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How to Make Nut Butter

By: Alyssa Rate this post! 24 Comments on How to Make Nut Butter

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Nut butters are a versatile spread that you can put on so many different foods. And if you make them at home, you’ll end up with a tastier, healthier, and more affordable condiment. 

A jar of homemade peanut butter with the peanut butter dripping out, next to peanuts and a spoon covered in honey

I’m a huge fan of nut butters. Whether I’m putting them on toast for breakfast, or eating a spoonful straight out of the jar, they are a go-to food for me. They’re rich, creamy, just the right amount of sweet, and packed full of flavor. Plus, nuts are one of the healthiest things you can eat, so these spreads are great for you. 

Like most people, I used to buy all my nut butters. But it turns out they’re a lot better when homemade. They taste better, they’re usually healthier, and they’re definitely cheaper. Plus, they’re customizable, easy to make, and usually only take 20 minutes. 

So now I make all of mine, and I recommend you do the same! This post has the basics for creating a simple nut butter with pretty much any nut. For example, I used this basic formula to make Honey Roasted Peanut Butter, Pumpkin Spice Almond Butter, and this Homemade Nutella!

A jar of homemade nutella with cocoa powder on top, dripping down the jar, with a spoon of cocoa powder in the background

What You’ll Need

Here are the ingredients you need to make these nutty spreads.

  • Raw nuts – You can use almost any type of nut when making nut butter.
  • Seasonings – Chocolate chips, honey, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. You can even add chili for a bit of smoky heat!
  • Coconut oil – This is an optional ingredient that’s used to help make the nut butters smooth. 

How to Make Nut Butter 

Making these recipes is a super simple process that only takes 20 minutes. Here’s how to do it.

  • Season the nuts. Place the nuts on a baking sheet that will fit in a toaster oven. If you’re seasoning the nut butter with something that can be toasted without having the flavor or texture ruined, pour or sprinkle it over the nuts.
  • Toast the nuts. Put the nuts in the toaster oven for 5 minutes. 
  • Process. Place the nuts in a food processor and process until smooth, about 10-15 minutes. If the spread isn’t becoming smooth, add a touch of coconut oil. 
  • Finish seasoning. If you have a seasoning that you couldn’t put in the toaster oven (such as melted chocolate), add it to the nut butter and pulse until combined. Place the nut butter in a jar, and you’re all done. 

Variations

One of my favorite things about these kinds of recipes is how easy it is to customize them. Here are some variations you can add to them, or to any other nut butter you make. 

  • Heat. Nuts and spice go hand in hand. You can easily add a little bit of heat to a nut butter by sprinkling some chili powder over the nuts before toasting them, creating a spicy spread. 
  • Sweet. You can also go in the other direction (or in both directions!) and add sweetness to your nut butter. Honey is my favorite way to sweeten these spreads, but maple syrup and agave are good options as well. You can add the sweetener to the nuts before toasting for a little bit of a caramel flavor, or simply add it at the end of the processing. 
  • Salty. I probably don’t need to tell you that nuts and salt are a classic combination. To make a salted nut butter, sprinkle some salt over the nuts before toasting them. After processing the nut butter, taste it, and add more salt if you want. 
  • Spices. You can have fun by adding a lot of different spices to these nut butters. A good rule of thumb is if the spice would go well in a cookie or cake, then it will go well in a nut butter. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and cardamom will all go well in nut butters.
  • Chunks. Finally, you can play with the texture of your nut butter by making it chunky. To do this, simply reserve a few of the toasted nuts, and chop them up. After you’ve processed the rest of the nuts to create your smooth and creamy nut butter, add the chunks of nuts. 
Overhead view of a jar of homemade peanut butter with the lid off

Serving Suggestions

Here are some of my favorite ways to eat these homemade condiments. 

How to Store 

Nut butters will last for a long time if stored in an airtight jar. They’ll last for at least a month at room temperature, or for at least 3 months in the fridge. I prefer to keep mine at room temperature, as that’s when the texture is most creamy. However, make sure you keep your spreads out of direct sunlight, by storing them in a cupboard or pantry. 

Can You Freeze Nut Butters?

Yes! You can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge before eating. Freezing these spreads can sometimes mess up the texture, so you may need to run it through the food processor after thawing. 

Nut Butter Recipes to Try

How to make Peanut Butter

Super Seed Homemade Peanut Butter

Made with hemp, chia, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds this Super Seed Homemade Peanut Butter has a lovely crunchy texture. It's lightly flavored with cinnamon and high in protein.
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Coconut Almond Butter

Chocolate Coconut Almond Butter

A healthy twist on Nutella, this Chocolate Coconut Almond Butter is made with just 5 ingredients. Super easy to make and the dark chocolate flavor goes with pretty much everything!
Check out this recipe
Cinnamon Maple Nut Butter -- the BEST homemade nut butter I've ever had!

