Making your own almond butter at home is incredibly easy and rewarding. Not only does homemade almond butter taste better than store-bought versions, it allows you to control exactly what goes into it.
This simple almond butter honey recipe only requires a few ingredients and can be made in just a couple of steps. Once you learn how to make almond butter yourself, you'll never want to buy it from the store again!
Ingredients Needed
Making almond butter honey at home starts with gathering a few key ingredients:
- Raw Almonds - You'll want to use raw, unsalted almonds. Roasted or salted varieties can be used but raw nuts make the best homemade almond butter. Buy them in bulk for the most savings.
- Honey - Local, raw honey works wonderfully, adding natural sweetness to balance the almonds' flavor. Clover, wildflower, orange blossom - use your favorite floral honey for its unique notes.
- Neutral Oil - A touch of mild oil like grapeseed or avocado oil helps the almonds break down smoothly and prevents dryness. Olive or coconut oil can also work.
- Salt - Just a pinch of salt brings out the flavors and balances sweetness. Sea salt or pink salt adds a pretty flecked appearance.
- Flavorings (optional) - Customize your almond butter with mix-ins like cocoa powder, cinnamon, vanilla, etc. Get creative with ingredients!
How to Make Almond Butter Honey
With the right equipment and a bit of patience, you'll have fresh almond butter in no time.
- Food Processor - A powerful food processor is the easiest route for making almond butter. Models with an S-blade work best to pulverize nuts. Or use a heavy-duty blender for the smoothest results.
- Add Almonds - Pour 1 1/2 - 2 cups raw almonds into a food processor. Don't overfill or nuts may get stuck.
- Process Almonds - Run the food processor for 3-4 minutes until finely ground into a coarse meal. Stop to scrape sides as needed.
- Add Oil and Honey - Drizzle in 1-2 Tbsp oil and 1-3 Tbsp honey while processing. This helps release oils for a creamy texture.
- Keep Processing - Continue running the processor for 8-12 more minutes, stopping to scrape sides regularly. The mixture will form a ball and then transform into smooth butter.
- Check Consistency - Taste almond butter for sweetness. Add more oil for creaminess or honey to taste. The natural oils should make it spreadable.
- Transfer to Jar - Spoon almond butter into an airtight container and enjoy! Store in the fridge for 3-4 weeks maximum.
Flavor Variations
Once you master the basic almond butter honey recipe, there are endless ways to adapt it by adding other flavors. Mix up your homemade almond butter to create any of these tasty variations:
- Maple Almond Butter - Use pure maple syrup instead of honey for a caramel-like flavor.
- Cinnamon Almond Butter - Stir in 1 tsp ground cinnamon for warmth and spice.
- Chocolate Almond Butter - Sneak in 2-3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder for chocolatey goodness.
- Vanilla Almond Butter - Add 1-2 tsp pure vanilla extract for a classic touch.
- Espresso Almond Butter - Mix in 1 Tbsp instant coffee granules to infuse a mocha flavor.
- Turmeric Almond Butter - Whisk in 1 tsp turmeric with black pepper for an anti-inflammatory kick.
- Matcha Almond Butter - Blend in 1 tsp matcha powder for natural green tea flavor.
- Cookie Dough Almond Butter - Fold in chocolate chips and sprinkle of brown sugar post-blending.
Storing and Freezing
- Storage Tips: Store homemade almond butter in the refrigerator to prevent the oils from separating. The nut oils may rise to the top, so be sure to stir well before each use.
- Freezing Tips: Almond butter holds up well in the freezer too. Portion it into an ice cube tray or muffin tin, then transfer frozen cubes to a freezer bag. Thaw at room temp or microwave for easy spreading.
- Shelf Life: Properly stored almond butter stays fresh in the fridge for 2-4 weeks. Monitor for signs of spoilage like off odors, taste, or mold development. Discard if any rancidity is detected.
Serving Suggestions
Homemade almond butter is endlessly versatile! Slather it on toast, add dollops to oatmeal, use as a smoothie booster, and beyond. Here are some delicious ways to eat almond butter honey:
- Spread on apples, bananas, or celery for an instant snack
- Swirl into yogurt, cottage cheese, or ricotta cheese
- Make homemade granola bars, energy bites, or no-bake cookies
- Add to a peanut butter and jelly style sandwich
- Blend into smoothies, milkshakes, or frozen yogurt
- Use as a sauce drizzle over pancakes or waffles
- Mix with coconut flakes for homemade Kind bars
- Add to batter for cakes, muffins, or brownies
- Stir into oats or chia pudding for extra protein
- Dollop on top of banana ice cream for a treat
The options are endless! Let your creativity run wild with recipes utilizing your homemade honey almond butter.
