As so many songs imply, most people love peanut butter. It is a delicious and healthy treat that everyone can enjoy. There’s a variety of mixes from the classic PB&J to savory snacks, sweet desserts, side dishes, and even main dishes, peanut butter is a versatile ingredient that’s perfectly balanced for plant-based vegan friendly cooking.  

Why Peanut Butter Is a Kitchen Staple: Nutrition & Versatility

Peanut butter offers a lot of protein and healthy fat. It also contains several vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, and zinc, that are vital to maintaining a nutritious diet. However, it is quite high in calories and fat, so moderation is key.  

How to Choose or Make Healthy Peanut Butter

When selecting ready-made peanut butter, it is best to look for natural peanut butter that has no added sugar, salt, or oils. You can also make your own peanut butter if you prefer. This Healthy Kitchen shares a fast and easy recipe for homemade peanut butter.  

20 Mouthwatering Peanut Butter Recipes for Every Craving

We have compiled a list of both savory and sweet peanut butter recipes that you are sure to enjoy. Use the recipe above to make your own peanut butter for these recipes or, if you are pressed for time or simply do not feel like making your own, store-bought will work also.   

Savory Peanut Butter Recipes for Lunch & Dinner

Pad Thai Salad from Nutritiously 

Colorful, crunchy veggie spirals make this savory salad a fancy addition to your table. The creamy, seven-ingredient peanut butter dressing is the perfect blend of spicy, sweet, salty, and sour. This dish is high in fiber and low in calories. It also boasts plenty of antioxidants while leaving out the oil and gluten. Enjoy the vegetables raw or sautéed and add any plant protein you like. Tofu or tempeh are great choices. Cashews or edamame work well, too.   

African-Inspired Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Okra from The Vegan Atlas  

This West African-inspired stew has a delicious and creamy peanut butter base along with sweet potato, cabbage, greens, and okra. The Vegan Atlas calls it a “simplified version of a typical West African recipe.” It is adapted from Nava Atlas’s The Vegetarian Family Cookbook. Enjoy this hearty, savory stew with mashed root vegetables, a mushy grain like millet, or a tasty vegan jalapeño cornbread (recipe included).   

Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Curry from Veggie Inspired   

Jenn Sebestyen of Veggie Inspired shares this flavor-filled curry recipe directly from her own book, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook. It is a perfect comfort food that is simultaneously creamy, sweet, savory, and lightly spicy. The peanut butter red curry sauce is made with simple ingredients you may already have in your pantry. Add the red curry a little at a time until you reach your desired spice level. You can also replace the sweet potato with butternut squash if you prefer.   

Peanut Noodles from A Virtual Vegan  

A Virtual Vegan’s quick and easy Peanut Noodles is a simple combination of raw vegetables and peanut sauce over noodles. You can use any type of noodles in this dish. Just make sure your selection is vegan. Rice noodles, udon noodles, or soba noodles are best. You can also add any veggies you like. The recipe is quite versatile. Add tofu or vegan chick’n for a little extra protein. Top with your choice of peanuts. Raw, roasted, or salted will taste great. This dish is great as a meal on its own or as a side. It also makes a great filling for a lettuce wrap.  

Easy Peanut Butter Rice from The Fiery Vegetarian   

This tasty, simple, and satisfying rice dish pairs great with sautéed greens or peas. It is a nice way to replace white rice in your meal and only requires a few ingredients. Soy sauce works with the peanut butter to give it a nice umami flavor. You can omit the cayenne if you want a milder flavor. Use an oiled bowl to create a pretty mound of rice on your plate and top it with some red chili flakes or chopped parsley to dress it up a little. Serve alongside a delicious plant-based protein for a complete meal.  

Vegan Satay Noodles with Peanut Sauce from Thank You Berry Much    

These chewy rice noodles tossed in a tasty peanut sauce and topped with delicious veggies are to die for. The ten-ingredient peanut sauce is so creamy and has a savory umami flavor. It only takes five minutes to make. Add some tamarind or lime for a bit of sourness and let the sauce rest for a bit. The longer it sits, the more flavorful it will be. Use whatever vegetables you have on hand and complete the dish with crispy air-fried or baked tofu for a nice crunch or add some scrambled Just Egg.  

