You read that right. Read on for tips and tricks to get more fruits and vegetables in your life via your favorite nutty food!
As a parent, I know how important it is for my kids to eat their vegetables. I also remember how much I hated eating them when I was a kid! But one day, after my son traded his school lunch for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I had an epiphany!
So, I started experimenting. And you know what? It turns out peanut butter is so easy to make! Freshly-ground peanut butter isn’t just a delicious spread—it’s a game changer for making fruits and vegetables more appealing. Here are five fun, tasty ways to sneak in more produce with the help of everyone’s favorite nutty snack.
1. Dip It
Honestly, this one is so simple it almost feels like cheating. If you’ve got picky eaters, peanut butter makes the perfect dip for apples, bananas, or celery. Fresh-ground peanut butter is especially great here—it clings to the fruit better and has that just-roasted taste. My kids think anything is more exciting when it’s “dippable,” and let’s be real—so do I.
Pro tip: Stir in a little cinnamon or honey for an extra flavor boost. It’s chef’s kiss perfection.
2. Blend It into Smoothies
Freshly-ground peanut butter in a smoothie? Life-changing. It adds a rich, creamy texture and a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with fruits. It’s also a great way to mix in a few extra vegetables without your kids even noticing.
I originally started making smoothies in the mornings just for myself, but now the whole family lines up for one, so I’ve learned to double the batch. They’re quick, easy, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
3. Spread It on Vegetables & Whole Wheat Toast
For a long time, I saw my whole wheat toast in the morning as a bland breakfast option, but I made it my personal mission to find the absolute best version of toast—both in terms of flavor and how it makes me feel.
Freshly-ground peanut butter is a huge part of my strategy. It helps secure other toppings on top of the toast and adds a protein-powered layer that perfectly complements almost any flavor it’s paired with. I’ve had great success with cucumbers, matchstick carrots, tomatoes, and bell peppers!
4. Mix It into Sauces & Dressings
Freshly-ground peanut butter can turn a simple sauce into something amazing. A quick search online will show plenty of recipes that adapt peanut butter into sauces for Chinese food, Thai food, salads, wraps, and almost anything else!
I like to use it as a base for my lettuce wraps. It adds a creamy, nutty enhancement to my favorite salad combinations and really classes up a quick and simple meal.
5. Create Peanut Butter Snack Wraps
Some days, I need a snack that’s fast, easy, and won’t leave me feeling like I just raided the junk food aisle. That’s where freshly-ground peanut butter snack wraps come in! They’re incredibly simple but feel like something I actually want to eat—not just a “healthy choice” that I force myself to make.
Here’s my go-to combo: I grab a whole wheat tortilla, spread on a thick layer of freshly-ground peanut butter, and then load it up with thinly sliced apples, shredded carrots, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. If I’m feeling extra, I’ll even toss in a few raisins or chia seeds. Then, I roll it up, slice it into bite-sized pieces, and boom—snack time magic.
Freshly-ground peanut butter isn’t just a treat—it’s a tool to help you eat more fruits and vegetables in fun, delicious ways. Whether you’re dipping, blending, or spreading, there are plenty of options to make healthy eating easier and more enjoyable. Give these ideas a try and comment your favorite ideas below! We’ll see you next time.