Benefits of Almond Butter
Beyond tasting delicious, almond butter delivers some stellar nutritional benefits. Here's what makes it a healthy choice:
- Protein - Almonds offer more plant-based protein than most other nuts - about 6 grams per serving. The protein keeps you fuller longer.
- Healthy Fats - Mono and polyunsaturated fats in almonds support heart health and balance blood sugar.
- Vitamin E - Almonds provide an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin E to boost immunity.
- Magnesium - This mineral aids muscle function, nerve transmission, immunity, and bone health.
- Fiber - Almond skins provide insoluble fiber that feeds good gut bacteria and aids digestion.
- Low Carb - With just 5-6 grams of net carbs per serving, almond butter fits low-carb, keto, and paleo diets.
- Flavonoids - Compounds that act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
So reach for almond butter to reap all these nutritional perks! Choosing homemade versions gives you full control over ingredients.
Troubleshooting Homemade Almond Butter
Making your own almond butter is simple, but little problems can pop up. Here are some common issues and solutions:
- Oily/greasy texture - This means too much oil got added. Try blending in more almonds to absorb excess oils.
- Dry, crumbly texture - Blend in another tablespoon or two of mild oil to loosen it up.
- Difficulty getting smooth - Older nuts have less oil. Add oil if needed or use fresher raw almonds.
- Food processor overheating - Give it breaks to rest and prevent motor burnout.
- Almonds climbing up processor sides - Stop and use a spatula to scrape sides down into the blade area.
- Noise concerns - Making almond butter is loud! Warn housemates or make when others are out.
- Allergy concerns - Check that equipment is nut-free if also used for non-nut recipes.
Is Making Almond Butter Worth It?
If the idea of homemade almond butter appeals to you, rest assured that the extra effort pays off in many ways:
- Cost savings - DIY almond butter costs a fraction of the price of store-bought. Almonds bought in bulk are very budget-friendly.
- Ingredient control - You choose exactly what does (or doesn't) go into your almond butter like oils, sugar, preservatives, etc.
- Customization - Jazz up your almond butter with any flavors that suit your taste buds!
- Freshness - Nothing beats the flavor of freshly ground almond butter. The oils stay intact vs. commercial processing.
- Versatility - Use homemade almond butter in recipes, as a snack, layered into parfaits, and more.
- Gift potential - Make pretty jars tied with ribbon bows to give as edible homemade gifts!
For anyone who enjoys almond butter regularly, preparing your own batch is a no-brainer. The aroma filling your kitchen as the nuts transform into butter is reward enough!
FAQs
Can raw almonds be used?
Absolutely! Raw almonds work wonderfully to make homemade almond butter. They produce the freshest flavor.
Does the almond skin get removed?
No, the skins stay on during processing. The skin provides fiber, nutrients, and texture.
Can I use a blender instead?
You can, but a high-powered blender like a Vitamix works best. Expect a longer processing time in a regular blender.
Is almond butter healthier than peanut butter?
Almond butter does edge out peanut butter in certain vitamins and minerals, but both make good nutritional choices.
How long does homemade almond butter last?
Stored properly in the refrigerator, homemade almond butter lasts 3-4 weeks before going bad.
What kind of almonds work best?
Raw almonds freshly bought in bulk will provide the finest quality for almond butter. Avoid old or rancid nuts.
Can I use salted almonds?
Lightly salted nuts can be used but you'll need to adjust any added salt in the recipe accordingly.
Do I need special equipment?
A food processor or heavy-duty blender is required to break down the almond's tough structure into butter.
Conclusion
Mastering this easy almond butter honey recipe allows you to stop buying store-bought and start making your own customized versions.
The aromas filling your kitchen will be rewarding enough, plus you can control the quality and ingredients.
Slather your homemade honey almond butter on toast, add to smoothies, use in recipes, and beyond!
Homemade Almond Butter with Honey
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw almonds
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil or mild oil
- 1/4 tsp sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Add almonds to food processor and process until finely ground, about 2 minutes.
- Add honey, oil, and salt. Process until smooth and creamy, about 5-8 minutes.
- Taste and adjust honey and salt as desired.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.
- Stir before using, as oils may separate.
Notes
- For flavor options, add cocoa powder, cinnamon, maple syrup, etc.
- Processing time varies based on food processor strength.
- Refrigerate up to 1 month or freeze in portions for longer storage.