25+ Sweet & Savory Ways to Use Peanut Butter
Peanut butter: it might be the most popular pantry staple. Protein-packed, easy to store, and versatile enough to use in both sweet and savory recipes, or just eat by the spoon full. Of course, it’s something that you always have on hand. You probably have a favorite brand - Justin’s, Maranatha, Once Again, CB’s Nuts, and Adams are all available at the Co-op. Creamy or crunchy. Sweet or salty. The options are plenty!
That said, the price of nut butters has gone up over the last few years. You’ll often find your favorite peanut butters on sale at the Co-op, but the best way to save on peanut butter? Buy it in the Co-op’s Bulk Department! When you grind your own peanut butter, you get the freshest, most flavorful butter made with just peanuts! Better yet, you can buy just a little or a whole lot. And, when you bring your own clean, reusable jar, you’ll cut down on packaging, which in turn, saves you money.
So, whether you have a jar of PB you need to use or you’re craving something peanuty and delicious, check out some of our favorite sweet and savory peanut butter recipes to try at home.
Savory Peanut Butter Recipes
While peanut butter is no doubt an essential ingredient in many dessert recipes, don’t overlook its ability to add a wonderful depth of flavor to a variety of savory dishes. From noodles and salads to sauces and stir-fries, here are some of our favorite savory peanut butter recipes.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Peanut Sauce
Given that the majority of savory peanut butter recipes call for a homemade peanut sauce, we might as well start off this list with a basic recipe for easy and amazing peanut sauce!
Ingredients
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
2 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
3 tablespoons water
Directions
In a small bowl, blend together all ingredients using a fork or small whisk.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Peanut Sesame Noodles
Calling for just a few simple ingredients, toss in some Co-op marinated tofu or chicken yaki from our Deli to bring the whole meal together.
Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti
2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
1/2 red bell pepper, cut in strips
4 cups thinly-sliced purple cabbage
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup water
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Directions
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Break noodles in halves or thirds and drop into water. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes and test for doneness. When done, drain immediately and rinse with very cold water. Set aside.
Put about an inch of water in a large pot with a lid, and place a steamer basket inside. Bring water to a boil and add carrots to the steamer basket. Cover the pot and steam for 3 minutes, then add bell pepper and steam for another minute. Add cabbage and steam for 2 more minutes.
Blend all remaining ingredients together in a food processor, or use a fork to mix thoroughly in a bowl. Pour noodles and veggies into the pasta cooking pot, add sauce and mix well. Add more soy sauce or lime juice to taste. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Thai Lettuce Wraps with Seitan
Think classic ground chicken lettuce wraps, but with a veggie-friendly twist! If you’re unfamiliar with seitan, it’s a high-protein meat substitute made out of wheat gluten that when prepared correctly is very similar in texture and appearance to meat.
Similar to tofu, it takes on the flavor of whatever it’s cooked in, like these Thai-inspired lettuce wraps.
Ingredients
1 pound seitan, drained and diced
1/4 cup lime juice, divided
3 teaspoons red curry paste, divided
1 tablespoon water
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon tamari
1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 head of butter lettuce, separated into leaves, washed and dried
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1 cup carrot, shredded
5 scallions, diced
2 tablespoons cilantro, roughly chopped
1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
Hot sauce to taste (optional)
Directions
In a medium bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons lime juice, 2 teaspoons red curry paste, 1 tablespoon water, and a pinch of salt. Add the diced seitan and set aside in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
While the seitan marinates, prepare the sauce, lettuce and vegetables. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon tamari, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, 1 teaspoon red curry paste and 2 teaspoons brown sugar. Set aside. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the seitan and marinade and saute until the marinade is absorbed and the seitan begins to brown (about 7 minutes). Turn off the heat and stir in the bell pepper, carrot, scallions, cilantro and peanuts.
Lay out 8 medium-large lettuce leaves, divide the filling between them, drizzle each one with sauce and serve. To eat, fold or roll the lettuce leaf over the ingredients like a soft taco.
Instant Pot Peanut Chicken
A Balinese-inspired meal that can be made in an Instant Pot or on the stove, this peanut chicken is easy to prep ahead for a busy week.
Chicken breast is paired with a homemade sauce consisting of garlic, ginger, coconut milk, soy sauce, lime, peanut butter, and sriracha to create a sweet and savory dish that’s surprisingly easy to toss together.
Pair it with a spicy cucumber salad and top with roasted peanuts for a full meal deal!
Photo Courtesy of Cookie + Kate
Crunchy Thai Peanut & Quinoa Salad
In this Thai-inspired salad, carrots, cabbage, snow peas, and quinoa are tossed with a homemade peanut sauce that’s just the right balance of sweet and savory.
With a satisfyingly crunchy texture and quick prep time, this salad works well as a potluck item or as a side dish to grilled chicken, salmon, or tofu!
Bali Bowls with Peanut Tofu
Vegan-friendly and packed full of protein and flavor, these Bali Bowls are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Tofu is marinated with a homemade peanut sauce before being oven roasted alongside yams or sweet potatoes.
Finish your Bali Bowl off with black beans or rice and your favorite shredded veggies like cabbage, carrots, and beets.
Spicy Peanut Noodles
Photo Courtesy of A Beautiful Plate
Spicy sambal oelek and cool cucumbers are paired with crunchy peanuts and a savory peanut sauce to create a simple noodle dish that hits all the marks on your tastebuds.
