It’s no secret that nuts are an amazing health food that’s both filling and nutritious.
One of the yummiest ways to eat nuts is through nut butter, which is easy to use in baked goods, smoothies, and simple snacks.
However, nut butter can be expensive and sometimes contains additives like canola oil or preservatives. That’s why it’s better to make your own at home. You can even use this method to make seed butter.
1. Soak and Dry
This step is optional, but it guarantees a higher quality result.
Soaking nuts and seeds removes the protective anti-nutrients from the outside of the seed. These anti-nutrients protect the seed from predators and untimely sprouting. In humans, they bind to minerals and decrease their bioavailability. Soaking nuts also improves your body’s ability to digest these foods.
Soaking doesn’t require constant work or attention, you simply cover the nuts or seeds with water and let it sit.
Different nuts require different soaking times, so here’s a simple guide on how it works:
- Almonds: 8-12h
- Pecans: 4-6h
- Macadamia nuts: 8h
- Brazil nuts: no soaking required
- Cashew nuts: 2h
- Peanuts: 8h
- Hazelnut: 8h
- Pistachios: no soaking required
- Walnuts: 4h
Most seeds should be soaked for 4-5 hours, but you can also leave them overnight.
After soaking them, pay the nuts on a clean dishtowel and pat dry. Use a dehydrator to remove the rest or the humidity or place them on a baking sheet and bake at 150F for 12-14 hours.
Most seeds should be soaked for 4-5 hours, but you can also leave them overnight.
After soaking them, pay the nuts on a clean dishtowel and pat dry. Use a dehydrator to remove the rest or the humidity or place them on a baking sheet and bake at 150°F for 12-14 hours.
2. Roast nuts or seeds (optional)
Once the nuts and seeds are dry, roasting them will improve the flavor and texture of your final result. It also helps draw out the oil to make it easier to process and turn into butter.
You heat them up, toast them in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes, tossing them frequently to avoid burning. You can also bake them at 300°F for 10-15 minutes, shaking the baking tray every 3-5 minutes to avoid burning.
3. Simple Homemade Nut/Seed Butter
This simple recipe can be adapted by combining different nuts or add different elements, like dried fruit, honey, or vanilla bean. You can even make your own Nutella by using hazelnuts and adding a spoonful of cocoa.
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups nuts and/or seeds of your choice
- 1-2 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil or oil of your choice
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
- Place the nuts or seeds in a food processor or blender while they are still hot.
- Pulse the nuts at high speed until they break down. Stop regularly to scrape the sides of the container and blend again. This process may take a while, to be patient and give your blender a break every once in awhile to prevent the motor from burning up.
- Once the content have turned into a fine powder, add oil and blend until creamy and smooth. Do not add water or milk or your butter will spoil too quickly.
- Add salt and flavoring and pulse again until combined.
- If you want a crunchy butter, add 1-2 tablespoons of crushed/roasted nuts or seeds and stir them in.
- Place the butter in a jar and store in a dark, cool place.