Cinnamon Maple Mixed Nut Butter

Made with pecans, almonds, and cashews, this Maple Cinnamon Nut Butter is lightly spiced, perfectly creamy, and easy to make. The maple and cinnamon flavors make this a great nut butter recipe for fall.
Check out this recipe
Healthy Cashew Butter

Vanilla Bean Cashew Butter

Creamy, healthy, and ready in just 20 minutes, this Vanilla Bean Cashew Butter is made with just 2 ingredients!
Check out this recipe
how to make pecan butter

Cinnamon Vanilla Pecan Butter

Flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, this may be the best pecan butter recipe you ever try. It's simple but SO good – and healthy too!
Check out this recipe
cinnamon raisin peanut butter spread on a slice of toast

Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter

Made with just 5 ingredients, this Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter is perfect for toast, apples, smoothies, and more. It's both healthy and easy to make.
Check out this recipe
A jar of honey roasted peanut butter on a plate covered with peanuts, next to a bowl of peanuts and a kitchen towel

Honey Roasted Peanut Butter

Sweet and salty, this Honey Roasted Peanut Butter may feel ultra-indulgent but it's actually quite healthy. Made with just 3 ingredients, this is a great nut butter recipe for beginners.
Check out this recipe
HEALTHY NUTELLA with only two ingredients! It's easy to make, doesn't have any of the junk AND it's vegan!

2-Ingredient Nutella

Love Nutella? No need to spend a ridiculous amount on a jar at the store. This homemade Nutella is made with just 2 ingredients – and WAY healthier than the storebought version!
Overhead view of a jar of pumpkin spice almond butter with a spoon lifting out of it, surrounded by almonds

Pumpkin Spice Almond Butter

If pumpkin spice if your jam during the fall, then you'll love these easy Pumpkin Spice Almond Butter. This rich, creamy butter butter is made with just 2 ingredients, so it's perfect for enjoying all fall and winter long.
Chai-Spiced Almond Hazelnut Butter Recipe

Chai-Spiced Almond Hazelnut Butter Recipe

This creamy almond hazelnut butter tastes just like your favorite chai tea latte! Paired with toast or fruit, it's perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Check out this recipe
HOW TO MAKE COCONUT BUTTER -- with just one ingredient and step-by-step photos!

Coconut Butter

Homemade coconut butter is made with just one ingredient – yes, really! It's smooth, creamy, and bursting with flavor.
Check out this recipe
Homemade Cacao Nib Almond Cashew Butter

Homemade Cacao Nib Almond Cashew Butter

This cacao nib almond cashew butter is downright addicting! And, it's paleo, dairy-free, and gluten-free – a snack almost anyone can love.
Check out this recipe
Maple Cinnamon Peanut Butter

Maple Cinnamon Peanut Butter

This rich, creamy Maple Cinnamon Peanut Butter is perfect for fall. It's crunchy and perfectly spiced. Enjoy on apples, toast, or simply by the spoonful!
Check out this recipe
Gingerbread Walnut Butter

Gingerbread Walnut Butter

There's no nut butter better fit for the holidays than this Gingerbread Walnut Butter! Add it to your baked goods for some extra flavor or simply enjoy on toast in the morning.
Check out this recipe
Homemade Almond Butter with Vanilla Bean, Honey & Sea Salt

Homemade Almond Butter with Vanilla Bean, Honey & Sea Salt

This Homemade Almond Butter puts anything you can buy at the store to shame. It's perfectly flavored with vanilla bean, honey, and sea salt for an irresistible nut butter you'll want to spread on everything.
Check out this recipe
Homemade Salted Dark Chocolate Pecan Butter

Homemade Salted Dark Chocolate Pecan Butter

Dark chocolate lovers will rejoice for this Homemade Salted Dark Chocolate Pecan Butter! It makes a decadent addition to everything from pancakes and waffles to toast with the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
Check out this recipe
Espresso Cashew Butter

Espresso Cashew Butter

This Espresso Cashew Butter is a vegan, gluten-free, and Whole30 compliant treat. It's made with just 5 ingredients and ready in 15 minutes!
Check out this recipe
A wooden spoon stirring a jar of strawberry cashew butter.

Strawberry Cashew Butter

Made with freeze-dried strawberries and vanilla beans, this Strawberry Cashew Butter is beyond good. Paleo, vegan, sugar-free, and Whole30-friendly, almost anyone can enjoy this nut butter.
Check out this recipe
Pistachio Butter

Pistachio Butter

Pistachio butter may not be the first nut butter that comes to mind but once you try it, you'll realize what you were missing! Made with just 4 ingredients in less than 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Honey Roasted Butterscotch White Chocolate Peanut Butter

Honey Roasted Butterscotch White Chocolate Peanut Butter

There's so much to love about this Honey Roasted Butterscotch White Chocolate Peanut Butter! It's so rich, creamy, and decadent. You'll want to eat it with absolutely everything!
Check out this recipe
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