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Welcome to Skimm Tested, where we put products to the test and then give them a report card. (Check out all of our tried-and-tested faves here.)
The assignment...
To test if Oat Haus’ Instagram-popular granola butter ($12.95) is a noteworthy swap for nut butter. Even if you don’t have an allergy, does this spread deliver?
Straight A's in...
Sweetness level. This oat-based spread allowed us to have a treat without having to reach for candy or anything that’s overly processed. It’s sweet in a way that isn’t sickly, super sugary-tasting, or overpowering.
Flavor. Our testers’ go-tos were Brownie Batter, Cookie Dough, and Original, which mini Skimm’rs (we tapped a few kids for this review) reported tastes similar to Cookie Butter. They aren’t as rich as traditional dessert spreads, making them extra-enjoyable and flavors are accurate, so our testers weren’t left feeling unsatisfied.
Ingredient transparency. Oat Haus is open about what their products are made of — from their website and social media to the signage you receive in your order. All flavors have a base of oats, flax, maple syrup, coconut oil, olive oil, salt, and spices.
Versatility. You can use Oat Haus spreads on anything from rice cakes and fruit to smoothies and ice cream. We appreciate how easy it is to mix into other meals.
Room for growth...
Consistency and texture. This spread really separates. All three of our testers noted needing to generously stir upon first opening, and even as they continued to use throughout the month of testing. That process can also get a little messy. In terms of texture, the spreads can feel slightly grainy — all were hoping for something a bit smoother and thicker.
Shelf life. Oat Haus directs consumers to finish one opened jar within a month. For a nut-butter alternative, this seems somewhat fast. Of course, if this becomes a daily staple you could definitely get through a jar in a month. For the slow snacker, it could mean that you’d be throwing jars out before using them up.
Flavor similarity. Our testers didn’t taste a huge difference between Vanilla, Cinnamon Roll, and Original. If you’re looking to get a variety of flavors, we recommend picking one of the above mentioned, in addition to other blends. We have our eye on Strawberry Shortcake.
Plays well with...
Those with a nut allergy. Now you have something different than sunflower butter. Not only is this spread nut-free, but it is also made in a nut-free facility.
A lot of different foods like rice cakes, fruit (we love it with apples), oatmeal, smoothies, and any vegan baking recipes that call for nut butters. You can also eat it on its own with a spoon. The options are endless and it’s fun (and easy) to get creative with this spread.
Mini Skimm’rs (otherwise known as kids and toddlers) who have a nut-free lunch requirement at school.
Those looking for a healthier dessert option.
Gets extra credit for...
Being ultra allergy-friendly. This spread is vegan, kosher, nut-, soy-, and dairy-free, plus non-GMO. It’s also free of the top 14 allergens (gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soy, milk, tree nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulfur dioxide, lupin, and shellfish).
Flavor variety. Oat Haus is always keeping things exciting by dropping new and seasonal flavors — from Brownie Batter to Pumpkin Spice. And followers are invested, always commenting their excitement over new options.
How we did our homework…
Three Skimm HQ’rs and two mini HQ’rs tested the granola butter over the course of a month. They ate it on its own, drizzled into smoothies and over oatmeal, on rice cakes, added into school lunches, and more, all while noting flavor, texture, likability, and their thoughts on whether or not they’d want to keep it in their pantry as a staple. One tester has been a longtime customer and has seen multiple iterations of this product, so she was able to judge the evolution of the brand fairly and accurately.
Footnotes...
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