What can I dip in peanut butter?

Peanut butter is a versatile spread that can be paired with many different foods for dipping. With its creamy, nutty flavor, peanut butter complements both sweet and savory items. There are lots of delicious options when it comes to finding foods that go well with peanut butter for dipping.

Fruits and Vegetables

Many different fruits and vegetables pair nicely with peanut butter for dipping. The sweet and salty combination works well. Some of the best fruits and veggies to dip in peanut butter include:

• Apples
• Bananas
• Pears
• Celery
• Carrots
• Strawberries
• Grapes
• Cherries
• Orange slices
• Apple slices

Apples, bananas, pears, celery, and carrots are classic items for dipping in peanut butter. The crunch of the fruits and veggies pairs nicely with the creamy texture of peanut butter. Peanut butter also helps balance out some of the tartness or sweetness of the produce.

Strawberries, grapes, and cherries add a refreshing, juicy element when dipped in nutty peanut butter. The sweet and tangy berries complement the peanut flavor. Orange and apple slices also bring a nice mix of sweetness and citrus.

Breads and Baked Goods

Many different breads and baked goods like crackers, pretzels, and cookies go great with peanut butter for dipping. Some top picks include:

• Bagels
• Toast
• Pretzels
• Graham crackers
• Animal crackers
• Rice cakes
• Pita chips
• Waffles
• Muffins
• Cookies (like shortbread)

Bagels and toast allow you to enjoy the classic peanut butter sandwich in dip form. The bread provides a neutral base that lets the peanut butter flavor shine. Pretzels and crackers offer a crunchy, salty surface for the peanut butter.

Graham crackers, animal crackers, and shortbread cookies have a touch of sweetness that balances the nutty peanut butter. Rice cakes and pita chips provide lightweight dipping vehicles. Waffles and muffins can be cut into wedges for dipping and make for a fun breakfast or dessert with peanut butter.

Meats and Proteins

Peanut butter also pairs well with a variety of meats, cheeses, and other proteins. Some of the best options include:

• Bacon
• Sausages
• Chicken nuggets or fingers
• Cheese sticks
• Pretzel dogs
• Meatballs
• Apple chicken sausages
• Celery stuffed with cream cheese or cheese curds

The savory qualities of meats like bacon, sausages, and chicken compliment the nuttiness of peanut butter. The contrasting flavors and textures work very nicely together. Cheese provides a creamy base for the peanut butter, whether it’s string cheese sticks or a cheese-filled celery stalk.

Peanut butter also complements the smokiness of pretzel dogs and meatballs. Apple chicken sausages have a touch of sweetness that peanut butter enhances. Overall, there are many possibilities for pairing peanut butter with proteins and meats.

Other Creative Pairings

Beyond the classic fruits, veggies, breads, and proteins, there are lots of creative food pairings for dipping in peanut butter. Some unique item combinations include:

• Pretzels dipped in melted peanut butter or peanut butter chips
• Nuts like almonds, cashews, and peanuts
• Popcorn drizzled with peanut butter
• Quesadillas or grilled cheese sandwiches with peanut butter
• Pancakes or waffles topped with peanut butter
• Peanut butter and yogurt dip
• Peanut butter and chocolate fondue
• Peanut butter milkshakes

Melting peanut butter or peanut butter chips creates a delicious, creamy dip for pretzels. Nuts like almonds, cashews, and peanuts provide crunch and complement the peanut flavor when dipped in peanut butter. Popcorn drizzled with melted peanut butter is a sweet and salty treat.

Grilled sandwiches like quesadillas or grilled cheese go great with a dollop of peanut butter for dipping. Pancakes and waffles make an indulgent breakfast when topped with peanut butter. Blending peanut butter into yogurt creates a protein-packed dipping sauce. Peanut butter combined with chocolate fondue is a match made in heaven.

You can also get creative with beverages by blending peanut butter into milkshakes. Overall, don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to dipping foods in peanut butter.

Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Dipping

To get the ideal peanut butter for dipping, consider these tips:

• Use freshly ground or whipped peanut butter for a ultra-smooth, creamy texture.
• Look for peanut butters that only contain peanuts and maybe a touch of salt, without added sugars or oils.
• Creamy peanut butter works best for dipping, rather than crunchy varieties.
• Stir the peanut butter before dipping to incorporate any separated oils and smooth out the texture.
• Consider warming the peanut butter for 20-30 seconds to soften it up before dipping.

Freshly ground peanut butter has a soft, whipped texture that is perfect for dipping. Avoid peanut butters with added sugars or hydrogenated oils. Creamy styles provide an even coating compared to chunky peanut butter.

Make sure to stir the peanut butter first, so it’s silky smooth. You can also microwave it for a few seconds to warm it up and make it easier to dip into.

Choosing Peanut Butter

With so many options on grocery store shelves, choosing the right peanut butter can be tricky. Here are some tips for picking the best peanut butter for dipping:

• Look for peanut butter with just peanuts and maybe salt listed as ingredients.
• Avoid added sugars or oils.
• Go for creamy over crunchy.
• Consider organic or natural peanut butters without hydrogenated oils.
• Choose trusted, major brands like Skippy, Jif, and Peter Pan.
• Or try small-batch natural peanut butters from brands like Justin’s and Teddy’s.
• Consider your peanut allergy status and pick allergy-friendly options if needed.

