Homemade almond butter is creamy, wholesome, delicious, and surprisingly simple to make. This easy almond butter recipe can be made with just one ingredient: almonds. If you use a high-powered Vitamix blender, the blending step takes about one minute, and you do not need to add extra oil when the almonds are freshly roasted and properly cooled.
Making almond butter at home is one of those healthy kitchen basics that quickly becomes part of your regular routine. It belongs in the same category as homemade nut milk: simple, practical, and much fresher than many store-bought options. The first time you make it, though, you may be surprised by how long it can take in a standard food processor. Almonds are firm nuts, and they do not turn into butter as quickly as softer, oilier nuts.
A food processor can work, but it may take quite a while before the almonds move from chopped pieces to a thick paste and finally into smooth almond butter. With a high-speed blender such as a Vitamix, the process is much faster. The key is using enough almonds, blending on high, and using the tamper with confidence to push the nuts down toward the blades.
How to Make Almond Butter
To make the best homemade almond butter, it helps to understand how nuts behave when blended. Some nuts naturally contain more oils than others. Peanuts, cashews, and macadamia nuts tend to blend into nut butter more easily because they have a higher fat content. Almonds contain natural oils too, but they are a little drier, which means they need either heat or a small amount of added oil to become creamy.
There are two easy ways to make almond butter blend smoothly:
- Add a little neutral-flavored oil to raw almonds before blending. This helps the almonds move more easily around the blender and become creamy faster.
- Roast the raw almonds first to help release their natural oils. This is the preferred method if you want a deeper roasted almond flavor and want to avoid added oil.
If you roast the almonds, there is one important step you should not skip: let them cool completely to room temperature before blending. Do not add hot roasted nuts directly to a plastic Vitamix container. While Vitamix containers can handle hot liquids and soups, hot nuts are concentrated oils, and they can become even hotter during blending. For the best result, roast the almonds, cool them fully, and then blend.
Roasting is optional, but it gives almond butter a rich, warm, nutty flavor. If you prefer raw almond butter or you are short on time, you can blend raw almonds with 3 to 4 tablespoons of neutral-flavored oil. Once the almonds are in the blender, turn it to high speed and use the tamper to push the almonds down into the blades, especially toward the corners of the container. The friction and movement are what transform the almonds into a smooth, spreadable butter.
More Tips for Your Homemade Almond Butter
- Storage: Store homemade almond butter in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator. It should keep well for several weeks.
- Temperature: Ovens can vary, so your almonds may need an extra minute or two of roasting. If they seem dry and do not blend easily, they may not have roasted long enough to release their oils.
- Tamper: Use the tamper firmly. Push the almonds down into the blades and toward the corners of the container. Gentle stirring is not enough; the friction helps create creamy almond butter.
- Nuts: Soaked and dehydrated almonds are not ideal for this recipe. If you use them, you will likely need to add oil because some of the natural oils may have been reduced during the soaking and dehydrating process. Pre-roasted almonds can add flavor, but they may still need extra oil because freshly roasted almonds blend more easily on their own.
- Quantity: Do not reduce the amount of almonds when using a Vitamix. You need at least 4 cups of almonds so the blades can work properly and pull the mixture down.
- Troubleshooting: If your almond butter looks dry, crumbly, or flaky instead of creamy, the almonds may need slightly more roasting time, or the almonds themselves may simply be drier. Add one tablespoon of oil at a time and continue blending until the mixture becomes smooth.
More Healthy Basics Tutorials
- How to Make Almond Milk
- How to Make Cashew Milk
- Homemade Mayonnaise
- How to Make Coconut Whipped Cream
- How to Poach Eggs
How to Make Almond Butter in 1 Minute
Description
Video
Ingredients
- 4 cups raw almonds
Optional
- 3-4 tbsp neutral-flavored oil, such as avocado oil
Instructions
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If roasting the almonds, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Spread the almonds on a parchment-lined baking tray and roast for 10 to 13 minutes.
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Let the almonds cool completely to room temperature, then transfer them to the Vitamix container.
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If using raw almonds with oil instead of roasting, add the oil to the Vitamix container first, then add the almonds.
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Secure the lid and remove the cap. Insert the tamper through the lid, turn the Vitamix to high, and use the tamper to continuously press the almonds into the blades, especially around the corners. After about one minute, the almonds should become creamy almond butter.
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Transfer the almond butter to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
Lisa’s Tips
- For a one-ingredient almond butter, roast the almonds first and let them cool completely before blending.
- If the mixture does not become creamy, add one tablespoon of neutral oil at a time and continue blending until smooth.
- Use the tamper firmly. The almonds need to stay in contact with the blades for the butter to form quickly.
Nutrition
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Calories: 96kcal
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Carbohydrates: 3.7g
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Protein: 3.7g
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Fat: 8.2g
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Saturated Fat: 0.7g
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Fiber: 1.8g
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Sugar: 0.5g
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated.
This post was created in partnership with Vitamix, a brand the author has loved and used for years. All thoughts and opinions are the author’s own. The post was originally published in January 2017 and later updated with additional tips and information.