Beyond PB&J: Peanut Butter Recipes

While we love a good peanut butter sandwich as much as the next kid, there are many other ways to eat peanut butter. This spread doesn't get enough credit for its versatility. It goes with much more than just jelly.

We're highlighting a few delicious peanut butter recipes in honor of National Peanut Butter Day. From appetizers to dessert, here are five recipes that go way beyond PB&J.

Peanut Butter Recipes: Stuffed Dates

You've probably had Devils on Horseback before -- bacon wrapped dates, stuffed with goat cheese or blue cheese. (If not, they're a must-try.) We love this variation found on The Pioneer Woman that substitutes peanut butter and an almond for the goat cheese. While the bacon crisps up in the oven, the peanut butter melts and the almond softens.

Peanut Butter Recipes: Chinese Chicken Salad

Peanut butter is ideal for salad dressings. It adds both creaminess and flavor. If you don't already have a go-to Asian salad recipe, give this one from Bobby Flay a try. In fact, even if you do have a favorite, we still recommend making this recipe at least once. It's Bobby Flay, after all.

Peanut Butter Recipes: Peanut Butter BBQ Sauce

Both the pulled pork and the Thai ginger slaw look fantastic in this recipe from Dishing Out Health. But it's the peanut butter barbecue sauce that really caught our eye. We're already thinking about everything we can put it on, all year long.

Peanut Butter Recipes: Peanut Chicken and Broccoli

We're all for using the slow cooker whenever possible -- not just because it's simple, but because of how tender the meat turns out. This recipe from The Kitchn recommends using chicken thighs, which will hold up better as they cook. Be sure to use fresh ginger and fresh broccoli -- both of these make all the difference.

Peanut Butter Recipes: Buttercream Frosting

Whip up a batch of peanut butter buttercream frosting, thanks to this recipe from Two Sisters Crafting. It's better than anything that comes in a can, and you can use it to frost nearly anything you've baked. In fact, we're tempted to frost a strawberry cake with it for a delicious variation on traditional peanut butter and jelly flavors.