So, peanut butter. What’s the deal?

For most people, it lives a quiet life—spooned onto toast, maybe the occasional sandwich, and that’s it. But if you’re an expat who grew up with Skippy in the cupboard (especially the creamy kind, let’s be honest), there’s a certain nostalgic joy in twisting that lid open. It smells like home. Like after-school snacks. Like Saturdays with cartoons.

But what if I told you—okay, suggested—that you could do way more with it?

We’re talking proper kitchen experiments. The kind that start with “wait, what if we just…” and end with everyone asking for the recipe.

Let’s get into it.

1. In Ramen? Yes, Really.

Hear me out. A spoonful of Skippy stirred into hot ramen gives it that thick, nutty, almost satay-like vibe. It’s warm, it’s rich, and it weirdly works. Especially when you throw in some chili oil, sesame seeds, and maybe a splash of soy sauce.

If you’re used to Dutch or European ramen being a bit… underwhelming, this trick levels it up fast. It’s basically survival food for homesick students—or anyone too tired to make anything fancy.

Bonus: it’s also perfect for a midnight snack when you’re tired of cheese toasties.

2. As a Satay Sauce Shortcut

Okay, okay—proper satay deserves its own respect. But sometimes, you just need a quick sauce to drizzle over chicken skewers or roasted veggies, and Skippy nails it as a base.

Mix it with:

• a splash of soy sauce

• a bit of lime juice

• some garlic

• a touch of honey

• and warm water to thin it out

Boom. Done. No blender, no weird specialty ingredients, and definitely no judgment. Just flavour.

Perfect for summer barbecues in the park when you want to impress with minimal effort. Or, let’s be real, impress yourself on a Tuesday night.

3. In Smoothies (Trust Me, It Balances the Green Stuff)

If you’ve ever had a smoothie that tasted like freshly-mowed lawn, peanut butter can save the day. Add a spoonful to your spinach-banana-almond milk combo, and it suddenly feels like dessert. Or at least less like a punishment.

Plus, it’s great for adding a hit of protein without pulling out weird powders or supplements. And if you’re juggling life in a new country, new job, new everything—sometimes you just need breakfast to be easy.

Pro tip: try it with frozen strawberries and oat milk. Tastes like PB&J in a cup. No crusts, no mess.

4. Peanut Butter Pasta (Not as Wrong as It Sounds)

This one’s unexpected, even for seasoned peanut butter fans. But think spicy Thai peanut noodles, not your average Italian spaghetti.

Whisk Skippy with a little rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, grated ginger, and a splash of hot water. Toss with noodles—udon, soba, spaghetti, whatever you’ve got—and top with crunchy veg or leftover chicken.

It’s weirdly comforting. Like mac & cheese’s eccentric cousin who studied abroad and came back cooler.

Also: works great cold. Pack it for lunch, feel smug.

5. Baked Into Brownies (Swirled. Not Mixed.)

Now we’re back in sweet territory. And honestly? This is peak nostalgia. Swirling peanut butter into brownie batter adds that salty-sweet hit that makes people go quiet mid-bite.

Don’t stir it in all the way—just blob and swirl. You want pockets of gooey peanut butter hiding in the chocolate.

And yes, this works with boxed mix. No shame.

It also works on those grey Dutch afternoons when the rain won’t stop and you need something warm, messy, and a little indulgent. Pair with coffee. Or whisky. Or both.

A Quick Word on the Skippy Brand Itself

Skippy isn’t just any peanut butter. It’s a texture thing. That signature creaminess? Hard to match. It’s why even food snobs who swear by “natural peanut butter only” secretly keep a jar of Skippy in the back of the pantry.

For expats, it’s more than a spread—it’s a taste of what used to be normal. And you know what? Sometimes it’s nice to eat something that doesn’t ask questions.

Final Thought: Don’t Limit the Jar

Sure, it starts with toast. But maybe—just maybe—it ends with ramen noodles, brownies, and a satay sauce that gets compliments you pretend not to care about.

And if nothing else? A spoonful of Skippy on a tough day still hits like a hug.

That’s reason enough to keep one in the cupboard.

Find Skippy Peanut Butter (both creamy and chunky) at Kelly’s Expat Shopping. In-store or online—whatever’s easiest.