The ingredients list will reveal if a peanut butter has any unnecessary add-ins. Hydrogenated oils can give peanut butter an unnatural texture. Creamy peanut butter provides a smooth surface for dipping.

Major brands like Skippy and Jif offer reliably creamy peanut butter. Boutique brands like Justin’s provide quality natural peanut butters. Those with peanut allergies can look for sunflower seed or almond butter as safe alternatives.

Storing Peanut Butter

To keep peanut butter fresh for dipping, follow these storage tips:

• Store unopened peanut butter in a cool, dry pantry.
• Once opened, refrigerate peanut butter to prevent separation and extend shelf life.
• Use refrigerated peanut butter within 3-4 months for best quality.
• Store peanut butter with the lid tightly sealed.
• Consider storing peanut butter upside down – this helps keep the oils mixed in.
• If oils separate, simply stir peanut butter before using to reincorporate.

Keeping peanut butter in the pantry is fine until it’s opened. Refrigerating opened peanut butter slows down the separation. A tightly sealed lid prevents fridge odors from seeping in.

Storing peanut butter upside down uses gravity to keep the oils mixed evenly throughout. Regardless of storage method, a quick stir before dipping will smooth out any oil separation.

Serving Peanut Butter for Dipping

For the optimal peanut butter dipping experience, follow these serving tips:

• Set out peanut butter at room temperature – this allows for easy spreading.
• Consider warming cold peanut butter for 20-30 seconds before serving for a smooth, creamy texture.
• Stir peanut butter vigorously before serving to incorporate any separated oil.
• Transfer some peanut butter to a small bowl or container for easy dipping access.
• Provide a spreader like a butter knife, popsicle stick, or veggie stick.
• Slice larger dipping items like apples and celery into thin sticks.
• Supply small dippers like pretzels, animal crackers, nuts, and popcorn.

Room temperature peanut butter is much easier to scoop and spread compared to cold peanut butter straight from the fridge. Gently warming chilled peanut butter restores a silky texture.

Always give the peanut butter a good pre-dipping stir to mix any separated oils back in. Transferring some to a dipping bowl makes for easier access. Offer a spreader for scooping and spreading peanut butter onto dippers.

Cut larger fruits, veggies, and breads into thin sticks or slices for dipping. Have an assortment of smaller items to provide variety for scooping up that tasty peanut butter!

Cleaning Up After Peanut Butter Dipping

Since peanut butter is thick, creamy, and sticky, it can make cleanup tricky. Here are some tips for making post-peanut butter dipping cleanup easier:

• Use a rubber spatula to scrape out all remaining peanut butter stuck in the dipping bowl or container.
• Rinse dipping utensils and bowls immediately in hot water before peanut butter has time to dry and stick.
• Use hot, soapy water and a sturdy brush or scouring pad to remove residue.
• If needed, let utensils and dishware soak in hot, soapy water to loosen stuck-on peanut butter.
• Hand wash or run peanut butter covered utensils and dishes through the dishwasher.
• Wipe down countertops, tables, and other surfaces with hot, soapy water and scrub to remove smears or drips.

Getting as much excess peanut butter off utensils and dishes before rinsing or soaking helps exponentially. Hot water mixed with dish soap can cut through peanut butter’s thickness and oils. A brush or scouring pad helps scrub off any stuck-on bits.

Letting extremely messy peanut butter dishes soak helps loosen the sticky grime before scrubbing. Run these extra-dirty items through the dishwasher after hand washing first. Clean countertops and tables as soon as possible after drips or smears.

Fun and Creative Peanut Butter Dips

Beyond serving plain peanut butter for dipping, you can also get creative and make some fun homemade peanut butter dip combinations. Here are a few recipes to try:

Honey Peanut Butter Fruit Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together the peanut butter, honey, and cinnamon until well combined.
2. Serve with sliced apples, bananas, strawberries, or other fruit pieces.

Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Whisk together the Greek yogurt, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.
2. Serve with pretzels, apple slices, carrot sticks, or graham crackers.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Fondue

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan over low heat, melt together the peanut butter and chocolate chips, stirring frequently.
2. Once melted and smooth, stir in the heavy cream until fully incorporated.
3. Transfer to a fondue pot or bowl and serve with fruit, cookies, pretzels, or marshmallows for dipping.

Peanut Butter Dipping Safety

When serving peanut butter for dipping, keep in mind potential allergy and choking hazards:

• Check with guests about peanut allergies and provide peanut-free dip if needed.
• Closely supervise young children to avoid potential choking on dippers.
• Slice or chop larger dippers into manageable pieces for little ones.
• Avoid whole grapes, popcorn, nuts, and other round foods that could block airways.
• Set out plenty of drinks to help move any sticky peanut butter through the mouth and throat.

Peanut allergies can be life-threatening, so always fully disclose if peanut butter will be served. Provide an allergy-friendly option. Watch children closely, especially with small or slippery dippers.

Cut foods into thin strips or tiny bites for little dippers. Skip whole grapes and other foods that could fully block airways. Offer sips of water or milk to help move thick peanut butter through the mouth.

Conclusion

When it comes to dipping in peanut butter, the possibilities are nearly endless. All kinds of fruits, vegetables, breads, baked goods, meats, cheeses, and creative combinations can be dunked in this popular nutty spread. Keep peanut butter smooth and creamy, offer a variety of fun dippers, and enjoy this versatile snack or meal accompaniment.