Rich, nutty peanut butter is a true kitchen all-rounder, just as at home in cookies and bars as it is in savory dinners. This collection celebrates it both sweet and savory.
You will find treats, no-bake bites, and quick mains. Each one links straight through to the full recipe.
Three to Start With
- Soft Peanut Butter Cookies: classic, tender, and full of nutty flavor.
- Easy Peanut Butter Chicken: a rich, savory dinner with a nutty sauce.
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats: gooey, no-bake, and ready in 10 minutes.
Why You Will Love These Peanut Butter Recipes
- Peanut butter works in sweet treats and savory dinners.
- There are cookies, bars, no-bake bites, and mains.
- Many are quick, easy, and kid-friendly.
- It adds rich, nutty flavor and protein to any dish.
The Peanut Butter Recipes
1. Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Classic soft and chewy peanut butter cookies. They are tender, nutty, and foolproof. A timeless favorite.
Key ingredients: margarine softened, white sugar, packed brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, all‑purpose flour
💡 Cook’s tip: margarine softened. Margarine keeps these cookies extra tender; butter works too if you prefer a richer taste.
Total time: 40 min | Ingredients: 9
2. Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Buttery thumbprint cookies filled with peanut butter and jelly. They are nostalgic, sweet, and fun. A playful teatime treat.
Key ingredients: peanut butter creamy or chunky, unsalted butter softened, baking soda ensures a slight lift, salt enhances the flavor of peanut butter
Total time: 22 min | Ingredients: 9
3. Peanut Butter Nutella Cookies
Rich cookies swirled with peanut butter and Nutella. They are indulgent, gooey, and irresistible. A chocolate-hazelnut dream.
Key ingredients: creamy natural peanut butter, packed light brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, fine sea salt, eggs room temperature
Total time: 40 min | Ingredients: 12
4. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe
Thick, chewy bars packed with peanut butter and chocolate chips. They are rich and easy to slice. A great bake-sale treat.
Key ingredients: unsalted butter melted, light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, eggs room temperature, vanilla extract, baking soda
💡 Cook’s tip: unsalted butter melted. Adds richness and helps the bars stay soft. Make sure it’s slightly cooled before using.
Total time: 45 min | Serves: 9 | Ingredients: 10
5. Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Gooey no-bake treats of peanut butter and crisp cereal. They are quick, sweet, and ready in 10 minutes. A kid-friendly classic.
Key ingredients: mini marshmallows, vanilla extract, creamy peanut butter, crispy rice cereal
💡 Cook’s tip: mini marshmallows. These melt quickly and evenly. Stirring some extra marshmallows into the mix creates a soft and gooey texture.
Total time: 10 min | Serves: 12 | Ingredients: 6
6. Homemade Peanut Butter Easter Eggs Recipe
Homemade chocolate-coated peanut butter eggs for Easter. They are rich, creamy, and fun to make. A great holiday treat.
Key ingredients: milk chocolate candy melts, creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, royal icing or sprinkles
💡 Cook’s tip: milk chocolate candy melts. I prefer Wilton or Ghirardelli for smooth melting.
Total time: 60 min | Ingredients: 5
7. Lemon Bars
A creamy peanut butter cold brew coffee for a nutty pick-me-up. It is smooth, indulgent, and ready in 5 minutes. A fun cafe-style drink.
Key ingredients: cold brew coffee, peanut butter, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, ice cubes
💡 Cook’s tip: cold brew coffee. Store-bought works but homemade steeped for 12 hours gives the best flavor.
Total time: 5 min | Serves: 1 | Ingredients: 6
8. Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Shake Recipe
A rich vegan protein shake with chocolate and peanut butter. It is creamy, filling, and quick. A great post-workout treat.
Key ingredients: scoop chocolate plant-based protein powder, peanut butter, to 1½ cups water or non-dairy milk
Total time: 5 min | Serves: 1 | Ingredients: 7
9. Easy Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe
Tender chicken in a rich, savory peanut butter sauce. It is comforting, flavorful, and satisfying. A cozy dinner with a twist.
Key ingredients: peanut butter, honey, tamari or soy sauce, garlic grated, grated ginger, sesame oil
💡 Cook’s tip: peanut butter. Creamy peanut butter gives the sauce its rich nutty base. Avoid natural varieties with no stabilizers, as they may split when cooked.
Total time: 60 min | Serves: 4 | Ingredients: 10
10. Thai Peanut Chicken Recipe
Juicy chicken in a fragrant Thai-style peanut sauce. It is savory, nutty, and ready in 35 minutes. A quick, flavor-packed dinner.
Key ingredients: chicken breasts cut into cubes, garlic cloves minced, rice vinegar, fresh ginger minced, turmeric, chili flakes
💡 Cook’s tip: chicken breasts cut into cubes. Boneless, skinless chicken breast cooks fast and stays juicy when cubed.
Total time: 35 min | Serves: 4 | Ingredients: 21
11. Cucumbers in Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe
Crunchy cucumbers tossed in a spicy, savory peanut sauce. It is fresh, zippy, and quick. A great side or light snack.
Key ingredients: cucumbers, roasted peanuts, peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili flakes or sriracha
💡 Cook’s tip: cucumbers. Sliced thinly for better texture and sauce absorption. I like to leave some skin on for color and crunch.
Total time: 15 min | Serves: 3 | Ingredients: 10
For baking, use a standard shelf-stable peanut butter rather than natural, which can be too oily and separate. Smooth works in most recipes, but crunchy adds texture.
A pinch of salt sharpens peanut butter’s flavor in both sweet and savory dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of peanut butter is best for baking?
A standard smooth, shelf-stable peanut butter gives the most reliable results in baking. Natural peanut butters separate and can make bakes oily or dry, so stir them well or save them for sauces.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Yes, in most recipes. Crunchy adds lovely texture to cookies, bars, and sauces, though for very smooth results like fillings or drinks, smooth is the better choice.
Is peanut butter good in savory dishes?
Absolutely. Peanut butter is the base of many savory sauces, adding richness and nutty depth to chicken, noodles, and dressings, especially in Thai and other Asian-inspired dishes.
How should I store peanut butter treats?
Keep baked treats in an airtight container at room temperature, and chilled or chocolate-coated ones in the fridge. No-bake treats usually hold best in the fridge too.