Peanut Butter Recipes - Cooking Light

Photo: John Autry

Healthy Peanut Butter Recipes

Don't get us wrong, we can't hate on our beloved PB&J but, just in case you're looking for more ways to put this pantry staple to good use, we have 15 recipes to get you started.

We'll begin with Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Fudge.

Just a pinch of instant coffee granules goes a long way when it comes to intensifying the chocolate flavor in the fudge. A sprinkle of peanuts gives a salty bite.

View Recipe: Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Fudge

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Peanut butter is whipped into the basic recipe for a moist banana bread with a hint of nutty flavor. A small amount of chopped roasted peanuts offers delightfully surprising crunch.

View Recipe: Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Photo: John Autry

Tempeh and Green Bean Stir-Fry with Peanut Sauce

Tempeh is a high-protein soy product that originated in Indonesia; substitute extra-firm tofu, if desired.

View Recipe: Tempeh and Green Bean Stir-Fry with Peanut Sauce

Photo: Kenji Toma

Indonesian Vegetable Salad with Peanut Dressing

This is a simplified version of the splendid Indonesian salad called gado gado, which along with satay is practically a national dish, often served with crunchy shrimp crackers. It uses shortcut ingredients in the sauce—peanut butter, curry paste—to speed things along. For a spicier dressing, stir in sambal oelek or Sriracha.

View Recipe: Indonesian Vegetable Salad with Peanut Dressing

Peanut Butter-Banana Spirals

In this recipe, peanut butter stars with banana and yogurt, and we added wheat germ for crunch and a nutritional boost. If you can't find honey-crunch wheat germ, plain wheat germ will work fine. Pack these for lunch or a snack.

View Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Spirals

Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins

Consider these a breakfast version of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Don't use a natural-style peanut butter in this recipe; it won't have enough sugar or fat to help the muffins rise.

View Recipe: Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins

Photo: Randy Mayor

Spicy Peanut Chicken Over Rice

This makes enough to freeze leftovers, which keep for up to a month. Spoon single servings into airtight containers; thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and reheat in a saucepan. You can increase the crushed red pepper, if you like; a dollop of yogurt on top balances the spiciness

View Recipe: Spicy Peanut Chicken Over Rice

Photo: Johnny Autry

Lettuce Wraps with Hoisin-Peanut Sauce

If you think of veggies as containers for tasty ingredients, dinner gets more interesting. You'll love these Asian-inspired lettuce wraps with their tangy hoisin-peanut sauce.

View Recipe: Lettuce Wraps with Hoisin-Peanut Sauce

Photo: Johnny Autry & Randy Mayor

Glazed Chicken and Szechuan Noodle Salad

Serve this Asian-inspired dish with a side of broccoli for a complete meal. Garnish noodles with cilantro, if you have it on hand.

View Recipe: Glazed Chicken and Szechuan Noodle Salad

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing

This salad is light and refreshing, the perfect choice for entertaining. To make a splash when serving, garnish the dish with lime wedges to give diners a hint of the flavor they will encounter when they dive in.

View Recipe: Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing

Photo: John Autry

Pineapple Chicken Satay

Round out this meal that is full of fresh and bright flavors with rice and sugar snap peas.

View Recipe: Pineapple Chicken Satay

Photo: John Autry

French Toast Peanut Butter and Jelly

What kid (or grown-up, for that matter) wouldn't love this ooey-gooey sandwich? Serve the souped-up PB&Js with fresh fruit.

View Recipe: French Toast Peanut Butter and Jelly

Photo: Karry Hosford

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Smoothie

Try this thick and creamy peanut butter smoothie as a nutritious breakfast or an indulgent after-dinner treat.

View Recipe: Chocolate-Peanut Butter Smoothie

Photo: Randy Mayor

Peanut Butter-Banana Pie

Bananas that are firm rather than extra-ripe work best in this pie. Fluffy whipped topping is perfect atop a filling of peanut butter and banana goodness.

View Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Pie

Photo: Randy Mayor

Cold Peanut Noodles with Shrimp

The noodles absorb the sauce quickly, so serve shortly after tossing all the ingredients together. If you can't find fresh Chinese egg noodles, substitute spaghetti or linguine.

View Recipe: Cold Peanut Noodles with Shrimp

15 Ways with Peanut Butter

Healthy Peanut Butter Recipes

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Tempeh and Green Bean Stir-Fry with Peanut Sauce

Indonesian Vegetable Salad with Peanut Dressing

Peanut Butter-Banana Spirals

Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins

Spicy Peanut Chicken Over Rice

Lettuce Wraps with Hoisin-Peanut Sauce

Glazed Chicken and Szechuan Noodle Salad

Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing

Pineapple Chicken Satay

French Toast Peanut Butter and Jelly

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Smoothie

Peanut Butter-Banana Pie

Cold Peanut Noodles with Shrimp