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12 Mouth-Watering and Good-For-You Peanut Butter Recipes
By Lisa LeslieHome » Eat Empowered » 12 Mouth-Watering and Good-For-You Peanut Butter Recipes
Today is National Peanut Butter Lovers Day, so of course, we want to share our favorite healthy (and delicious) peanut butter recipes with you! Peanut butter historically has a bad rap, but it is actually really good for you (unless you are allergic, of course). You can read more about the pros and cons of peanut vs. almond butter (and other nut butters) in this article, but today we’re all about praising this legume for all of its delicious and healthy qualities.
Nutrient Dense AND Good For Your Waistline
Peanut butter has more health benefits than many people are aware of. For starters, this nut is loaded with healthy fat and more protein than any other nut. Peanuts also provide a tasty source of magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, and vitamin B6, to name just a few.
Magnesium supports many critical chemical processes in the body, such as muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. Phosphorus is linked to building healthy cells and bones, while Zinc is known for supporting our immune systems. Niacin is great for digestion and nerve function, and vitamin B6 helps support a healthy heart and immune system.
Oh, and did we mention this power food’s antioxidant properties? Not only do peanuts contain resveratrol, a polyphenol antioxidant, and phytosterols, which are known to reduce the growth of various cancers, but they are also high in flavonoids, which are also known to protect against heart disease and, you guessed it, cancer.
When all of these nutrients and benefits are connected with supporting our overall health AND can be found in abundance in peanut butter, why wouldn’t you want to add it into your daily diet? But in case that’s not convincing enough for you, the nutritional benefits of peanuts have also been linked to weight loss, decreased weight gain, and a lower risk of becoming overweight or obese. Its high protein and fiber content makes it take a bit longer to digest, which may keep us from overeating.
As with any food, especially one high in calories, beware of your serving sizes. And, don’t forget to carefully inspect the ingredients list. When shopping for the healthiest type of peanut butter, the ones with no added sugar and low salt content are your best options—you know, just straight-up peanut butter—without all the additives. Skip the sugarand trans fats; it tastes better without all that junk, anyway.
12 Mouth-Watering and Good-For-You Peanut Butter Recipes
Is your mouth watering yet? Here are some amazing recipes for breakfast, lunch, dessert— or any time of day—that just wouldn’t be the same without our beloved peanut butter:
Breakfast Recipes
Finding new healthy breakfast recipes to add to your morning routine can be a challenge. It’s important to switch it up as much as possible so you look forward to eating a healthy breakfast. Here are a couple of suggestions for when you just can’t eat any. more. eggs.
Oatmeal is full of protein and fiber on its own, but adding peanut butter adds even more protein and healthy fats, which makes it an even better breakfast option. Plus, everything just tastes better with peanut butter, doesn’t it?
This bright-colored breakfast dish is like peanut butter and jelly in a bowl. You’re getting protein from both the Greek yogurt and the peanut butter, so you’ll feel fuller and more satisfied after your meal. Plus, the sweetness comes from the berries instead of the added sugar in most jellies, so it will keep you energized for longer.
To start, these bars are gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and vegan. They’re also packed with tons of fiber, protein, and omega-3s to boot. Plus, they can be cut into snack-size pieces and stored for an anytime snack.!
Sip on This
Do you prefer to sip some of your meals? Here are a couple of recipes to shake things up:
Peanut Butter Banana Chickpea Shake
This shake has just five ingredients: bananas, dates, peanut butter, almond milk, cacao powder, and chickpeas. If it’s fiber and plant-based protein you’re looking for, this shake is for you!
Chocolate Post-Workout Smoothie
Looking for a sweet shake that will also refuel your body after a tough workout? This shake will give your body the protein it needs to recover and carry on with your busy day.
Anytime Snacks
Because peanut butter is so high in protein, it is often the main ingredient in a variety of healthy snacks. Here are just a few peanut-butter-based snacks we love.
When you need to add a little extra energy into your busy day, these peanut butter energy balls are just the thing to bring you back to life. Pack them to go or stock them in your fridge to grab when you need a late morning or afternoon boost.
Grain-free Dairy Free Peanut Butter Bites
Looking for a grain-free, dairy-free snack that still tastes amazing? These peanut butter bites are for you! These provide the perfect portion for an afternoon pick-me-up, as they are literally bite-size.
Yes, we know these aren’t actually “fries”, but that makes them sound more appealing, doesn’t it? The good news is, they DO taste delicious, and they’re good for you! (Bonus!) Plus, the name might help with getting your kiddos on board with healthy eating. It’s worth a shot!
Apple & Grape (and Peanut Butter) Turtles
Yep, you read that right. Who said snacks can’t be fun? These cute turtles made out of apples, grapes, and chocolate chips (substitute raisins for a dairy-free option), are filled with peanut butter to make it a little more filling. Sounds a little messy, but you know you want to try it.
The name itself is just so fun, and the recipe is even better. Technically, there is no recipe. It’s just a mish-mash of healthy items in your pantry that go well together. What better way to brighten up your day and boost your energy at the same time?
A Conscious Indulgence
Sometimes you just want something a little indulgent, but at the same time, you still want to empower yourself with healthy nutrients. These recipes are healthier than most desserts, easy to make and will satisfy any sweet craving.
For those days when you want to indulge, this chocolatey snack has some surprisingly healthy ingredients, including creamy peanut butter. This decadent recipe features dark chocolate, flax, and almond flour, and these blondies are grain-free, vegan, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup and applesauce.
These sweet snacks are vegan, dairy-free, eggless, low-carb, gluten-free, refined sugar-free. If you want a soft and chewy treat to satisfy your cravings that also won’t ruin your healthy-eating steak, these are worth a try.
Pass the Peanut Butter, Please.
With so many things to love about peanut butter, the nutrients, the antioxidant properties, and of course, the taste, it’s no wonder we’ve found so many ways to incorporate it into our daily meals. Check back regularly for new healthy recipes featuring peanut butter. We’re always adding to our collection.
Owner and lead content strategist at Magnolia Method Consulting
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