Calling All Peanut Butter Lovers
Peanut butter has a way of making simple dishes feel more complete, whether you’re fixing up breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a late-night snack. It’s rich, it’s reliable, and it plays well with everything from fresh fruit to spicy sauces, which is why it deserves more than the occasional PB&J cameo. If you’re willing to stir, whisk, or spread it a little more creatively, you’ll get recipes you'll come back to again and again. Here are 20 delicious ways to use your jar!
1. Peanut Butter Banana Toast
Start with toast that’s actually properly toasted, since a crisp base keeps the whole thing from turning soft and sad. Spread the peanut butter while the bread is still warm so it melts slightly and tastes more aromatic. Then add banana slices and finish with cinnamon or flaky salt, because you want contrast, not just sweetness.
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2. Thai-Inspired Peanut Noodle Bowl
A good peanut noodle bowl is all about a sauce that tastes bold instead of flat, so don’t skip the acid and heat. Whisk peanut butter with soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, and chili sauce until it turns glossy and spoon-coating. Toss it with noodles and crunchy vegetables, then top with herbs or chopped peanuts.
3. Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Overnight oats can feel monotonous, but peanut butter fixes that by adding body and a deeper flavor that reads like effort. Stir it in before chilling so it blends evenly and makes the oats taste creamy instead of watery. In the morning, add fruit and something crunchy like toasted nuts to give it texture.
4. Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
This dip is a quick way to make plain yogurt taste pleasant, if you're not fond of the natural tang. Mix peanut butter into Greek yogurt until smooth, then sweeten lightly so it still tastes balanced. Keep it thick for dipping apple slices, or thin it with a splash of milk when you want it to drizzle over fruit.
5. Peanut Butter and Apple Sandwiches
Apple slices work surprisingly well as the bread stand-in because they keep things crisp and refreshing. Spread peanut butter between two thick rounds so the snack has that satisfying crunch. If you want it to feel more snackable and fun, press the edges into granola or chopped nuts for extra crunch.
6. Peanut Butter Smoothie Upgrade
If your smoothies leave you hungry an hour later, peanut butter is the fix that actually tastes good. It makes the texture thicker and gives the drink a more satisfying, rounded flavor. Pair it with banana and cocoa, or add coffee for a version that feels like breakfast and a treat at the same time.
7. Peanut Butter Stir-Fry Sauce
This is the kind of sauce that makes a random pile of vegetables feel like a real dinner. Mix peanut butter with soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and enough water to get it pourable, then taste and adjust until it’s punchy. Pour it into the pan at the end so it coats everything without turning dull or overcooked.
8. Peanut Butter Granola Clusters
Granola is always better when it’s clumpy and crunchy, and peanut butter helps you get there. Warm it with a little honey or maple syrup so it mixes smoothly through oats and nuts. Bake until golden, then let it cool completely so the clusters can actually set.
9. Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Bites
These are a smart move when you want something sweet but don’t want to bake or overthink it. Stir peanut butter with oats and cocoa powder, then use honey or dates to bind everything into a dough that holds together. Roll, chill, and keep them in the fridge so you’ve got a snack ready whenever you feel peckish.
10. Peanut Butter on Pancakes or Waffles
Syrup is fine, but peanut butter makes pancakes taste richer and less one-note. Spread a thin layer on hot pancakes or waffles so it melts slightly and gets into all the edges. Add berries for brightness or a small drizzle of honey if you want sweetness without drowning everything.
11. Peanut Butter Salad Dressing
A peanut dressing can turn a basic salad into something you actually look forward to eating. Shake peanut butter with lime juice, soy sauce, and a touch of sweetener, then thin it slowly with water until it pours. It’s especially good on crunchy salads with cabbage, carrots, and herbs, because the texture stands up to the creamy dressing.
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12. Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates
Dates and peanut butter are a simple combination, but they don’t taste simple when you get the balance right. Slice the dates, fill them generously, and sprinkle a little salt so the sweetness doesn’t take over. Add crushed peanuts or cacao nibs on top when you want a little crunch without extra work.
13. Peanut Butter Hummus Twist
If regular hummus feels too boring, peanut butter adds a subtle richness that makes it taste new. Blend chickpeas with peanut butter, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil until it’s smooth and creamy. Serve it with cucumbers and pita, and you’ll savor every bite.
14. Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut butter cookies don’t need a long ingredient list, but they do need good mixing and proper cooling. Combine peanut butter with egg and sugar, then stir until the dough looks thick and uniform. Bake until set, let them cool fully, and you’ll get cookies that taste rich and satisfying instead of crumbly.
15. Peanut Butter Rice Cakes with Savory Toppings
Rice cakes can be bland, so treat them like a crunchy base rather than a finished snack. Spread peanut butter, then add cucumber or shredded carrots and a pinch of chili flakes for a savory bite. You can even add a tiny drizzle of soy sauce or a squeeze of lime to get that zing.
16. Peanut Butter Banana Nice Cream
Nice cream can taste icy if you rush it, so give the bananas time to blend into a smooth base. Add peanut butter once it’s creamy so it mixes in evenly and boosts the richness. Fold in chopped peanuts or chocolate chips at the end so you get texture instead of a uniform, soft scoop.
17. Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa Boost
Who knew peanut butter could elevate hot cocoa? If you find your drink a little thin, whisk a spoonful of peanut butter into the mug while it’s hot so it dissolves and turns your mug into something creamier and more satisfying. A pinch of salt helps the chocolate taste deeper, and it keeps the sweetness from feeling heavy.
18. Peanut Butter Chicken Marinade
Peanut butter in a marinade sounds unusual until you taste how savory and balanced it can be. Mix it with garlic, soy sauce, and a bit of oil, then coat the chicken thoroughly so it actually sticks. Bake or grill, and finish with lime juice or chopped herbs so the flavor feels fresh.
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19. Peanut Butter Pretzel Snack Mix
This is the snack mix that disappears faster than you expect, so it’s worth making a bigger batch. Toss pretzels, cereal squares, and peanuts with warmed peanut butter and honey until everything’s lightly coated. Bake briefly and cool completely, so you get those crisp pieces instead of sticky clusters.
20. Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies
A peanut butter swirl is the easiest way to make brownies feel special without changing the whole recipe. Drop spoonfuls over the batter and swirl gently, since overmixing will muddy the pattern and the flavor. Let the pan cool fully before slicing, and you’ll get clean swirls and a better texture.
