Easy Almond Butter (2024)

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Here’s how to make almond butter at home! This easy recipe makes the dreamiest, creamiest spread for topping toast, oats, and more.

Easy Almond Butter (1)

Welcome, nut butter lovers! Turns out, with a trusty food processor you can make any creamy nut butter you’d like. And what better to start with than everyone’s favorite: an Almond Butter recipe! We’ve been making our own homemade for years, and there’s nothing like it. This creamy puree makes anything better, from toast to oatmeal to acai bowls. Here’s how to make almond butter at home and some fun ideas for endless variations. Let’s go!

How to make almond butter

How to make almond butter a home? It’s very easy, but there are a few things to note about the process. Once you’ve mastered it, you can make it with any nut! Here’s the basic concept for this almond butter recipe:

  • Roast the nuts:First, you’ll roast the almonds in the oven to bring out the flavor. Also, they blend better when they’re warm.
  • Blend them…for quite a while! After you toast the almonds, throw them into a food processor and blend them for what seems likeforever. You’ll see that they go through stages: they’ll be really crumbly at first, and then turn to gooey. Finally, they’ll turn to creamy: the perfect buttery texture. The exact timing depends on the age of the nuts: so it will be different every time.
  • Add oil as necessary. Again, this depends on the almonds you’re using. Sometimes the texture will be very dry: so add just a bit of a neutral oil to get it to a creamier texture.

This is the basic recipe: but we’ve got lots of fun ideas for flavor variations if you keep reading. However, note this one thing before proceeding:

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Pro tip: don’t add honey or maple syrup!

Here’s an important thing to note. Don’t add honey, maple syrup, or any liquid sweetener to your almond butter. Why?

  • Adding liquid to the almond butter can cause it to become very thick. Trust us: we’ve learned the hard way! Adding liquid when you’re blending the butter can cause it to seize up and loose its creamy texture. Then you need add lots of oil to get it back to a creamy state.
  • It doesn’t really need the sweetener, anyway! The subtle natural sweetness of the nuts is really all you need! We’ve found adding a little vanilla extract and spices tricks your brain into thinking it’s sweet. Speaking of…

Food processor vs blender

You’ll need a food processor for this almond butter recipe!Here’s the one we recommend. You’ll need a large sized food processor to accommodate this batch: but you could half it if you have a small food processor at home.

Alternative to food processor: you can also use a high speed blender to make almond butter! If you try it this way, we suggest making 1.5 or 2 times the recipe to make it easiest to blend. Also, use the tamper that comes with the blender to press down on the almonds while you blend.

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Almond butter flavor variations!

There are so many delicious ways to vary this almond butter recipe! Here are a few of our favorite flavoring options:

  • Cinnamon vanilla: We like it with a little vanilla extract and cinnamon as our base recipe. Or even better…
  • Vanilla bean: Add the seeds from 1 vanilla bean: it’s the best taste treat.
  • Chai spiced: Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon homemade Chai Spices.
  • Pumpkin pie: Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon homemade Pumpkin Pie Spices.
  • Cardamom: Add ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom.
  • Ginger: Add ½ teaspoon ground ginger (with or without cinnamon).

More variations: add other nuts to create blends

Another way to vary almond butter is to add combinations of other nuts into the mix! It’s fun to vary this nut butter with whatever nuts you have on hand in the pantry. In fact, it’s a great idea for using up nuts that are hanging out in your pantry. Here are some ideas:

  • Cashew almond butter: Cashews are a perfect pair for almonds: they’re a little sweeter, so they enhance the sweet creaminess
  • Pecan almond butter: Another good match; this one tastes a little darker and nuttier
  • Hazelnut almond butter: Want to give it a little Nutella vibe? Try hazelnut almond butter.
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How to store almond butter

Most people say to store almond butter in the refrigerator. But this makes it thick and difficult to spread! The homemade version has no preservatives, so it’s a little different than shelf-stable store-bought butters. But we did a little research and found that you can store this almond butter in the following ways:

  • Pantry for 1 month: Keep it in a cool, dry place. (Source)
  • Refrigerated for 3 to 4 months:Extend the life by refrigerating it.

Ways to serve homemade almond butter

Learning how to make almond butter at home is the best skill! Once you’ve mastered it once, you won’t even need to reference the recipe. While you probably have a million ideas in mind for this creamy puree, here are some of our favorite ways to eat it:

What other ways do you eat almond butter? Let us know in the comments below!

This almond butter recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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Easy Almond Butter (5)

Easy Almond Butter Recipe

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5 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 7 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: About 1 cup 1x

Description

Here’s how to make almond butter at home! This easy recipe makes the dreamiest, creamiest spread for topping toast, oats, and more.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 cups raw almonds*
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Optional add ins: ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (or seeds from 1 vanilla bean), ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • Other ideas: Chai Spicesor Pumpkin Spices, to taste
  • Grapeseed or canola oil (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the nuts out onto a rimmed baking sheet. Roast for 7 to 8 minutes, until fragrant and toasted. Allow to cool for a minute or two on the tray.
  2. Place the almonds in the food processor (or a high speed blender)* while still warm. Process for 1 to 2 minutes until dry and crumbly. Scrape down the bowl.
  3. Turn on the processor, then with the motor running add ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Continue processing for 6 to 9 minutes, scraping down the bowl often in the beginning stage and adding a little oil if the almonds are too dry. (The exact timing depends on the age of the nuts. This process takes multiple times of stopping and scraping.) Continue to process until the dry almonds start to clump into a dough ball, and then even longer until they form into a creamy liquid.
  4. Transfer the almond butter to a jar. Store refrigerated for up to 4 weeks.

