10 Clever Ways To Use Frozen Peanut Butter

Flatten it for fun dessert hors d'oeuvres

Consider peanut butter as a form of edible playdough: its flexible texture allows for various shapes. By flattening a few spoonfuls of peanut butter into thin rounds and freezing them, you essentially create a peanut butter version of a cracker, and nothing sparks creativity quite like a blank canvas in the form of a cracker.

Once your rounds are frozen, use them as a luxurious base for your favorite toppings: marshmallow fluff, a maraschino cherry, a touch of strawberry jam, or Tastefully Simple Sweet Pepper Jalapeño Jam, and voilà! You have a chilled, sweet appetizer. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even sprinkle some blue cheese on top (it pairs wonderfully with peanut butter in a sandwich).

To prepare this treat, scoop out about a tablespoon of peanut butter and place it on a piece of parchment paper. Repeat this process to create as many rounds as you desire. Cover the peanut butter dollops with another sheet of parchment and flatten them using your hands or a rolling pin. The final shape may resemble more of a "splat" than a perfect circle, but who needs perfection? Freeze for several hours or overnight. The rounds will be firm yet still soft enough for a delightful chew. Just be sure to enjoy them quickly; they tend to melt fast once taken out of the freezer.

Boost your protein shake with a scoop of frozen peanut butter

One of the most attractive qualities of peanut butter (assuming you don't have an allergy) is its nutritional benefits. In addition to being rich in potentially heart-healthy fats, it also offers a decent amount of protein, with just two tablespoons delivering around 7 grams of this essential nutrient — quite impressive for a plant-based option.

If you're on the hunt for ingredients to enhance your ideal protein shake, think about adding a ball or two of frozen peanut butter to your muscle-boosting blend before mixing. This added protein and fat will help you feel satisfied for a longer period, and it will give your shake a slightly thicker and creamier consistency — not to mention the delicious, nutty taste. If you're monitoring your calorie intake (as peanut butter is relatively high in calories), this suggestion is especially useful. You can pre-portion it into plastic bags or wrap it in parchment paper for easy access, taking out just the tablespoon-sized amounts you need.

Pacify a sweet tooth with grab-and-go frozen peanut butter balls

The same spoonfuls of peanut butter you might add to your protein shake can fulfill another nutritional role. If you have a sweet tooth but are trying to reduce or manage your sugar consumption, frozen peanut butter could be your saving grace.

Whenever a craving for a treat strikes, simply head to the freezer, unzip your bag or open your freezer-safe container, and grab one or two frozen peanut butter balls. Their texture will be chewy and soft, reminiscent of caramels, but they contain significantly less sugar per serving compared to traditional candy. For instance, two tablespoons of regular Jif Creamy Peanut Butter have just 3 grams of sugar (with 2 grams being added sugar), while a lower-sugar option like Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter Spread, No Sugar Added, contains only 2 grams of sugar (with no added sugar at all). With a variety of peanut butter brands available, you can explore different options to find the perfect balance of taste and nutrition.

Cool down with refreshing peanut butter ice cubes

These are remarkably adaptable. Just as you can freeze leftover coffee in an ice tray, you can mix peanut butter with milk and pour it into ice molds for later use. They make a refreshing treat to enjoy on a hot summer day, or you can toss a few into a smoothie or protein shake for added texture and flavor—especially helpful if you tend to create a mess when adding room-temperature peanut butter to your shakes.

Feel free to experiment with different types of milk and adjust the milk-to-peanut butter ratio to achieve your desired taste and creaminess. Don’t hesitate to incorporate warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ground cardamom. These aromatic additions will complement the frozen peanut butter beautifully and introduce a whole new layer of flavor to your shakes and smoothies.

Mix it, put a stick in it, and dip it for an easy, decadent ice lolly

Creating your own favorite store-bought frozen treats at home can be a delightful experience, not to mention an excellent way to save money and tailor flavors to your specific tastes. If you love chocolate peanut butter popsicles and enjoy making desserts yourself, you'll be pleased to know that you can easily whip up this treat at home using peanut butter, quality Greek yogurt, melted chocolate, a touch of sweetener like maple syrup, and popsicle sticks.

The process is surprisingly straightforward. Simply combine the peanut butter with the yogurt and sweetener, shape the mixture into patties on parchment paper, and insert a popsicle stick into each one. Freeze for about two hours, then dip the popsicles in melted chocolate and return them to the freezer for another 15 minutes.

If you're not in the mood for chocolate, you can opt for melted white chocolate, butterscotch, or caramel as sweet alternatives. No matter your choice, consider adding a sprinkle of sea salt for a classic flavor combination that enhances the richness of the other ingredients.

Customize a frozen treat with peanut butter and whipped cream

Peanut butter has an almost magical ability to enhance a wide range of flavors, and one of its most delightful combinations is with whipped cream. When "light, sweet, and airy" meets "rich, nutty, and substantial," it creates a wonderful medley of flavors and textures. The charm of this combination lies in its adaptability: you can create a peanut butter-whipped cream dessert that is as indulgent or as light as you desire, depending on your ingredient choices.

