The best peanut butters to buy in the UK

Does peanut butter contain palm oil?

Yes, many peanut butters do contain palm oil so keep an eye on ingredients lists on labels; most peanut butter brands will make it clear if they do not contain palm oil.

Why is palm oil so bad?

According to WWF, “Palm oil has been and continues to be a major driver of deforestation of some of the world’s most biodiverse forests, destroying the habitat of already endangered species like the Orangutan, pygmy elephant and Sumatran rhino.”

If you’re actively looking to remove palm oil from your diet, you’ll need to survey most of the foods you pick up in the supermarket, as palm oil can be found in almost half of them.

Smooth or crunchy peanut butter?

It really is a preference thing. Crunchy peanut butter can add a lot of texture to your cooking, but when it comes to slathering it on toast, some people prefer to keep things real smooth.

The best smooth peanut butters to buy

Mothernutter

New guys on the block, Mothernutter, started roasting and blending smooth and crunchy varieties in just 2022. Their mission? Bold flavours, with none of the crap. All of their nut butters are palm oil free, using sustainably sourced high oleic peanuts, and are roasted and blended  in Cumbria. They also donate 10% of profits to environmental causes. So what do the goods taste like? Although their smooth PB is ‘smoother than a dolphin with a chat-up line’, it does still have little tiny crunchy bits throughout, which makes for a great texture. It spreads heavenly on toast and has a lovely, deep flavour, making it a good choice for cooking too. Available from Mothernutter (£4.50).

Whole Earth chocolate and hazelnut smooth peanut butter

Whole Earth is the UK’s number one peanut butter brand. With a catalogue of flavours on offer, from smooth to crunchy, there’s something for everyone. Adventurous peanut butter fans should try their chocolate and hazelnut peanut butter for the ultimate sweet treat. Available from Asda (£3.29 for 340g).

Black Cat smooth peanut butter

Black Cat is as wholesome as its jar would suggest. Made in South Africa, it is a little sweeter than the other peanut butters we tried, but remains 91% peanuts. Other ingredients are simply cane sugar, stabiliser and salt. This isn’t saccharine by any means, merely moreish – it’s definitely one to try if you want things to go smoothly and prefer your PB with a hint of sweetness. Available from Ocado (£3.99 for 400g).

ManiLife original roast smooth peanut butter

Just peanuts and salt, that’s all you can expect to find inside ManiLife’s original roast smooth peanut butter. It’s a top option for anyone who really hates the crunchy stuff, as you’re unlikely to find a smoother PB out there. There’s a reason why it scooped up a Gold Star at the Great Taste Awards… Available from Sainsbury’s (£3.99 for 295g).

Mother Africa

Silky, creamy, Mother Africa Peanut Butter only comes in a smooth variety and is perfect for slathering on toast or mixing into porridge. Not only is this peanut butter a cheaper option, we think it is one of the best options to cook with too. Stir into traditional African stews, curries, or even bake with this spread – its rich nutty flavour adds a depth to all kinds of comfort food. Available from Asda (£1.80 for 500g).

Pip & Nut Ultimate Deep Roast Peanut Butter

For a rich, deep flavour, opt for Pip & Nut. They roast their Argentinian hi-oleic peanuts at a higher temperature for a longer period of time so that the batch results in an extra deep nutty flavour. It’s wonderfully smooth too, and works in a range of sweet and savoury dishes. Available from Pip & Nut (£3.75 for 400g).

The best crunchy peanut butters to buy

Yumello crunchy salted date peanut butter

Yumello’s crunchy salted date peanut butter is as popular with adults as it is with little kids, bringing with it both texture and a richly sweet-salty kick from real dates. Made in the UK, Yumello’s crunchy peanut butter is available in both 1kg and 250g tubs, and – WARNING – this goes surprisingly fast. Made with 86% peanuts, 8% dates, coconut oil and sea salt, it makes for a breakfast of champions. Available from Ocado (£2.99 for 200g).

Koeze Cream-Nut crunchy peanut butter

Koeze’s Cream-Nut crunchy peanut butter is made in small batches in Virginia, USA with literally two ingredients: peanuts and sea salt. Since 1925, Koeze have been crafting their PB without preservatives. While it’s a little more expensive than the other nut butters we tried, we can see why: this is as close to the real thing as you are going to get without roasting and grinding your own nuts. It’s rich and oh so satisfying. Available from Ocado (£6.89 for 368g).

Yumello smoked harissa peanut butter

Yumello’s smoky and hot harissa peanut butter might leave you thinking ‘what?’, but trust us – this one is worth a go. If you’ve ever tried a spicy satay sauce and liked it, this one is for you. Enjoy it as a snack with celery sticks or to take your breakfast avocado on toast up a notch. And in cooking, this one really comes into its own: think satay sauces, gado gado, or to liven up a burger or wrap. Available from Ocado (£2.99 for 250g).

Pip & Nut ultimate deep roast crunchy peanut butter

The counterpart to their smooth deep roasted peanut butter, this batch is also roasted at a higher temperature and for a longer period of time, resulting in the ultimate rich spread. The added crunchy texture makes it our go-to for savoury dishes like chicken satay or for amping up a veggie curry. Available from Pip & Nut (£3.75 for 400g).

Love peanut butter? Then check out all our peanut butter recipes here, from brownies to noodles.