Homemade Nut Butters – There’s Nuttin’ Better

What is the advantage to making your own nut butter at home? Knowing what’s inside it. Nut butters you’ll find on the shelves in your local store may contain added ingredients that don’t fit your dietary restrictions. When making nut butters at home, you have more control of the ingredients, such as the amount of added sugar, salt, oil or other add ins. It’s fun to explore different flavors and the options are endless when it comes to ingredients. If you don’t know where to begin, try some of our recipes below and mix it up with some fun flavors!

Roasted Peanut Butter

Servings: 18
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
3 cups lightly-salted, dry-roasted peanuts
3 tablespoons honey
3–4 tablespoons canola (or peanut) oil

Steps:

1. Place all ingredients (except oil) in food processor bowl; process until paste has formed.
2. Slowly add oil, while food processor is running, 1 tablespoon at a time, until combined and mixture is smooth (or until desired consistency).
3. Transfer nut butter to an air-tight container. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks. (Makes about 2 cups)

Roasted Walnut Butter

Servings: 12
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
3 cups walnut halves and pieces
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3–4 tablespoons canola (or walnut) oil

Steps:

1. Preheat a large sauté pan on medium 2 to 3 minutes. Add walnuts to pan and cook 6 to8 minutes, stirring often or until nuts are lightly toasted and fragrant. Remove nuts from pan.
2. Place nuts, honey and salt in food processor bowl; process until paste has formed. Slowly add oil, while food processor is running, 1 tablespoon at a time, until combined and mixture is smooth (or until desired consistency).
3. Place butter into an air-tight container. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks. (Makes about 2 cups)

Other Preparation Options

The recipe above can be substituted with 3 cups raw pecans or cashews, then follow recipe instructions.

Nut butters can be used in many different flavor combinations. Try some of these suggestions:

Walnut butter:

Add 3 tablespoons maple syrup and 3 tablespoons precooked bacon pieces.

Pecan butter:

Add 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper and spread on crusty bread with goat cheese.

Cashew butter:

Substitute coconut oil for canola oil and add 2 tablespoons dried pineapple for a tropical spread.

Peanut butter:

Add 2 additional tablespoons honey and 4 tablespoons cocoa powder.

Stir your freshly made nut butter into hot oatmeal. Try adding a dash of cinnamon and some raisins (or any dried fruit) to give it a hearty feel. For extra protein, add it to your favorite smoothie or shake. Add to pancake or waffle batter. Or just on top as a spread on a cracker or piece of bread.

Tips for Storing

You may notice oil rising to the top of your jar of nut butter. Just like with any nut butter, this oil separation is natural. You may need to give the butter a good stirring before enjoying.  It is important to really stir the whole jar and not just the top because when the oil separates to the top, it can leave the bottom of the jar a bit dry.

Nut butter stays fresher longer in the fridge. The oils from the nuts oxidize when exposed to elements like air, light and heat, which will eventually turn the butter rancid if you don’t store it properly. Keeping your butter in the fridge may cause it to harden. However, if you need it softened to act as a spread, add what you need to a bowl and microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Try your nut butters with apples, smoothies, top your ice cream with it or just eat a spoonful. There’s no wrong way! Share some of your favorite nut butter combinations with us in the comments below.