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Beyond bread: Foods that go well with peanut butter
14th September, 2026 10:59 AM
Peanut butter is a familiar spread in many homes, usually eaten with bread or used as a quick snack. But there is more that can be done with the creamy spread beyond the usual slice of bread.
In Kenya, peanut butter can be paired with several everyday foods, from a warm bowl of uji and boiled sweet potatoes to arrowroots, cassava, chapati and even githeri. Some combinations are traditional in spirit, while others offer a simple way of changing familiar meals.
Peanut butter also goes well with fruits. Sliced bananas and apples can be eaten with a small amount of the spread, creating a snack that combines the sweetness and freshness of fruit with its nutty flavour.
Start with familiar breakfast foods
A spoonful of peanut butter can easily be added to a bowl of uji. Whether the porridge is made from millet, sorghum, maize or a mixture of flours, the spread gives it a richer taste and a smoother texture.
It can also be added to oats, either in a warm bowl of porridge or overnight oats. Bananas, apples and other fruits can be added to the mixture for extra sweetness.
According to Harvard’s Nutrition Source, nuts and nut butters can provide protein and healthy unsaturated fats, while whole grains such as oats provide fibre. Combining the two can make a more satisfying breakfast.
Peanut butter can also be served with boiled sweet potatoes and arrowroots, commonly known as nduma. The mild taste of arrowroots allows the nutty flavour to stand out, while the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes provides a different contrast.
Try it with Kenyan snacks
There are also several familiar Kenyan snacks that can be given a different twist with peanut butter.
Boiled or roasted cassava can be eaten alongside a small amount of the spread. Roasted maize can also be paired with peanut butter for those willing to try something different from the usual way of eating it.
Chapati offers another option. A thin layer of peanut butter can be spread over a warm chapati and folded before eating. It can also be combined with honey or banana for a sweeter snack.
Mandazi can be treated in a similar way. Spreading a little peanut butter inside a warm mandazi creates a simple snack that combines the pastry’s mild sweetness with the nutty taste of the spread.
It can also work with savoury foods
Peanut butter does not have to be limited to sweet foods. Githeri, made from maize and beans, can be served with a peanut-based sauce for a richer and creamier taste.
A similar approach can be used with vegetables. Carrots and celery can be dipped into peanut butter, while plain yoghurt can be mixed with a small amount of the spread and served with fruit.
Peanut butter can also be used to make a simple sauce for vegetables, noodles or salads. Mixing it with a little warm water, lemon juice, garlic or mild spices can create a creamy dressing.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, cassava is an important food crop in Africa and is eaten in different forms across the continent.
Portion still matters
Although peanut butter can add protein, fats and flavour to a meal, it is also relatively high in calories. Using a small amount can therefore be enough to add flavour without making a snack unnecessarily heavy.
It is also useful to check the label when buying peanut butter. Products differ in the amount of added sugar, salt and other ingredients they contain.
Ultimately, peanut butter does not have to remain a bread spread. From uji, oats, sweet potatoes, arrowroots and cassava to chapati, mandazi, githeri and roasted maize, there are several familiar foods that can be enjoyed with it.
Even simple combinations such as yoghurt, apples, bananas, carrots and celery can give the spread a place beyond the breakfast table and offer an easy way to make everyday meals a little different.
