How Much Butter to Substitute for Peanut Butter
Works for baking, sauteing, and frying. Butter brings a noticeably different flavor than Peanut Butter.
How much butter equals one cup of peanut butter and add 1/4 tsp salt?
Use 3/4 cup butter per cup peanut butter and add 1/4 tsp salt.
Health notes
Compared with Peanut Butter, Butter has: more calories (717 vs 588 per 100g in Peanut Butter), more fat (81.1g vs 49.5g per 100g in Peanut Butter), more saturated fat (50.5g vs 9.5g per 100g in Peanut Butter), less protein (0.9g vs 21.9g per 100g in Peanut Butter), and less carbs (0.1g vs 24g per 100g in Peanut Butter).
Using butter as a peanut butter substitute in baking
3/4 cup per cup peanut butter; add 1/4 tsp salt. Expect lighter, more tender crumb with golden browning.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
1:1; browns beautifully. Watch for foam and nutty solids.
- Frying
1:1; crisp exterior with rich, buttery finish. Lower smoke point than peanut.
- Slow Cook
1:1; enriches sauces and braises. Won't break under gentle heat.
- Grilling
1:1 in basting sauces and marinades. Adds richness and browning.
- Raw Cold
1:1 in spreads and dressings. Creamy and rich.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Steaming
Not recommended: butter won't emulsify in steam.
- Drinks
Not recommended: butter won't dissolve cleanly.
FAQ
- How much butter equals one cup of peanut butter and add 1/4 tsp salt?
Use 3/4 cup butter per cup peanut butter and add 1/4 tsp salt.
- Can I substitute butter for Peanut Butter in baking?
Yes. 3/4 cup per cup peanut butter; add 1/4 tsp salt. Expect lighter, more tender crumb with golden browning. Not recommended: butter won't emulsify in steam.
- How much butter to use as a peanut butter substitute?
Richer and less nutty; add vanilla or a pinch of salt to brighten.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Butter for Peanut Butter?
Butter brings a noticeably different flavor than peanut butter.
- How does texture change when substituting Butter for Peanut Butter?
Butter lighter, more tender crumb with better browning. Less binding power. Richer mouthfeel replaces peanut nuttiness.
- What else should I know about substituting Butter for Peanut Butter?
For cookies, brownies, and cakes. Expect lighter, more tender crumb with deeper golden browning. Works well in sauteing, frying, and grilling. Skip steaming and drinks. Butter browns and caramelizes unlike peanut butter. Cream with sugar for lift in cookies.
- What still works when substituting Butter for Peanut Butter?
Butter still works as a fat, emulsifier, flavor carrier, and tenderizer.
- What won't work when substituting Butter for Peanut Butter?
Butter won't work as a binder, moisture, and protein.
- How well does Butter match Peanut Butter?
Butter is good on structure, good on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Butter for Peanut Butter?
Butter is slightly higher in calories, and has about x26 fewer protein, and about x2 more fat and x5 more sat. fat.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Butter for Peanut Butter?
The flavor shifts toward less sweet and less umami notes.