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Are you peanut butter‘s number one fan? Feel the same way about avocado? Have you ever considered eating them together? Let me introduce you to the peanut-butter-stuffed avocado. The snack first gained popularity during the rise of the keto diet, catering to the keto community’s love of fat bombs and stuffing avocados with high-fat ingredients.
There are many variations of the fusion snack: sprinkled with sesame seeds, topped with chopped dark chocolate, and drizzled with maple syrup and sprinkled with hemp hearts. But the classic peanut-butter-stuffed avocado continues to make its rounds on social media, going viral on Instagram earlier this week. I know it sounds bizarre to eat these two totally different flavors together. And the fact that both foods have soft and squishy textures isn’t the most appealing. But people were so into it, I had to try for myself. Here’s everything you need to know about this quick and easy snack.
How to Make Peanut-Butter-Stuffed Avocado
The variation I made was shared by Nicole Modic (@kalejunkie on Instagram): cut an avocado in half. Scoop about one tablespoon of natural peanut butter (I used crunchy, salted) into the side without the pit. If you don’t have peanut butter, any nut butter works. You can also use sunflower seed butter if you’re nut-free. Sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy spoonfuls right out out the peel. “A drizzle of honey and flaky salt would also be a great addition,” Modic suggests in the caption, but I didn’t do that.
How Does Peanut-Butter-Stuffed Avocado Taste?
After taking my first skeptical spoonful, I was pleasantly surprised — I thought I was going to hate it. But the subtle avocado flavor took a backseat, and what I tasted mostly was the salty peanut butter mixed with the sweet, warm cinnamon. I loved the contrast in texture between the super-creamy avocado and the small bits of crunchy peanuts. It was almost like eating peanut butter mousse — almost! The best part is that it wasn’t messy like I thought it would be. I liked that it was easy to eat right out of the shell with a spoon. And this snack only took a couple minutes to eat, but I felt full for hours, thanks to those healthy fats. A heads up: I did try a bite without the cinnamon and instantly realized that adding that sprinkle was what made this snack taste better. Also, I’d definitely choose crunchy PB over creamy. I don’t think the snack would taste as good without the nuts. Personally, I need something to crunch or chew in order to feel emotionally satisfied.
Peanut-Butter-Stuffed Avocado Health Benefits
Avocado and peanut butter are excellent sources of healthy fats (19 grams combined), which are super satiating. So this snack will keep you full for hours. The tablespoon of peanut butter also offers four grams of protein, which adds to its satiety benefits. Plus, avocado and peanut butter offer filling fiber (when eating them together, you’re looking at about 8.5 grams).
But beyond keeping you full, the snack isn’t as balanced as experts would like it to be. “It’s rich in healthy fats, fiber, and has some protein,” explains Diana Mesa, RD, LDN, CDCES. But it doesn’t have many carbs and is on the higher side when it comes to calories because of the fat. If you like the idea of this unique flavor combo, try smearing a quarter of an avocado with some peanut butter on toast for a more balanced snack, Mesa says. You can also eat it with fruits or veggies for some extra nutrients. 