Once nut butter earns its place in the pantry, it doesn't stay in the jar for long. Here's how to use it well beyond a spoon, at every age and stage.
For babies (from around 6 months)
- Thin with breastmilk, formula or water and stir through a puree or porridge your baby already knows.
- Swirl a small amount through plain yoghurt.
- Mix into mashed banana or another soft fruit puree.
- Once your baby is confidently self-feeding (usually 9 to 12 months+), spread a thin layer on toast fingers, thin enough that it won't stick to the roof of their mouth.
For toddlers
- Classic on toast or rice cakes, with banana or a drizzle of honey (for over-ones only).
- Stirred through porridge or overnight oats for a protein boost.
- Swirled through yoghurt bowls with fresh fruit and a sprinkle of seeds.
- Dipped with soft fruit like banana or pear slices.
For the whole family
- Blended into a smoothie with banana, milk and a handful of spinach (they won't notice).
- Mixed into muffin, slice or cookie batter for natural richness and moisture.
- Rolled into simple no-bake energy bites with oats and a little honey.
- Drizzled over roasted sweet potato or steamed vegetables for a savoury twist with peanut or cashew butter.
- Whisked into a simple satay-style sauce for noodles or grilled chicken.
- Stirred through a bowl of ramen or stir-fry for a nutty, creamy edge.
Two simple recipes
No-bake nut butter energy bites
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup Willow Tree Foods nut butter of choice
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- Pinch of cinnamon
Mix everything together, roll into small balls, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Perfect for lunchboxes or a quick snack (note: honey isn't suitable for babies under 12 months).
Nut butter banana oat muffins
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup Willow Tree Foods nut butter of choice
- 1½ cups rolled oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of cinnamon
Blend or mix all ingredients together, spoon into a lined muffin tin, and bake at 180°C for around 18 to 20 minutes, until golden and firm to touch. A soft, freezer-friendly snack that works from baby-led weaning right through to school lunchboxes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I freeze food made with nut butter? Yes, most nut butter bakes and bites freeze well for up to 3 months.
Is nut butter okay to give every day? Once introduced and tolerated, regular use, including daily, is a great way to maintain tolerance and add nutrition to meals.
Which jar size is best for cooking with? For your baby's very first tastes, the 40g jars are ideal. Once nut butter is a whole-family staple, the family-sized 150g jars give you more to work with.
However you use it
Every jar is single-ingredient nut, roasted and finely milled, so however you use it, you know exactly what's going in.
Cooking for the whole family? Our family-sized 150g jars are made for it, and our bundles make it easy to stock up.