Recipes

Didn’t anyone else know it was National Peanut Butter Month? Had I known, it definitely would have been a perfect excuse to create and eat peanut butter recipes all month. However I have to be honest, I don’t really understand the whole National X month. It’s a bit strange, don’t you think? For instance I just learned that next month is National Quince and Watermelon month. It’s also National Write a Business Plan Month, National Tie Month, and National Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruit Month. Yes – those two things are paired, much like Watermelon and Quince. It’s strange, it’s not even watermelon season.

But anyway, I digress, back to the peanut butter. That I can get behind and celebrate. Here are some of my favorite peanut butter recipes. As always feel free to substitute in PB2 if you want a much lower calorie option that still taste great. And if you are looking for more peanut butter goodness, check out this old Friday Friday Five on peanut butter. It’s been a long time obsession.

1. Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, 5 P+

This delicious dessert takes only 2 minutes to cook up in the microwave and is absolutely delicious. Banana, peanut butter, and chocolate are stirred together in a mug, tossed in the microwave for 2 minutes, and a delicious cake pops out. I am always in for a dessert that can be made this quick.

2. Simple Peanut Butter Cookies, 2 P+

If you love peanut butter cookies, this is a great recipe for them that cuts down on the typical sugar and fat. It is made almost exclusively of peanut butter and apple sauce with just 3 tbsp of flour. Each cookie only has 50 calories. This is about 150 calories less than a typical peanut butter cookie.

3. Peanut Butter Pretzel Rice Crispy Treats, 2 P+

There is just about nothing I love more than a salty and sweet combination and this recipe does it just right. The pretzels add a nice kick of salt and crunch that pairs really well with the peanut butter and rice crispy cereal. At 2 points each they are a perfect snack.

4. Banana Peanut Butter Oatcakes, 4 P+

This is a great quick breakfast that you can take on the go. It combines banana and peanut, a classic combination, with quick cooking oats. Just pop it into the oven while you are getting ready and take it with you as you walk out the door. It’s like a bowl of oatmeal that you can take with you.

5. Crock Pot Thai Peanut Butter Chicken, 6 P+

I wanted to include at least one savory dish and this one doesn’t fail to please. It takes some classic Asian flavors, including peanuts, and combines them into a simple and easy slow cooker dish that can be made with chicken breasts or thighs and served in a million ways.