know about “the problem.”

Why Peanut Butter Separates

Big peanut butter brands often use special oils to help extend shelf life, and stabilize the mixture to prevent separating. But natural nut butters lack the stabilizer, so the peanut’s own oils separate from the butter itself, especially at warmer temperatures.

(Here’s our guide to the healthiest nut butters.)

This separation is called syneresis, which is just a fancy word that means “liquid separating from a solid mixture.” The liquid isn’t dangerous. Had it not separated from the peanut butter you would’ve eaten it anyway. But it can be annoying. Stirring the liquid back in takes a bunch of elbow grease. And because I’m messy, I always wind up splashing the oils all over the countertop.

If only there were some way to prevent syneresis in the first place! Wait…

Here’s Our DIY Peanut Butter Mixer

Store your natural peanut butter container upside-down. (This is the brand our tasters recommend.)

Yes, it really is that simple. See, the liquids that separate from the solid body of peanut butter rise to the top. Storing it upside-down will force the oils at the top to travel back through the butter, mixing right in themselves. And if the oil all travels to the bottom of the jar, just store it right-side-up until you use it again. Rinse and repeat.

So, when you’re done using peanut butter, keep this simple tip on rotation for easy spreading. Voila!

Desserts for Serious PB Lovers ONLY

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Sick of Stirring Peanut Butter? Try This Simple Trick. (1)

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Psst! Looking for something just as delicious but a little healthier? These healthy peanut butter snacks are just what you need.

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Peanut Butter Coconut CookiesThese four-ingredient peanut butter coconut cookies are easy to make, so you'll always have time to make a quick batch. Bonus: No flour means they're also gluten-free! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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To make a dairy-free dessert, I created chocolate peanutty bars. My kids and their friends gobble them up. I've written about it on my blog, joyfulscribblings.com. —Dawn Pasco, Overland Park, KansasGo to Recipe

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BuckeyesThese chocolate peanut butter balls (no bake!) are always popular at my church's annual Christmas fundraiser. They resemble chestnuts or buckeyes—hence the name. —Merry Kay Opitz, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

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Peanut Butter Cookie In A MugThis peanut butter cookie in a mug is perfect for when you have a sweet tooth but don't want to make an entire batch of cookies. So quick and easy! —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Chocolate Ganache Peanut Butter CupcakesI've been baking cakes for years and enjoy trying new combinations of flavors and textures. For this peanut butter cupcake recipe, I blended peanut butter and chocolate. As soon as I took the first bite, I knew I had created something divine! —Ronda Schabes, Vicksburg, Michigan

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Candy Snack MixChock-full of raisins, peanuts and M& M's, this crunchy salty-sweet mix stays fresh for weeks. I keep it on hand to serve to unexpected guests or to fill decorative containers to give as last-minute gifts. —Mary Newsom, Grand Ridge, Florida

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This no-bake cheesecake with distinctive layers of chocolate, peanut butter mousse and a silky ganache on top will take some time to assemble, but it's worth the effort to create a homemade dessert with grand-champion appeal—and definitely worth the wait. —JaNon Furrer, Prescott, Arizona. If you like this, then learn how to make peanut butter mousse.

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Peanut Butter Cream Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Peanut Butter Cream PieDuring the warm months, it's nice to have this fluffy, no-bake peanut butter pie that's a snap to make. Packed with flavor, this pie gets gobbled up even after a big meal! —Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia

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Sick of Stirring Peanut Butter? Try This Simple Trick. (2024)
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