How to Melt Peanut Butter

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Whether you’re making a smoothie, a batch of fudge or a savory sauce, there is an art and a science to melting your favorite peanut butter. Take your peanut butter from a stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth spoonful to a thin, creamy addition to your favorite dinners and desserts.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Melting in the Microwave

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  1. Scoop spoonfuls of peanut butter from the jar into your prepared measuring cup and smooth down for accuracy. Using a spatula, scrape the peanut butter into a microwave-safe bowl. Repeat until you have enough for your recipe.
    • Spray your measuring cup with cooking spray before you begin, to get the peanut butter out more easily. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Melt Peanut Butter
    Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel to avoid messy splatters. Use a timer to make sure you remove the bowl after 30 seconds to prevent burning. It's best to use pot holders to take the bowl out of the microwave safely.
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  3. Stir the peanut butter, then return the bowl to the microwave for 30-second increments until it reaches the desired consistency. Be careful not to heat it for too long, or the peanut butter may liquify [2] . When it's done, remove from the microwave and enjoy.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using the Stove

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Melt Peanut Butter
    Spray your measuring cup with cooking spray before you begin, to get the peanut butter out more easily. [3] Scoop spoonfuls of peanut butter from the jar into your prepared measuring cup and smooth down for accuracy. Using a spatula, scrape the peanut butter into a room-temperature saucepan. Repeat until you have enough for your recipe.
    • Don’t turn on the heat yet in order to avoid burning the peanut butter.
  2. Once your peanut butter has been measured into the saucepan, place the pan on the stove and turn the burner on low. Gradually heat the peanut butter to keep it from having a burnt taste.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Melt Peanut Butter
    Using a spoon, stir gently as the peanut butter slowly heats up. Stirring constantly prevents the peanut butter from sticking to the pan and heating unevenly. It should take about 5 minutes for the peanut butter to melt.
  4. As soon as the peanut butter reaches the desired consistency, remove it from the stove. Taking it off of the heat immediately prevents it from thinning out too much or burning to the pan. Add to your recipe and enjoy.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Whipping in a Blender or Food Processor

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Melt Peanut Butter
    Spray your measuring cup with cooking spray before you begin, to get the peanut butter out more easily. Scoop spoonfuls of peanut butter from the jar into your prepared measuring cup and smooth down for accuracy.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Melt Peanut Butter
    Using a spatula, scrape your measured peanut butter into the blender or food processor. Add two tablespoons of water per tablespoon of peanut butter. For a creamier consistency, you can use milk in place of water.
    • If you're making a savory sauce, you can use the other ingredients, like soy sauce, for example, in place of water.
  3. To liquify the peanut butter, turn it up to a higher speed. Once the peanut butter reaches the desired consistency, turn off the blender or food processor, add the peanut butter to your recipe and enjoy.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Are there any other methods to melt peanut butter?
    Jennifer Levasseur
    Personal Chef
    Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College.
    Jennifer Levasseur
    Personal Chef
    Expert Answer
    You can use the double-boiler method. Begin by filling a pot with water, leaving a few inches of space, and bringing it to a simmer. Place a metal bowl containing your peanut butter over the pot, ensuring that the bowl fits approximately 75% into the pan, resting on top. Be cautious not to add so much water that it touches the bowl; the goal is to generate steam without direct contact with the water.
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      Tips

      • Add additional liquid to thin out the peanut butter if you're making a drizzle or a smoothie.
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      Things You’ll Need

      In the Microwave

      • Jar of your favorite peanut butter
      • Spoon
      • Spatula
      • Measuring cup
      • Non-stick cooking spray
      • Microwave-safe bowl
      • Microwave-safe lid or paper towel

      On the Stove

      • Jar of your favorite peanut butter
      • Spoon
      • Spatula
      • Measuring cup
      • Non-stick cooking spray
      • Saucepan

      In the Blender or Food Processor

      • Jar of your favorite peanut butter
      • Spoon
      • Spatula
      • Measuring cup
      • Non-stick cooking spray
      • Tablespoon
      • Water or milk

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Jennifer Levasseur .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/smart-trick-measuring-peanut-butter-23203256
      2. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/smart-trick-measuring-peanut-butter-23203256
      3. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/smart-trick-measuring-peanut-butter-23203256

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To melt peanut butter in the microwave, first spray a microwave safe bowl with cooking spray so the peanut butter doesn’t stick. Once you’ve greased it, scoop as much peanut butter as you want into the bowl and microwave it on high for 30 seconds. Just make sure to put a paper towel over the bowl so it doesn’t splatter while heating. Then, stir the peanut butter and microwave it for another 30 seconds. Repeat this heating and stirring process until it reaches the consistency you want. To learn how to melt peanut butter on the stove, read on!

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