Peanut butter, soy sauce, lime, sesame oil, sambal oelek, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic are whisked together to create a spicy peanut sauce before being tossed with ramen noodles, diced cucumber, scallions, and cilantro.
Serve them at room temperature with grilled chicken or prep a big batch for easy lunch meal prep to enjoy all week long.
Bali Bowls with Peanut Tofu
Vegan-friendly and packed full of protein and flavor, these Bali Bowls are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Tofu is marinated with a homemade peanut sauce before being oven roasted alongside yams or sweet potatoes.
Finish your Bali Bowl off with black beans or rice and your favorite shredded veggies like cabbage, carrots, and beets.
Find the full recipe at Feasting at Home
More Savory Peanut Butter Recipes
Chocolate Chicken Mole from Food Network
Thai Peanut Beef from Damn Delicious
Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen Noodle Salad from Half Baked Harvest
Chicken Kebabs with Spicy Peanut Sauce from The Bewitchin Kitchen
Sticky Spicy Peanut Butter Chicken Wings from Dash of Jazz
Avocado Veggie Rolls from Food Network
Sweet Peanut Butter Recipes
From cookies to cake and smoothies and granola, peanut butter is always a good idea when it comes to sweets and treats. Here are a few of our favorites!
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Chocolate + peanut butter = the greatest duo ever.
Ingredients
3/4 cup creamy natural peanut butter
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup chocolate chips
1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
Directions
Whisk the peanut butter and vanilla together in a medium bowl.
Gradually add the powdered sugar stirring with a spatula until completely incorporated.
Knead the peanut butter mixture with your hands until the powdered sugar is completely incorporated and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Place the peanut butter mixture in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to chill (optional; a firmer peanut butter mixture is easier to mold into a ball).
Roll the peanut butter mixture into tablespoon-sized balls using the palm of your hands and place on a baking sheet. Transfer to the freezer.
Place the chocolate and coconut oil in a small deep bowl and melt in a microwave oven at 50% power, using increments of 30 seconds to avoid overheating the chocolate. Once the ingredients have melted, stir well to combine.
Remove one peanut butter ball at a time from the freezer (you want them to remain as cold as possible before dipping) and dip in the chocolate mixture. Using two forks, turn the peanut butter ball to coat in chocolate, then shake off any excess chocolate and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining peanut butter balls.
Place the coated peanut butter balls in the refrigerator until the chocolate has set.
Keep refrigerated or frozen.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Apple Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Easy prep? Check! Easy on-the-go morning breakfast? Check! Filling, delicious, and the perfect amount of sweet? Check, check, and check!
Ingredients
1½ cups 2% milk
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 cup rolled oats
1 large apple
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon honey, optional
Directions
Place the milk, yogurt and peanut butter in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Stir in the oats and cover; refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, chop the apple. Divide the oat mixture between two bowls and top with the apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon and, if desired, drizzle with honey.
Photo Courtesy of Once Upon a Chef
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
Calling for just 5 simple ingredients, these flourless peanut butter cookies are a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen.
Brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla are combined before peanut butter is mixed in. Pop them in the freezer for 45 minutes before baking them in the oven for 20 minutes.
While these aren’t traditional PB cookies and may take a few tries to get the consistency right, they’re naturally gluten and dairy free, and worth a try!
Photo Courtesy of Spend with Pennies
Peanut Butter Granola
Made with a handful of simple ingredients, this peanut butter granola is packed full of protein and just the right amount of sweetness.
Simply melt the wet ingredients (PB, agave, melted coconut oil, salt, vanilla), toss them up with the oats and nuts, spread them evenly on a baking sheet, and bake for 20-30 minutes.
The fun fact about this recipe? You can find 5 out of 7 of the ingredients in our Bulk Department, including the peanut butter!
Photo Courtesy of Minimalist Baker
Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Hummus
If we had a sweet meets savory category for peanut butter recipes, this hummus from Minimalist Baker would be the perfect fit.
Chickpeas, peanut butter, maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt are blitzed in a food processor until nice and smooth. That’s it!
Serve your hummus with sliced apples for a sweet (and healthy) snack.
Photo Courtesy of Love & Lemons
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Thick, creamy, and packed with sweet banana and PB flavors, this smoothie is perfect for breakfast on-the-go.
Frozen banana, oats, peanut butter, almond milk, and ice are combined and blended until thick and creamy.
Enjoy the smoothie as is, or add in vanilla protein powder, hemp hearts, or cacao powder for an extra boost.
Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Cups
A healthier-for-you sweet treat, these peanut butter oat cups are no-bake and come together in just 15 minutes.
Oats are combined with melted peanut butter and honey before being pressed into muffin tins and topped with melted dark chocolate.
Don’t forget the flaky salt! It helps to balance out the sweetness of the peanut butter and chocolate perfectly.
Photo Courtesy of Love & Olive Oil
Crunchy Peanut Butter and Chocolate Tart
Sort of like a giant, fancy version of a peanut butter cup, this peanut butter and chocolate tart from Love & Olive Oil takes just 45 minutes of active cooking time and a bit of cooling time in the fridge.
Consisting of a chocolate wafer cookie crust, a peanut butter and white chocolate layer, and a rich chocolate ganache layer, this tart is nutty, sweet, salty, and a great dessert for a special occasion.
More Sweet Peanut Butter Recipes
Peanut Butter Lasagna from Amanda’s Cookin’
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars from The Beach House Kitchen
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge from Casserole Crissy
Peanut Butter Cookie Moon Pies from Food & Wine
Peanut Butter Waffles from The Spruce Eats