The second you walk into the grocery store, there is always a certain array of nut butters. Skippy, Jif, Nutella. Creamy, crunchy, extra-crunchy. Why settle and buy those if you can make your own homemade nut butter that is cheaper and personalized to your unique tastes.
Why make it yourself?
Making homemade nut butter gives you the freedom to create the perfect consistency and fun flavors while knowing exactly what goes into it. First, pick your preferred base nut/seed: peanut, almond, sunflower seed, pistachio, macadamia, or sesame. Then, add extra flavor with additions like cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, chili, honey—the possibilities are endless. For the right consistency, add coconut or vegetable oil for creaminess and chopped mix-ins for crunchiness.
#SpoonTip: For maximum flavor, make sure to dry roast or fry the nuts before grinding in order to release all the enticing, aromatic oils.
Health
Homemade nut—well technically, seed—butters have numerous health benefits. Nuts are seeds with a hard shell, and they have more energy stored than legumes and grains via microscopic, unsaturated oil bodies. They also have protein, starch, and varying levels of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. All of these components make up the seedling and its food source in nature, and when consumed they can improve brain, heart, and overall health.
Processing
1. Dry Roast Nuts
Roast in the oven in a single layer for 10 minutes at 325°F.
2. Grind
I use my trusty Ninja, but any blender or food processor works. There are three stages to grinding: clumping, balling, and smoothing. It takes anywhere from 10-15 minutes based on your preferred nut/seed and texture. Add coconut oil/alternative to make the butter smoother, and add chopped nuts for extra bite.
#SpoonTip: Make sure to pulse your blender to avoid overheating and scrape the sides of it so everything is ground.
3. Add Optional Mix-Ins
I love experimenting with interesting flavors and combinations when it comes to cooking, so this step is my favorite. There are so many ways to create foods you love to eat, so make sure to try what you think will taste good.
Examples
1. Vanilla Honey Peanut Butter
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Peanuts + Vanilla + Honey + Coconut Oil + Salt
Grind peanuts until they are creamy. Add vanilla, honey, and salt to taste. Slowly mix in coconut oil until the correct texture is achieved.
Who knew that peanut butter could taste even better than it already does? With pleasant notes of vanilla and honeyed peanut butter, Skippy could never.
2. Cinnamon Almond Butter
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Almonds + Cinnamon + Agave Syrup + Coconut Oil + Salt
Put almonds in the food processor and add cinnamon and agave syrup for flavor and sweetening. Pinch in salt until it balances the fragrant spices. Stir in coconut oil and toss in some nuts.
What's better on a cozy night than cinnamon? Cinnamon almond butter that is decadent, creamy, and filled with Vitamin E. It’s perfect on crispy toast and topped with fresh fruit.
3. Cocoa Walnut Butter
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Walnuts + Cocoa Powder + Agave + Coconut Oil + Salt
This butter has so many complex flavors, and bananas will be your vessel to eat it. Go on a rollercoaster of flavor, starting with decadent chocolate, rushing down to earthy walnut, and ending with a salty defining note that makes you want to do it all over again.
Overall, making homemade nut butters is the way to go if you have nuts and a blender. Raw butters help me truly appreciate nuts and their natural flavors and qualities, and flavored butters are a special treat to spice up my day. Give it a try and you won't go back!