Store shelves have more options than ever, but did you know you can save money and enjoy more flavor by making peanut butter at home? Homemade peanut butter allows you to take full control of the ingredients, avoiding additives many versions use. Instead, you can add in healthy, natural flavorings like real honey, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
Whip up homemade peanut butter in minutes to have on hand as needed. Or, while the food processor is already dirty, use this natural peanut butter immediately in a batch of power balls to take on the road or trails.
Supplies
- Food processor
- Jar and lid for storing
Natural peanut butter ingredients
Much like our herb pesto recipe, homemade peanut butter ingredients and quantities are best left to taste. Here’s my favorite combination:
- Roasted, unsalted peanuts
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Honey or maple syrup
- Optional: other type of nut(s) or seed(s) – I especially love pecans!
Tip: Buying ingredients in bulk can help add to your savings. Our local co-op offers bulk nuts, cinnamon, vanilla, maple syrup, and salt. If you don’t have a store with bulk foods nearby, you can of course buy them online.
How to make peanut butter at home
1. Add the roasted peanuts to a food processor or high-powered blender. If you prefer chunky peanut butter, set aside a handful of peanuts and add them later.
2. Process the peanuts on high speed. You may need to stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the container. The peanuts will first turn into a fine powder, then clump together, and finally, they’ll start releasing their oils. This can take several minutes, so you may need to stop and let your food processor rest if it starts getting overheated.
3. Continue processing until the desired texture is achieved. For chunky peanut butter, add the handful of reserved peanuts and pulse the mixture a few times until they are broken down into small chunks.
4. Taste the peanut butter and adjust the flavors to your liking.
5. Transfer the homemade peanut butter to a clean, airtight container. Some people recommend storing it in the fridge, but I’ve never run into an issue keeping at room temperature. Use your best judgement, especially if it won’t be used within a few weeks.
Your turn
Ready to give it a try? Share your results and your favorite way to put homemade peanut butter to use in the comments below!
