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

FAQs

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.

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.

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).

If you don't have a 12-cup food processor, but you do have a high-speed blender (like a Vitamix), that can be used to make homemade almond butter, too. The difference is you'll need to use more almonds and a tamper.

Store the jar upside down

This is a long-term solution that prevents the layer of dry, crumbly butter from ever forming, because by the time you get to the end of the jar it will have been flipped enough time for the oil to continually redistribute and keep the nut butter hydrated and smooth throughout.

If it's been about 10 minutes and your nut butter still isn't getting creamy, you can add a tiny bit of oil. I occasionally have to add 1 – 2 teaspoons of oil (I love using coconut oil) to help with the blending process, but when you're using roasted nuts, it really shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Stir 1-2 drops of peanut or canola oil into dry almond butter to revive it. Carefully pour just a drop or 2 of the oil into the almond butter. Use a butter knife to stir it in thoroughly. Peanut oil and canola oil are both neutral oils that can make it more creamy and spreadable without changing the flavor.

Almond butter is high in monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats help to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Many other nutrients in almond butter also help improve your heart health and lower your risk for heart disease.

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.

Homemade almond butter is more affordable, too.

Just compare the price of one pound of raw almonds to the price of your favorite almond butter. The cost savings depend largely on the almond butter. I've bought jars of almond butter at Trader Joe's for seven dollars, so there's not much savings opportunity there.

Can almond butter go rancid? ›

When almond butter has gone bad, there are several signs to look out for. Check for any unusual or off-putting odors. If the almond butter smells rancid or has a sour or fermented aroma, it is likely spoiled. A change in taste, such as a bitter or unpleasant flavor, can also be a sign of spoilage.

Peanut butter is one of the best alternatives to almond butter. It's smooth, creamy and super tasty! Almond butter and peanut butter are quite similar in flavor, almond butter is a little bit nuttier and peanut butter is a bit more smooth in texture. But regardless, peanut butter is a good alternative.

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.

Use an immersion blender

If your nut butter comes in a jar with a wide rim, Simply Recipes recommends using an immersion blender. If you don't have one, One Lovely Life states that a hand mixer also works great.

Roasting the raw almonds helps to release a bit of their natural oils, which will help the nuts blend easier in your food processor and bring out their naturally nutty flavor. If making raw almond butter, you may need to add a drizzle of oil to help it reach a creamy and smooth consistency.

Once the almond butter is smooth and you've added enough salt to suit your tastes, it's time to chill. The almond butter will be really warm and runny from the heat generated by the blender, so chilling helps it thicken, as well as prolongs its shelf life.

Oil on top of nut butter is a good sign

The oil is natural and normal, and it's the sign of a pure natural nut butter. If you see a nut butter that doesn't have the separation of oil and nut meat, and everything is bonded together, you now know that there are additives bonding the ingredients together.

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.