Homemade Almond Butter (Easy recipe!)

Homemade Almond Butter is easy to make and will save you money!

I am going to start by saying I love nut butters. If I could live on one food, just give me a nut butter and I’ll be good. Anyone else?

I was a peanut butter girl for years; I enjoyed other nut butters, but nothing could compare to my beloved peanut butter. Then I learned that peanuts can be inflammatory, and since I try to follow an anti-inflammatory diet, I decided to start eating almond butter more. Eventually, I loved it just as much as I used to love peanut butter.

Almonds are an anti-inflammatory food, full of healthy fats known to promote heart health. They are a great source of vitamin E, which protect your cells from oxidative damage. They are also a great source of fiber and protein. While I love the taste and texture of almond butter, these are some big reasons to enjoy it even more!

The problem though? The price! Buying almond butter at the store is expensive. It can also be really difficult to find an almond butter with no added oil or sugar. When I started making my own almond butter, I realized how much money I could save AND how great it is to control the ingredients.

You can use the technique for today’s recipe for homemade peanut butter or just about any of the homemade nut butters you might crave. You’re going to be shocked at how easy it is to make your own homemade almond butter!

Recipe Ingredients–What you Need

Here’s where I tell you that you don’t need a lot of ingredients to make the best almond butter. In fact, you only need two simple ingredients:

Raw almonds

I have found that starting with raw almonds and roasting them myself yields the best results.

Salt

Just a little more than a pinch of salt is all you need to bring out the best flavor.

Some recipes will call for maple syrup, cinnamon, or vanilla. You can feel free to add any of those and customize your almond butter, but I suggest trying the original version your first time, and then you can tweak it if you crave different flavors.

How to Make Homemade Almond Butter

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place your almonds on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes.
3. Allow the almonds to cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
4. Place the almonds in a food processor and process until you have a creamy consistency, stopping only to scrape down the bowl of a food processor as needed. In my food processor, it takes approximately 12 minutes to get to the creamy almond butter you see in the photos. You may need to process it a little longer or a little shorter depending on the machine you’re using as well as your personal preference of consistency. I like mine a little smoother and creamier than my husband does, who likes his almond butter with a little grit to it. You’ll find your perfect time!
5. Store in an airtight container. When stored in the refrigerator, the shelf life is about 2 weeks.

Recipe Tips

 

1. My biggest tip is to have patience. It may seem like you are never going to get a creamy nut butter. I have made this many times, and usually just before the 12 minute mark, it switches from a thick paste to a smooth almond butter.
2. Starting with warm almonds makes them process easier. Roasting them yourself also brings out their nutty flavor, which makes for the most delicious almond butter. For best results, don’t skip the step of roasting them yourself!

FAQS

Can I store my almond butter at room temperature?

I always store my almond butter at room temperature in a mason jar. Just know that it lasts longer in the refrigerator, so if you won’t be eating your almond butter quickly (within a week), it’s best to store it in the refrigerator.

I’m storing my almond butter in the fridge and it’s gotten hard. What do I do?

Cold almond butter isn’t as creamy or easy to spread. It’s best to take it out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before using it.

Can I make homemade almond butter from almond flour or almond meal?

Yes, you can start with 3 cups almond flour or almond meal to make your almond butter, but I much prefer the results when I start with whole almonds. If you have some extra almond flour on hand that you want to use instead, go for it! The processing time will be shorter since you’re starting with something that’s already been processed some.

Can I use a high speed blender for this homemade almond butter recipe ?

Yes, this can also be made in a high-speed blender and you’ll get a similar creamy texture. My favorite way is to use a food processor as it can be difficult to get all of the almond butter out from under the blade of the blender.

Do I need to add oil to this?

It’s not necessary to add any oil. The processing brings out the natural oils from the almonds and gives a great consistency.

Does making my own nut butter save money?

Most of the time, yes, you’ll save money by making your own almond butter. I can’t give exact cost savings because it will depend on the cost of food in your area as well as which stores to which you have access. I’ve found the best prices on almonds at Costco and Trader Joe’s.

Can I make this a raw almond butter recipe?

Yes, if you prefer raw almond butter, you will simply start with raw almonds and skip the roasting step. I much prefer the flavor with roasted almonds and also find that warm almonds process faster, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make yours raw if that’s your preference.

What to do with Almond Butter

There’s so much to do with your homemade almond butter! Here are some healthy snack and recipe ideas for you:

• Spread it on apple slices for an after-school snack
• Spread it on whole-grain toast for breakfast
• Make these Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups for a treat (photo above) 
• Try these Almond Butter and Quinoa Energy Balls for a satisfying snack
• Make this tasty Almond Butter Banana Bread
• Use it in this Protein Bar Recipe
• Try these Pear Oatmeal Bars that call for almond butter
• It’s perfect in this flourless Chocolate Fudge Banana Skillet Cake
• This high protein Husband Smoothie is perfection with a touch of almond butter

Want a fun and delicious variation? Make this Chocolate Almond Butter recipe!

If you make this Homemade Almond Butter or any of my other healthy recipes, please share it on Instagram  and I’ll feature you! Also, if you try it, please leave a comment with a star rating below! Those star ratings are so helpful in helping my recipes get discovered. I appreciate you!

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