What is Good to Mix with Peanut Butter for Snacks and Meals?

November 20, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, peanut butter provides a substantial source of plant-based protein, healthy fats, and fiber. This makes it a versatile and nutritious addition to many foods, but knowing what is good to mix with peanut butter can unlock an entire world of flavor combinations beyond the classic sandwich. From simple snacks to complex savory sauces, the possibilities are vast.

Quick Summary

An exploration of creative pairings for peanut butter, covering healthy snacks like fruits and seeds, indulgent desserts such as chocolate and ice cream, and savory dishes including sauces and marinades. This guide offers numerous options to enhance meals and provides a comparison of nutritional benefits.

Key Points

Healthy Fruit Combos: Pairing peanut butter with apples, bananas, or berries creates a quick and nutritious snack rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Decadent Dessert Duos: The classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate is perfect for indulgent treats like sauces, brownies, or cookies.
Savory Sauce Base: Use peanut butter as a base for savory sauces, like Asian-style noodle sauce or West African stew, by mixing it with spices, soy sauce, and citrus.
High-Protein Breakfasts: Stirring peanut butter into oatmeal or smoothies with added seeds provides a filling, energy-boosting start to your day.
Nutrient Boosters: Greek yogurt and peanut butter combine for a creamy, high-protein snack, offering beneficial probiotics and calcium.
Creative Twists on Classics: Try unconventional mixes like adding peanut butter to hummus or topping a roasted sweet potato for a unique, delicious flavor experience.

Peanut butter is a pantry staple enjoyed for its rich flavor and nutritional benefits. While the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a timeless favorite, there's a world of other foods and flavors that complement its creamy, nutty profile. Knowing how to pair it can transform a basic ingredient into a star component of various snacks, desserts, and main courses.

Sweet Pairings: Simple Snacks and Indulgent Desserts

The most common way to enjoy peanut butter is in sweet applications. Its natural sweetness and creamy texture make it a perfect partner for a variety of sugary and fruity ingredients. These pairings range from simple, healthy snacks to rich, indulgent desserts.

Fruit Combinations

Apples and Bananas: Sliced apples and bananas are classic pairings for a reason. The sweetness of the fruit balances the rich peanut butter, and the fiber from the fruit, combined with the protein and healthy fats from the peanut butter, makes for a balanced and satisfying snack.
Berries: Fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are excellent additions to peanut butter toast, oatmeal, or smoothies. They add a bright, juicy contrast to the creamy nut butter and are packed with antioxidants.
Dates: Stuffing dates with peanut butter is a quick, energy-rich snack. The caramel-like sweetness of the date perfectly complements the salty, nutty flavor.

Desserts and Treats

Chocolate: Few combinations are as beloved as chocolate and peanut butter. You can mix peanut butter into chocolate spreads, use it in brownies or cookies, or create a rich peanut butter dessert sauce for ice cream or other treats.
Marshmallow Fluff: For a classic "Fluffernutter" sandwich, marshmallow fluff is the traditional partner. It creates a sweet, nostalgic, and incredibly soft combination.
Ice Cream: Swirling peanut butter into ice cream or drizzling a warm peanut butter sauce over a scoop is a simple way to elevate this dessert.
Cream Cheese: Mixing peanut butter with cream cheese creates a delightful spread perfect for bagels, toast, or crackers. This combination offers a rich and tangy profile.

Breakfast Boosts

Oatmeal: Stir a spoonful of peanut butter into your morning oatmeal for added protein, healthy fats, and a creamy texture that keeps you full longer. Adding seeds like chia or flax can further increase the nutritional value.
Smoothies: A scoop of peanut butter transforms a basic fruit smoothie into a protein-packed meal or post-workout recovery drink. It adds richness and an energizing boost.

Savory Pairings: Unexpected Flavors and Sauces

While often associated with sweets, peanut butter is an incredibly versatile ingredient in savory cooking, particularly in Asian and African cuisine. Its nutty depth can add body and flavor to sauces and marinades.

