How to Make Your Own Homemade Peanut Butter Recipe
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Oh, how I love peanut butter, especially in my peanut butter and oat cookies or spread on a sandwich! Unfortunately, like many store-bought foods, commercial peanut butter often contains additives that I don’t think are necessary or healthy.
Luckily, making homemade peanut butter from scratch is super easy. You can get creative by adding chili, chocolate, or sweeteners, or keep it simple and make your own peanut butter, with just roasted peanuts and a pinch of salt as the only ingredients.
Check the recipe card or the step-by-step photos to make this delicious peanut butter.
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Overview of Core Ingredients and Substitutions
Peanuts
Roasted peanuts are the heart of this recipe, offering a deep, nutty flavor that shines in the finished spread. If you want to avoid roasting the peanuts yourself, pre-roasted, unsalted peanuts work fine, but roasting fresh peanuts enhances flavor.
I also noticed that making peanut butter from pre-roasted peanuts made a dry peanut butter that needed some additional oil. When roasting the peanuts myself, I did not need any extra oil.
Salt
A pinch of salt balances the natural sweetness of peanuts and enhances the overall taste. Feel free to adjust or omit based on your dietary needs or preference for natural peanut flavor.
Sweetener (Optional)
Adding a touch of honey, maple syrup, or sugar can introduce a subtle sweetness that complements the nutty profile. This is entirely optional and can be skipped for a purely savory nut butter.
Step-by-step instructions
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (176 °C). While it’s warming up, spread 2 cups of shelled peanuts evenly on a baking sheet.
Pop them in the oven and roast for about 10 to 15 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Be sure to give them a quick stir once or twice during roasting so they cook evenly.
While the peanuts are roasting, get your food processor ready. If you don’t have one, a small chopping attachment that comes with some blenders works too, just watch out so it doesn’t overheat.
Once your peanuts are roasted and cooled slightly, add 2 cups (or less, depending on the size of your food processor) of the roasted peanuts to the food processor bowl along with a pinch of salt. As it blends, pause now and then to scrape down the sides with a silicone or rubber spatula to keep everything mixing well.
When your peanut butter is smooth and creamy, let it cool a little before you get creative. Whether you want to stir in chocolate, chili, or any other favorite add-ins, the choice is yours!
We also experimented with making peanut butter and mixing in chocolate chips all in one go, without making the peanut butter first. It worked, but making the peanut butter beforehand was definitely easier, though that might be due to our not-so-powerful hand blender attachment.
Tips
- Roast the peanuts properly. Roast your peanuts evenly at 350°F (176°C) for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. This step deepens the flavor and brings out the oils that give peanut butter its silky texture. If you want a richer, darker taste, you can roast the peanuts a bit longer, but be careful not to burn them!
- Use a powerful food processor. I made the mistake of using a food processor that wasn’t powerful enough to create this crunchy peanut butter the first time I made it. It overheated and left me with something peanut butter–like, but not quite the real thing. A strong food processor or high-powered blender is key to achieving a smooth, creamy consistency without overheating the nuts. If your food processor feels a little like it starts to overheat, pause occasionally. This will give you time to scrape down the sides with a silicone or rubber spatula and keep your machine from overworking.
- When you don’t have a lot of time, start with dry-roasted peanuts for the best results.
- If you need peanut butter and don’t have a lot of time to make it completely from scratch, you can always start with dry-roasted nuts. It will save you time but still guarantees that rich, toasty flavor. If using raw peanuts, be sure to roast them thoroughly before blending.
- When needed, add oil gradually. If your peanut butter is too thick for your taste, you can introduce oil in small increments. It will control the texture and avoid making the peanut butter too runny. You want a spreadable but thick consistency, so add just enough for your preferred smoothness.
- Refrigerate to thicken. Because the peanut butter will heat up a bit, homemade peanut butter can be slightly loose and runny when freshly made; by refrigerating your fresh creamy peanut butter, it will slightly thicken it and encourage flavors to meld together. Stir it before use for the perfect creamy spread.
Homemade Peanut Butter
Equipment
- 1 bowl
- 1 Food processor
- 1 Jar only for storage, optional
- 1 silicone or rubber spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups Raw peanuts shelled
- Salt optional, to taste
- Sugar, honey, maple syrup, or another sweetener optional, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F (176 °C)
- Spread 2 cups of peanuts (shelled) evenly on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Stir the peanuts once or twice to ensure even roasting.
- In the meantime, get your food processor ready; you can also use a small chopping attachment that often comes with a blender, but be careful not to overheat it.
- Add 2 cups of roasted peanuts to the food processor along with the salt and, if you want to, a sweetener.
- Occasionally, check if you need to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a silicone or rubber spatula.