Notes

*You can mix in any other nuts you’d like: cashews, pecans or walnuts are a nice addition. If you’re using a high speed blender, we suggest using 1.5 or 2 times the recipe, and using the tamper to push down the almonds.

  • Category: Essentials
  • Method: Nut Butter
  • Cuisine: Vegan
  • Diet: Vegan

vegan vegetarian gluten free

Published on / Last updated on

Categorized In:

About the authors

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Sonja & Alex

Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes for memorable kitchen moments! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.

Easy Almond Butter (2024)

FAQs

Is it cheaper to buy or make almond butter? ›

Surprisingly, homemade almond butter is not always cheaper than the store-bought version. If you compare them on a cost-per-ounce basis, 1 ounce of whole almonds costs more than 1 ounce of almond butter. In this case, homemade is better because of the flavor, not necessarily because of the cost.

Is almond butter healthier than peanut butter? ›

Peanut butter has higher saturated fats, which should be taken in moderation. Almond butter, on the contrary, has more monounsaturated fats that are thought to be heart-healthy and can contribute to lowering harmful cholesterol levels. These fats are high in energy and help in the digestion of fat-soluble vitamins.

Why is my homemade almond butter not creamy? ›

Roasting them for just 10 minutes before blending allows the natural oils within the almonds to release toward the skin, which really helps in the blending process. So if you don't want to roast them, you will need to add some oil, about 2 or so tablespoons to help it become creamy.

How many almonds does it take to make 1 tablespoon of almond butter? ›

If you have a jar of almond butter that contains 24 almonds and you use 2 tablespoons of it, you can estimate that each tablespoon would contain around 12 almonds (24 almonds / 2 tablespoons = 12 almonds per tablespoon).

How long does homemade almond butter last? ›

Homemade raw almond butter will keep in the refrigerator for about two weeks, and store-bought may keep for months. A cooler with block ice or reusable freezer packs can also substitute for refrigeration. To store almond butter without a fridge or cooler, choose a cool, dry, dark place.

Should you refrigerate almond butter? ›

The easiest way to prevent your almond butter from going bad and extend its shelf-life—by as much as twice as long—is to pop it in the fridge. Keeping your almond butter in the fridge is especially important if you tend to purchase nut butters without preservatives or if you like to make your own nut butter.

What are the pros and cons of almond butter? ›

The Pros: Almond is a tree nut, so people allergic to peanuts can eat it. It's higher in calcium, potassium, manganese and monounsaturated fat than peanut butter, with half the saturated fat. The Cons: Almond skin can't be removed before processing, so almond butter often has a grainy or gritty texture.

What is the white stuff in almond butter? ›

Questions about nut butters. WHY IS THERE A WHITE COATING ON THE SURFACE OF MY NUT BUTTER? What you are seeing in your Chocolate Hazelnut Butter or Vanilla Almond Butter jars is called cocoa bloom. This occurs naturally when the cocoa butter separates, solidifies and rises to the surface of the jar.

Does Aldi sell almond butter? ›

The Foodie Market Smooth Almond Butter 170g | ALDI.

Should you pour out the oil in almond butter? ›

Please do not drain off the natural oil on top or you will end up with a nut butter that is dry, hard and difficult to spread. If you don't want to have to stir your nut butter, we offer MaraNatha No Stir Peanut and Almond Butters, which are ready to use immediately after opening—no stirring required!

Can I eat almond butter everyday? ›

Eating almond butter every day is a bit like eating peanut butter on a daily basis. You can eat this substance regularly if you want to – but it's important to make sure that you're only consuming it in moderation.

Can dogs have almond butter? ›

Almond Butter -- Yes, your furry friend can enjoy the occasional taste of almond butter. However, not all dogs can digest almonds well so while they're not toxic, proceed with caution. All nuts are high in fat which can upset your pup's tummy so if you want to share roasted nuts or nut butter, limit your dog's intake.

Is almond butter good for the gut? ›

Almond butter contains fiber, which has a myriad of health benefits. One of these is boosting gut health. A 2022 study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (funded by the Almond Board of California) found that almond consumption increased levels of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid key to digestive health.

Is it less expensive to make your own nut butter? ›

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.

Is making butter cheaper than buying butter? ›

Butter isn't that expensive — it's about $3 per pound at the wholesale level. Cream costs roughly $3.50 for 16 ounces, or less if you buy a larger carton. That means the price of making your own butter isn't much more than buying it in the store, and often you can get organic cream cheaper than organic butter.

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