Three delectable nut butter recipes

If you haven’t eaten peanut butter for years, where have you been?! Peanuts have had a wellbeing overhaul and are now seen as a valuable part of a healthy balanced diet.

Peanuts are rich in unsaturated fats, protein and fibre, and they’re pretty tasty too. Even if you’re not a fan of peanuts, there’s a whole range of nut butters to choose from; hazelnut, almond or cashew butter anyone? And spreading them on toast isn’t the only way to enjoy them. Get three great recipes using nut butters below – you’d be nuts not to try them.

Peanut Butter Energy Bites

Good for: raising energy levels Makes 16 bites

Ingredients

• 85g crunchy * or natural smooth peanut butter *
• 50g porridge oats *
• 2 tbsp molasses *
• 4 dried figs * finely chopped

* Available at Holland & Barrett

Method

Step 1 Put all the ingredients in a food processor and blend to a smooth texture, until they form a ball. Step 2 Pinch off teaspoon-size pieces and roll into small balls. Chill in the fridge until set. Step 3 Eat one (or two) for a quick pick-me-up – the fibre in the peanuts, oats and figs gives this recipe a low glycaemic index (GI) for sustained energy.

Chocca-nut Porridge

Good for: healthy cholesterol levels Serves 1

Ingredients

• 40g porridge oats *
• 1 heaped tsp cocoa powder *
• 200ml milk *
• 1 tsp hazelnut butter *
• 1 tsp honey * to serve

* Available at Holland & Barrett

Method

Step 1 Combine the oats and cocoa powder, then add to a saucepan with the remaining ingredients. Step 2 Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the consistency is right for you. Step 3 Serve drizzled with the honey for a heart-healthy breakfast – oats contain a soluble fibre called beta-glucan that helps lower cholesterol, while hazelnuts have been shown to help reduce levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol and increase levels of ‘good’ cholesterol.

Happy Banana Cashew Smoothie

Good for: boosting mood Serves 1

Ingredients

• 250ml milk *
• 1 rounded tbsp cashew butter *
• 1 small banana
• Pinch of cinnamon *

* Available at Holland & Barrett

Method

Step 1 Place ingredients in a blender and whizz together. Add extra milk to thin it out, or slices of frozen banana to thicken. Step 2 Serve topped with a pinch of cinnamon and enjoy an instant happiness hit – cashew butter contains magnesium, and studies have found a link between depression and low magnesium levels. Find more foods with hidden health benefits in our jam-packed recipe collection. Shop our Food & Drink range.