By: Julia Mertes, Communications Intern, The Lion’s Pantry
Fudge. Sandwiches. Ice Cream. Candy.
What do all these treats have in common?
They can be made with peanut butter — a staple food item that students pick up when visiting The Lion’s Pantry.
If you are a peanut butter lover, then you are not alone. According to Statista, approximately 299.34 million Americans consumed peanut butter during the 2020 season.
Peanut butter can be paired with a variety ingredients to make a delicious meal or snack — from the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich to peanut butter and chocolate treats.
Besides being a tasty addition to one’s meal plan, peanut butter also contains health benefits.
For instance, WebMD records that peanut butter includes omega-6 fatty acids, which aid brain and bodily functions as well as cholesterol lowering. The creamy spread is also known to reduce one’s diabetes risk and regulate weight, the article said.
If you are looking for new ways to incorporate peanut butter into your daily dietary plan, then you came to the right place. Here are 15 recipe ideas for peanut butter lovers to whip up this week.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels
1. Make peanut butter rice cake sandwiches.
Rather than making traditional PB&J sandwiches with white, wheat or rye toast, consider making your sandwich with rice cakes.
You could even make “The Elvis Sandwich,” which includes peanut butter, bananas, honey and bacon. Simply use rice cakes as the base of the meal.
2. Create peanut butter granola bars.
Peanut butter acts as a binding agent when creating energizing granola bars to snack on at the beginning of the day or when extra energy is needed. If you would like to whip up some peanut butter granola bars, check out a recipe from Food Network or Taste of Home.
Most granola bar recipes include comparable ingredients, including peanut butter, honey, eggs, old-fashioned oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, brown sugar, and butter. However, you can always modify your recipe to include your favorite ingredients — whether that be dried fruits, marshmallows, or nuts.
3. Create peanut butter-coated ice cream cones.
You cannot go wrong with a peanut butter dessert, so why not add the spread to your next ice cream treat?
Coat the inside of your ice cream cone with peanut butter and enjoy every bite that follows.
4. Add peanut butter into your next smoothie or milkshake.
If you are a smoothie or milkshake lover, add a scoop of peanut butter into the mixer when creating your drink.
Incorporate your desired helping of peanut butter, ripe bananas, milk and ice into a mixer for a breakfast dish filled with creamy texture, few ingredients and quick creation time.
Photo by Eiliv Aceron on Pexels
5. Spread peanut butter onto your breakfast favorites like pancakes and waffles or coat your crepes with the spread.
Adding peanut butter to your favorite breakfast classics will take them to the next level.
6. Create a dessert pizza coated with peanut butter as the “sauce.”
Rather than making a savory pizza filled with cheese and coated with red sauce for dinner, you could always create a dessert pizza coated in peanut butter.
Top your peanut butter-covered pizza with your favorite fruits and other sugary toppings. For instance, consider adding chocolate chips, peanut butter cups, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup for a sugary treat.
7. Whip up some peanut butter bread.
If you enjoy carbs, you are not alone. Peanut butter bread will be the perfect treat for a special breakfast or quick midday snack.
Follow this recipe by She Wears Many Hats to end up with tasty bread for any occasion.
8. Make some no-bake peanut butter cookies.
If you don’t have an oven easily accessible for regular use, then no-bake peanut butter cookies are the treat for you to create and devour.
Using sugar, butter, milk, peanut butter vanilla extract and oats, you’ll be able to whip up a peanut butter-filled dessert to impress your friends and family in no time.
Photo by Matheus Bertelli on Pexels
9. Add peanut butter to your s’mores.
If you’re a fan of Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies, then you may enjoy this spin on the traditional summer snack — s’mores.
Coat your Graham cracker in peanut butter before adding a hopping of chocolate and warmed marshmallow.
10. Add peanut butter to your next yogurt parfait.
Besides adding traditional yogurt, fruit and granola inside a fruit parfait, consider adding peanut butter to the dish for extra flavor and protein. A helping of peanut butter in your bowl will take the parfait to the next level.
11. Incorporate peanut butter into your daily oatmeal.
Add a dollop of peanut butter into your oatmeal for a filling and savory breakfast.
If you would like to follow a recipe geared toward accentuating the peanut butter flavor in your dish, then use the following recipe by Tasty that takes limited prep time and ingredients.
12. Coat your popcorn in a peanut butter drizzle.
Heat up some peanut butter in the microwave or stove and drizzle it over some popcorn. This will be your new favorite movie night snack that takes minimal time to heat up and execute.
13. Cover your Oreos in peanut butter.
If you grew up watching the movie “The Parent Trap,” then you would recognize this suggestion of coating Oreos with peanut butter.
Try this simple trick the next time you open a container of Oreos for a “sweet” surprise of flavor.
Photo by Rachel Claire on Pexels
14. Mix peanut butter into your next pasta, rice, or noodles dish for added saltiness.
If you order sesame peanut butter noodles when eating out at your local Asian-inspired restaurants, consider making your own dish for dinner.
15. Create a frozen peanut butter treat.
To create a cool treat, mix vanilla yogurt and peanut butter together in a container — along with any other add-ins you would like to include. Place the concoction into the freezer until solid and enjoy.
This basic treat will be great for people of all ages and can even be shared with your dogs at home.
