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!

Make homemade granola bars

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Granola bars can be easy to make at home with a variety of dried fruits, nuts, grains, and seeds. They can provide a powerful punch of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates that will keep you going all day long. Best of all, these granola bars can be customized to fit the flavors and textures you love.

Peanut butter is a sticky addition to homemade granola bars. Not only does the peanut butter provide a strong flavor to granola bars, but it can also help the oats, seeds, and nuts stick to one another. The Real Food Dietitians combine rolled oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, maple syrup, and eggs together before baking in a 9x9 baking dish. These granola bars can be stored in the fridge for up to 10 days or in the freezer for a few months. For an egg-free recipe, try substituting flax eggs. 

Spread it on a s'more

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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. 

Make a dipping sauce for spring rolls

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Spring rolls are a light, simple dish made with protein (typically chicken, shrimp, or tofu), fresh chopped veggies, and served with a complementary dipping sauce. The rolls can either be served fried or raw, making them a versatile addition to any dietary regiment. 

To make a dipping sauce for spring rolls, Casa Lago Tasting Room recommends combining 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, sriracha, and brown sugar in a serving dish. The sauce can be left in the fridge for several days making it a great match for lunchtime spring rolls during the week. Taste of Asian Food recommends adding spices like freshly grated ginger or garlic, which can add a spicy sensation to the spring roll (we're drooling already). Sesame oil can provide a new savory depth while maple syrup can provide a sweet undertone to the peanut sauce. Whatever variant you choose it's bound to be delicious.

Add it to a charcuterie board

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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. 

Make a smoothie

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