Quick Answers
There are a few easy ingredients that can be mixed into peanut butter to thin it out:
– Vegetable or canola oil
– Milk
– Yogurt
– Applesauce
– Honey
– Maple syrup
Adding a liquid ingredient like oil, milk or yogurt will help make the peanut butter smoother and easier to spread. Stir in 1-2 tablespoons at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Sugary ingredients like applesauce, honey or maple syrup will also help thin out the peanut butter while adding extra flavor.
Why Thin Out Peanut Butter?
Peanut butter is a staple ingredient in many households. It’s tasty, nutritious and versatile. However, sometimes peanut butter can become too thick, dry and difficult to spread, especially if it has been stored for a while after opening. Here are some main reasons why you may want to thin out peanut butter:
To Make it Spreadable
Fresh peanut butter usually has a creamy, spreadable consistency. Over time, the oils in peanut butter can separate and rise to the top, while the bottom becomes very dense and stiff. Mixing the separated oils back into the peanut butter can help make it smoother and easier to spread again. Adding a splash of liquid like milk is an easy way to thin it out.
To Use in Recipes
Many recipes call for peanut butter to be thinned out or softened before mixing it into the other ingredients. Using regular dense peanut butter straight from the jar could result in a lumpy, stiff batter or sauce. Adding a tablespoon or two of oil or milk helps loosen up the peanut butter so it blends and mixes smoothly.
To Reduce Sticking
Thick peanut butter can stick heavily to the knife, roof of your mouth and teeth when eating. This can make sandwiches assembling and eating more difficult. Thinning it out with a liquid helps reduce the stickiness and makes the peanut butter easier to handle and eat comfortably.
For Special Diets
Some people who have trouble swallowing may benefit from a thinner peanut butter consistency that is easier to swallow. Adding milk or yogurt helps thin it out while also providing extra protein and nutrients. For those limiting sugar, applesauce or oil are good natural ways to thin peanut butter.
How to Thin Out Peanut Butter
Thinning out peanut butter is a simple process that takes just a few minutes. Here are some easy methods:
Use Oil
Vegetable, canola or olive oil can be stirred a tablespoon at a time into natural peanut butter to thin it out. The oil helps loosen up the dense peanut butter and makes it smoother. Just be careful not to add too much or the peanut butter may become too thin.
Use Milk
Whole milk, 2% milk, or non-dairy milk like almond milk can help thin peanut butter consistency. Slowly stir in 1-2 tablespoons at a time until you reach the desired consistency. The milk adds creaminess while thinning it out.
Use Yogurt
Plain yogurt or Greek yogurt is an excellent way to thin peanut butter. It adds protein and a tangy flavor while loosening up the texture. Slowly mix in a couple tablespoons until smooth and spreadable.
Use Applesauce
Unsweetened applesauce can help thin out peanut butter without adding extra sugar. It brings natural sweetness and a smooth texture. Stir in 1-3 tablespoons applesauce to reach desired consistency.
Use Honey or Maple Syrup
For a sweeter peanut butter, stir in 1-2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup. This will thin out the peanut butter while also adding flavor. Be careful not to add too much sweetener.
Microwave
Heat a bowl of peanut butter in the microwave for 10-20 seconds to make it looser and more liquid. Be careful not to overheat. Stir the melted peanut butter well before using.
Mix and Store Properly
Always mix peanut butter well after thinning it, until the consistency is uniform throughout. Store thinned peanut butter in an airtight container in the pantry or fridge and it will stay smooth and spreadable. The oils may separate again over time, requiring more mixing.
What Ingredients to Avoid
While many ingredients can safely thin out peanut butter, there are a few ingredients that should be avoided:
Water
Using water to thin peanut butter is not recommended. Water and peanut oil do not mix well, so the water will make the peanut butter slimy and mushy.
Vegetable Shortening
Shortening cannot be blended into peanut butter smoothly. It will leave an unpleasant greasy mouthfeel.
Too Much Sugar
Adding more than 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup can make the peanut butter excessively sweet. Use a light hand when adding sugary ingredients.
Flavor Extracts
Extracts like vanilla, almond or peppermint extract can overpower peanut butter flavor. These are best avoided.
What to Use Thinned Peanut Butter For
Thinned out peanut butter has many great uses in recipes and snacks:
Sandwich Spreads
Smooth, creamy peanut butter is much easier to spread on bread, crackers or banana slices.
Dips
Thin peanut butter consistency makes it perfect to use as a dip for fruits, vegetables, pretzels or graham crackers.
Sauces
Loose peanut butter can be drizzled over ice cream sundaes or blended into smoothies for extra nutrition.
Asian Cooking
Thinned peanut butter works well stirred into Asian noodle and rice dishes like pad thai.
Baking
In cookies, cakes and other baked goods, thinned peanut butter blends together smoothly with the other ingredients.
Nutritional Information
| Ingredient | Calories Per Tablespoon | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peanut Butter | 100 | 8g | 3g | 4g |
| Vegetable Oil | 120 | 14g | 0g | 0g |
| Milk | 20 | 2g | 3g | 1g |
| Yogurt | 17 | 0g | 2g | 1g |
| Applesauce | 50 | 0g | 13g | 0g |
| Honey | 65 | 0g | 18g | 0g |
| Maple Syrup | 52 | 0g | 13g | 0g |
Key Takeaways
– Thinning out peanut butter improves spreadability and makes it easier to use in recipes.
– Stir in liquid ingredients like oil, milk, yogurt, applesauce a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
– Avoid water, shortening, excess sugar or extracts when thinning peanut butter.
– Thinned peanut butter works great in sandwiches, dips, sauces, baked goods and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does thinning peanut butter change the nutrition?
Thinning agents like oil, milk or yogurt add some extra calories, fat, carbs and protein. But the overall nutrition remains very similar. Peanut butter is still packed with protein, healthy fats and fiber.
2. How long does thinned peanut butter last?
Thinned peanut butter stored in an airtight container will last 3-4 weeks in the pantry. For longer shelf life, store in the fridge up to 2-3 months. The oils may separate again during storage.
3. Can you thin natural peanut butter?
Yes, natural peanut butter without any added oils or sugars can also be thinned using the same methods of stirring in liquids, yogurt, applesauce or syrups.
4. Is thinning peanut butter safe for allergies?
If you have a peanut allergy, avoid thinning with ingredients that contain peanut proteins like oils or milks processed in peanut facilities. Stick to pure oils, maple syrup or applesauce.
5. Will thinning change the baking properties?
Using thinned peanut butter may require slight recipe adjustments like reducing other liquids. But it can still be substituted evenly in most baked goods.
Conclusion
Thinning out peanut butter allows it to blend more smoothly into recipes, improves spreadability, reduces sticking and customizes the texture for individual preferences. Simple ingredients like oil, milk, yogurt, applesauce or syrup stirred in incrementally help loosen up peanut butter density. Avoid water, shortening or excess sugars. Thinned peanut butter can be used in endless recipes for sandwiches, sauces, dips and baking. With just a few tweaks, peanut butter can be transformed into the perfect consistency for any use.