Peanut butter is a sweet-salty food that tastes great as a snack, with desserts or even savory dishes. If you love peanut butter, your possibilities for this delicious and filling treat are endless! If you’d like to heat up peanut butter for eating or cooking, there are a few easy and safe methods you can try for how to melt peanut butter without burning it.

Peanut butter is a pantry staple for most people, whether it’s being spread on a sandwich with jelly or scooped with fresh apples. It’s a great option for something that’s not too sweet but still satisfying! Whether you’d like to warm peanut butter up for drizzling or melt it for cooking, heating up peanut butter is fairly easy if done properly.

Pro Tips for Melting Peanut Butter

Before cooking any type of food, it’s important to take some time to learn about its ingredients, which can have an effect on the way the food reacts to heating. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a typical jar of smooth peanut butter has about 16 grams of fat (USDA).

Fat cooks and burns quickly; peanut butter is no exception. That’s why it’s important to be slow, cautious and diligent when attempting to melt peanut butter, especially if you’re putting it over direct heat. Use liquids such as water, milk, or soy sauce to add extra flavor and smoothness.

No matter what method you choose for heating, the peanut butter shouldn’t take very long to cook, so keep an eye on it and make sure you keep stirring to get the right texture!

What You Will Need

Peanut butter. The peanut butter can be smooth or crunchy, but keep in mind the differences in consistency; thick chunks of nuts won’t melt with the rest of the substance.

Heat-safe containers, for cooking.

A spoon or scoop. Peanut butter can’t be poured before it’s heated – you’ll need a small scoop to extract what you need from the jar.

A spoon or whisk for stirring. Peanut butter contains oil, so it will need to be stirred consistently during the cooking process to ensure even melting.

Water or liquid. This is only necessary if you’re using warm liquid to change the consistency of the peanut butter.

Heating appliances, such as a stovetop, microwave or blender.

Step One: Choosing a Method and Recipe

The type of method you choose to melt your peanut butter will depend on what type of recipe you’re developing. Here’s a couple yummy sweet and savory ideas for warm peanut butter:

Sweet peanut butter topping for drizzling on pancakes, ice cream, and other desserts. Mix in some melted chocolate chips and you have a sweet peanut butter cup mixture.

Savory peanut butter with low sodium soy sauce, honey, garlic and ginger to make an Asian-inspired peanut sauce. Add in coconut milk or cream and cook on low heat, whisking frequently, until cooked through.

Here’s a short video on how to use melted peanut butter with honey on popcorn:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4qlKaRtxAk

Step Two: How to Melt Peanut Butter in the Microwave

Pros to this method: It’s fast and easy.

Cons to this method: You’ll have to check the peanut butter every 30 seconds.

Place your desired amount of peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl. DO NOT put in the whole jar of peanut butter. The peanut butter should be covered with a microwave cover or aluminum foil.

Cook in the microwave for 30 seconds. DO NOT leave it in for more than a minute at a time as it could start to burn.

Stir the peanut butter in increments of 30 seconds until it’s the desired temperature and consistency. Keep in mind that it will only soften, not turn to liquid.

Step Three: How to Melt Peanut Butter in a Saucepan

Pros to this method: It’s easy to add in other ingredients with the peanut butter and you can stir as it cooks.

Cons to this method: It can take longer than microwaving and you run the risk of overcooking if you’re not careful.

Place your desired amount of the peanut butter in a saucepan.

Heat the saucepan over low heat. Here you can add in other ingredients to add flavor and texture.

Whisk the peanut butter as it melts, making sure to blend together the mixture as the oil separates from the solids. The whole process should take about 5 minutes or so, depending on the type of consistency you want and what ingredients you’re using.

Step Five: How to Melt Peanut Butter with Warm Liquid and a Blender

Pros to this method: Blending the peanut butter with liquids means the appliance does all the work for you – no need to stir or cook.

Cons to this method: It might take longer to get the consistency you want based on the types of liquids you use

If you’d like to smooth and warm your peanut butter, add in small amounts of hot water until you get your desired consistency.

For a sweeter, creamer version, use warm milk or cream instead of water and mix in a little bit of sugar or honey. You can also use rice vinegar if you plan on making a dressing or sauce.

Set the whole mixture in a blender and blend until the mixture reaches your desired consistency.

Learn How to Melt Peanut Butter and Try it for Yourself!

Peanut butter is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be incorporated into all kinds of meals, from desserts to main courses. In its normal form, however, it’s too often too thick to be pliable for many recipes – that’s why melting peanut butter is a great way to get it where it needs to be for cooking.

Whether you prefer to stick it in the microwave, cook it on the stovetop or use a blender with warm liquid, there’s no right or wrong way to melt peanut butter – use a method that works best for you!

Did you enjoy this tutorial? Have ideas for delicious melted peanut butter recipes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!