Recipe details
Ingredients
All you need is:
500-600g of nuts of your choice. I went for cashew nuts on this occasion, but feel free to use your preference - or even a blend of nuts!
Optional additions - a pinch of sea salt flakes, vanilla bean paste, chilli or other spices.
Instructions
How to make your own nut butter:
- Beginning by pre heating your oven to 200c and line a large baking tray with greaseproof paper. It makes it a lot easier to transfer your nuts to the blender this way too as you can gather the sheet up at the sides and create a tunnel to slide the nuts straight into the blender. Now you have chosen your nut/s, spread them out on the tray and roast for 10 minutes. Whilst pre roasting is optional I recommend for the best flavour!
- Carefully pick up the roasted nuts by the edges of the baking paper and slide into your blender with ease. If you want to add any salt, vanilla etc then now is the time. Depending on your blender / food processor, the blending time can vary. In my Kitchenaid Food Processor it took around 15-17 minutes, although I haven't compared it to my Kitchenaid Blender. It will go through different stages, starting with almost crumb like in texture, to something resembling biscuit dough and finally a smooth butter. Don't be tempted to add water, just trust the process!
- Once done you can enjoy immediately - I love it on toast, in smoothies and on top of breakfast bowls!
I opt to keep my nut butter in the fridge, as they don't contain artificial preservatives, but allow it to come to room temperature a little before using
Can you use any nuts to make home made nut butter?
Yes, you can make homemade nut butter using a variety of nuts. Some of the most popular nuts for making nut butter include:
- Peanuts: Peanut butter is perhaps the most common type of nut butter. It's relatively inexpensive and easy to make at home.
- Almonds: Almond butter is a nutritious alternative to peanut butter. It's rich in healthy fats, protein, and various vitamins and minerals.
- Cashews: Cashew butter is creamy and has a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It's a good source of healthy fats, protein, and minerals like copper and magnesium.
- Walnuts: Walnut butter has a distinct, earthy flavour and is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health.
- Hazelnuts: Hazelnut butter has a rich, nutty flavour and is commonly used to make spreads like Nutella.
- Pecans: Pecan butter has a sweet, rich flavour and is high in healthy fats and fibre.
- Macadamia Nuts: Macadamia nut butter is incredibly creamy and has a delicate, buttery flavour. It's also very high in healthy monounsaturated fats.
- Sunflower Seeds: While not technically a nut, sunflower seed butter is a popular nut-free alternative. It's a good source of protein, healthy fats, and various vitamins and minerals.
To make nut butter, you generally need to roast the nuts (except for peanuts, which are usually already roasted when you buy them), and then process them in a food processor or high-powered blender until they turn into a creamy consistency. The process may take some time and you might need to stop and scrape down the sides of the container a few times. But persevere and trust the process as they will get there eventually.
You can also customise your nut butter by adding a pinch of salt, a sweetener like honey or maple syrup, or even flavourings like cinnamon or cocoa powder.
What can you use nut butter for?
Here are some common uses for nut butter:
- Spread on Toast or Bread: This is one of the most popular and simple ways to enjoy nut butter. It can be spread on toast, bagels, or any type of bread for a delicious and nutritious snack or breakfast.
- Smoothies: Nut butter can be added to smoothies to provide a creamy texture and a boost of protein and healthy fats.
- Dipping Sauce: It can be mixed with ingredients like soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, and other flavourings to make a tasty dipping sauce for vegetables, spring rolls, or chicken.
- Salad Dressings: Incorporating nut butter into salad dressings can add creaminess, flavour, and nutrition. It pairs well with ingredients like citrus, soy sauce, and various herbs and spices.
- Baking: Nut butter can be used in baking to add flavour, richness, and moisture to recipes. It can be used in cookies, brownies, muffins, and even in pie crusts.
- Protein Bars and Energy Bites: Many homemade protein bars and energy bite recipes call for nut butter as a binding and flavouring agent.
- Stir-Fries and Curries: Nut butter can be used as a base for sauces in stir-fries and curries. It adds richness and depth of flavour.
- Oatmeal: Swirling a spoonful of nut butter into a bowl of oatmeal adds creaminess, flavour, and an extra dose of protein.
- Ice Cream Topping: Melted nut butter can be drizzled over ice cream or frozen yogurt for a delicious and indulgent topping.
- Smoothie Bowls: Nut butter can be swirled into smoothie bowls for added creaminess and flavour.
- DIY Nut Milk: By blending nut butter with water, you can make your own nut milk. This can be used as a dairy-free milk substitute in various recipes.
- Marinades: Nut butter can be used as a base for marinades for meats, tofu, or vegetables. It adds flavour and helps tenderise the ingredients.
- Stuffed Vegetables: Nut butter can be used as a filling for vegetables like peppers or courgettes and marrows, providing a creamy and flavourful centre.
- Desserts: Nut butter can be used in various dessert recipes, from cheesecakes to truffles, to provide creaminess and flavour.
- Sauces for Noodles: Nut butter can be used to create creamy sauces for pasta or noodles. It pairs well with ingredients like garlic, ginger, and chili.
Remember, different nut butters (such as peanut, almond, cashew, etc.) have slightly different flavours and consistencies, so they may be better suited for different applications. Experimenting with different types can lead to unique and delicious creations!
How do you store home made nut butter?
Homemade nut butter should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage. Label the container with the type of nut butter and date of preparation, and be sure to use clean utensils to avoid contamination.
