Soups, Shaving Cream, And 11 Other Surprising Ways You Can Use Peanut Butter
There are a few classic uses for peanut butter. You've eaten (or at least heard of) ants on a log, peanut butter cups, and peanut butter and jelly before. But have you ever considered greater, more diverse uses for this legume-based spread?
Click here for 9 Spreads That Aren't Peanut.
Taste aside, the healthiest way to buy peanut butter is to look for a brand that uses one or two ingredients. You'll often find natural peanut butters listed with peanuts and salt (or just peanuts, if you're lucky) listed in the ingredients list. This pure, spreadable version of the legume, as you'll see, is great for not only your dietary health, but also for a long list of other things. From freshening a foul-smelling kitchen to functioning as a caulk-like substitute for ice cream cones, read along for 11 surprising ways to use peanut butter.
Air Freshener
If you've ever cooked with a pungent list of ingredients, then you're aware of 24-hour-long lingering kitchen aromas. Fix this by airing a jar of peanut butter at the scene of the crime.
Bird Feeder
Lathering up some pine cones in peanut butter is a fun and friendly way to attract avian neighbors to your yard. Sprinkle seeds over the peanut butter-covered pinecones, hang, and enjoy watching birds, well, enjoy their treat!
Butter Substitute
Avocados aren't the only viable butter substitute. Try using an equal amount of peanut butter to replace butter in nearly any recipe.
Gum and Glue Remover
Gum in your hair? Glue stuck on your kitchen table? Annoying price tag sticker stuck on your new bowl? Don't fear: Peanut butter, if allowed to soak into a sticky situation, is a great gum and glue remover.
Hair Moisturizer
We've always been told not to play with our food, but what about using it as a beauty product? Peanut butter is said to be a great hair moisturizer.
Ice Cream Cone Caulk
Cracked ice cream cones are a thing of the past. By using peanut butter in a similar fashion to caulk, you can prevent and treat any holes in your ice cream cone.
Lubricant
A squeaky hinge can be the bane of your existence. Don't avoid your squeaky pantry door anymore. Instead, use a small amount of peanut butter in the same way you would use any other manmade lubricant.
Peanut Soup
Peanut soup exists, and it's delicious. With more than one way to make it (including actual peanut butter-based soups), we suggest stocking up on peanuts and trying them all.
Click here for more peanut butter recipes.
Pest Bait
Peanut butter doesn't only attract birds. If you are experiencing issues with common household pests like ants or cockroaches, try setting up a little peanut butter jar trap. Once the pest crawls inside, they'll become stuck in the easily-sealable jar.
Pill Concealer
If your child or dog doesn't like taking pills, try hiding it in a bit of peanut butter. Hopefully, they won't notice any difference.
Shaving Cream
If hair moisturizer wasn't surprising enough, peanut butter is also said to be a permissible shaving cream substitute. If living naturally is what you desire, don't hesitate to try peanut butter in place of manmade shaving cream.
The accompanying slideshow is provided by special contributor Bridget Creel.