To get started, you'll need a muffin tin and muffin liners — something like the Amazon Basics Nonstick Round Cupcake and Muffin Baking Pan will do nicely. Combine the peanut butter with the whipped cream and distribute the mixture into the muffin tins using either a spoon or a piping bag. Place the tins in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, and you'll have perfectly shaped treats.

Now, let’s dive into the specifics. For the richest experience, choose full-fat whipped cream and regular (not powdered) peanut butter. You can drizzle the finished treats with melted peanut butter, chocolate syrup, or any sweet sauce of your choice. If you prefer a lighter option, go for light or fat-free whipped cream and reduced-fat peanut butter. For the lightest version, consider using powdered peanut butter, which has an impressive 85% fewer calories from fat compared to regular peanut butter. Just remember to have some water on hand to mix with the powdered PB, as it needs to be rehydrated to be effective.

Create a delightful frozen peanut butter chocolate banana bark

Not all ingredients freeze as well as peanut butter, but bananas are another food that holds up nicely in the freezer. When paired together, they create a delightful combination that’s even more enjoyable when transformed into a sweet, layered bark. Frozen bananas offer the refreshing, icy texture of sorbet, but with a slightly denser, more satisfying bite. Meanwhile, frozen peanut butter has a nearly fudge-like consistency that provides a rich, creamy contrast, enveloping the banana slices like a luxurious glaze. The finishing touch is a crisp, crackling shell of dark chocolate that shatters with each bite, introducing a touch of bitterness to the sweet and nutty flavors.

To start, lay out a single layer of banana slices on a sheet of parchment paper. Place another sheet of paper on top and press down the banana slices with the bottom of a glass or another heavy object. Drizzle melted peanut butter over the slices, making sure each one is fully coated, and then freeze for about thirty minutes. After that, pour melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and sprinkle with nuts, sea salt, dried fruits, pretzels, or any other toppings you desire. Return the bark to the freezer to let this layer set, and then enjoy!

Reimagine peanut butter cups with this customizable frozen twist

If your idea of paradise is a frozen Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, consider crafting your own version of this delightful treat at home. Although it requires a bit more effort than simply placing a Reese's in the freezer, this creative approach not only offers a fun cooking experience but also allows you to select ingredients that suit your preferences. For example, if you favor organic options, you might choose 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Sweetened Smooth Peanut Butter. If you're avoiding dairy, opt for dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate and use pure peanut butter rather than creating a mousse with heavy cream. You can also personalize your creation by adding a base of dates and pretzels or introducing a touch of spice with a dash of cayenne pepper. As with any adorable cup-shaped dessert, you'll need muffin tins and foil liners for this recipe.

To begin, line your muffin tins with your first layer, whether it’s chocolate, melted peanut butter, or mashed dates. Continue to build your mini masterpieces by adding the next layer of ingredients. If you’d like to finish them off with a drizzle or sprinkle of something sweet, do so before placing the tin in the freezer for a few hours.

Sneak in more fiber with frozen peanut butter oatmeal cookie dough bites

The American Heart Association suggests consuming 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily from food sources rather than supplements. This can be difficult, especially if you feel pressed for time and energy to prepare nutritious meals. While peanut butter isn't particularly high in fiber—offering just 1 gram per 2-tablespoon serving—it pairs wonderfully with one of the best fiber sources available: oats. A half-cup serving of dry oats cooked with water delivers 4 grams of fiber, including beta-glucan, which helps regulate blood sugar by slowing down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. In short, oats are a fantastic choice.

Imagine being able to boost your fiber intake while enjoying something sweet and tasty! Fortunately, you can achieve this with just a few ingredients. All you need is some uncooked oatmeal (which is completely safe to eat), peanut butter, chocolate chips, and a sweetener like honey or maple syrup. Simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl with a spatula, shape them into balls, and freeze them on a paper-lined baking sheet until solid.

These treats are wonderfully versatile. You can easily enhance them by adding vanilla extract for a touch of warmth, or mix in M&M's, raisins, shredded coconut, or ground flaxseed for added protein and a subtle nutty flavor.

Put it in a Kong and freeze it for a rewarding dog treat

There's an old myth about peanut butter that it's time to debunk, particularly regarding a certain furry, domesticated canine species and their ability to enjoy it. According to the National Peanut Board, peanut butter is safe for dogs to consume, as long as it doesn't contain the artificial sweetener Xylitol, which is toxic to them. Peanuts, salt, and a small amount of sugar, however, are perfectly fine. That said, moderation is key; peanut butter is high in fat, which can be an issue for some dogs if they indulge too much, so it's best to offer it as an occasional treat. When frozen in a Kong Classic Stuffable Dog Toy, it becomes an even more delightful reward.

If you're worried about the mess, there's no need to fill the entire Kong with a large jar of peanut butter. A small amount pushed into the tip of the Kong will suffice, and then you can pop it in the freezer. Your tail-wagging friend should be able to enjoy their treat long before it starts to melt.