22 Peanut Butter Recipes That Make the Most of Everyone’s Favorite Pantry Staple

Everybody knows that peanut butter is fantastic on sandwiches. Heck, it's a key ingredient in the quintessential childhood sandwich. However, it's good for so much more than just a PB&J. Peanut butter is a pantry staple that's affordable, versatile (use it in sweet or savory recipes) and packed with protein — which means it deserves a permanent space in your kitchen.

From creamy dipping sauces to spicy marinades, peanut butter is a boldly-flavored ingredient that can find a home in a variety of dishes. The best part is that in addition to savory, nutty flavor, it also adds creamy texture. Peanut butter is a fun way to elevate hearty dishes, and we've rounded up some of our favorites.

This is the perfect recipe to make when you're trying to use up an almost-empty jar of peanut butter. It's super simple, too. Just mix the peanut butter with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and crushed red pepper to make a savory sauce for drizzling over green veggies.

Recipe developer Jackie Ji Yoon Park says, "Whip up this quick, versatile peanut sauce and pair it with your favorite noodles (rice noodles, yakisoba, egg noodles, spaghetti — whatever you have on hand) for a satisfying bowl that is ready in just 15 minutes. Inspired by Chinese sesame noodles, this recipe relies on peanut butter instead of Chinese sesame paste for a nutty, savory flavor."

You only need peanut butter and five other ingredients (all of which are probably in your pantry and refrigerator right now) to make these mesmerizing dessert bars. It's the perfect dessert to make when you have guests coming over unexpectedly. The best part? It only takes 45 minutes from start to finish.

In this creative recipe, we're giving peanut butter a hint of spiciness by adding sriracha. It comes together perfectly as a savory sauce for the inside of these rice-and-veggie rolls that are crunchy and creamy at the same time. It's an impressive apetizer or an inventive lunch.

Recipe developer Nikki Scott says, "A play on traditional African peanut stew, this version uses chicken meatballs instead of chicken pieces. The earthy notes of peanut butter and sweet potato really make these meatballs sing."

This crave-worthy grilled sandwich balances sweet and savory flavors in every bite. It's packed with ooey, gooey manchego, provolone and swiss cheeses, salty bacon, savory peanut butter and sweet jam. A perfect balance of flavors and textures, it's a sandwich upgrade for any day of the week.

These easy dinner bowls are inspired by the flavors of Thai cuisine. Creamy peanut butter is right at home with salty soy sauce, spicy chile-garlic sauce and tangy lime juice. It's savory, creamy perfectly balanced with bright acidity.

The simplest way to upgrade homemade vanilla pudding? Stir in a scoop of peanut butter. These pudding cups are super easy to prepare, but they need two hours to set in the refrigerator — so be sure to plan ahead and whip them up in advance.

You may not think of peanut butter as a necessary ingredient for stuffed peppers but, trust us, a simple spicy peanut sauce is the perfect complement for veggies and whole grains. Jalapeno adds heat to the boldy-flavored peppers, while ricotta adds a cool creaminess. It's a hearty vegetarian meal that will leave you feeling full and satiated.

This easy-to-make vegetarian meal gets an extra boost of protein as well as some rich, nutty flavor from smooth, creamy peanut butter. It's packed with healthy ingredients like kale, sweet potatoes and bell peppers, as well as deep flavor from cumin, fresh ginger and cayenne pepper. Peanuts on top adds necessary texture and crunch.

The peanut butter in these easy-to-make bars serve two purposes: it’s a great source of protein and the perfect ‘glue’ to hold the oats, seeds and dried fruit together. They're hearty and healthy, which means they're a great option for breakfast or a filling midday snack. We love adding dried cherries for some fruity flavor, but you could easily swap them out for dried cranberries.

This creamy pasta is so easy to make, it comes together in just 35 minutes. We start by mixing creamy peanut butter with coconut milk, soy sauce, chile oil and lime juice for a sauce that’s perfect over a mix of chicken, pasta and green beans. It might sound like an unlikely pairing, but the complexity of the flavors are perfectly balanced.

This peanut sauce with the punch of cayenne is great for hot or cold noodles or for dipping grilled chicken skewers. It's a versatile condiment that can be paired with a wide range of dishes. It's sweet, spicy and delightfully savory.

This fun mole recipe uses a few simple shortcuts to make it taste great without taking too much time to prepare. Adobo sauce, unsweetened chocolate and peanut butter combine to create a sauce that tastes like it's been simmering all day long. Chopped peanuts, sesame seeds and cilantro make a crunchy, flavorful topping.

Our version of these tasty skewers have all the flavors you’d expect from traditional chicken satay, thanks to fragrant spices and fresh garlic. A healthy dose of creamy peanut butter in the dipping sauce makes it creamy and tangy, too. They're ready in under an hour, making them a great option for a fun and unique weeknight dinner.

If you grew up loving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you'll love this grown-up version of the childhood treat. Though they lean towards dessert, they can easily be enjoyed with a scoop of yogurt for breakfast or a midday snack. We're using raspberry jam, but you can feel free to swap it out for whatever type of jam you like best.

These squash bowls are the perfect way to welcome fall. Spaghetti-like squash strands, roasted broccoli, coconut shrimp and an addictive peanut sauce make for a lighter version of Thai takeout. It's hearty, healthy and packed with bold flavor.

This easy 10-minute snack is sweet-and-salty perfection that makes it the perfect midday snack. The key to this recipe is whipping the cream cheese well to make sure it’s light and fluffy before adding other ingredients. That way, the dip will be easier to scoop up with pretzels.

This Thai-inspired noodle dish is a creamy alternative to a pasta dinner. Ready in just 25 minutes, this dish takes inspiration from Vietnamese summer rolls and the peanut sauce they're usually served with. It's fresh, crunchy and packed with vibrant flavors.

Kale salad needs a bold, creamy dressing that can stand up to the heavy-duty, hearty leaves. This one is super creamy with a sweet and salty flavor that makes the healthy greens, beans and veggies taste more like a treat.

These sweet-and-nutty bars are as simple to make as your classic crispy cereal treats. Instead of holding everything together with melted marshmallows, we're warming a mixture of sugar and peanut butter instead. The nutty flavor from the peanut butter offsets the sugar, making sure these bars aren't overly sweet.