With the beginning of March comes the promise of warmer weather and a reason for all of us peanut butter lovers to celebrate: March 1st is Peanut Butter Lover’s Day (not that we really need a special day to celebrate).
It’s hard to go wrong with peanut butter in the picture, so we’ve compiled some of the best ways to make sure you’ve got plenty in your diet. These work for breakfast, snacks, lunch, dessert, and dinner if you’re really feeling it. Go forth and spread the peanut butter love this March, and every other month for that matter.
1. Jelly
Photo by Sydney Segal
This one’s a classic. You can pick your bread, pick your jelly (or jam), pick crunchy or smooth peanut butter. The possible combinations are endless and delicious. If you’re not feeling the bread, try out these bread-less PB&J options.
2. Oatmeal
Photo by Becky Hughes
What better way to make your morning meal a little more filling? Peanut butter melts perfectly in that warm oatmeal to give you a swirl of satisfaction. Even a small dollop will do the trick. This combination is definitely worth getting out of bed for. Or use up the last of your jar with this recipe for overnight oats.
3. Smoothies
Photo by Christin Urso
Throwing some frozen fruit, yogurt, juice, and peanut butter into a blender is always a great call. You don’t need protein powder when you’ve got your pal peanut butter. The ingredients and proportions are up to you, but here are some smoothie tips to help you out.
4. Milkshakes
Photo courtesy of bitememore.com
Because sometimes smoothies are just too healthy. Throw in some ice cream, chocolate sauce, and milk to go along with your peanut butter. If you need to do some field research on how to create a bomb treat, check out this list of the best milkshakes in each state.
5. “Nice” Cream
Photo courtesy of peanutbutterandle on WordPress
Blend 2 large, frozen bananas, 1 cup of milk (any kind you like) and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. It’s a blended breakfast that tastes like dessert. Eat this “nice” cream first thing when you wake up, for a mid-morning indulgence, or wait until those post-dinner cravings start to kick in. Add some chocolate chips for sprinkles to really get the job done. Or try this no-churn recipe.
6. Apples
Photo by Parsa Lofti
One of the easiest snacks out there. Either slap the peanut butter on the outside of a whole apple, cut the apple into slices and dip it, or make disc shapes out of the apple and coat the top with peanut butter. For some funkier additions, try adding granola, sprinkles, cinnamon, or chocolate chips on top of those, or try this recipe.
7. Bananas
Photo by Eunice Choi
This one is self-explanatory. Whether or not you cut up the banana is up to you. Whatever you do, this snack is sweet and filling.
8. Puppy Chow
Photo by Tess Wei
So easy. So addicting. With a satisfying crunch from the Chex cereal and chocolatey peanut butter coating, you won’t be able to stop reaching for this treat. You’ll be licking powdered sugar off of your fingers all day. Here’s a recipe to get you started.
9. Chocolate
Photo by Katelyn Jones
The combination of chocolate and PB is a gift sent from the heavens. Whether you want to try your hand at making homemade peanut butter cups, or you just want to slather some PB on a Hershey’s chocolate bar, there’s no denying how perfect these two foods go together.
10. A Spoon
And if all else fails, grab your peanut butter and grab a spoon. Yum.