How to Make Homemade Almond Butter - This Healthy Kitchen

Name: How to Make Almond Butter
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Ingredients: 2 cups almonds; 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (optional)

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Silky smooth, incredibly nutty, earthy and delicious homemade almond butter. There’s nothing quite like homemade nut butters, and this one has only 1 ingredient required! No added oil or sugar, just a wholesome, rich and delicious spread.

Slice of toast on plate with almond butter on top and knife with almond butter on it.

This recipe was originally published in July 2019. It has been updated for content and photos.

Just like my pecan butter, this nut butter is super simple to make, requires NO OIL, it’s completely wholesome, and a fun alternative to peanut butter.

Plus, there’s so many fun ways to use it, and I know you’re going to LOVE it.

Why make homemade almond butter?

So much cheaper to make your own, so it’s very budget friendly, compared to store bought.
Homemade anything means YOU control the ingredients, and in this case, there’s no oil, sugar, or preservatives.
It’s SO delicious!!

Glass jar filled with almond butter with whole almonds scattered around it.

How to make it

(This is a summary with step by step photos, full recipe measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.)

All you need is almonds, with some optional salt, if you’d like.

Measure the almonds and spread them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. (photo 1)

Bake for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown, and you can start to smell them. Then remove from the oven. (photo 2)

Almonds on baking tray, before and after roasting.

Transfer the roasted almonds to your food processor, along with the salt, if using. (photo 3)

Now start processing them. The almonds will break down into smaller bits, and eventually a flour like consistency that is starting to clump together. (photos 4-6)

NOTE: The almonds will go through several stages and it may feel like they’ll never turn to butter, but they will! Just have patience.

Collage of images with almonds in food processor being broken down from almonds to flour.

Pause processing every 30-60 seconds to give your machine a small break to prevent overheating. Then continue processing.

The small clumps will get larger and larger until a giant ball is formed. (photos 7-9)

When you see a giant ball, it’s almost ready! Keep processing until you have luscious, creamy, homemade almond butter. (photo 10)

NOTES: Turn off your food processor to scrape down the sides as needed and give the motor a break, to prevent overheating. This process will take anywhere from 3-10 minutes, depending on the machine you’re using.

Image collage of almonds to flour, to almond butter.

Store in a clean and dry jar or container, and use as desired.

Toast with almond butter and knife beside it on white plate with bowl of almonds in background.

Common Questions

How to store almond butter?

Keep it in a clean and dry glass jar or container. Keep at room temperature for up to 1 week, or refrigerate for up to 4 weeks.

Does almond butter need to be refrigerated?

Although you may keep it at room temperature for up to 1 week, I recommend refrigerating for longer use.

Can almond butter be frozen?

Yes! Just make sure to use an air tight, freezer safe container and freeze for up to 4 months.

Can I make crunchy almond butter, instead of smooth?

Yup. Just scoop out a few tablespoons of the broken down almond pieces towards the start of your processing. Then once the remaining batch is smooth, return the pieces to the processor and pulse once or twice to mix them in.

Does almond butter taste like peanut butter?

No. Although similar in texture and consistency, it does have a unique flavour. But if you like peanut butter and you like almonds, you’ll like this too!

Is almond butter healthier than peanut butter?

The nutritional values are similar in terms of calories and fat per serving. However, almond butter has more vitamins, minerals and fiber, whereas peanut butter is slightly higher in protein. Both should be consumed in moderation as they are calorie dense, but the good news is, a little goes a long way!

Which food processor should I use?

I use this Cuisinart food processor and I’ve also successfully made this in my Vitamix. (affiliate links) The results were similarly smooth in both, but the Vitamix was a little faster to process, and less worry of overheating. However, I prefer how much simpler it is to transfer the nut butter from a food processor.

How to use it

Stir some into smoothies or smoothie bowls.
Spread it on toast or top waffles or pancakes.
Mix some into your overnight oatmeal.
Dip apples, or make a sandwich with banana slices.
Make almond butter cookies.
Grab a spoon!

The options…so many options.

Expert Tips

Give your machine small breaks in between processing to prevent overheating. Turn off your food processor for 30-60 seconds at a time, as needed, and then continue. Use that break to scrape down the sides.
Your homemade almond butter will go through many stages, and it may feel like it’s never going to become butter, but it will. It goes from whole almonds, to broken down pieces, to flour, to small clumps, then large clumps, then one giant ball, and finally creamy nut butter. (See process shots above for a visual.)

If you tried this recipe, please let me know about it in the comments below. I always love hearing from you! Don’t forget to Subscribe to This Healthy Kitchen to be among the first to get my new recipes! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter to see more delicious food and get all the latest updates.

Buon appetito

Rosa

How to Make Almond Butter

There's nothing quite like homemade almond butter, and this one has just 1 ingredient required!

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 18 minutes

Course: Breakfast, How To

Cuisine: Not Specified

Servings: Servings of 1 tablespoon

Calories: 103kcal

Author: Rosa

Equipment

Food Processor

Vitamix Blender

Ingredients

▢ 2 cups almonds
▢ ¼ teaspoon sea salt optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a large baking tray with parchment paper. Arrange the almonds in a single layer and bake for 8-10 minutes. They're ready when they are golden brown, but NOT burned. Remove from the oven.
Add the almonds and salt (if using) to a food processor. Process on high speed until creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides often. The almonds will turn from whole, to flour, to clumps, to a large ball, and eventually, creamy, luscious butter. It will take several minutes of processing, anywhere between 3-10 minutes. Give your machine 30-60 second breaks, as needed, to prevent overheating.
Transfer to a clean and dry container or jar and use as you would any other nut butter.

Notes

Give your machine small breaks in between processing to prevent overheating. Turn off your food processor for 30-60 seconds at a time, as needed, and then continue. Use that break to scrape down the sides.

Your homemade almond butter will go through many stages, and it may feel like it’s never going to become butter, but it will. It goes from whole almonds, to broken down pieces, to flour, to small clumps, then large clumps, then one giant ball, and finally creamy nut butter. (See process shots above for a visual.)

Store in a clean and dry container or jar at room temperature for up to 1 week, or refrigerate for up to 4 weeks. You may freeze air tight in a freezer safe container for up to 4 months.

Nutrition

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*Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools and does not include optional ingredients unless otherwise indicated.