Homemade Peanut Butter Recipe

Peanuts: These are the main ingredient and give the peanut butter its rich, nutty flavor. Using roasted peanuts adds extra depth to the taste.

Honey: Adds a touch of natural sweetness to balance the saltiness and bring everything together.

Peanut or vegetable oil: Helps make the peanut butter smooth and creamy by adding a little extra moisture.

Salt: Enhances the flavor and brings out the natural taste of the peanuts.

When you’re making homemade peanut butter, one of the trickiest parts is getting the peanuts to blend into a smooth, creamy texture. Here’s a simple way to handle that step so your food processor works its magic without any trouble:

1. Start by putting the roasted peanuts into the food processor bowl. Don’t add anything else yet—just the peanuts.
2. Turn the food processor on and let it run for about 1 to 2 minutes. At first, the peanuts will turn into a crumbly mix, kind of like coarse sand.
3. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides with a spatula. This helps all the peanuts get blended evenly.
4. Turn the food processor back on and keep blending. After a little more time, the peanuts will start to release their natural oils and turn creamy.
5. If it looks too thick or dry, you can add the oil a little bit at a time to help it get smooth.

Doing this step slowly and scraping the sides makes sure you don’t end up with chunky bits stuck to the bowl. It also helps the peanut butter get that perfect creamy texture that’s easy to spread on toast or mix into recipes.

When I first tried this, I didn’t scrape the sides enough, and my peanut butter was lumpy and uneven. Once I started stopping the food processor to scrape, the texture got so much better. Also, adding just a little oil at a time means you don’t accidentally make it too runny. It’s a small step, but it makes a big difference in how smooth and tasty your homemade peanut butter turns out!

• unsalted, roasted peanuts - Substitute with unsalted, roasted almonds: Almonds provide a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor, making them a good alternative for peanut butter.

• unsalted, roasted peanuts - Substitute with unsalted, roasted cashews: Cashews have a naturally sweet and creamy texture, which can mimic the consistency of peanut butter.

• honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup offers a similar sweetness and viscosity, making it a good alternative to honey.

• honey - Substitute with agave nectar: Agave nectar is another sweetener that can replace honey, providing a similar taste and texture.

• peanut or vegetable oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a similar consistency and adds a subtle coconut flavor.

• peanut or vegetable oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used as a healthier alternative, though it may impart a slightly different flavor.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in place of regular salt, offering a similar taste with potentially more minerals.

• salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt can replace regular salt, providing a similar level of saltiness with a different texture.

• Ensure your homemade peanut butter is completely cool before storing. This helps maintain its texture and flavor.

• Transfer the peanut butter into a clean, airtight container. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids work best to keep it fresh.

• Store the container in a cool, dark place like a pantry. Homemade peanut butter can last up to a month at room temperature.

• For longer storage, place the peanut butter in the refrigerator. This can extend its shelf life to about 3-4 months. Remember, refrigeration may cause it to thicken, so let it sit at room temperature for a bit before using.

• If you prefer to freeze your peanut butter, spoon it into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Label the containers with the date.

• Frozen peanut butter can last up to 6 months. To use, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.

• Always use a clean utensil to scoop out the peanut butter to avoid contamination and extend its freshness.

• If you notice any changes in smell, taste, or appearance, it’s best to discard the peanut butter to ensure safety.

• gently warm the peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl. heat it in 10-second intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches your desired consistency.
• place the peanut butter in a heatproof jar and submerge it in a bowl of warm water. let it sit for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it softens.
• use a double boiler method by placing the peanut butter in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. stir continuously until it becomes smooth and spreadable.
• if you prefer a more hands-off approach, leave the peanut butter at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour. it will naturally soften and become easier to spread.

• Food processor: Essential for blending the peanuts into a smooth, creamy consistency.

• Spatula: Useful for scraping down the sides of the food processor to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.

• Measuring spoons: Needed to accurately measure the honey, oil, and salt.

• Airtight container: Important for storing the homemade peanut butter to keep it fresh.

• Spoon: Handy for transferring the peanut butter from the food processor to the airtight container.

Use pre-roasted peanuts: Save time by using pre-roasted peanuts instead of roasting them yourself.

Skip the oil: If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can skip the oil altogether.

Batch processing: Make a larger batch and store in multiple airtight containers to reduce the frequency of preparation.

Quick clean-up: Line your workspace with parchment paper for easy clean-up after processing the peanuts.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the honey, salt, and oil before starting to streamline the process.