How To Fix Overly Thick Peanut Butter

Whether you are making sweet-and-salty desserts like these chocolate peanut butter cheesecake bars, adding it to savory dishes for a bonus nutty flavor, or making a classic peanut butter and jelly (PB&J) sandwich with it, smooth, creamy peanut butter is a pure delight. Its flavor also pairs well with many different foods and used in recipe variations such as adding grilled bacon to a pb&j sandwich. Peanut butter's flavor is a great addition to a wide variety of different dishes.

Peanut butter is also a nutritious snack choice. It contains a healthy dose of protein at 22.5 grams per 3.5 ounce serving as well as folate, magnesium, vitamins E, B3, and B6, states Healthline. It also contains biotin, which has been shown to promote hair growth and healthier nails (via WebMD). What we're saying is, peanut butter is basically the perfect afternoon treat.

If you open your jar of peanut butter and find that it has thickened, think twice before you toss it in the trash — there may be an easy way to save it.

If you find that your peanut butter is a little harder to spread than you would like, fortunately there is an easy way to thin it back out. The National Peanut Board suggests adding a little water for some extra moisture. Add the water slowly and be sure not to overdo it — too much water can make the peanut butter runny. 

Another option is to heat peanut butter up in order to liquify the fat content. When heating it up, there are two popular methods: the microwave or the stove. If you opt to microwave your peanut butter, you will want to start in small increments, states Richard's Pantry.  Try starting with ten to fifteen seconds, stir, and then repeat until you've reach the desired texture and density. If you use your stove, Richard's Pantry suggests heating the desired amount of peanut butter in a small saucepan over low heat until it reaches the ideal consistency.

So the next time you open a jar and find that your peanut butter has thickened up, use these tricks to thin it out and enjoy that smooth spread.