Peanut butter is a popular spread made from ground, dry roasted peanuts. It is a staple in many homes and used in various recipes. Peanut butter is packed with protein, healthy fats, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.
When baking or cooking with peanut butter, it is useful to know how much one spoon of peanut butter weighs. The weight of peanut butter varies slightly depending on the brand, chunkiness, oil content, and how tightly it is packed into the spoon. However, there are some general guidelines for approximating the weight of one spoonful or tablespoon of peanut butter.
What is Considered One Spoon of Peanut Butter?
When referring to a spoon of peanut butter, this typically means a standard eating spoon or tablespoon. One tablespoon of peanut butter is equivalent to:
– 3 teaspoons
– 1/2 fluid ounce
– 15 milliliters
Metal cooking spoons are designed to hold precisely 1 tablespoon when full. Standard metal spoons made for eating often hold slightly less than an actual tablespoon measure.
When scooping peanut butter out of a jar with an eating spoon, it is difficult to level it perfectly full. So the amount may be slightly less than an actual tablespoon. Measuring peanut butter precisely requires using an actual tablespoon measure and leveling it off.
Weight of One Tablespoon Peanut Butter
The average weight of one level tablespoon of creamy peanut butter is:
– 32–36 grams
– 1.1–1.3 ounces
Crunchy style peanut butter tends to be slightly heavier due to the chunks of peanuts. The weight of crunchy peanut butter per tablespoon is approximately:
– 33–38 grams
– 1.2–1.3 ounces
So you can estimate the weight of one spoon or tablespoon of peanut butter to be approximately 1.1 to 1.3 ounces or 32 to 38 grams.
However, peanut butter brands can vary in density, oil content, and chunk sizes. These factors impact the exact weight per tablespoon. Generic and natural brands also tend to be denser and heavier than mainstream brands like Jif or Skippy.
Here is the approximate spoon weight for some common peanut butter brands:
| Peanut Butter Brand | Weight per Tablespoon |
|---|---|
| Skippy (creamy) | 33 grams |
| Jif (creamy) | 32 grams |
| Skippy (crunchy) | 36 grams |
| Jif (crunchy) | 35 grams |
| Peter Pan (creamy) | 35 grams |
| Peter Pan (crunchy) | 37 grams |
| Reese’s | 36 grams |
| Smucker’s | 37 grams |
| Trader Joe’s | 35 grams |
| Adams | 35 grams |
| Justin’s | 34 grams |
As you can see, most major brands of peanut butter weigh between 32 and 37 grams per tablespoon. The chunky styles weigh a bit more than the creamy. Natural or organic brands also weigh slightly more per spoonful.
Factors Affecting Weight per Spoon
There are a few key factors that impact the weight of peanut butter per spoon or tablespoon:
Brand Style
Creamy peanut butter generally weighs a little less than crunchy per tablespoon. This is because the chunks of peanuts make it slightly denser.
Brand and Ingredients
Mainstream brands like Jif and Skippy tend to weigh a little less than natural or organic types. How much peanut content versus oil and emulsifiers impacts density.
Peanut Roast
Dry roasted peanuts result in lighter peanut butter than boiled peanuts. Dry roasting removes some oils.
Grind Size
Coarse chunks of peanuts add more weight than finely ground peanut butter. Super chunky natural brands weigh more.
Settling
The peanut oils in peanut butter tend to separate and rise over time after opening. Stirring will redistribute oils and impact density.
Packing
How firmly the peanut butter is packed into the spoon changes the weight. Lightly scooped peanut butter weighs less than tightly packed.
Measuring Tool
The actual tablespoon measure will pack a more level amount than a typical eating spoon scooped from the jar.
Volume vs Weight of Peanut Butter
In baking recipes that call for peanut butter, measuring by weight in grams or ounces is actually more accurate than using spoon or cup measurements. This is because how tightly it is packed into a spoon or cup can vary each time, changing the density.
For example, 1 cup of loosely packed peanut butter weighs around 290 grams. But 1 cup firmly packed weighs closer to 330 grams.
Using a kitchen scale to weigh peanut butter eliminates this variance. Weight measurements also simplify adapting recipes for different volumes. A recipe that calls for 227 grams of peanut butter can easily be halved to 114 grams.
Weight of Peanut Butter in Common Recipes
Here are some examples showing how much peanut butter typically weighs in certain recipes:
Peanut Butter Cookies
Most peanut butter cookie recipes call for around 1⁄2 cup peanut butter which weighs about:
– 130-150 grams
– 4.5-5.3 ounces
Peanut Butter Fudge
For peanut butter fudge, the recipes often use about:
– 310-340 grams peanut butter
– 11-12 ounces
Peanut Sauce
Peanut sauces or dressings use approximately:
– 60-90 grams peanut butter
– 2-3 ounces
Peanut Butter Spread
When spreading peanut butter on bread or toast, the typical amount is around:
– 15-30 grams
– 0.5-1 ounce
So you can see recipes require anything from 15 grams up to over 300 grams depending on the dish and quantity it makes. Weighing the peanut butter provides the most consistent and reliable results compared to using spoon or cup measurements.
