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.
🙂
Ahh! Never fear when the magic bullet is near… What a great idea! I am excited to try this because I’m always looking for a thinner consistency for peanut butter and this looks like it’ll be perfect! I’m sure my husband will be weary at first but I’ll just try it on my daughter.. she’ll eat anything. KUDOS!
-Sonny
If you haven’t already you MUST try coconut peanut butter! Or would it be peanut coconut butter?? Tropical Traditions sells it, but it is really simple to make yourself!
Combine: 200 grams coconut butter with 3/4 cup (about 188 grams) peanut butter. I melt them together. Keeps well in a glass container in the fridge. It’s addictive and amazing!
Oh wow, that DOES sound dreamy!!
I’M IN LOVE WITH THIS STUFF!
I’m leaving this for the Artisana Coconut Butter giveaway! Hope I win! 😀 Please please please!
Haha. I just made a variation of this today!! Pumpkin butter! I use 1 tbsp pumpkin puree to 2 tsp nut butter (today it was soy nut butter). =]
I know this is a really old post, but I stumbled upon it due to the fact that Ive been thinking about the whole calorie count on my blog too. Not many people actually READ my blog, but I post the calories sometimes but lately Ive been wanted to end that. Im still debating because I know to my friends who read that have eating disorders and are in recovery… it can actually be helpful to know how much your getting so you dont undereat and Im the same way. Right now, I have to count because if I dont I wont be getting enough.
Thank you again for your blog! Im going to make some pumpkin pie babies right now!
please start leaving more calorie counts, i love when blogs do this! Thanks!
Hey Liz,
I’m probably not going to list calories for my recipes anymore, but I can easily calculate them for anything you want. So if I ever post a recipe and you want to know the calorie count, just ask in the comment section :).
great idea ! I’d use it as a cake frosting or maybe squirt some into the middle of your cupcakes for one.
I just made this and my whole family demolished it 😀
It was in the fridge for a couple days before they got to it and it was fine… I wonder how long it will keep? Do you know?
I know it lasts for up to a week… but after that, maybe you could freeze it? It’s never been around long enough for me to know exactly how long it lasts ;).
First, let me tell you what has been made known to you before- I love your blog; the recipes are fantastic and all of a sort I’d willingly try (and love, afterwards!) and your philosophy on food (both veganism and calorie counting) is refreshing. (Sadly, I am condemned to count for life: I was just diagnosed with juvenile or type 1 diabetes.) Second, I just wanted to say that I was thrilled that today I was able to make pancakes (based off of one of your recipes), this banana butter, anddd a tofu scramble- all for under the amount of calories I allot to breakfast! Woo! Thank you sooo much!
Aww Kristen, thank you so much for such a sweet comment!!
Your breakfast sounds like a feast! I wanna come next time :).
How many servings does this make? And how much protein does it have?
If you use the version I like, it makes 120 grams, so if you’re going by pb standards (where 30g is a serving), it would be 4. Sorry, no idea about the protein.
I don’t obsess over calories, but I do take part in a daily “general count.” I will be transparent and say that I live my recovery from an eating disorder every day. I have been in recovery for over two years now, and I use calorice ranges as a way to ensure that I am eating enough but not too much. I would appreciate caloric data on your blog because many of your recipes seem to follow my vegan, healthy lifestyle. However, in the end, I will subscribe to your blog regardless because I truly enjoy it!
Aw, thanks Ally! I’m trying to remember to include more calorie counts every now and then. Tomorrow’s recipe, for example, will have it listed.