3 Creative Peanut Butter Recipes
For National Peanut Butter Month, celebrate the health benefits of nutrient-packed peanut butter. For example, this creamy, rich household staple is rich in minerals like zinc and copper, all of which boost your immune system. But don’t just smear this tasty nut butter on toast. It’s time to get creative with your own homemade peanut butter — it’s cheap, fresh, and far healthier than the processed stuff you find in the grocery store — and other creative dishes that re-imagine how we think about peanut butter.
Homemade Peanut Butter
On-the-go or in a delicious meal, peanut butter is a healthy and very versatile food that can add healthy fats, immune-strengthening vitamins and minerals, and healthy protein to your diet. Yet many of the shelf-stable, store-bought brands of peanut butter that you find in the grocery aisle is not very healthy. For instance, some products may contain added sugars, artificial flavors, and unhealthy oils. By making your own peanut butter at home, you can trust that what you’re serving your family is fresh and 100% pure!
3 cups dry roasted unsalted peanuts
1 tsp of salt (or more to taste)
1-2 tsp honey, ideally organic and local (or more to taste)
Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend for 30 seconds.
Using a wooden spoon, push down the peanuts that collect on the side of the blender.
Blend for another 30 seconds.
Repeat until you have smooth, rich and creamy peanut butter. The entire process can take 10-15 minutes.
Store your homemade peanut butter in an airtight container and use it just like you would store-bought peanut butter.
Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies
They may look, taste, and even smell like a decadent treat — but these peanut butter cookies are actually an incredibly healthy snack! They’re low on sugar, rich in fiber (fiber helps boost your digestion, speed up your metabolism, and enhance your gut health) and high in protein and healthy fats!
2 large eggs, ideally organic, local and free-ranged
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup creamy peanut butter (ideally your own homemade peanut butter, or an organic and natural store-bought version)
1 cup old-fashioned oats
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While your oven is heating up, grease a baking sheet or line it with some parchment paper.
In a bowl, combine the eggs and sugar and mix until well-blended. Add the baking soda and salt, stir, then add the rest of the ingredients.
Create small balls of dough, press them between the palms of your hand, and place them on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes, then allow them to cool before enjoying warm.
Peanut Butter Ginger Marinade
This marinade takes just seconds to make, and adds an Asian fusion flavor to all of your favorite dishes. Whether you’re making chicken, beef, seafood, or even tofu, it’ll infuse your meal with a sweet-and-tangy flavor while keeping the dish moist and juicy.
What sets this marinade apart is its creative combination of rich peanut butter with the fragrant spice of fresh ginger root. Not only does the ginger create layers of delicious intrigue, but it’s also high in anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants that strengthen your immunity.
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (ideally homemade peanut butter, or use a natural, organic store-bought peanut butter)
1/4 cup chile paste (optional)
1/4 cup gluten-free soy sauce
2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
2 tbsp white vinegar
4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp of garlic powder)
2-inch piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and grated
Whisk together the hot water and peanut butter to “melt” the peanut butter and make it easier to mix. Once combined, stir in the rest of the ingredients.
To use your marinade, pour it into a large bowl or a resealable plastic bag. Add 2-3 pounds of meat or tofu, mix well, and let it marinate in your fridge for eight hours or ideally overnight. Cook the meat or tofu as required in your recipe.