Peanut Tofu Burgers from Lazy Cat Kitchen   

If you are in the mood for a burger, try this easy and filling Peanut Tofu Burger that is packed with savory Asian flavors. This simple burger is made with tofu patties coated with a delicious peanut marinade. Cook in a griddle pan or on the grill. Top it with creamy avocado, lettuce, cucumber, pickled onions, coriander, and sesame seeds. Finish it off with an extra dollop of the homemade peanut marinade and enjoy.  

Easy Tempeh Stir Fry from V Nutrition   

This flavorful stir fry is simple, easy and only takes 30 minutes to make. It is packed with lots of healthy nutrients and plenty of plant-based protein. The creamy, homemade, peanut stir fry sauce is very tasty and much healthier than store-bought versions. Add any fresh vegetables you prefer to the mix. Serve over your favorite grains or noodles and add any toppings you like. 

Crispy Peanut Tofu from Home-Cooked Roots  

You can whip up this Crispy Peanut Tofu in about 30 minutes. It can be air-fried, oven-baked, or even pan-fried. Choose the method that works best for you. Soy sauce adds the umami flavor to the tofu and the vegan peanut sauce and maple syrup lend a sweet side. Adjust the sriracha levels for more or less spice. Toss the tofu in peanut sauce and serve over brown rice with a squeeze of lime juice. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.    

African Peanut Soup from J Cooking Odyssey    

It only takes 30 minutes to make this hearty peanut soup in your instant pot. It is packed with healthy veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes. Cook everything in the instant pot, then blend in the blender to create a smooth and creamy soup. Top with lightly roasted crushed peanuts, chopped parsley, red chili flakes, and a lime wedge. Serve on its own or with rolls or a crusty bread.   

Sweet Peanut Butter Desserts & Snacks

One Bowl Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies from The Simple Veganista  

Who does not love a classic peanut butter cookie? This simple, one-bowl recipe with peanut butter, flour, sugar, and vanilla yields delicious, soft, and chewy cookies that everyone will love. It is also easy to customize. You can make them with either crunchy or creamy peanut butter. Use coconut sugar or pure cane sugar for extra sweetness. Reduce the sugar if you want a not-so-sweet cookie. Sprinkle them with sugar or coarse salt before baking if you like. Double the recipe if you want more or halve it if you just want a few. No matter how you make them, the homemade peanut butter cookies are delicious.  

Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars from Daily Vegan Meal  

These no-bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars only require five ingredients and five minutes to make. They are great for a quick snack and can satisfy the most demanding sweet tooth. Crispy cereal adds a satisfying crunch, and the chocolate and peanut butter combo is delightful. You can also customize this recipe to create a treat that is perfect for you. Sprinkle with salt for a nice combination of sweet and salty. Add nuts, seeds, or pretzels for an extra crunch. Dried fruit like raisins, cherries, or cranberries can introduce a chewy texture and add natural sweetness. You can even add some cayenne for an extra kick. Keep this healthy treat in the fridge and enjoy it anytime.  

No Bake Peanut Butter Truffles from Build Your Bite    

Build Your Bite’s no-bake truffles are chocolate-dipped and sweetened with peanut butter and maple syrup. They are great for holidays or parties and very easy to make. Simply blend the ingredients in a mixer and roll the dough into balls. After they chill in the refrigerator for a while, dip them in melted chocolate and freeze until the chocolate is set. Keep them in the refrigerator or freezer for a delicious bite-size, anytime treat.  

No-Churn Vegan Peanut Butter Ice Cream from Blissful Basil  

This decadent, no-churn peanut butter ice cream requires just six ingredients and takes only 10 minutes to prepare. It is creamy sweet, a little bit savory, and oh so easy to make. The secret is plant-based milk, peanut butter, and medjool dates. Plan ahead because it does take a while to freeze. Simply mix in the blender, pour into a lined pan, and freeze for 8 hours.  Top with dark chocolate or fresh berries.    

Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Muffins by Rainbow Nourishments  

These soft and fluffy one-bowl muffins taste just like a Snickers Bar. They have loads of gooey peanut butter inside and out. Brown sugar gives an extra dimension to the flavor. You can make these with regular sugar or coconut sugar instead of brown sugar if you like. Gently mix all ingredients in a bowl. Divide the batter into a muffin pan. Add a dollop of peanut butter to each muffin and swirl into the batter with a toothpick or knife. Then sprinkle some chocolate chips or crumbled peanut butter cookies on top if you like. Bake them up and “Viola!”, instant deliciousness.  

Vegan Peanut Butter Fudge from Addicted to Dates   

Vegan peanut butter fudge is easy, creamy, and delicious. You can make it in just 10 minutes with only three ingredients. This one requires a little planning because it does have to chill for a while. Simply melt the ingredients together and pour them into a lined pan. Press some roasted peanuts into the top if you would like and refrigerate for at least four hours. If you would like to speed the process up a little bit, you can put them in the freezer for about two hours instead. Once they are fully chilled, cut them into small pieces and sprinkle with sea salt. Store them in the fridge so you can enjoy them anytime.    

Gluten-Free Vegan Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake from Bakerita     

Bakerita’s amazing vegan cheesecake is to die for. It has a creamy peanut butter filling made with a raw cashew base atop a tasty chocolate crust. It is super easy to make. Simply blend the ingredients for the filling with softened cashews, then pour the mixture over the crust and refrigerate. Top with a luscious chocolate ganache. Get creative with the Garnish. Try miniature peanut butter cups, roasted peanuts, chocolate chips, a peanut butter drizzle, or any other tasty and attractive garnish you can imagine. The end product is so delicious everyone will love it.   

Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Skillet Cookie from Resplendent Kitchen   

Here is another peanut butter cookie recipe, but instead of an entire batch of cookies, you get one giant, chocolatey cookie. It is just sweet enough to satisfy any sweet tooth. This recipe is easier than traditional cookies because it doesn’t require any rolling of the cookie dough. Just pour the mixed ingredients into an oven-safe skillet and bake. A cast iron skillet will give it the crispiest crust, but any oven-safe skillet will work. Add nuts for a little crunch. Walnuts or pecans are great choices. Throw in some white chocolate chips for double chocolate flavor. Enjoy warm with some vegan vanilla ice cream.     

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats from The Daily Dish  

Overnight oats are a simple breakfast you can make the night before and they only take five minutes to whip up. Simply throw the ingredients together and refrigerate overnight. No cooking is required. This healthy, gluten-free treat has 30 grams of protein thanks to the addition of a protein powder. Choose any flavor of protein powder that you like but be sure it is vegan. You can make these overnight oats with either creamy or crunchy peanut butter. Both work equally well. Select your favorite flavor of jelly or omit it altogether. Rolled oats are best for this recipe. Instant oats will work as well. Steel-cut oats are not recommended as they will not get as soft as the other types.  

Peanut Butter and Jelly Crumble Bars from Strength and Sunshine    

This treat is a classic PB&J baked into a delicious vegan bar. It is perfect for breakfast, lunch, dessert, or an anytime snack. These healthy bars contain no bread and, surprisingly, no peanut butter. Instead, they are made with peanut flour. They have rolled oats, oat bran, and any fruit butter jam you would like. Just mix the ingredients and layer with the jelly. Bake for 25 minutes, then cut into squares and enjoy.  

Share Your Favorite Recipes & Kitchen Adventures

Peanut butter is a tasty, nostalgic, and healthy treat and these recipes are just a few examples of its versatility as an ingredient in delicious plant-based meals. Get creative and serve up some fabulous meals featuring good old-fashioned peanut butter and let us know in the comments if you try one of these plant-based peanut butter recipes.