Sauces and Dressings

Peanut Sauce for Noodles: Whisking together peanut butter with soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, and a little chili oil or cayenne pepper creates a classic Asian-style peanut sauce. This sauce is fantastic over noodles, grilled vegetables, or chicken.
Marinades: A savory peanut butter marinade adds a delicious, complex flavor to chicken or pork. Combine it with spices, soy sauce, and a little honey or maple syrup for a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Hummus: For a twist on traditional hummus, substitute peanut butter for tahini. The result is a nuttier, richer dip that pairs well with pita bread or fresh vegetables.

Meals and Bowls

Stir-Fries: A tablespoon or two of peanut butter can be stirred into a stir-fry near the end of cooking to create a rich, creamy sauce.
West African Peanut Stew: This hearty and flavorful stew uses peanut butter as a key ingredient for its savory base. It typically includes ingredients like chicken, sweet potato, and tomatoes.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes: A warm, roasted sweet potato topped with a dollop of peanut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon makes for a surprisingly delicious and wholesome meal or side dish.

Comparison of Peanut Butter Pairings

To help you decide which pairings are right for your needs, here is a comparison table outlining benefits and use cases.


Pairing Type	Best For	Nutritional Benefits	Flavor Profile	Use Cases
Fruits	Quick, healthy snacks and breakfast	Adds fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Paired with PB, it provides sustained energy.	Sweet and creamy with a fresh, fruity tang.	Toast topping, oatmeal mix-in, smoothie base.
Chocolate	Indulgent desserts and treats	Can provide antioxidants, depending on the type of chocolate used.	Rich, deep, and decadent; a classic sweet combination.	Brownies, cookies, dessert sauces, ice cream topping.
Greek Yogurt	High-protein snacks and breakfast	Boosts protein intake, adds probiotics for gut health, and provides calcium.	Tangy and creamy, adding a light, dairy-based element to the rich peanut flavor.	Fruit dip, parfait layering, smoothie base.
Savory Sauces	Dinners and main courses	Incorporates healthy fats and protein into savory meals.	Complex, savory, nutty flavor with notes of spice and citrus.	Noodle sauces, marinades for meat, dressing for salads.
Oatmeal & Seeds	Nutritious breakfast and meal prep	High in fiber, protein, healthy fats, and omega-3s. Provides long-lasting fullness.	Hearty, warm, and wholesome with added texture.	Morning oatmeal, energy bites, power balls.

Conclusion

Peanut butter's versatility extends far beyond simple spreads. By exploring different pairings, from the familiar sweetness of fruit and chocolate to the surprising depths of savory sauces and spices, you can incorporate its nutritional benefits and flavor into almost any meal. Whether you're looking for a quick, healthy snack or a complex dinner, knowing what is good to mix with peanut butter allows for endless culinary creativity. Try blending it with creamy Greek yogurt for a protein-packed dip, whipping up a savory peanut sauce for a chicken marinade, or simply adding it to your oatmeal for a hearty breakfast. The only limit is your imagination. For more inspiration on incorporating healthy foods into your diet, consider consulting dietary guidelines from reputable sources like the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a health-conscious option, mixing peanut butter with fresh fruits like apples or bananas, or stirring it into oatmeal with chia or flax seeds, provides a boost of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Greek yogurt is another excellent choice, adding probiotics and extra protein.

For a savory flavor, you can mix in spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, ground ginger, or red pepper flakes. For a sweeter, warmer taste, try cinnamon, cardamom, or a little vanilla extract.

Yes, absolutely. Adding a spoonful of peanut butter to a smoothie is a great way to make it more filling and protein-rich. It works well with fruits like banana and berries, and can be combined with yogurt, milk, and seeds for added nutrition.

Peanut butter can be used to make savory sauces for stir-fries, noodles, or marinades for chicken. It is a key ingredient in West African peanut stews and can even be used as a nutty substitute for tahini in hummus.

For a simple dessert, mix peanut butter with melted chocolate for a quick spread or topping, or swirl it into ice cream. Another option is mixing it with softened cream cheese for a rich and tangy dip.

Yes, enjoying peanut butter on bread daily is fine in moderation. Opt for whole-grain or multigrain bread for extra fiber. Choosing a natural peanut butter with no added sugar or oils is best for controlling portion size and maximizing nutritional benefits.

For a unique twist, try pairing peanut butter with roasted sweet potato, layering it with spicy ingredients, or even adding it to a quinoa salad dressing. The sweet potato combination is unexpectedly delicious and nutritious.