Is peanut butter dairy-free? The answer is yes, as long as you’re not eating a specialty peanut butter – like milk chocolate peanut butter. The only issue with regular peanut butter, which usually just contains peanuts, oil, and a sweetener, could be cross-contamination.
Cross-contamination
Many brands of peanut butter are manufactured in facilities that use milk in the production of other products. Some types of peanut butter are even manufacturerd using the same equipment as dairy-containing products.
A fast-moving production line, even if subject to high levels of quality control could be fertile ground for cross-contamination with dairy ingredients. There’s the consideration that even in the most highly automated facilities there is a human element.
All it takes is for one person working with dairy ingredients to neglect their hygienic practices (like not replacing gloves between products).
Also, the equipment may or may not be cleaned when they switch from product to product. This could lead to cross-contamination.
Some manufacturers are careful when switching from a dairy to a non-dairy product, but some, unfortunately, aren’t.
Food processing equipment is difficult to properly clean unless the manufacturer dismantles absolutely everything. I think we’d better assume that this is not usually done.
How do I know what brands are dairy-free?
So how do you ensure that the peanut butter that you are purchasing meets all the criteria to be classed as truly dairy-free?
Your first step is to review the ingredients on the packaging. If you have any doubts, always ask the manufacturer – most are usually willing to go on record about the status of their products.
If you’re highly sensitive to dairy, definitely check labels carefully before buying anything processed.
In the US and many other countries, common allergens used in food must be labeled on product packaging. So if a dairy product is being used, it should say so on the label.
The label might also say something like: “processed in a shared facility” – “may contain (traces of) dairy” – “made on shared equipment with dairy foods.”
If you’re highly sensitive to dairy and worried about cross-contamination, it’s always better to find peanut butter that’s labeled dairy-free or vegan.
Reviewing product labels is time-consuming and it can get a little annoying. But it’s an easy way to ensure your peanut butter is dairy-free!
What about Jif and Skippy?
The good news is that two of America’s favorite brands of peanut butter are dairy-free and most of their products don’t contain any dairy ingredients.
So you’re good to go with those two!
The only thing you have to watch out for is their snack foods. All of Jif’s products are dairy-free, but these snack foods from Skippy do contain milk.
- Skippy Double Peanut Butter PB Bites
- Skippy Pretzel Bites
- Skippy Granola PB Bites
- Skippy Graham Crackers PB Bites
Make your own dairy-free peanut butter with just 1 ingredient
You really only need one ingredient to make homemade peanut butter – roasted salted peanuts.
Toss them in a high-speed blender or food processor and blend until creamy. I have a whole post and video here about how to make peanut butter.
Dairy-free peanut butter recipes
I have over 60 peanut butter recipes, of which most are dairy-free.
Here are some of my favorites!
Also be sure to check out my other dairy-free recipes for some more inspiration!
I hope I’ve answered your question. :) If you have any others, leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to help answer them.
FAQs
Yes! Many of our varieties are vegan certified including creamy, chunky in our regular and natural varieties - as well as our squeeze packs and no sugar added peanut butter spreads!
Is Jif Natural peanut butter dairy free? ›
Jif Natural Peanut Butter is widely considered vegan because it contains only peanuts, sugar, palm oil, salt, and molasses.
What peanut butter is dairy free? ›
What about Jif and Skippy? The good news is that two of America's favorite brands of peanut butter are dairy-free and most of their products don't contain any dairy ingredients. So you're good to go with those two!
Is Skippy peanut butter actually peanut butter? ›
The ingredients of the Skippy Natural are peanuts, sugar, palm oil, and salt. There's nothing unnatural about any of those ingredients, so they can get away with calling it "natural". What it isn't, obviously, is 100% peanuts. It's not even 90% peanuts, which is what the US code calls for in peanut butter.
Can you buy dairy free peanut butter? ›
Pip & Nut - Ultimate Extra Crunchy Dark Roast Peanut Butter (1kg) | Natural Nut Butter, No Palm Oil, No Added Sugar, Hi-Oleic Peanuts, High in Unsaturated Fats, Gluten Free, Vegan, Dairy Free.
Is Smuckers natural peanut butter dairy free? ›
Smucker's® Creamy Natural Peanut Butter is 100% natural and made with two simple ingredients: fresh-roasted peanuts and a dash of salt.
What brand of peanut butter is the healthiest? ›
Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter came up the most when we asked dietitians for the best peanut butter, particularly because it's economical and meets the dietitians' requirements of being made of just two ingredients: peanuts and salt. This is one of the best mainstream peanut butter brands on the market.
Can you eat peanut butter if you are lactose intolerant? ›
A Lactose-Free Food
Despite the name, peanut butter does not contain any dairy butter. Also, peanuts, being nondairy products, don't contain any lactose themselves. Most natural peanut butter is safe to eat if you're lactose-intolerant.
What bread is dairy-free? ›
- Tastefully Simple.
- Judee's Gluten FreeJudee's Gluten Free.
- Good Dee's.
- CARBONAUT.
- Young Kobras.
- Ketonia.
- Pereg.
- Little Northern BakehouseLittle Northern Bakehouse.
Because they're covered in milk chocolate, the original Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are not vegan. However, a new dairy-free, oat-based version of the recipe, called Reese's Plant Based, was released in 2023 (more on that below!).
Dark Chocolate
If you're dealing with a milk allergy, some safe brands I recommend are That's It, Pascha, No Whey Foods, Free2B, Amanda's Own, and Enjoy Life. Be sure to check with the companies directly before purchasing to ensure that their products are safe for you.
What is 100% natural peanut butter? ›
Natural peanut butter contains just peanuts and salt (and sometimes not even the salt). No fully hydrogenated vegetable oils, no sugar – both of which are found in conventional peanut butters.
Does Peter Pan peanut butter have dairy? ›
Is Peter Pan Peanut Butter Dairy Free? There are no dairy ingredients added to any of our Peter Pan products.
Does creamy peanut butter have dairy? ›
While it may have "butter" in the name, PB doesn't actually contain the dairy product.
Can I give my dog creamy Skippy peanut butter? ›
Peanut butter brands you may have in your cupboard, like Skippy or Jif, can be safe for dogs to eat but should only be given sparingly. These brands tend to have added salt and sugar, which can upset a dog's stomach.
What are the ingredients in Skippy creamy peanut butter? ›
SKIPPY® Creamy Peanut Butter
It's nothing but great snacking with this creamy classic. Roasted peanuts, sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oil (cottonseed, soybean and rapeseed oil) to prevent separation, salt.
Is peanut butter ok for lactose intolerance? ›
A Lactose-Free Food
Despite the name, peanut butter does not contain any dairy butter. Also, peanuts, being nondairy products, don't contain any lactose themselves. Most natural peanut butter is safe to eat if you're lactose-intolerant.
