How to Make Almond Butter (in 1 Minute!) - Almond Butter Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

Home Lifestyle How To's How to Make Almond Butter (in 1 Minute!)

by Lisa Bryan

326 Comments

Updated Sep 19, 2023

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Homemade almond butteris healthy, delicious and super easy to make. My version only has one ingredient – almonds (with no added oils) – and it only takes one minute to make with a Vitamix blender. Watch the video below to see for yourself!

How to Make Almond Butter (in 1 Minute!) - Almond Butter Recipe | Downshiftology (2)

Homemade almond butter (or any nut butter for that matter) is a staple do-it-yourself recipe. Just like homemade nut milks. But I still remember the first time I made almond butter in a food processor and thinking, “sheesh, this is taking areallylong time.”

20-minutes to be exact. Because everything I’d found on the internet said that the best way to make almond butter was in a food processor. So that’s what I did, for several years. Then,I got my first Vitamix and homemade almond butter all of a sudden became so darn easy to make!

How to Make Almond Butter

In order to make the best almond butter possible, it’s important to know a few things about nuts. Namely, some nuts have more natural oils than others, which affects how easy they are to churn into butter. Peanuts, cashews and macadamia nuts have more natural oils (fatty acids) so they turn into nut butter quite easily. Almonds have a bit less oil.

Therefore, the easiest way to make almond butter is to:

  1. Add a little oil (I like avocado oil) to raw almonds while blending to help them churn easier, or
  2. Roast the raw almonds first which helps to release their natural oils. I usually opt for the latter – and that’s what I show you in the video above.
How to Make Almond Butter (in 1 Minute!) - Almond Butter Recipe | Downshiftology (3)
How to Make Almond Butter (in 1 Minute!) - Almond Butter Recipe | Downshiftology (4)

If you roast the almonds, there’s just one important step to not forget – let them cool to room temperature. You do NOT want to put hot nuts in your plastic Vitamix container or it may ruin/melt it.Vitamix containers candefinitely take hot liquids and make hot soups (I do it all the time), but hot nuts are concentrated oils which then get even hotter when blended. So remember….roast, cool, then blend.

Whether you roast the almonds or not is up to you. I personally like the flavor of roasted almond butter – it’s so darn good!

But if you’re in a hurry, just toss raw almonds with 3-4 tablespoons of neutral-flavored oil into your Vitamix.

Then, turn your blender on high and use the tamper to push down on the almonds. Pushing the almonds into the blades quickly turns it into almond butter. And one minute later you’re done. Voila, homemade almond butter without a food processor.

How to Make Almond Butter (in 1 Minute!) - Almond Butter Recipe | Downshiftology (5)

More Tips for Your Homemade Almond Butter

  • Storage: The almond butter will stay good for several weeks in the fridge (if not longer). I always store it in my favorite Le Parfait Jars.
  • Temperature: Keep in mind that all ovens cook at slightly different temperatures and you may need to cook your almonds a minute or two longer, especially if you find them harder to blend without using oil.
  • Tamper: Really use the tamper to push the nuts into the blades when blending and push towards the corners of the container. Don’t be gentle. It’s the friction that’s needed to turn it into nut butter.
  • Nuts: I don’t recommend making this with soaked and dehydrated nuts. But if you do, you definitely need to add oil (and likely more) as you’ve now removed some of the natural oils within the nuts. Roasting soaked nuts alone simply won’t work. Alternatively, you can use almond that are pre-roasted for flavor, but you’ll still need to add additional oil. Only freshly roasted almonds will have their natural oils released and make it easy to blend them on their own.
  • Quantity: Do NOT reduce the quantity of almonds if using a Vitamix. You need a minimum amount of almonds (4 cups) in the blender to ensure the blades work properly.
  • Tips: If you’re making almond butter without oil (just roasting) and it seems dry and flaky and not turning into butter, there’s likely two reasons: 1) the almonds needed to roast just a little bit longer (see temperature note above), 2) the brand of almonds. I’ve found certain brands of almonds just blend better than others. I really have no idea why, but I’ve never had any problems with the brand linked in the recipe card notes. But if you’re in the predicament of your almonds not turning to butter, just add one tablespoon of oil at a time until it turns creamy. It’s totally salvageable!

More Healthy Basics Tutorials

  • How to Make Almond Milk
  • How to Make Cashew Milk
  • Homemade Mayonnaise
  • How to Make Coconut Whipped Cream
  • How to Poach Eggs
How to Make Almond Butter (in 1 Minute!) - Almond Butter Recipe | Downshiftology (6)

How to Make Almond Butter (in 1 Minute!) - Almond Butter Recipe | Downshiftology (7)

How to Make Almond Butter (in 1 Minute!)

