Buzz
Peanut butter enthusiasts have strong preferences. I’m a fan of the smooth, creamy kind that’s packed with sugar and unhealthy hydrogenated oils. However, if you're aiming for a more nutritious option, natural peanut butter is the way to go. Made from just peanuts and sometimes a pinch of salt, it doesn’t have the stabilizers or oils that prevent separation. This leads to oil rising to the top of the jar, a slightly off-putting sight, but one that’s easy to fix.
How to Properly Store Natural Peanut Butter to Prevent Separation
A little prevention can save you a lot of stirring. The simplest trick to keep your natural peanut butter spreadable is to store it upside down. Since the oil is lighter than the peanut solids, it will naturally move to the bottom of the jar when inverted, preventing separation at the top. When you flip it back over, the solids fall into the oil. Give it a quick 30-second shake to help everything mix back together, and you’re good to go. (Real Simple suggests storing it in the fridge after re-emulsifying, though it makes the peanut butter harder to spread.)
How to Re-emulsify Natural Peanut Butter
If you (or a forgetful family member) didn’t store the peanut butter properly, don’t panic. There are a few simple ways to bring your nutty spread back together and re-emulsify it.
If the opening of your peanut butter jar is wide enough for your immersion blender, simply place it in and blend the mixture. Start off slowly, gently guiding the blender head into the jar. Avoid using too much force or speed, as this can cause the oil to splatter.
If your immersion blender won’t fit, a hand mixer will do the job. Just remove one of the beaters, insert the remaining one into the jar, and—holding the jar firmly—mix it on medium speed. Once the peanut butter is smooth, take out the beater and spread as usual.
