Powdered peanut butter, sometimes called PB2, is a powder made from peanuts that has had most of the natural oils removed. This results in a product that has significantly fewer calories than regular peanut butter. Powdered peanut butter is growing in popularity due to the health benefits it provides over traditional peanut butter. But can you drink powdered peanut butter? Let’s take a closer look.
Is Powdered Peanut Butter Meant to be Drunk?
Powdered peanut butter is not specifically made to be drunk on its own. It is intended to be reconstituted into a peanut butter-like paste by mixing it with water. The powder is very dry and quite thick, which would make it unpleasant and difficult to drink on its own. The intended use is to mix it with water to reach the desired peanut butter consistency for spreading or using in recipes.
That said, there’s nothing dangerous or risky about drinking powdered peanut butter mixed into water or another liquid. While not what it’s designed for, drinking it is unlikely to cause any harm. It simply may not have the most enjoyable texture or flavor compared to reconstituting it into a thicker paste.
Benefits of Drinking Powdered Peanut Butter
There are some potential benefits that make drinking powdered peanut butter reasonable to consider:
- May be easier to swallow than reconstituted paste if you have difficulty swallowing
- Adds peanut butter flavor to smoothies, protein shakes, oatmeal, etc.
- Requires less mixing and prep than making a paste
- Allows you to drink some nutrients instead of chewing them
For those who want the nutrients and flavor of peanut butter in liquid or soft food form, drinking powdered PB can provide that. The powder dissolves fairly well into liquids like smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, milkshakes, protein shakes, and more. The peanut butter flavor comes through when mixed thoroughly.
Best Methods for Drinking Powdered Peanut Butter
If you want to drink powdered peanut butter, here are some of the best methods to try:
Smoothies
Adding 1-2 tablespoons of powdered peanut butter into a fruit and/or vegetable smoothie is an easy way to drink it. The thick texture of the smoothie will help conceal the graininess of the powder. Banana, berries, spinach, cocoa, and vanilla make great flavor combinations with peanut butter.
Protein Shakes
Mixing powdered peanut butter into a liquid protein shake, like whey or plant-based protein, adds both flavor and nutrients. 1-2 tablespoons blended into 8-12 ounces of shake provides great peanut butter taste.
Oatmeal
Stirring powdered peanut butter into oatmeal allows you to drink the nutty flavor while getting the benefits of oats. Use 1-2 tablespoons per serving of cooked oatmeal and stir thoroughly before eating.
Milk
You can simply mix powdered peanut butter into milk, anywhere from 1-4 tablespoons depending on how strong you want the flavor. Shake or blend well to dissolve the powder. Chocolate milk works especially well masking the texture.
Yogurt
Mixing 1-2 tablespoons of powdered peanut butter into a bowl of yogurt allows you to drink it down. Greek yogurt works best as the thicker consistency helps blend the powder.
Tips for Drinking Powdered Peanut Butter
To make drinking powdered peanut butter more enjoyable, here are some useful tips:
- Always mix the powder thoroughly into the liquid of choice until dissolved
- Use a blender, frother, or shaker if possible for smooth consistency
- Start with less powder and increase to taste preferences
- Mask the grainy texture with bananas, cocoa, chocolate, or nut butters
- Drink quickly before the powder has a chance to settle
Recipes for Drinking Powdered Peanut Butter
Here are a few recipe ideas for drinking your powdered peanut butter:
Peanut Butter Protein Shake
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons powdered peanut butter
- 1 banana
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 cup ice
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Drink immediately.
Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons powdered peanut butter
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1 banana
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- Toppings like granola, chia seeds, shredded coconut
Directions:
Blend powdered peanut butter, yogurt, banana, spinach, and milk in a blender until smooth. Pour into a bowl and add desired toppings. Eat with a spoon.
Overnight Peanut Butter Oats
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons powdered peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
- 1 cup milk of choice
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a container or jar. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, give it a stir and enjoy.
Risks of Drinking Powdered Peanut Butter
There are a couple risks to be aware of with drinking powdered peanut butter:
- Choking hazard – Drinking the powder straight or with too little liquid could potentially pose a choking risk. Always mix thoroughly with plenty of liquid.
- Allergies – Those with peanut allergies should avoid drinking powdered peanut butter due to the risk of reaction.
As long as you mix the powder into a decent amount of liquid and don’t have a peanut allergy, drinking powdered peanut butter should come with minimal risks.
Nutritional Comparison to Regular Peanut Butter
Here is how the nutrition of powdered vs regular peanut butter compares in a 2 tablespoon serving:
| Nutrient | Powdered Peanut Butter | Regular Peanut Butter |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 45 | 190 |
| Fat | 1.5g | 16g |
| Carbs | 3g | 7g |
| Fiber | 2g | 2g |
| Protein | 5g | 8g |
As you can see, powdered peanut butter is significantly lower in calories and fat compared to regular peanut butter, while still providing protein and fiber.
Cost Comparison
Powdered peanut butter tends to be more expensive than regular peanut butter. Here is an approximate cost comparison:
- Powdered peanut butter: $0.20-$0.30 per serving (2 Tbsp)
- Regular peanut butter: $0.05-$0.15 per serving (2 Tbsp)
Considering it takes 2-4 times more powdered peanut butter to provide the same flavor intensity as regular peanut butter, the costs add up. However, if you primarily use powdered peanut butter to flavor liquids like smoothies where you don’t need as much, the cost difference may be less significant.
Is It Worth Drinking Powdered Peanut Butter?
Here are the main pros and cons to consider:
Pros
- Adds peanut butter flavor to liquids
- Lower in calories and fat than regular peanut butter
- Easy protein and nutrient boost
Cons
Ultimately, drinking powdered peanut butter can be worth it if you want the flavor and nutrition without all the fat and calories. It works best mixed thoroughly into liquids. Make sure to blend or shake it into smoothies, shakes, oats, yogurt or milk for the most enjoyable texture and experience.
The Bottom Line
While not its intended use, you can drink powdered peanut butter mixed into water, smoothies, shakes, oats, milk, or yogurt. The powder dissolves fairly well into liquids and provides the iconic peanut butter flavor with fewer calories and fat grams than regular peanut butter. Just make sure to blend it thoroughly to avoid a grainy, clumpy texture. Drinking allows you to reap the benefits of powdered peanut butter in drinkable form.