Yes, you can absolutely eat strawberries with peanut butter! This unique flavor combination offers a sweet and salty taste that many people enjoy. While it may sound a bit odd at first, strawberries and peanut butter can make for a delicious snack or quick breakfast when paired together. Keep reading to learn more about enjoying this tasty duo.
Why Eat Strawberries with Peanut Butter?
There are a few key reasons why pairing strawberries with peanut butter makes for a great snack:
- The sweet taste of ripe strawberries balances out the salty, nutty flavor of peanut butter.
- The textures complement each other, with creamy peanut butter and juicy strawberries.
- Strawberries provide vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, while peanut butter offers protein and healthy fats.
- Together they make a more filling snack that can help manage hunger.
- Both foods are kid-friendly and make for a fast, no-cook snack or breakfast.
Additionally, the combination of strawberries and peanut butter is quite versatile. You can enjoy them together in a number of ways, which will be covered later in this article. The options make this pairing easy to incorporate into your daily diet.
Nutrition Information
Let’s take a closer look at the nutritional value of eating strawberries with peanut butter:
Nutrient | 1 Cup Strawberries | 2 Tbsp Peanut Butter |
---|---|---|
Calories | 49 | 190 |
Fat | 0.5g | 16g |
Carbs | 12g | 6g |
Fiber | 3g | 2g |
Protein | 1g | 8g |
Vitamin C | 97.6mg | 0mg |
As you can see, strawberries are low in calories and rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Peanut butter provides healthy fats, protein, and a bit of fiber and carbs. Together they complement each other and make a nutritious snack.
Simple Ways to Eat Strawberries with Peanut Butter
There are endless possibilities when it comes to pairing these two ingredients. Here are some simple go-to options:
On Toast
For a quick breakfast or snack, simply spread peanut butter over a piece of toast and top with sliced strawberries. If desired, add a drizzle of honey over the strawberries for extra sweetness.
With Graham Crackers
Top a graham cracker with peanut butter and slices of fresh strawberries for a sweet treat. You can also sandwich strawberries and peanut butter between two graham crackers.
On Waffles or Pancakes
Upgrade your breakfast by topping waffles or pancakes with peanut butter and fresh strawberries. The heat from the waffles or pancakes will help release the strawberries’ juices.
In Oatmeal
Mix sliced strawberries and peanut butter right into a bowl of oatmeal. The strawberry juices will create a sweet flavor in the oatmeal as it cooks. You can also top prepared oatmeal with strawberries and peanut butter.
In Yogurt Parfaits
Layer sliced strawberries with yogurt and peanut butter in a glass to create a simple, no-bake parfait. Granola can also be added for crunch.
As a Dip
Blend together strawberries and peanut butter to create a creamy fruit dip. Dip apple slices, graham crackers, or pretzels in the mixture.
In Smoothies
For a nutrient-packed smoothie, combine frozen strawberries, banana, peanut butter, milk or yogurt, and ice in a blender. The peanut butter adds a nice creamy element.
More Creative Ways to Use Strawberries and Peanut Butter
Once you realize how well strawberries and peanut butter pair together, you can find endless ways to incorporate them into meals and snacks. Get creative with these ideas:
Stuffed Strawberries
Hull fresh strawberries and pipe peanut butter directly into the center for an elegant single-bite snack.
Energy Bites
Make no-bake energy bites by mixing together oats, peanut butter, honey, and dried strawberries. Roll into balls and enjoy.
Trail Mix
Throw dried strawberries into your homemade trail mix along with nuts, seeds, peanut butter chips or granola for a portable snack.
Sandwich Spread
Use strawberries and peanut butter as a sweet sandwich spread. Try it on toasted bread or stuffed in a crepe or wrap.
Overnight Oats
In a mason jar, layer dry oats with strawberries, peanut butter, chia seeds, and milk. Seal and refrigerate overnight for an easy grab-and-go breakfast.
Pancake Topping
Try using thinly sliced fresh strawberries and peanut butter as a unique pancake or waffle topping mix.
Yogurt Bark
Stir chopped strawberries into yogurt and peanut butter, then spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze, break into pieces, and enjoy.
Salad Dressing
Blend together strawberries, peanut butter, olive oil, vinegar, and honey for a fruity salad dressing. Toss with mixed greens and toasted nuts.
Smoothie Bowls
Make a thick strawberry peanut butter smoothie using frozen strawberries and banana. Pour into a bowl and top with granola, coconut flakes, chia seeds or sliced fruit.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Make homemade chocolate peanut butter cups and add freeze-dried strawberry bits into the peanut butter mixture before pouring into the chocolate cups.
Tips for Enjoying Strawberries and Peanut Butter
To get the most flavor and nutrition when mixing strawberries and peanut butter, follow these helpful tips:
- Wash and pat dry strawberries to remove dirt and mold.
- Slice strawberries rather than mashing them to better enjoy their texture.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for peak flavor – avoid unripe white ones.
- Complement the peanut butter’s saltiness by sprinkling a pinch of salt onto the strawberries.
- Opt for crunchy peanut butter for more texture contrast.
- If using frozen strawberries, let them thaw first to avoid a watery mess.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for 1-2 days maximum.
Potential Health Benefits
Beyond being a tasty combination, eating strawberries with peanut butter may also have some health perks, including:
- Antioxidants – Strawberries contain polyphenols and vitamin C with antioxidant properties that can help lower inflammation.
- Heart health – The vitamin C, fiber, and potassium in strawberries and the healthy fats in peanut butter support heart health.
- Blood sugar control – Pairing peanut butter’s protein and fat with strawberries’ carbs can help stabilize blood sugar after a meal.
- Immunity boost – The vitamin C content in just one cup of strawberries provides 100% of the recommended daily amount.
- Gut health – The fiber in both strawberries and peanut butter helps feed good bacteria in the gut microbiome.
Research also shows that consuming nuts and berries together has protective health effects, largely due to their nutrient density and antioxidant content.
Potential Drawbacks
While enjoying strawberries with peanut butter can have benefits, there are also a few potential drawbacks to keep in mind:
- The combination is higher in carbohydrates, so it may not be the best option for those on low-carb or ketogenic diets.
- Peanut butter is high in calories from fat, which can add up quickly if large portions are consumed.
- Some people are allergic to peanuts and should avoid peanut butter.
- There is a small risk of food-borne illness if raw strawberries are contaminated.
- The oxylates found in strawberries may be an issue for those prone to kidney stones.
- Sugar and preservatives are added to some commercial peanut butter brands.
Overall though, for most people strawberries and peanut butter can be safely enjoyed together in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
Conclusion
Strawberries and peanut butter might seem an unlikely pair, but their sweet and salty flavor combination is worth trying. The two foods complement each other nutritionally as well, providing fiber, healthy fats, antioxidants, and more. While eating handfuls of peanut butter is best limited, enjoying it with fresh strawberries makes for a tasty, filling snack or quick breakfast. There are endless creative ways to mix these ingredients into meals, baked goods, smoothies, parfaits, and other treats. So don’t be afraid to get creative and discover the delicious duo of strawberries and peanut butter!