🥜 Pantry Staples That Shine: 3 WIC-Friendly Peanut Butter Recipes

Discover pantry-friendly ideas with the WIC Staple Spotlight on Peanut Butter, perfect for stretching your kitchen resources with smart, simple recipes.

Peanut butter and beans might not seem glamorous—but in many kitchens, especially those supported by Women, Infants & Children (WIC) benefits, they’re absolute essentials. They're shelf-stable, protein-packed, and build up in the pantry faster than they get used.

Since I do the WIC shopping for my daughter’s family, I’m always looking for ways to help her use what she already has—especially when peanut butter and beans start stacking up. Below are three tried-and-true recipes I’ve come to rely on: they're simple, WIC-conscious, and, most importantly, delicious.

🥣 WIC-Friendly Hummus Hack (No Tahini? No Problem!)

I love tahini—it has that bitter, nutty flavor that balances out lemon juice beautifully in hummus. But when I run out, I turn to peanut butter instead. With grandkids in the house, peanut butter is always around, and this swap works surprisingly well! The first bite or two, I noticed the difference, but once my taste buds adjusted, it tasted just like hummus.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas/garbanzo beans*

• 2–3 tablespoons natural peanut butter*

• Juice of one lemon*

• Salt to taste

• ¼ cup olive oil

• Water for consistency

🔹 WIC-eligible items marked with an asterisk

Directions:

Blend everything in a food processor until smooth. Add hot water a little at a time for creaminess. A food processor works better than a blender for hummus, as it can handle the thicker texture.

Serve with:

Carrots, cucumbers, celery, crackers, or use as a sandwich spread.🟢 This recipe uses only WIC items, except for olive oil.

💛 Why You’ll Love It:

Creamy, protein-rich, and completely pantry-based. No fancy ingredients required—just real food.

🍜 Peanut Sauce That Started in College (and Never Left)

I first discovered this recipe on the side of a noodle box in college, and I’ve been making it ever since. It’s the perfect fast-and-flavorful sauce to pour over veggies, tofu, or noodles. I don’t even measure anymore—I just eyeball and taste. The combo of peanut butter, vinegar, and sesame oil hits all the right notes.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons peanut butter*

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce or Bragg’s

• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

• 1 teaspoon powdered ginger (optional)

Directions:

Mash or stir all ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth. If the peanut butter is clumpy, a bit of granulated sugar helps break it down. Ginger adds a nice kick but can be left out for little ones.

Serve with:

Noodles, stir-fry vegetables, or steamed broccoli. Mix with tofu for a balanced meal.

💛 Why You’ll Love It:

It’s fast, flexible, and full of flavor. It’s also one of the easiest ways to make tofu taste amazing.

🍫 Black Bean Fudge Bites (Kid-Tested, Toddler-Approved)

One night, my daughter and her kids came over. We wanted something sweet but didn’t have many options. I tend to keep my pantry free of temptations, so I asked ChatGPT for help using what I had on hand. These fudge bites were born—and while the older kids were skeptical, the 2-year-old happily ate several!

My daughter said they reminded her of Chinese bean paste buns or Mochi ice cream. Not super sweet, but creamy and satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained

• 1/4 cup of cocoa powder

• 1/4 cup of agave syrup (or to taste)

• 1/4 cup of almond flour (or oat flour)

• 1/4 cup of peanut butter

• 1 scoop protein powder

• Pinch of salt

• ¼ teaspoon vanilla + ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional)

• Shredded coconut for rolling (optional but worth it)

Directions:

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Roll into small balls and coat in shredded coconut. Freeze for at least 15–20 minutes before eating. Overnight freezing works too but may make them very firm—let them thaw slightly for best texture.

Want to dress them up? Add instant coffee, cayenne, more salt, or chocolate chips.

💛 Why You’ll Love It:

A sneaky-sweet treat packed with protein and fiber. No baking required. Perfect for busy days and little hands.

💬 Let’s Keep the Ideas Flowing

I hope these peanut butter-packed ideas help stretch your pantry and add some variety to your meals and snacks. If you’ve got a favorite way to use WIC items—especially beans or peanut butter—I’d love to hear it!

Have questions? Want to swap ideas? Send me a message or tag me on social media. Let’s make the most of what we have and enjoy the process along the way.