Melted Peanut Butter makes an easy yet delicious topping for so many decadent foods! Peanut butter is a fantastic go-to, and melting it is easy, using the microwave, stove top and more. Learn all about How to Melt Peanut Butter!
Peanut butter is a comfort food to many people. It also makes a fantastic complement to other flavors such as banana and chocolate! There are lots of delicious recipes with peanut butter included. Many of these recipes require the included peanut butter to be melted, or at least part of the peanut butter be melted.
While peanut butter is fantastic in desserts, it is also a perfect food to include in savory dishes. By mixing peanut butter into sauces and soups it adds the delightful flavor throughout the dish.
There are two easy ways to melt peanut butter. One way is to use the microwave and the other is on the stove top. Both are simple and quick but require that you keep a close eye on it and stir often in order to achieve the best results.
What Is Peanut Butter?
Peanut butter is made from peanuts that have been roasted and ground into a paste. It is used in all kinds of foods, from desserts to savory dinners. Peanut butter is a versatile food that is used a variety of ways. One of the most famous ways peanut butter is enjoyed by most of us when we were kids is in the famous PB&J (peanut butter and jelly) sandwich.
How It Is Made
Shelled peanuts are roasted and blanched to remove the skins. They are then ground into a paste. Next, sugar, salt and other ingredients are added and mixed. The peanut butter goes into jars and is transported to your local grocery store where you can buy it in both creamy and crunchy forms.
Creamy or Crunchy
The debate between creamy or crunchy peanut butter continues. There is not much difference between the two besides one has chunks of peanuts in it still, while the other has been fully blended.
When cooking or baking though, the difference between the two might make a difference in the outcome of your dish. For example, if you use crunchy peanut butter in a dish, consider whether it will be okay to have the chunks of peanuts included. Because many recipes might be thrown off having chunks of peanuts, it is often best to use creamy when preparing food with peanut butter.
Health Benefits
Peanut butter has many health benefits included in the tasty spread. Looking at its nutritional facts, peanut butter is a good source of protein. This is probably why this was a good go to food for us as kids. It also contains potassium and vitamin E. Not only does it taste delicious, but it is also good for you!
Peanut butter is great for your heart. If you struggle with heart health, then try eating more peanut butter. It can also help to benefit your digestive system. Eating peanut butter has even been known as a potential help to fight against cancer.
Why Melt Peanut Butter
Melting peanut butter is a good idea for different kinds of recipes. Some you will not want to melt for, but many you should. For dishes like pasta sauces it will be a whole lot easier to use melted peanut butter, instead of trying to get it to mix in as a glob. One of my favorites is to melt it and drizzle it on top of a dessert pastry. It look so professional by melting the peanut butter first. If you try using these ideas to melt it at home, you can end up with beautiful food too!
How To Melt Peanut Butter
There are several different ways you can melt peanut butter. Some are very simple, and some are much less thought of, but they will all allow you to melt peanut butter. The instructions will help you to avoid burning it. Follow the instructions for each method below.
Microwave
Using your microwave to melt peanut butter is the simplest way available. Many homes have microwaves. All you need is a microwave safe bowl, a spoon, and your desired amount of peanut butter.
1. Place the peanut butter in a microwave safe container.
2. Microwave for no more than 30 second intervals at a time.
3. Remove each time and stir thoroughly. Your peanut butter will become warm and melty with a thick liquid consistency.
4. Your total microwave time should not be more than 1 minute 30 seconds in total, depending on your microwave.
5. Use melted peanut butter as desired.
Stove Top
The next method for melting peanut butter is by using a pan on your stove top. To do this, you will need a saucepan and a large spoon. If your recipe requires a saucepan, then so much the better, you will already have one ready to go! One note of caution with melting peanut butter on your stove top, is to be very careful to keep your temperatures low, so that you do not burn the peanut butter.
1. Place the desired amount of peanut butter in a saucepan.
2. Turn the burner on the lowest possible temperature.
3. Stir consistently so that the peanut butter does not burn to the bottom of the pan.
4. When the peanut butter starts to melt it will become a thick liquid.
5. At this point you can remove it from the heat and turn the burner off.
6. Use melted peanut butter as desired.
Whisk
By whisking the peanut butter, you can obtain the melted texture without warming the temperature of your peanut butter at all. If your recipe does not require the peanut butter to be warm, this might be a great way for you to get your peanut butter to thin down. To whisk your peanut butter, you will need a bowl, a whisk and arms that are ready for a workout!
1. Scoop the desired amount of peanut butter into a bowl that is plenty big enough.
2. Vigorously whisk the peanut butter until it becomes runny.
3. Add to your recipe.
Blender
If you wish to keep the temperature of the peanut butter cool, and don’t want to work out, try using a blender. A blender will melt the thick texture of your peanut butter in no time at all! You will need a blender, and a large spoon or rubber spatula.
1. Place the desired amount of peanut butter in the blender.
2. Secure the lid tightly.
3. Blend until it begins to get runny.
Food Processor
Like using a blender, use a food processor to help make the peanut butter thinner. This will allow you to melt your peanut butter very fast. Using your food processor may just be the quickest way to melt the peanut butter. You will need your food processor and a rubber spoon or spatula.
1. Scoop the peanut butter you wish to melt into a food processor.
2. Pulse on high for about one minute, or until the mixture is melted.
3. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the melted peanut butter out.
Ladle In Liquid
If you are making a recipe that includes another liquid you can try using this ladle in liquid method to combine your peanut butter with an additional warm liquid, which will melt your peanut butter as they are combined.
1. Place in the desired amount of peanut butter in a bowl.
2. Place a small pan on the stove top.
3. Add an additional liquid, such as milk or water, whatever your recipe calls for and warm it over low to medium heat.
4. Once warm, pour the warm liquid into your bowl with peanut butter.
5. Mix together the warm liquid and peanut butter. They will combine and the peanut butter will become runny.
6. Add the mixture into your recipe.
Mystery Method
What is this you say? This method is a bit of a mystery as to how exactly it works. You will simply have to try this to see the mystery unfold. To do this, you will need a jar of peanut butter and a long spoon.
1. Remove the lid from the peanut butter and sit aside.
2. Insert your spoon as deep as the peanut butter you are going to use.
3. Spin the spoon around and move it up and down for about one to two minutes. Before you know it, your peanut butter will be melted.
Tip: Peanut Oil
As you are melting your peanut butter, if you want it to be a little thinner, feel free to add a drop or two of peanut oil. This will help to make your melted peanut butter more runny.
Some ideas on how to use melted peanut butter:
Ice cream drizzle (Yummm!!!)
Pancake topping especially on peanut butter banana pancakes
Brownie drizzle topping
Cookie drizzle
Dipped strawberries
Dipped banana bites
Popcorn drizzle
Dipped chocolate
And finally, my newest favorite! Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bake (so good!)
How to melt peanut butter is extremely simple whether you choose to use your microwave or the stove top. Let’s be honest, melted peanut butter has delicious benefits to be used on a recipe of your choosing. It can even be healthy for you, and a good source of protein.
What is your favorite way to use peanut butter?
As an extra bonus, check out one of my favorite ways to use melted peanut butter in the linked recipe. This Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bake is perfect for a filling breakfast. It will sure stay with you all day long!
What came first? The chicken or the egg? Be sure to check out this article titled Do Roosters Lay Eggs? Find out, all you need to know about chickens and where eggs come from! Also discover these 13 Tart Lemon Extract Substitutes. This article includes a recipe on how you can make your very own lemon extract at home!
