Most Processed Peanut Butter Brands
Natural peanut butter needs exactly one ingredient: peanuts. Maybe salt. Industrial peanut butter adds hydrogenated vegetable oils (to prevent separation), sugar, and mono and diglycerides. The oil you see floating on top of natural peanut butter is actually a sign of minimal processing.
Peanut Butter at a Glance
15 Most Processed Peanut Butter Brands
Brands ranked by highest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fit butters | 6 | 16.6 6.9 | 6 | 0 |
| 2 | Abbott | 22 | 13.6 5.5 | 22 | 0 |
| 3 | Eas | 42 | 13.3 5.9 | 39 | 0 |
| 4 | Pan di stelle | 3 | 12.9 2.7 | 3 | 0 |
| 5 | Mrs. millers | 3 | 11.8 6.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | Jack&amos | 3 | 10.8 6.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 7 | Walden farms | 6 | 10.3 3.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 8 | Virginia | 3 | 9.5 6.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 9 | Tropical | 4 | 8.9 4.1 | 4 | 0 |
| 10 | Bnutty | 9 | 8.3 6.8 | 5 | 0 |
| 11 | Natures best | 7 | 8.2 6.0 | 2 | 0 |
| 12 | Ferrero | 3 | 8.0 6.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Nutella | 33 | 7.9 3.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Pirouline | 3 | 7.9 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Forrelli | 5 | 7.7 3.3 | 0 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Most Processed
Least Processed Peanut Butter Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Peanut Butter Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1The best peanut butter lists only "peanuts" or "peanuts, salt"
- 2Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils prevent separation but add trans fats
- 3Added sugar and molasses are unnecessary in quality peanut butter
- 4If it does not need refrigeration after opening and does not separate, it contains stabilizers
Least Processed Peanut Butter Brands
For comparison — brands with the lowest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glaser organic farms | 11 | 1.0 7.4 | 0 | 11 |
| 2 | Cream-nut | 9 | 1.0 7.5 | 0 | 9 |
| 3 | Heinens | 24 | 1.0 4.6 | 0 | 24 |
| 4 | Nutup | 4 | 1.0 8.5 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | Pepperwood | 3 | 1.0 8.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | Dierbergs markets | 3 | 1.0 8.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 7 | Arheon | 3 | 1.0 0.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | Sweet ellas | 10 | 1.0 7.3 | 0 | 10 |
| 9 | Zinke orchards | 8 | 1.0 7.5 | 0 | 8 |
| 10 | Moms nuts! | 3 | 1.0 8.5 | 0 | 3 |
| 11 | Sadaf | 7 | 1.0 8.0 | 0 | 7 |
| 12 | Krema | 6 | 1.0 8.0 | 0 | 6 |
| 13 | Laurel | 6 | 1.0 5.7 | 0 | 6 |
| 14 | Brads organic | 7 | 1.0 8.0 | 0 | 7 |
| 15 | Sprouted almonds | 3 | 1.0 10.0 | 0 | 3 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wrong with hydrogenated oil in peanut butter?
Partially hydrogenated oils contain trans fats linked to heart disease. Even "fully hydrogenated" oils undergo intensive chemical processing. They are added purely to prevent the natural oil separation of peanuts.
Why do major brands add sugar to peanut butter?
Sugar (and molasses) enhance flavor to compensate for using lower-quality peanuts. Premium peanut butter made from high-quality roasted peanuts has enough natural flavor without sweeteners.
Are flavored peanut butters ultra-processed?
Yes. Chocolate, honey-roasted, and flavored varieties add sugar, cocoa processed with alkali, artificial flavors, and additional oils — pushing them to Level 3-4.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.