Guilty Eats
Fansided

Crunchy vs creamy peanut butter: Which one is best?

By Sarah Perchikoff

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 12: Jars of peanut butter are offered for sale at Armitage Produce on October 12, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. This summer's hot, dry weather devastated the Runner peanut crop, the variety mostly used in making peanut butter, causing prices of raw peanuts to soar. The resulting increase in peanut prices is expected to raise the price consumers pay for peanut butter by more that 25 percent on most major brands. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 12: Jars of peanut butter are offered for sale at Armitage Produce on October 12, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. This summer's hot, dry weather devastated the Runner peanut crop, the variety mostly used in making peanut butter, causing prices of raw peanuts to soar. The resulting increase in peanut prices is expected to raise the price consumers pay for peanut butter by more that 25 percent on most major brands. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

It’s a food battle as old as time. Is creamy or chunky peanut butter better? You are either on one side or the other and if you happen to buy the wrong one at the grocery store, it’s instantly upsetting. But which one is actually the best?

Ok, I can’t actually tell you which one is better than the other. It’s all about preference as it is with most food. I prefer chunky. Creamy is okay, but to me, there really is nothing like the difference of textures in a chunky PB. You get the smoothness of the “butter” and the crunchiness of the nuts. It’s perfection.

But chunky doesn’t always work for everything. If you’re making frosting, a cream pie, or a cake, only creamy will do. But if we’re talking about just eating it off the spoon, it’s got to be crunchy.

Since everyone has their own preference, I put together a few products and recipes that show off what makes each type so great. Let’s take a look!

Crunchy vs creamy peanut butter is a timeless food battle

Crunchy

Talenti Layers Peanut Butter Crunch. Image courtesy Unilever
Talenti Layers Peanut Butter Crunch. Image courtesy Unilever /

1. Talenti Peanut Butter Vanilla Fudge gelato

I was lucky enough to try this Talenti gelato and OMG, it’s amazing. It features a top layer of peanut butter gelato which is like the creamiest of creamy peanut butter. Next are layers of peanut butter cups, fudge sauce, vanilla gelato, and peanut butter cookies.

It’s the cookies and the cups that make this a chunky peanut butter fever dream.

2. Peanut brittle

If you like crunchy peanut butter and haven’t tried peanut brittle, you need to fix that immediately. It’s got the crunchiness of candy, an intense peanut taste, and it’s jam-packed with peanuts.

You either want to find a good peanut brittle you can buy or find a recipe that satisfies your taste buds. My mom makes an amazing peanut brittle so I just have to guilt-trip her into making it.

Photo: Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Credit: Sandy Casanova
Photo: Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Credit: Sandy Casanova /

3. Nutty Buddy bars

Who doesn’t like Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Bars? They are like a classic from childhood. While the peanut butter in these bars is smooth, the crispness from the wafers and the chocolate make this perfect for any crunchy PB fans out there.

When I eat these, I separate each layer and eat them separately. Highly recommend that method!

4. Peanut butter and jelly bars

The Barefoot Contessa AKA Ina Garten has a recipe for the most amazing peanut butter and jelly bars. I’ve made these at least three times and they are good every time. The crunchiness of the crust, the crumbly topping, and the peanuts on top make this a must-have if crunchy peanut butter is your jam (pun intended).

These bars are like a sophisticated PB&J sandwich but they also send you right back to eating the classic sandwich as an afternoon snack.

Creamy

Klondike REESE’s Bar. Image courtesy Unilever
Klondike REESE’s Bar. Image courtesy Unilever /

1. Reese’s Klondike bars

Ok, creamy PB time! Klondike makes a Reese’s peanut butter ice cream bar that is the stuff of dreams. The chocolate outer shell is perfectly thin and crisp but it’s the smooth peanut butter ice cream inside that will have you losing your mind in happiness. It’s smooth AF and has the perfect amount of peanut buttery flavor.

2. Betty Crocker Reese’s Dessert Bars

Full disclosure: I may or may not have eaten a whole pan of these when I was a kid. They are that good. The bars come as a kit that you can probably find in the baking aisle of your local grocery store. They are incredibly easy to make. You only need a few extra ingredients.

Once they are made, let them chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour. After that, cut a slice and try not to go back for seconds and thirds.

Target
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 11: A view of Lindt Lindor Chocolate Truffles at the front row of Rodarte fashion show during New York Fashion Week at St. Bartholomew’s Church on February 11, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Anna Webber/Getty Images for Lindt) /

3. Lindt peanut butter truffles

Lindt chocolate is one of the creamiest chocolates you’ll find in the grocery store and the peanut butter truffle is one of the best they make.

Unlike Reese’s, the peanut butter in these truffles is incredibly smooth and creamy. It melts in your mouth as soon as it hits your tongue. The only issue is trying to just eat one or two!

Breyers REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups Tub. Image courtesy Unilever
Breyers REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups Tub. Image courtesy Unilever /

4. Breyer’s Reese’s ice cream

Peanut butter ice cream can be hard to do right. Sometimes it’s not peanut buttery enough. Other times, it’s too peanut buttery to the point that it almost hurts to eat. This Breyer’s Reese’s ice cream is just right.

With this, Breyer’s combines PB ice cream with real Reese’s peanut butter cups and chocolate fudge swirled throughout. The smoothness of the ice cream and the fudge make this perfect for the creamy PB lovers.

Skippy's new donut for National Peanut Butter Day. dark. Next

So are you a crunchy or a creamy person? Why is that your favorite? And have you tried any of these treats for yourself? Do these satisfy your craving for all things PB? What is your favorite treat (if it didn’t make this list)? Let us know in the comments below.

Home/Holiday