- Let the peanut butter cool a bit before adding any mix-ins (like chocolate, chili, or whatever you like).
Notes
- Homemade peanut butter can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using and stir thoroughly to reincorporate any separated oils.
- Store peanut butter in a sealed, air-tight jar or container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. It typically stays good for about 3-4 weeks, developing a deeper flavor as it rests.
- If you want a richer, darker taste, you can roast the peanuts a bit longer, but be careful not to burn them!
- A strong food processor or high-powered blender is key to achieving a smooth, creamy consistency without overheating the nuts. If your food processor feels a little like it starts to overheat, pause occasionally.
- If you need peanut butter and don’t have a lot of time to make it completely from scratch, you can always start with dry-roasted nuts. It will save you time but still guarantees that rich, toasty flavor. If using raw peanuts, be sure to roast them thoroughly before blending.
- If your peanut butter is too thick for your taste, you can introduce oil in small increments. It will control the texture and avoid making the peanut butter too runny. You want a spreadable but thick consistency, so add just enough for your preferred smoothness.
- Because the peanut butter will heat up a bit, homemade peanut butter can be slightly loose and runny when freshly made; by refrigerating your fresh creamy peanut butter, it will slightly thicken it and encourage flavors to meld together. Stir it before use for the perfect creamy spread.
Recipe Variations
Chunky Style
Reserve a handful of peanuts and chop them coarsely, then fold them back into the smooth peanut butter for a delicious crunch.
Spiced Peanut Butter
Add a pinch of cinnamon, chili flakes, or a dash of cayenne pepper for a warming, subtly spicy twist that elevates the flavor.
Chocolate Peanut Butter
Blend in a spoonful of cocoa powder or half a cup of chocolate drops to create a luscious, dessert-worthy spread.
Oil Version
If your peanuts aren’t oily enough, just slowly blend in some oil (preferably peanut oil, coconut oil, or another neutral-tasting oil). It will give your peanut butter a creamier texture.
Nutty Mix
Combine peanuts with other (roasted) nuts like almonds or cashews to create a unique multi-nut butter with layered flavors.
Flavor Boosters
Use Roasted Sea Salt
Adding coarse roasted sea salt on top amplifies both texture and flavor, giving each bite a savory crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy butter.
Toast the Spices
If adding spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg, toast them lightly before mixing in to bring warmth and deepen their aromatic presence in the peanut butter.
Sweeten with Maple Syrup
Maple syrup adds a rich, woody sweetness that pairs beautifully with the nutty base, making your peanut butter a standout treat for toast or baking.
Add Vanilla Extract
A splash of pure vanilla extract subtly enhances the nutty flavors, lending a soothing, aromatic layer to your peanut butter.
Mix in Chopped Nuts or Seeds
For added texture, stir in toasted chopped nuts, chia seeds, or flaxseeds to create an exciting, nutrient-packed spread.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with this Recipe
The Peanut Butter Is Too Grainy
If your peanut butter turns out grainy, continue blending longer and scrape down the sides often. Using a powerful food processor helps achieve a smoother texture.
The Peanut Butter Is Too Thick or Dry
When your peanut butter is a thick paste, too thick for your liking, add in oil gradually as you blend to loosen the texture. If it’s too dry, a little extra oil or even a tiny splash of warm water can help create a creamy spread.
The Peanuts Are Not Roasted Enough
Undercooked peanuts yield a bland, raw taste. Ensure you roast peanuts until they are golden and aromatic, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
The Peanut Butter Separates
Homemade peanut butter sometimes separates with oil rising to the top. Stir well before use and store in the refrigerator to slow this process.
The Food Processor Overheats
If your food processor is overheating, blend in shorter bursts and allow it to cool down between sessions to avoid motor strain or damage.
Freezing & Storing Leftovers
- Homemade peanut butter can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using and stir thoroughly to reincorporate any separated oils.
- Store peanut butter in a sealed, air-tight jar or container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. It typically stays good for about 3-4 weeks, developing a deeper flavor as it rests.
Extra FAQs
Can I use raw peanuts instead of roasted peanuts?
Yes, but roasting raw peanuts beforehand enhances the flavor and helps release natural oils, making for a creamier and tastier peanut butter.
Is it necessary to add oil?
Not always. If the peanuts are oily enough, you can skip adding oil, though a bit of neutral oil helps achieve a smoother, more spreadable consistency.
How long does homemade peanut butter last?
Stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it typically remains fresh for up to 3-4 weeks.
Can I make flavored peanut butter?
Absolutely! You can add flavors like cinnamon, cocoa powder, choco drops, honey, maple syrup, vanilla extract, or whatever you like during blending to personalize your peanut butter.
