6 High-Protein Peanut Butter Powders Under 80 Calories

Peanut butter is a good source of plant-based protein, but for some, it can be high in calories. That's why peanut butter powder is a great substitute.

Peanut butter and peanut butter powder differ in a few ways. Traditional peanut butter is creamy (or chunky) and spreadable, while peanut butter powder is a finely ground powder that can be made creamy by adding water or used on its own in recipes.

Peanut butter powder is also made differently, which affects its nutritional content, says Rachel Fine, RDN. "It's made by pressing and removing most of the oil from roasted peanuts," she explains. "This leaves behind a finely ground powder, which contains protein and fiber, but removes all the fat."

The type of fat naturally found in peanuts is unsaturated fatty acids, aka healthy fats. But even though it lacks healthy fats, peanut butter powder is a good option for those who want to eat more protein without adding too many calories to their diet.

Fat, even if it's considered healthy, adds a lot of calories. That's why a 2-tablespoon serving of creamy peanut butter will give you about 188 calories, and the same serving of peanut butter powder only has around 50, according to the USDA.

With so few calories and high nutritional value, peanut butter powder is a great addition to so many recipes. Eating enough protein at or between meals helps keep you full for longer.

"The best way to use powdered peanut butter is by adding it to foods like oatmeal or a smoothie," Fine says. "This helps you increase the protein of a meal that is otherwise lower in protein."

Similarly, Katelin Maidment, RD, says that "mixing two tablespoons of peanut butter powder with 1.5 tablespoons of water allows you to easily spread it onto sandwiches, pair with an apple or banana, or use in recipes that call for peanut butter."

But with so many options on the market, it can be hard to decide which is the best peanut butter powder for you. With that in mind, we asked the experts for their top choices in peanut butter powder, and what you should consider before buying one.

We spoke to six registered dietitians for their top picks for peanut butter powders. We also chose these products based on the following criteria:

• Ingredients
• Sugar content
• Taste and texture
• Price

• ‌Calories: 60‌
• ‌Protein: 6 grams‌

PB2's Pure Peanut Butter Powder tops our list as the best of the best. The experts agree: This choice is a good one for anyone looking for a yummy powder with all the good stuff and without the extra additives.

"I love that this peanut butter powder doesn't have any added sugar or salt, so it is safe for anyone looking to take in less sugar or salt, or anyone needing a stand-alone ingredient that they can pair with other foods," says Briana Butler, RD, LD.

You won't have to worry about too many extra calories with this powder — a serving only has 60. "It also has 6 grams of protein per serving, so if you eat plant-based or are just looking to add more plant protein to your diet, this is a great option," Butler says.

Because the only ingredient is roasted peanuts, this powder may be a cleaner option than many other plant-based protein powders, which often have a laundry list of artificial ingredients and additives.

• ‌Calories: 50‌
• ‌Protein: 6 grams‌

If you're looking for a clean peanut butter powder option (that is, one with no other ingredients or additives), this one from NAKED Nutrition is the choice for you.

"This powdered peanut butter does not have any added sugar, salt or fillers — just plain ol' peanuts," says Chris Henigan, RD, LDN. On top of being free from additives, this product is quality tested by third parties for heavy metals.

"I love this powder because it comes in a large size, which is helpful because I go through it so quickly," Henigan says.

• ‌Calories: 50‌
• ‌Protein: 5 grams‌

If you're on the hunt for the best peanut butter powder to add to baking recipes, add this one from "I find this peanut butter powder particularly good to use in baking recipes, energy balls and smoothies," says Emma Drackford, RD, nutritionist at NBE Nutrition Coaching. "There's no clumping, and it's got a really nice nutty flavor."

A serving of this powder has 50 calories and 5 grams of protein. "Plus, this powder does not contain preservatives and, unlike some traditional peanut butter, doesn't contain any palm oil," Drackford says.

• ‌Calories: 70‌
• ‌Protein: 8 grams‌

When it comes to taste, nothing beats this peanut butter powder from PBFit. "This powder has a great, potent peanut butter flavor and easily mixes into whatever you are making," says Shirlene Reid, RD, LD.

This peanut butter powder is made with three ingredients: peanuts, coconut palm sugar and salt. The added sugar definitely contributes to the yummy taste of this peanut butter, but don't worry, it's still nutritious. A serving has 70 calories, 8 grams of satiating protein and only 3 grams of sugar.

• ‌Calories: 50‌
• ‌Protein: 6 grams‌

This protein powder from Crazy Richard's is indeed "pure" as the packaging suggests. "This is another peanut butter powder that ticks all my boxes. I love that it's only made with peanuts," Henigan says.

"Mix it in plain or vanilla greek yogurt, or use it as a wonderful dip for fruit or whole-grain crackers. This product mixes well with water to have a texture just like regular peanut butter, so you can use it on sandwiches and celery."

• ‌Calories: 45‌
• ‌Protein: 6 grams‌

Organic products aren't always the most affordable, but the folks over at PB&Me bring us this organic peanut butter powder with a wholesome ingredients list and a reasonable price tag.

"This organic powdered peanut butter has no added sugar, fillers or ingredients besides peanuts," Maidment says. This product also has the lowest calorie count of all on our list: A 2-tablespoon serving has just 45 calories and offers 6 grams of protein.

If you're shopping for a good peanut butter powder, there are a few key things to be aware of and look for that will help you ensure you're getting the best quality product.

When choosing a peanut butter powder, Maidment stresses the importance of reading the nutrition label on your product.

"Look at the ingredient list and go with a powder that is made from only peanuts, because that's all you really need to make peanut butter. The next best option would be a product with just peanuts and salt. The sodium in most peanut butter is relatively low," she says.

"And avoid powdered products with unnecessary additives such as hydrogenated vegetable oil, dextrose and other fillers. These offer no nutrients or benefits, and can potentially cause health issues."

Some powdered peanut butter brands will have varying amounts of added sugars. You don't need to necessarily avoid them entirely, but should ideally choose a product that's low in sugar.

"Look for powdered peanut butter that has the lowest amount of added sugars, or choose zero sugar options if possible," Maidment says. Remember, if you're using your peanut butter powder in a recipe, you can always add in other, more nutritious sweeteners yourself.

Like many protein powders, peanut butter powder often has a long shelf life. How long yours lasts will depend on what the product is made with (i.e., if it contains preservatives).

While they won't always have an expiration date, this doesn't mean your peanut butter powder will last infinitely in your pantry. Many powdered supplement products will have a "best if used by" date, which tells you how long they should maintain their quality and freshness.

Make sure that you follow the storage instructions on the packaging, too. Typically, powdered supplements should be stored in a cool, dry place that's not exposed to too much light.