The Worst Peanut Butter Brand With No Added Sugar Or Oils Is A Runny Mess

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As tempting as an all-natural peanut butter might sound, one Tasting Table writer discovered that one brand might be better left on the shelf. While ranking over a dozen different peanut butters, Crazy Richard showed promise with its single-ingredient branding, but the nutty spread was thin and lacking in flavor. Nut butters are nutrient-dense ingredients that can bulk up recipes and add delightful texture to breads and crackers, but what came out of this jar was more messy than desirable. 

"I opened this up and practically sprayed peanut butter all over the counter, there was so much liquid at the top," remarked one Redditor. Crazy Richard's peanut butter is made with exactly 720 peanuts, and nothing else. Those who have grown accustomed to salt or sugars added to their nut spreads may find this product on the bland side, but those searching for vegan, gluten-free products may look specifically to purchase this USA-made brand. "Crazy Richard makes some fine peanut butter, I don't know him personally, but whatever he does to this peanut butter is definitely crazy, it's more milk texture than peanut butter," wrote another reviewer on Reddit. Crazy Richards suggests that those wanting a thicker consistency should place the product in the fridge once it has been stirred and warns consumers that natural separation can occur, particularly during warmer months. This refrigeration hack doesn't seem to work for everyone, however. 

Crazy Richard began in the 1980s when its founder began mixing up nut butters at home. This Richard teamed up with another Richard, who was running Krema Peanut Butter, the oldest peanut butter company in the United States. The two Richards focused on selling minimal-ingredient products and focused on the natural foods industry. Not every sampler has been impressed.

"Extremely runny. Just liquid. Even after [being] in the fridge," wrote a Walmart reviewer. "Dumped it. Won't buy it again." Crazy Richard has admitted that containers of runnier nut butter can be more easily blended into recipes to make sauces and smoothies, or be quickly drizzled on top of treats like ice cream bowls, overnight oats, or be a go-to ingredient to add to brownies. Some samplers have taken this advice, writing on Walmart review boards, "I only use this in recipes that call for sugar-free peanut butter. I would not use for a sandwich as I am not a fan of the oil and it's laborsome [sic] to stir. A good product to use for baking." Should you happen to pick up this product for yourself, know that you have options if the consistency isn't quite to your standard.