4.91 from 66 votes

Prep: 1 minute min

Total: 1 minute min

Servings: 2 cups almond butter

Author: Lisa Bryan

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Description

Homemade almond butter recipe is healthy, delicious and super easy to make. It's also ultra creamy in your Vitamix. Watch the video below to see how quickly it comes together!

Video

Ingredients

Optional

  • 3-4 tbsp neutral flavored oil, I use avocado oil

Instructions

  • If roasting your almonds, preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

  • Place the almonds on a parchment lined baking tray and roast for 10-13 minutes.

  • Let the almonds cool completely, to room temperature. Then transfer the almonds to your Vitamix container.

  • If not roasting the almonds and using additional oil, add the oil to your Vitamix container, then the nuts.

  • Place the lid on your Vitamix and remove the cap. Insert the tamper through the lid. Turn the Vitamix on high and use the tamper to continuously push down on the almonds, particularly in the corners. After one minute, you’ll have almond butter.

  • Transfer the almond butter to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

Lisa’s Tips

Nutrition

Serving: 1tbsp | Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.7g | Protein: 3.7g | Fat: 8.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.7g | Fiber: 1.8g | Sugar: 0.5g

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: almond butter, almond butter recipe, homemade almond butter, how to make almond butter

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

This post was created in partnership with Vitamix (a brand I’ve loved and used for years). All thoughts and opinions are my own. The post was originally posted Jan 2017, but updated to include new tips and information.

About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

How to Make Almond Butter (in 1 Minute!) - Almond Butter Recipe | Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

Why are my almonds not turning into almond butter? ›

Tips: If you're making almond butter without oil (just roasting) and it seems dry and flaky and not turning into butter, there's likely two reasons: 1) the almonds needed to roast just a little bit longer (see temperature note above), 2) the brand of almonds.

Why won't my almond butter won't get 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 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).

Is it cheaper to buy or make your own 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.

Why is almond butter so hard to mix? ›

The main reason it's so frustrating to stir separated nut butter is because the jar is too damn small, and that's especially true if you have a lot of oil at the top and extra dry nut butter at the bottom.

Can bacteria grow in almond butter? ›

Research has shown that while pathogenic foodborne microorganisms are unable to grow in these foods, they are able to persist in the products at both refrigerated and ambient conditions for as long as 52 weeks.

What makes almond butter taste better? ›

A pinch of salt is a must for any nut butter IMHO. To give it a little sweetness, try honey or maple syrup (or for a more subtle approach, just a touch of vanilla extract). Everyone's taste will vary, but for 2 cups nuts, start out with 1 tsp. sweetener.

What makes almond butter better? ›

Vitamins and minerals

It contains nearly three times as much vitamin E, twice as much iron, and seven times more calcium than peanut butter. As an antioxidant, vitamin E helps stop the development of plaque in your arteries, which can narrow them and eventually cause a heart attack.

What is the best oil for nut butters? ›

Coconut oil is my go-to for so many things and it works great in this nut butter. If you make this World's Best Nut Butter recipe, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions!

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.

Is almond butter OK to eat daily? ›

It is a rich source of the mineral magnesium. A tablespoon of almond butter delivers 48.5 mg of the stuff, which is about 12% of what your daily intake should be. You can get too much magnesium; the upper limit is 350 mg or a little over 7 tablespoons of almond butter.

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.

Is almond butter actually 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.

Is almond butter more fattening than peanut butter? ›

If weight loss is your goal, both almond and peanut butter can be part of a healthy weight loss plan when consumed in moderation. However, since almond butter is slightly lower in calories and higher in fiber, it may be a slightly better choice for weight loss.

What happens if you don't soak almonds? ›

The skin of almonds is difficult to digest, and therefore Ayurveda recommends soaking the almonds and peeling the skin to improve the digestibility of almonds. When you eat almonds without soaking and peeling off the skin, it will aggravate Pitta in the blood.

What happens if you don t soak almonds before making almond milk? ›

Plan ahead: Raw nuts need to soak for at least 12 hours before blending. This saturates the nut from the inside-out, resulting in a smoother, creamier texture. It also yields more liquid, because fully saturated nuts blend better and leave less "pulp" behind.

What does rancid almond butter look like? ›

Other than oil going rancid, look for the usual signs of spoilage such as black or brown spots on the surface or the insides of the jar, any signs of mold, funny smell, or bad taste. If either is present, discard the vegan butter.”

Why is my almond butter so thick? ›

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.

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