18 Ways to Cook With Peanut Butter

By MaryAnn Barone
March 01, 2016
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This kitchen staple is made for so much more than basic PB&J. Think beyond the sandwich with these simple recipes and see how to add it to every meal.
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Pumped on protein

You already know peanut butter is a great budget buy and kitchen staple. It provides healthy fats and protein, which together curb hunger pangs and keep you feeling full long after you've finished eating. From breakfast to dinner (and every snack break in between), see how you can add more of this nutritious nut butter to your diet.

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Homemade Nut Butter

You can make your own nut butter in only 10 minutes (it’s easier than you think!). Plus, it'll keep in the refrigerator for up to a week when stored in an airtight container. Spread it on sandwiches, or pair it with an apple for a crunchy, diet-friendly snack.

Ingredients: Raw nuts such as almonds and cashews, kosher salt, canola oil

Calories: 177

Try this recipe: Homemade Nut Butter

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Golden Fruit and Nut Granola Bars

Travis Rathbone
If you often have to eat on the go, pack one of these bars in your purse for a helping of healthy whole grains and protein.

Ingredients: Flaxseeds, nut butter, light agave nectar, golden raisins, vanilla extract, kosher salt, rolled oats, raw mixed nuts such as almonds and pistachios, flaky sea salt

Calories: 256

Try this recipe: Golden Fruit and Nut Granola Bars
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Carrot Salad and Nut Butter-Ginger Dressing

Travis Rathbone
Ditch calorie-packed creamy dressings and dress up your lunch salad with this nutty, spicy topping instead.

Ingredients: Nut butter, lime juice, low-sodium soy sauce, honey, fresh ginger, scallions, garlic, carrots, cilantro leaves

Calories: 114

Try this recipe: Carrot Salad and Nut Butter-Ginger Dressing

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Chicken Vegetable Stir-Fry With Satay Sauce

Travis Rathbone
Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, this recipe will have dinner ready and on the table in 20 minutes.

Ingredients: Garlic, fresh ginger, nut butter, brown sugar, fish sauce, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, lemon juice, canola oil, boneless chicken breast halves, losher salt, black pepper, broccolini, small red onion, sliced almonds or other nuts, rice

Calories: 469

Try this recipe: Chicken Vegetable Stir-Fry With Satay Sauce

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Chocolate Peanut-Butter Energy Bars

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At 176 calories each, these homemade energy bars are far healthier than the calorie-packed store-bought varieties. Plus, peanuts help prevent a blood-sugar spike, so your energy never dips and you don’t experience a crash later. An added bonus? Sweetness comes from heart-healthy dark chocolate and cranberries.

Ingredients: Whole-wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, light brown sugar, creamy or chunky peanut butter, eggs, canola oil, cooking spray, pure vanilla extract, barley flakes or rolled oats, dried cranberries, dry-roasted peanuts, semisweet chocolate chips

Calories: 176

Try this recipe: Chocolate Peanut-Butter Energy Bars
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Peanut Butter Blondies

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Peanut butter lovers, this sweet treat is for you. You’ll get a double dose of nutty flavor thanks to rich and creamy peanut butter and the chopped-peanut topping. Plus, one serving provides 6 grams of protein, which makes this a filling, satisfying dessert.

Ingredients: Creamy peanut butter, sugar, eggs, butter, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, flour, baking powder, salt, cooking spray, chopped peanuts

Calories: 273

Try this recipe: Peanut Butter Blondies

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Peanut and Sesame Noodles

Watching your sodium intake? You can still enjoy Asian-inspired foods. Step up your spaghetti dinners with this warm peanut sauce. The recipe has just 150 mg of sodium per serving.

Ingredients: Canola oil, garlic cloves, dark sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, rice wine vinegar, creamy peanut butter, water, whole wheat spaghetti, scallions, crushed red pepper

Calories: 297

Try this recipe: Warm Peanut and Sesame Noodles

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Peanut-Butter-Cup Smoothie

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If you love peanut butter candy but don’t want to derail your diet, try making this much healthier smoothie version. You only need five simple ingredients to kick-start your morning with 8.5 grams of belly-flattening protein.

