Almond and peanut butter may be the most popular nut butters, but don’t underappreciate the power of cashew butter or hazelnut butter. Open your horizon to the variety of nut butters out there to make your life a little tastier.
Yeah, nuts may be high in fat, but not only are they healthy fats, but they also contain a lot of nutritional benefits. They are energy and brain power boosters and can aid in weight loss and helps with memory impairment. So to help you take advantage of the endless possibilities to be creative with your nut butter, I’ve compiled a list of must-try ways to eat nut butter, all which are vegan/vegan-friendly.
Also, while you are out there being all creative and cool, try out this delicious and healthy do it yourself peanut butter recipe.
1. Top your oatmeal
Photo by Becky Hughes
It’s the perfect topping for the perfect quick and filling breakfast. If you’re like me and are picky with your oats, by now you have probably realised that oatmeal is what you make of it. Explore with different flavours (apple crumble, carrot cake, chocolate) and make sure to add some nut butter as a topping. It’s a great protein addition and it goes with any flavour; plus there’s nothing better than nut butter melting on top of your warm oatmeal.
2. Blend it into your smoothie
Photo Courtesy of bitememore.com
Are you tired of your plain vanilla or chocolate smoothies? Try this peanut butter cup protein shake next time you’re craving something for your sweet tooth. And hey, what a great a way to have dessert for breakfast.
3. Make it into fudge
Photo by Caitlin Shoemaker
A healthier, tastier, and cruelty-free version of your typical fudge. This peanut butter freezer fudge is packed with healthy fats and natural sugar. Seriously, don’t miss out.
4. Bake it into cookies
Photo by Kristine Mahan
Move over chocolate chip, it’s peanut butter cookie time! Treat yourself and friends to this heavenly concoction, and bonus — the recipe is super quick and easy to make. Perfect to dip in almond milk.
5. Bake it into brownies
Photo courtesy of minimalistbaker.com
The only kind of brownies (vegan and gluten free friendly) you’ll ever want to have again.
6. Bake into muffins and then use it to top the muffins
Photo by Katherine Baker
A guilt-free way to enjoy your muffins. Flourless baked goods does not mean tasteless baked goods, and this banana muffin with peanut butter crumble recipe proves just that.
7. Fill Medjool dates
Photo courtesy of @naturallystefanie on Instagram
Dates with almond or peanut butter are the perfect to-go snack. They’re tasty and quick, but be careful — it can get a little messy. It’s a great sweet alternative to snacking on junk food or granola bars, because they taste like caramel and gooey nut butter goodness.
8. Make peanut butter s’mores
Photo by Kelda Baljon
Now this is how you make killer s’mores.
9. Make a homemade granola bar
Photo by Alex Tom
Unfortunately, granola bars are usually not as healthy as people believe it to be. Brands like Cliff Bars or KIND bars still contain a lot of unnecessary added sugar and preservatives, along with other hard to pronounce stuff. Making your own granola bars not only means that you know exactly what you are putting into your body, but you can also adjust based on your taste and cravings. As this recipe shows, peanut and/or almond butter is a great addition to your homemade granola bars.
10. Make bliss balls
Photo by Keni Lin
If you haven’t tried bliss balls yet you are seriously missing out. They’re truffle-like balls of tastiness.
11. Top your banana pops
Photo by Hannah Lin
A refreshing little snack to satisfy your sweet tooth while still being healthy.
12. Upgrade your sandwich
Photo courtesy of @justins on Instagram
No jelly? No worries. There are only but a million different ways to spice up your usual peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
I recommend going with raw almond butter (but any nut butter works fine) as the main spread and adding some banana slices with maple syrup drizzled on top. If you want something a little less rich and thick, try using berries instead of bananas to add a more fresh and fruity flavour.
13. Use it in sauces or dressings
Photo courtesy of vibrantwellnessjournal.com
Peanut butter sauce or dressing is a great way to add some unique flavouring to your boring salad or spring rolls.
14. Mix it into soup
Photo courtesy of cookieandkate.com
Feeling like cozying up on your couch? Adding peanut butter to your soup is a great way to make your soup creamy and rich with flavour.
15. Make creamy vegan mac ‘n cheese
Photo courtesy of minimalistbaker.com
This is by far the most exciting way to use nut butter. As a human of this planet, mac-and-cheese is a must-have, but as a vegan, that doesn’t always seem quite possible (well, not if I didn’t just want to stick to the boxes). Here is a great vegan recipe to satisfy all your cheese cravings. Raw cashew butter is a great alternative to cheese, since it becomes deliciously creamy and flavourful when combined with different spices .
#SpoonTip: Adding some nutritional yeast (gross nam but an essential for a vegan) will help give it a cheese-like flavour.