Tips for Measuring Peanut Butter
Here are some tips for achieving accurate, consistent measurements of peanut butter:
– Use actual tablespoon measures rather than spoons from your cutlery. The tablespoon tools are designed to scoop a precise 1 tablespoon amount when leveled off.
– Try to be consistent in how firmly you pack the peanut butter into the measuring spoon or cup. Packing it tightly will increase the weight versus scooping lightly.
– Weigh the peanut butter on a kitchen scale instead of using spoon/cup measurements for the most accuracy. Digital kitchen scales provide weights in grams and ounces.
– When doubling a recipe, weigh out double the peanut butter in grams rather than trying to estimate 2 cups or tablespoons by volume.
– Stir the peanut butter well before measuring to evenly distribute the oils. But avoid over-stirring or mixing in extra air.
– Level off the measuring spoon or cup for a standard amount, using a spatula or knife.
– Store opened peanut butter jars upside down to help prevent oil separation.
– Use smooth creamy style peanut butter when accuracy is critical since chunks add variance.
Equivalents and Substitutions
It can be helpful to know some equivalents when substituting peanut butter amounts in recipes:
– 1 cup creamy peanut butter = 290 grams
– 1 cup crunchy peanut butter = 320 grams
– 1 tablespoon peanut butter = 33 grams
– 1 ounce peanut butter = about 2 tablespoons
Some substitutions for peanut butter if needed:
– Almond butter
– Sunflower seed butter
– Soy nut butter
– Nutella
– Tahini or sesame paste
When substituting, you may need to adjust other liquids in the recipe as these spreads differ in thickness. And their flavors will be noticeably different from peanut butter.
Uses for Leftover Peanut Butter
With peanut butter’s long shelf life, jars often have a bit left when you reach the end. Here are some creative ways to use up the last spoonfuls of peanut butter:
– Mix into oatmeal, yogurt or smoothies
– Make peanut butter energy bites or no-bake cookies
– Use as a dip for apple slices, celery, bananas or graham crackers
– Spread on pancakes, waffles or toast
– Mix into granola or trail mix
– Blend into milkshakes or ice cream
– Stir into batter for cookies or cakes
– Fold into chocolate for DIY candy like Reese’s
– Use as binding agent for veggie or meat burger patties
– Flavor stir fries, noodle dishes or curries
– Make homemade peanut sauce or dressing
– Add to batter for deep fried peanut butter rolls
With so many possibilities, that last bit of peanut butter never needs to go to waste! A spoonful can add flavor, protein and healthy fats to sweet and savory dishes.
Storing Peanut Butter to Maximise Freshness
An opened jar of peanut butter has a shelf life around 3-4 months when stored properly. Here are some tips for keeping peanut butter fresh for as long as possible:
– Store opened peanut butter jars upside down in the fridge or pantry. This helps prevent oil separation.
– Use a clean knife each time you scoop out peanut butter to avoid introducing bacteria. Do not double dip dirty utensils back into the jar.
– Check expiration or best by dates and write the date opened on the lid. Discard peanut butter after 3-4 months past the opened date.
– If oils separate, stir peanut butter well before use. But avoid adding extra air by overmixing.
– Keep lids tightly sealed in storage to keep out moisture. A little dryness on top is normal.
– Transfer small portions of leftover peanut butter into a freezer-safe container or bag for longer storage.
– Store unopened peanut butter jars in a cool, dark pantry. Avoid temperature fluctuations.
– Inspect peanut butter before use. Discard if moldy, rancid smelling, extremely dry or darkened in color.
– Purchase peanut butter in small jars if you won’t use it up quickly. Less air exposure preserves freshness.
Following these tips, an unopened jar of peanut butter should stay fresh for over a year in the pantry. And opened peanut butter stays good for several months, allowing you ample time to enjoy every last spoonful.
Conclusion
Knowing the weight of peanut butter per spoon or tablespoon is useful for cooking and baking success. While weights vary by brand, one tablespoon of peanut butter generally weighs around 33 grams or 1.2 ounces. Measuring peanut butter precisely requires using proper tablespoon tools and consistent packing. For most accuracy, weighing peanut butter provides reliable results no matter who measures it or how it’s packed. When doubling recipes, weighing peanut butter in grams is also much simpler than volume measurements. With so many uses for peanut butter, it’s helpful to understand exactly how much one spoon weighs to get proportions right.