Ingredients: Banana, low-fat milk, low-fat frozen yogurt, natural-style peanut butter, vanilla low-fat yogurt

Calories: 201

Try this recipe: Peanut-Butter-Cup Smoothie
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Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce

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One serving of this tasty satay and zesty dipping sauce packs a whopping 7 grams of protein in only 58 calories. Try this recipe for a hearty appetizer all your guests will love. Bonus: You can make it in advance and refrigerate until it’s time to serve.

Ingredients: Skinless and boneless chicken breast tenders, lime juice, low-sodium soy sauce, curry powder, creamy peanut butter, ginger, garlic, Sriracha, wooden skewers, cilantro

Calories: 58

Try this recipe: Chicken Satay With Spicy Peanut Sauce

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PB&J Thumbprints

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Chunky peanut butter gives these treats a hearty crunch, and strawberry jam adds a bit of tart sweetness to each bite. This recipe makes eight-dozen cookies, so you can give batches away as gifts or freeze some to save for a later date.

Ingredients: White whole-wheat flour, baking soda, salt, chunky peanut butter, dark brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, strawberry jam

Calories: 44

Try this recipe: PB&J Thumbprints

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Cold Sesame Noodles with Vegetables

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For dinner that’s ready in 30 minutes, you can’t beat this Asian-inspired meal. Cucumbers and carrots add plenty of nutrients and crunch to the noodles, and swapping regular pasta for a whole-wheat version gives healthy whole grains.

Ingredients: Smooth peanut butter, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, light brown sugar, salt, whole-wheat spaghetti, sesame oil, scallions, cucumbers, carrots, cilantro, sesame seeds

Calories: 260

Try this recipe: Cold Sesame Noodles with Vegetables
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Peanut Butter Crispy Rice Treats

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With only five simple ingredients, you can make this classic treat healthier by swapping in honey for sweetness and switching to brown rice cereal. Plus, antioxidant-rich dried cherries add some tangy taste.

Ingredients: Natural-style peanut butter, honey, brown rice cereal, dried cherries, cooking spray

Calories: 201

Try this recipe: Peanut Butter Crispy Rice Treats

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Banana-Nut Elvis Wrap

If you ate a heavy meal last night, start off your morning with this breakfast. A serving has 12 grams of protein to keep you full, and the bananas help beat bloat.

Ingredients: Peanut butter, whole-wheat wraps, bananas, honey, baby carrots

Calories: 389

Try this recipe: Banana-Nut Elvis Wrap

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Dark Chocolate and Oat Clusters

Pack these clusters in your lunch for a filling dessert at work. Rolled oats offer fiber and whole grains, dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, and peanut butter adds substantial protein.

Ingredients: Peanut butter, low-fat milk, semisweet chocolate chips, old-fashioned rolled oats

Calories: 160

Try this recipe: Dark Chocolate and Oat Clusters
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Thai-Style Chicken Roll-Ups

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Swap out regular tortillas for a whole-wheat version to add more fiber to this recipe. This roll-up will keep you full till your next meal, thanks to 22 grams of protein.

Ingredients: Creamy peanut butter, hot water, lime juice, chili garlic sauce, salt, black pepper, flour tortillas, shredded cooked chicken breast, bean sprouts, red bell pepper strips, shredded carrot, chopped green onions, cilantro

Calories: 312

Try this recipe: Thai-Style Chicken Roll-Ups

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Roasted Squash and Kale Salad

Quentin Bacon
This roasted vegetable salad gets a nutty upgrade thanks to the peanut butter-based dressing. You’ll get 8 grams each of protein and fiber, making this a satisfying meatless lunch option.

Ingredients: Butternut squash, olive oil, brown sugar, salt, pepper, kale, cucumber, red onion, low-sodium soy sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, sugar, creamy peanut butter, ginger, water

Calories: 299

Try this recipe: Roasted Squash and Kale Salad

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Peanut Butter Haystacks

Your whole family will enjoy this classic dessert. This simple indulgent needs only four ingredients, and it satisfies any crunchy, sugary, and salty cravings you may have.

Ingredients: Puffed rice cereal, pretzel sticks, semisweet chocolate chips, chunky peanut butter

Calories: 194

Try this recipe: Peanut Butter Haystacks
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PB&B Pancakes

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The tang of lingonberry jam adds an unexpected twist to these peanut butter and banana pancakes. Make these for an easy and fun family brunch.

Ingredients: All-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, buttermilk, eggs, butter, peanut butter, bananas, lingonberry jam, maple syrup

Calories: 368

Try this recipe: PB&B Pancakes
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