We Tried bNutty Gourmet Peanut Butter. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Updated: Apr. 12, 2023
Are fancy-smancy spreads worth the price? Our peanut butter pro took one brand to the (taste) test. You'll be surprised at what he found.
Who doesn’t love peanut butter? The brown-bag fixture strikes a chord in people of all ages and remains a pantry staple in homes from coast to coast. It’s no surprise, then, that chefs, entrepreneurs and culinary geniuses eagerly try to take peanut butter to new and “classy” heights. And I can’t blame them. I love the stuff!
So, when my boss asked if I’d like to sample some all-natural artesian peanut butters from bNutty, I jumped at the chance. (“Let me get this straight. You’re going to pay me for eating fancy peanut butter? Cool! Let’s do this! Now. Like, give me the peanut butter now. NOW!”)
BNutty relies on peanuts grown in the US to create a honey-roasted peanut butter, serving as the base for 12 flavors. You can purchase a 2-oz jar for $3 or a 12-oz jar for $8. See their web site to learn more.
The gourmet spreads promise to take you “beyond peanut butter” with flavors such as Blissful Blueberry, Simply Salted Caramel, Java Energy and Totally Toffee. I put three flavors to the test: Irresistible Pretzel, Joyful Cranberry and S’more Dreams.
Irresistible Pretzel Peanut Butter
Irresistible Pretzel is an insanely chunky concoction of peanut butter chopped nuts, pretzel bits and white chocolate. (Yes, I said white chocolate!) Pretzels and peanut butter are a combo made by the snack gods, and the while chocolate mellows the savory mixture in just the right way. If you like your peanut butter smooth, this likely isn’t the spread for you; but lovers of the crunch are will go nuts (pun intended) over the addictive delight.
Eat it by the spoonful right out of the jar when snack attacks come calling. (Not that I’ve done that. Okay. I’ve done that.) It would also be perfect on apple wedges and celery sticks. And if peanut butter, pretzels and chocolate are your thing, then check out these four-ingredient pretzel rods.
Joyful Cranberry Peanut Butter
Next up—Joyful Cranberry Peanut Butter. I must admit that I’m not a huge fan of dried berries or dried fruit…or fruit in general. (Okay, I like junk food! Happy now?) There was something about peanut butter dotted with ruby-red berries however that intrigued me.
Unfortunately, this combo didn’t live up to my hopes. There weren’t enough cranberries to sweeten the deal, they looked like little raisins and the few berries I encountered had a way-chewy texture that freaked me out a bit.
If you like ants on a log (raisins and peanut butter on celery sticks), this might be the gourmet peanut butter for you.
S’more Dreams Peanut Butter
Everyone loves s’mores, right? So why not combine that fireside favorite with peanut butter? I mean, just look at all of these insane s’more desserts. We just can’t seem to get enough of the ooey-gooey treats.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I opened the jar of S’more Dreams, so I dove in with my spoon and took a taste. Then another. And then another. Before I knew it, my 2-oz jar of crunchy goodness was nearly gone. While I can’t say that this sweet specialty tasted like s’mores, I can say that it was super yummy. (How’s that for a technical review?) This delightful combo of flavors and textures stole the show during my peanut-butter palooza.
Sticky Situation
Are gourmet peanut butters worth it? For me, the jury is still out. While I could easily inhale a 2-oz jar during a quick $3 lunch, I’m not sure I’d spend $8 on a 12-oz. jar. That said, bNutty’s attempts at taking my taste buds “beyond peanut butter” worked, and their products peaked my interest to sample more. In fact, I plan to test the company’s other flavors soon.
Am I peanut butter snob? Hardly. But as long as food manufactures are going to push the envelope where our favorite lunch spread is concerned, I’ll be there to sample their lip-smacking successes.
Peanut Butter Pudding Dessert
Originally Published: May 17, 2018
