The Absolute Best Way To Mix Natural Peanut Butter

How to properly use a hand mixer to stir natural peanut butter

Before you even reach for the hand mixer to blend your natural peanut butter, you need to make a decision about the oil layer on top — should you drain it or leave it? If you often find your peanut butter too runny after mixing, particularly the creamy variety, you might want to pour off the excess oil before blending. Just be sure to save it for use in your stir-fry dishes. On the other hand, if you prefer a creamier texture and don’t mind a bit of oil, keep it in the jar so it can be mixed back into the nut butter.

Now, grab your hand mixer — we particularly like the KitchenAid 5-speed ultra power hand mixer — and attach just one beater. With the mixer turned off, dip the beater into the jar and push it all the way to the bottom. Hold the jar securely with your other hand, and turn the mixer on at the lowest speed. This will help prevent the jar from moving around and creating a mess. Gently move the beater up and down and around the jar as it stirs. Once the butter has blended with the oil, you can gradually increase the speed for a more thorough mix. And there you have it — perfectly blended natural peanut butter with minimal hassle and mess.

Why natural peanut butter separates in the first place and how to prevent it

If you frequently use natural peanut butter, you're likely familiar with the layer of oil that forms on top of the jar. This is something you probably expect to see. However, those new to it might question whether this is normal or something to avoid. The good news is that this separation is entirely natural. The separated peanut butter is safe to consume, but you'll want to stir it before enjoying it for the best texture. So, what leads to this separation in the first place?

As mentioned earlier, natural peanut butter is free from additives and chemicals. Most brands in this "natural" category consist of pure peanuts, such as Crazy Richard's 100% all-natural creamy peanut butter, or a simple mix of peanuts and salt, like Smucker's natural creamy peanut butter. This means they do not include stabilizers like hydrogenated oils, which are typically used to keep nut butter mixed and prevent the oil from separating from the solids.

While natural peanut butter is prone to separation, there is a helpful tip to keep it mixed after stirring: store it in the refrigerator. The cooler temperatures will cause the oil to solidify, slowing down the separation process. However, be aware that nut butter kept in the fridge will become firmer and may be more difficult to spread, especially on items like sandwiches.