Yes, the following is better than peanut butter.
I know, you’re all rolling your eyes right now, saying, “How can anything (besides chocolate) be better than peanut butter?” Hear me out; this spread has the one-up on regular pb because it:
- is easier to spread
- is lower in calories (more about this at the end of the post)
- tastes sweeter, without any added sugar, and has a serving of fruit
Above, spread on top of Banana Bread for One.
Another bonus: This recipe doesn’t make as much of a mess as trying to smush sliced banana into a sandwich. As usual, the recipe is so simple that I feel a little silly writing it down.
Banana Butter
- 1 medium banana
- 2 to 4 tablespoons peanut butter, depending on how pb-y you like it (or almond, cashew, walnut butter, etc.)
- optional: I like to add a little cinnamon
My favorite ratio is 4 tablespoons peanut butter to 80 grams (without peel) banana (about 1/2 a large banana). And I often use a frozen banana, which makes this spread taste like peanut butter ice cream!
Procedure: Whir the two ingredients in your food processor or blender until smooth. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge. (If possible, it’s best to let the mixture sit for a few hours before enjoying, as the taste becomes more robust with time.)
Above, spread over a Breakfast Pizza Cake.
Other Ideas for Use:
This creation can be used anywhere you’d use regular peanut butter—warmed up and drizzled over oatmeal, as a sandwich spread, dip, or pudding, as a smooth-and-velvety topping for waffles or pancakes, on vegan ice cream, or simply eaten plain off a spoon (or out of the blender, depending on your level of self-restraint!).
As for calories… Ok, so I’m having a bit of a dilemma: Recently I’ve been getting quite a few requests from readers asking if I can add calorie counts to my recipes. I don’t count calories, but I know that a lot of you (readers and fellow bloggers) do count. So, since I really try hard to make my recipes—and my blog in general—suitable for everyone, and since it’s not hard for me to figure out the calorie counts anyway, I thought I’d ask: Do you want me to add calorie info to my recipes? Please vote; either way, I’m interested in hearing your opinion. And until I figure this dilemma out, here are the nutritional stats for the banana butter:
Banana Butter Calories:
Serving Size: 1 tablespoon (based on my favorite combination)
Calories per serving: about 40 calories
(As a reference, regular peanut butter has about 100 calories per tablespoon.)
Variations:
Yes, there is a chocolate version.
🙂
Making this. . . Now! 🙂 Thank you for the idea.
I’m sure you’ve made it 1,000 times but just in case you haven’t… This with coconut butter is amazing – I didn’t think anything could taste that good…! : )
Eleanor,
Can you believe I haven’t tried it that way yet??! Now I know I must! Maybe tomorrow? 🙂 🙂
I made banana butter! YUM. I used two small bananas and a couple small spoonfuls of pb. added some nutmeg and raisins. It was delish!
Hey Katie, love the site. I tried this recipe a while back (been lurking) and was in love, love, love with it. However, recently I read about all of our little insect friends that may end up mashed up in our PB during , so I’ve been turned off :o( I’m assuming the same hold true for organic butters (or even more so)? <3
Ah! I accidently hit enter w/o leaving my name!
Ick, yeah, I read that too… but it’s not just pb they’re allowed to be in. It’s pretty much anything. I mean, if you look carefully enough there are often buggies in broccoli, kale, dried figs, etc. (And don’t even think about it if you eat meat… I’m sure the animals ingest their fair share of bugs before they’re slaughtered). Gross, but I try not to think about it or I’d lose my appetite LOL!
If I won the new artisana giveaway, I would totally use it to make coconut-banana butter! I love banana butter made w/peanut butter so I know it will be excellent w/coconut butter!!!!!! they just don’t sell it at my whole foods or anywhere else nearby 🙁
Hi Katie
I’m entering the giveaway for the Artisana nut butter (posted on October, 18). I would cry if I won this: I don’t get Artisana at all near me. I have some Maranatha selections and then its just generic name brands. This would be so amazing.
I’m entering the coconut butter giveaway!
I have a HUGE obsession with bananas, and coconut banana butter sounds soooo good. There are soooooooooo many possibilities:
Plain Coconut Banana Butter
CHOCOLATE coconut banana butter
Fruit-y coconut banana butter (blend in some strawberries or other fruit with the coconut butter and banana)
An ice-cream topping…..soo much good food!!!!
Yay for the Coconut Butter giveaway!! It’s sad to say, but I am the only person in my family that likes coconuts. Maybe if I won I could convert some people 😉 Thanks for the giveaway, Katie!
i have tried this; it is awesome. The addition of coconut butter would be INSANE! if only i had some free samples to test it out… 🙂
MMM this sounds AMAZING.
the greatest combination!
would love to try it- just need the coconut butter !!! 🙂
Love this recipe idea! SO easy but sounds so yummy! I would like some Coconut Butter, impossible to find where I live!
Katie how have i not tried this yet?! Sounds soooo good!
I haven’t tried the Artisana Coconut Butter yet, it’s way too expensive. But I’d love to win some!!
YUM! I’m writing this on my to-make list!
Would love to try some artisana! That banana butter sounds incredible too…I think It would be delicious drizzled over vegan pancakes 🙂
I want to try this recipe with Artisana! I make it all the time with regular pb, but I’ve never tried coconut butter. Thank you for the amazing giveaway 🙂
Just commenting to say that…not only would I love to win some coconut butter, but I’d love to try making coconut banana butter. I already add coconut butter to my homemade nut butters- delicious!