Since I quit buying sweet and processed grocery snacks, these are the healthy snacks with peanut butter I make on repeat with my 1 ingredient peanut butter (which I share how to make at the end of this post).
I call them ‘happy snacks’ as they do supply good feeling and energy.
When it comes to healthy sweet snacks, each of us might have a different definition. To me, if they are made with whole foods that are harmless and minimally cooked/ prepared, I consider them healthy.
However, I can’t say they are low in calories, but I can definitely assure you they are delicious! And like any indulgence treats, moderation is the key.
These quick peanut butter snacks combine fruits, whole grains, seeds, and some of them contain plant-based milk.
Plus, they are vegan and gluten-free, with no refined sugar, honey, or any factory-made sugar substitute. Let’s dive into them!
4 Healthy snacks with peanut butter
1. Fruit-based peanut butter sandwich
Like a sandwich but with fruits instead of bread. I know apple and peanut butter are classic healthy snacks, but have you tried them with pear?
Pears contain more fiber than apples, especially good if you are trying to increase your fiber intake. Or even a banana?
While bananas have slightly lower fiber than pears, they can provide a boost of potassium and all the other vitamins, along with a creamy texture.
Ingredients:
- Fruit – Apple(red or green)/Pear/Banana
- Peanut butter
- Mixed seeds (hemp, chia, flax, etc)
- Toasted chopped or sliced nuts for texture.
Instruction:
- Cut the apple into slices
- Using a small spoon, spread the peanut butter on top of the fruit slice
- Garnish with mixed seeds and nuts
2. Peanut butter smoothie
This is one of the fastest ways to snack in which you can toss everything in your smoothie blender and drink straight from it (if you use one).
Use frozen banana and cold liquid ingredients for a refreshingly cold drink. The best part is you can switch the liquid based on your needs:
Liquid option:
To curb sweet tooth but lower calorie: water
Boost protein: Soy milk or pea milk + your protein powder
Add more calories: Oat milk
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of frozen banana / 1 banana
- 1 cup of any of your plant-based milk
- 2 tbsp of peanut butter
- 1 tbsp of granola (garnish)
- 1 tsp of chia seeds (garnish)
- Some chopped nuts (garnish)
Instruction:
- Combine banana, milk and peanut butter in a smoothie blender and pulse until smooth.
- Garnish with granola, seeds and chopped peanuts for some texture. Enjoy!
3. Snickers stuffed dates
If you like Snickers or other grocery’s sweet and chocolaty snacks, this is one way to swap them, especially when you’re concerned with glucose spikes.
Dates are generally lower in glycemic index, which means they give you a steady sugar level instead of a sudden spike.
Date is also a source of numerous vitamins and minerals. Plus, they contain antioxidant benefits which can help to reduce inflammation. Making them a perfect substitute for sugar when you crave for some sweets.
So, not only you get the gooey sweetness, crunchy texture, and chocolaty coating in every bite, but eating 1-2 pieces of these stuffed dates gives you more nutrients than those you get from the grocery store.
Ingredients:
- 10 pieces of Medjool dates
- 10 pieces of roasted almond
- 70g of dark chocolate
- Peanut butter
- Seasalt or chopped nuts for garnishing
Instruction:
- Melt the dark chocolate in a microwave or double boiler until fully melted.
- Halve the dates partway, not all the way through (you want them to stay attached on one side) and remove the seeds.
- Insert 1 almond in the center of each date.
- With a small spoon or butter knife, scoop up peanut butter (about 1/2 – 1 a tsp) make sure it’s well-packed, and close the dates.
- Use a toothpick or fork, dip the stuffed date into melted chocolate, and arrange them in a dish or tray lined with parchment paper.
- Garnish with sea salt and chopped nuts.
- Enjoy them directly if you like them melted, or keep them in the freezer to cool for at least 5 minutes.
4. Banana split with peanut butter drizzle
If you feel like a fancy dessert made of real foods but still don’t want to spend too long making it, this banana split is guaranteed to be a delicious and easy option.
The peanut butter drizzle adds a touch of nutty sweetness to the creamy coconut yogurt, frozen berries, and other delicious topping. Yumms!
You get the supply of both probiotics and prebiotics, all vitamins from the banana, and antioxidants goodness from berries and the seeds toppings.
Ingredients:
- Banana
- Peanut butter
- Coconut Yogurt
- Frozen berries
- Dark choc chip
- Mixed seeds (flax/chia/pumpkin/sunflower/hemp)
Instruction:
- Cut a banana into half and lay them in a serving dish
- Scoop coconut yogurt on top of the yogurt
- Garnish with frozen berries, dark chocolate chips, and mixed seeds. Enjoy immediately!
BONUS: How to make 1 ingredient peanut butter.
Ingredients:
- 500g of peeled peanuts
Instruction:
- Place the peanuts on a baking tray
- Roast the peanuts in the preheated oven over 250C/482F for 4-5 minutes (or until they turn slightly brown). Once roasted cool them for about 5 minutes
- Transfer the peanuts to a blender and pulse them until smooth. If necessary, scrape the peanuts that stick on the blender wall to assist the blending process.
- Once they turn into a thick liquid paste, transfer to a jar.
✏️ This peanut yields 320ml of peanut butter.
Watch how I make 1 ingredient peanut butter and 4 snacks using the peanut butter.
More sweet recipes you might like
🥣 Did you try this recipe? Let me know your thoughts in the comment below.
