Everybody’s favorite legume often gets outshined in the health food world by trendier picks like almond and cashew butter. And thanks to the rising rates of food allergies among adults and peanuts being a top allergen, many people are wary about eating peanut butter. But for those of us who are able to enjoy the complex flavors of peanut butter and relish its smooth texture, it’s one of the most versatile ingredients. You can enjoy it in a sandwich, overnight oats and even as part of a salad dressing. Here are some of our favorite peanut butter recipes in both classic and totally unexpected new ways.
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1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Chocolate peanut butter overnight oats sound (and taste) so much more indulgent than the ingredients really are. The chocolate flavor comes from unsweetened cocoa powder, so the only sweetener is a little maple syrup, honey, or your choice to taste. Pro tip: If you’re using natural peanut butter that’s difficult to stir, blend the peanut butter and other wet ingredients in a blender first before mixing in the oats and remaining dry ingredients. Photo and recipe: Cassie Johnston / Wholefully
2. Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola
Save your money and skip the Whole Foods bulk aisle. You can easily make a big batch of tasty peanut butter and jelly granola to top oatmeal, yogurt, salads or enjoy straight up. This recipe is super-easy to make and calls for a few basic ingredients: peanut butter, rolled oats, salted peanuts, raisins, cranberries, oat bran and salt. Then, just mix and bake! Photo and recipe: Averie Sunshine / Averie Cooks
3. Peanut Butter and Jelly Breakfast Muffins
Turn the childhood favorite into a more nutritious, fiber-rich meal with this PB&J muffin recipe. White whole-wheat flour ups the fiber and protein content, while bananas help reduce the amount of added sugar you need. Instead of sugary-sweet jam here, you’ll find fresh chopped strawberries. Photo and recipe: Emily Miller / Life by Daily Burn
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4. Peanut Butter Cheese Crackers
Even vegans cave to cravings sometimes. And if you’re anything like us, those moments of weakness are at the junk food aisle staring at packages of peanut butter and cheese cracker sandwiches. So how do you make cheese crackers vegan? Nutritional yeast is the star ingredient, infusing an intensely savory flavor, into the crackers without the dairy, gluten or guilt. Photo and recipe: Dana Shultz / Minimalist Baker
5. Peanut Butter Cup Protein Bites
Reese’s cups just got a major healthy upgrade! We love that this protein ball recipe satisfies your sweet tooth and packs nearly 11 grams of protein (thanks to the protein powder and quinoa) and over seven grams of fiber per serving. Plus it’s so easy to make: Just mix, roll and enjoy. The hardest part is sticking to two balls per serving! Photo and recipe: Alexa Schirm / Life by Daily Burn
6. Thai Chicken Wrap Bistro Boxes
Here’s some food for thought: Instead of making a pitstop at Starbucks for a quick lunch or snack, meal prep this bistro-inspired box at home. The sauce pairs salty-sweet peanut butter with other classic Asian ingredients, including Sriracha for an unexpected kick of heat. This recipe also packs in tons of veggies, including vitamin C-rich red peppers. Photo and recipe: Layla Atick / Gimme Delicious Food
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7. Sweet and Spicy Cold Peanut Noodles
Cold peanut noodles are the ideal meal when you’re really pinched for time (under 15 minutes and no stove required!). You can throw this dish together faster than you can assemble that same old ho-hum sandwich. This take on the classic is at least half veggies, which we love for their fiber and the vitamins they add. Photo and recipe: Ana Stanciu / Hello Glow
8. Spicy Sesame Zoodles with Crispy Tofu
Want to make your cold peanut noodles just a little heartier? Enter: Crispy, spicy fried tofu in this take on spicy sesame zoodles. Using zoodles instead of noodles boosts the fiber and nutrition of the dish without needing to add other veggies. The peanut butter chili paste brings the dish to life with a touch of sweetness and spiciness. You’ll crave this dish on late nights more than your usual take-out. Photo and recipe: Lindsay Ostrom / Pinch of Yum
9. Mango Peanut Tempeh Tacos
This colorfully bright and delicious taco recipe works with any protein as a base because the star is really the toppings — especially the coconut peanut sauce. Sriracha adds a bit of spice to the sauce, while mango makes for the perfect sweet addition. Photo and recipe: Jeanine Donofrio / Love & Lemons
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10. Skinny Chicken Peanut Stew
Peanut butter in soup might sound like a strange twist, but it adds a surprising amount of depth to the flavor of the soup, not to mention creaminess and extra heartiness. This stew is also chock-full of veggies and spices to make it even more satisfying. Prepare a big batch to enjoy it throughout the week. Photo and recipe: Anetta / The Wanderlust Kitchen
11. Peanut Butter and Jelly Popsicles
While chocolate and peanut butter are the classic dessert combo, peanut butter’s other BFF, jelly, can actually carry her weight in the sweets department, too. We love these peanut butter and jelly popsicles, which offer a more refreshing option for a post-dinner treat. They feature wholesome ingredients, like yogurt, honey, fresh raspberries and sesame seeds. Plus, they’re just 200 calories per serving with eight grams of protein. Photo and recipe: Perry Santanachote / Life by Daily Burn
12. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
These “cookie dough” bites are technically baked, but that makes them so much better, because baked equals warm ooey-gooey chocolate chips. They’re also naturally grain free, as they’re made with chickpeas (yes, actual chickpeas — not chickpea flour). They come out to right around 100 calories per serving, which makes for a perfect last bite before bedtime. Photo and recipe: Erin Dooner / Texanerin Baking
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