13 Unconventional Ways To Use Peanut Butter

Peanuts are a legume high in macronutrients like protein and fat, as well as minerals like zinc, magnesium, and sodium. Although peanuts are mostly known for their role as a delicious spread known as peanut butter, peanuts are also used widely for confections, snack products, soups, and desserts, according to the National Library of Medicine. Peanut butter comes in several varieties including chunky, creamy, and natural (made without hydrogenated oil).

Peanut butter is a delicious source of protein (and joy) for many. Although lots of people recognize it for its pivotal role in the great American sandwich, the peanut butter and jelly, it is not often recognized for its versatility in both sweet and savory dishes. Realistically, peanuts can be used as a flavor cornerstone or a building block for other ingredients in a variety of recipes and cuisines. Here are some innovative ways to use peanut butter in your kitchen — that don't include putting it into a sandwich!

S'mores are a campfire classic made with a combination of crunchy graham crackers, melty chocolate, and puffy marshmallow. According to Camping for Foodies, there are many ways to jazz up the traditional s'mores to include some adult flavors — most of which include peanut butter. Consider swiping peanut butter on a graham cracker before adding chocolate and roasted marshmallow. Or, substitute a peanut butter cup for the square of Hershey's chocolate on the s'more. Although this might seem like the perfect ratio of peanut butter to chocolate, use a Reese's thin instead of a traditional peanut butter cup for maximum Reese's goodness. 

To add even more peanut butter to the s'more, swap out the graham cracker for a peanut-y cookie or wafer. Nutter Butter wafer cookies combine a thin layer of peanut butter with an even thinner wafer cookie. For a more homemade feel, try a three-ingredient peanut butter cookie made with peanut butter, eggs, and sugar. 

Peanut butter is a great addition to a kid-friendly charcuterie board. The nut butter provides the essential fats and protein that growing kids need, but with a taste that folks of all ages love. Serve a scoop of your favorite crunchy or smooth peanut butter with pretzels, apple slices, banana slices, or celery. Kids love roll-ups too; Seeded at the Table recommends rolling peanut butter and banana in a whole-wheat tortilla and slicing them into small discs to serve. 

A peanut butter dip can be flavored with the addition of simple ingredients. Hayl's Kitchen recommends pureeing peanut butter with peanut butter powder (such as PB2), vanilla protein powder, and almond milk for a high-protein snack. Life Made Simple suggests pureeing creamy peanut butter with greek yogurt and honey to increase volume and protein. For a more savory flair, this recipe for Thai peanut and yogurt dip from the Dairy Farmers of Canada contains ginger, garlic, and lime juice — making it the perfect pairing to dip grilled chicken in during the summer. 

Ice cream is a delicious summer treat that can only be made better with peanut butter! Add a drizzle of peanut butter to your favorite summer ice cream flavor for a salty, peanut-y swirl. Flavors that best contrast the peanut flavor include chocolate, brownie batter, banana, vanilla, and even coffee! 

For a more molten topping, House of Nash Eats recommends adding ½ cup of creamy peanut butter, ½ cup of sweetened condensed milk, 5 tablespoons of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to a saucepan over low heat until thickened. For a dairy-free alternative, GoDairyFree suggests combining creamy peanut butter with melted coconut oil, maple syrup, confectionary sugar, and salt. For a chocolate peanut butter topping, add melted dark or milk chocolate to your peanut butter topping and stir until combined. This homemade peanut butter topping can be used on a ton of baked goods and sweet treats aside from ice cream including pancakes, brownies, and pizookies. 

Once Upon a Chef's Asian-inspired peanut butter salad dressing pairs creamy peanut butter, lime, rice vinegar, oil, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sugar, and spices to complement a fresh bed of cabbage, cucumber, shredded carrots, and edamame. Other recipes suggest substituting a peanut salad dressing for mayonnaise in coleslaw. This substitution brings an innovative layer of peanut flavors that resemble many of the ingredients and techniques used in Thai cooking. 

One problem that may appear in peanut dressings is a tendency for the peanut butter to clump into a solid rather than disperse in the dressing. The Endless Meal suggests shaking (by hand or using a food processor) fatty dressings (like peanut butter or almond butter-based dressings) with cold water and refrigerating them for up to a week at a time. Peanut dressing can also be used as a flavorful addition in chicken satay or drizzled over a warm bed of rice.

Oatmeal is a filling breakfast option full of beta-glucan, a complex fiber with known anti-inflammatory properties. According to the T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University, oatmeal is one of the most nutrient-dense breakfast foods; this means that it provides a high amount of macronutrients (protein, fiber, and fat) for a low caloric value. The grain is also naturally gluten-free, making it an option for those with gluten intolerance or Celiac disease. Oatmeal is versatile; it can be made either hot or cold. Make oatmeal in a slow cooker if you're cooking for a big group or try overnight oats for a quick on-the-go recipe. 

A swipe of peanut butter on the top of oatmeal pairs well with chocolate, banana, chia seeds, granola, or flax seeds. For a boost of protein, add a scoop of protein powder to oatmeal while it's cooking. To skip the creaminess of peanut butter, try mixing in powdered peanut butter like PB2. 

Peanut butter pie is a delicious dessert for special occasions (and late nights on the couch). This Tagalong-inspired peanut butter pie recipe is better than a Girl Scout cookie — it combines a buttery soft graham cracker crust with a peanut butter cream cheese filling covered in a decadent chocolate ganache. To make the crunchy crust, the recipe recommends blind-baking the crust for 15 to 20 minutes until crispy and letting the crust cool before spooning in the peanut butter mixture. This will prevent a soggy bottom crust and slow any leakage from the filling or ganache into the crust.

Variations on the traditional peanut butter pie recipe include a no-bake peanut butter pie with chopped pretzels and an OREO crust (instead of graham crackers). Add a scoop of chopped peanut butter cups or roasted peanuts for texture and even more peanut flavor. Top with chocolate syrup or a drizzle of melted peanut butter.