Most store-bought nut butters have fillers. And we know that your body doesn’t like fillers. Instead, here’s how to make almond butter yourself! It’s creamy, filling, delicious, and makes for a great addition to healthy snacks (like “Ants on a Log” – celery with nut butter and raisins, to bring out the kid in ya).
To be honest, making almond butter sounds intimidating, laborious, and far too fancy for people like me. That’s what I thought at first. Growing up on Jiffy, I never thought that I’d be hookin’ up jars in my own kitchen…until a few years ago…when I actually read what the heck I was eating.
Have you checked out the back of your nut butter jars lately?
More often than not, the standard peanut and nut butters will have added ingredients – like less than healthy oils, sugars, salt, and mono and dyglicerides (which are added to foods to bind certain ingredients like oil and water). The truth is, many of these additives are there to: 1) increase shelf-life; 2) decrease cost in production; and 3) make it look a certain way. Notice that none of these are related to helping you feel healthy, energized, or amazing.
How about making it yourself?
To satisfy your cravings, it’s time for you to make it yourself (or buy the o’natural stuff). It’s super simple and actually more affordable than some of the store-bought, organic almond butters. TRUST!
WHY ALMONDS?
We choose ALMONDS over PEANUTS because almonds are slightly higher in fiber and vitamin-E, but there are healthy benefits to all types of nuts (including the traditional peanut legume).
HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE?
In less than 30 minutes, you will have a homemade jar of nutty goodness that will last you weeks! Whaaaaatt? 30 minutes?
Oh and if you like the recipe below, then you may be interested in the Dark Chocolate Almond Butter with Sea Salt recipe too.
Ingredients
2 cups almonds (plain, raw, no salt)
Steps for a SMOOTH Almond Butter:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spread 2 cups of almonds on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes. (NOTE: Check the almonds at 10 minutes. Some older ovens may be hotter than others.)
- Pour 2 cups of roasted almonds in a food processor and let it run for about 5-10 minutes until desired smoothness.
Be patient. It takes a few minutes for the almonds to release the oils for a creamy nut-butter. Within the first few minutes, you’ll notice a dry, meal-like consistency. The fibers will eventually break down. (NOTE: older food processors may require a bit more time.)
Steps for a CHUNKY Almond Butter:
- Roughly chop ¼ cup of roasted almonds (either with knife or a food processor). Set aside.
- Follow the steps above to make a SMOOTH Almond Butter with the remaining almonds.
- Once you reach a smooth, creamy texture, add the roughly chopped almonds and pulse for 10 seconds.
Store in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Yields ~ 1 cup
TRY THIS TOO
Dark Chocolate Almond Butter with Sea Salt recipe!
Kale. All Day. Err Day.
