January 24 is National Peanut Butter Day. What better time than now to reminisce about this protein-packed pantry staple? My absolute FAVORITE snack growing up was sliced apples dipped in creamy peanut butter with raisins on top. I ate this nearly every day after school.
Flash forward, my taste buds have changed (I prefer kale over pretty much everything now), but my love for peanut butter hasn’t gone anywhere. Perhaps you can relate? The only difference is the brand of peanut butter I choose to consume. Sometimes I’ll make my own, other times I’ll opt for Vitacost’s creamy peanut butter, which is made from certified organic ground peanuts—and that’s it—no salt, no sugars, no hydrogenated oils—nada!
In the spirit of this delicious day, join me and embrace your inner child by chowing down a PB&J sandwich with a sliced Granny Smith on the side. While you’re at it, play with your taste buds and test out new combinations from carrots and peanut butter to avocado-peanut butter toast. If you need some more mealtime inspiration, the following six recipes offer tasty options from breakfast to dessert.
Now, I’m not saying go completely nuts for a full day (pun definitely intended), but spread these pea-nutty meals out over the course of a week or two and you’ll surely be more than satisfied.
1. Peanut Butter, Strawberry & Banana French Toast Roll-Ups
As tasty as French toast is, adding a layer of peanut butter makes it even better! For slow weekend mornings, this recipe is the perfect chance to get cooking with kids. Rest assured, if you don’t jump out of bed for this sweet breakfast, they sure will!
2. Vegetable Spring Rolls with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Peanut butter isn’t just for sandwiches! Get creative in the kitchen by making these homemade vegetable rolls with spicy peanut sauce. This sauce calls for powdered peanut butter, which contains 85 percent fewer calories than traditional peanut butter. Combine it with garlic, agave, soy sauce, coconut oil, red pepper flakes and rice vinegar for a sweet-and-sour spring roll dressing.
3. Peanut Butter Granola Bars
When your child inevitably declares “I’m hungry!” are you prepared? It’s time to ditch the potato chips and overly processed snacks. You (and peanut butter) got this! They’ll go crazy over these white chocolate peanut butter bars with bursts of Thompson and golden raisins. Although these sweet bars may taste like candy, rest assured that you’re feeding them wholesome oats, seeds of superfoods and organic agave as sweetener.
4. 10-Minute Kelp Noodle Salad with Homemade Peanut Sauce
Isn’t it amazing how one jar of peanut butter has already gotten you through breakfast, lunch and snack time? Don’t close the container just yet! Whether serving the whole family or eating solo, try this quick, easy and nutrient-rich salad. Coming together in 10 minutes or less, this kelp noodle salad is tossed in a homemade peanut sauce for a dish that’s both healthy and packed with flavor.
5. Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter & Jelly Cake
Peanut butter and jelly is a classic—but it’s about time we take it beyond the bread! This recipe combines peanut butter with raw cacao and maple syrup to create the cake’s base. Just like a sandwich, you’ll layer on peanut butter and jelly (and, of course, more chocolate). In the end, you may just end up finding a new favorite way to devour PB&J any time of the day.
6. Paleo Dog Cookies
So now that you’re a full-fledged peanut butter chef, it’s time to share the culinary love with your pup! After watching you in the kitchen, your furry BFF has been eyeing your homemade creations and surely deserves a bite. Whip up these frosted coconut-peanut butter dog cookies and you’ll find yourself drooling over Fido’s fare sure enough.