6 EXCITING WAYS TO USE NUT BUTTERS

It’s probably fair to say that nut butters are wonders in the culinary world–we’ve loved them since the peanut butter and jelly sandwich days. And as much as PB&J dominated our childhood, nut butters are much more than just a sandwich ingredient.

As more and more nut butters broke onto the scene–almond butter, cashew butter, and even pecan butter–people found more uses for them in dips, sauces, and even in dressings! If you’re unsure what to do with nut butters, we have some cool suggestions for you.

Never limit nut butters to just toast spread again.

1. Smoothies

Chia seeds and flaxseeds are great for a protein boost, but what if you wanted to add a dose of protein, flavour, and thickness to your smoothie all with just one ingredient? Nut butter is your friend. It’ll make your healthy smoothie taste like it was meant to be a dessert.

2. Entrees

There are dishes from just about every culture that features nuts. If you ever find yourself short on fresh nuts, why not opt for nut butter? They can be more flavourful, and infuse even better with the dish. Use them like you would with any seasoning!

3. Pancakes and Waffles

You’ve had pancakes and waffles smeared with nut butters, but have you tried them filled with nut butters? The next time you make your batter, help yourself to a generous dollop and mix in well with the batter. Your breakfast will taste even better than you thought it could.

4. Salad Dressings

I know you’ve reached for the ranch, the Italian, and the balsamic vinaigrette for the umpteenth time, and you’re just about sick of it. Have you tried using nut butters? They might be a bit thick to mix, so add some oil to make it silkier and smooth before tossing the salad. How good does that sound with a nice tropical kale salad?

5. Desserts

Desserts make everything better. And if there’s anything that makes desserts better, it’s nut butters. Pair a little bit with your ice cream next time. Or try it on an apple pie instead of whipped cream. Smear it onto your favourite chocolate mousse. Or layer it on–or in the batter–your fresh batch of brownie.

6. Nut Milk

If you’ve ever had homemade nut milk, you’d know how good it tastes. And if you’ve ever made it yourself, you know that smug sense of pride of having made something so delicious. And although homemade nut milks only really take two minutes of your time, there is a soaking process that happens overnight. So what if you want some instant nut milk that’s still as good as homemade? Mix half a cup of raw nut butter with three cups of water and some sweetener, then blend away for two minutes. There’s your ultimate life hack.

What are your favourite ways to use nut butters? Let us know if you’ve tried any of these methods, and if we missed out on any of your holy grail tips and tricks!